Norman, OK Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

NCC 34-505 gives the City Manager full authority to impose and enforce water conservation stages under Norman's water conservation plan. Absent a more restrictive stage, every user of the City water system is bound by Stage 1, Normal Conservation, year-round: even-numbered addresses may only water landscaping on even-numbered calendar dates, and odd-numbered addresses only on odd-numbered dates. Hand watering of landscaping is exempt from the schedule and is allowed at all times regardless of stage. The code sets up a formal variance process through the City Manager or a designee, but variances are narrow: they will not be granted for mere inconvenience, apply only to the specific property and accountholder named, can be revoked at any time for any reason, and confer no ongoing property or personal right.

All variances are automatically suspended if Stage 5, Emergency Conservation, is triggered. The code lists the circumstances the City will actually consider: an existing in-ground irrigation system that makes odd-even compliance physically impossible, a newly installed landscape needing extra watering days to establish, or another special circumstance and extreme hardship shown to the City Manager's satisfaction that will not cause an immediate significant reduction in the City's water supply. The City may charge a fee to apply for, review, and administer a variance.