Water restrictions in New York, NY — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
New York City imposes year-round outdoor water-use rules under 15 RCNY Sec. 20-08. Using a hose, automatic sprinkler, or other means to water lawns or gardens is prohibited between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and from November 1 through March 31 hose, sprinkler, and lawn/garden watering with City water is banned except hand-watering of non-turf plants.
Outdoor watering in New York City is governed by the Rules of the City of New York, Title 15 (Department of Environmental Protection), Chapter 20, Section 20-08 (Water Use Restrictions and Fire Hydrant Use). Under Sec. 20-08(a)(6), the use of a hose, automatic sprinkler, or other means to water lawns or gardens is prohibited between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and any automatic irrigation system must include a sensor or control that prevents operation during or within 24 hours of substantial rain. Between November 1 and the last day of the following March, City water may not be used for hoses, sprinklers, or watering lawns and gardens, except for watering non-turf plants with a hand-held container. At all times, hoses flowing at more than five gallons per minute at 60 psi (or any hose lacking an automatic shut-off mechanism) are prohibited, and allowing sprinklers to flood sidewalks, gutters, and roadways is banned. The Commissioner may suspend lawn-watering permission entirely without formal notice during a Water Pressure Alert or Water Pressure Emergency. Separate Drought Emergency Rules (15 RCNY Chapter 21), authorized by Administrative Code Sec. 24-337 and Sec. 24-346, layer additional Drought Watch, Warning, and Emergency restrictions on top of these standing rules.
Violations of the water-use rules are enforced by the Department of Environmental Protection. Standing restrictions apply year-round regardless of drought status; during an escalated Drought Warning or Emergency declared under 15 RCNY Chapter 21, mandatory restrictions and monetary penalties (such as fines per violation) take effect as set by the declaration.
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