New York, NY Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
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.
Key Facts
- Code Section
- 15 RCNY Sec. 20-08(a)(6)
- Daytime ban
- No lawn/garden watering 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
- Winter ban
- Nov 1-Mar 31: no hose/sprinkler/lawn watering (hand-watering non-turf only)
- Irrigation rule
- Automatic systems need a rain sensor (off during/24 hrs after rain)
- Always prohibited
- Sprinklers flooding sidewalks, gutters, roadways
- Enforcing agency
- NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Summary
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.
(6) Watering of lawns and gardens. (i) The use of a hose, automatic sprinkler or other means to water lawns or gardens is prohibited between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Automatic irrigation systems shall include a sensor or control which shall prevent operation during or within 24 hours of substantial rain. (ii) Between the first day of November and the last day of the following March, the following activities are prohibited using City water: (a) the use of hoses and sprinklers, and (b) the watering of lawns and gardens, except for the watering of non-turf plants with a hand-held container. (iii) The following activities are prohibited at all times: (a) the use of hoses which flow at more than five (5) gpm at sixty (60) psi or which, regardless of flow rate, are not equipped with an automatic shutoff mechanism which will turn off the flow of water if a handle or trigger is not actively held or compressed, and (b) the practice of allowing sprinklers to flood sidewalks, gutters and roadways.
Full Breakdown
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. , 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 & Fines
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I water my lawn in New York City?
Do automatic irrigation systems need a rain sensor?
Can my sprinkler run onto the sidewalk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New York
How New York compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·New York rules heatmap·Compare New York to another location·View the New York landscaping rules overview
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