Novi, MI Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

City of Novi Code § 34-24 governs every property on the city water system year-round, not just during a drought. Under subsection (a), watering lawns or landscaping is unlawful except on an alternate-day schedule set by street address: even-numbered addresses may water on even-numbered days and odd-numbered addresses on odd-numbered days. Properties with an automatic, programmable underground irrigation system face an additional restriction: outdoor watering through that system is confined to the non-peak hours of 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., though a resident may still hand-water manually at any time as long as the irrigation isn't tied to the automatic system, is attended and monitored, and still follows the alternate-day schedule.

The manager of the department of water and sewer can grant written exceptions for new lawn or landscaping installations or to prevent imminent financial loss, and the section expressly does not stop children from playing recreationally in a sprinkler. Beyond the standing alternate-day rule, subsection (b) lets the manager of water and sewer declare a water supply emergency based on drought, depletion of supply, or reduced pressure, announced by radio or television broadcast and posted at city hall. A declared emergency can either tighten outdoor watering to the same even/odd schedule or, under subsection (c)(2), ban all outdoor water use entirely if the alternate-day limit isn't enough, with violations enforced around the clock until the manager declares the emergency over.

Penalties escalate: a first violation of subsection (a) carries a civil fine of not more than $150, and a second or later violation not more than $500, both processed under the state civil-infraction procedures in MCL 257.741 to .750.