Ocala, FL Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

The schedule tightens once Eastern Standard Time returns: odd-numbered and no-address residential properties drop to Saturday only, even-numbered addresses to Sunday only, and non-residential irrigation to Tuesday only, still barred between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and capped at three-fourths inch of water and one hour per irrigation zone per watering day. Eight exceptions in section 118-138(c) let irrigation run outside those windows: micro-spray, micro-jet, drip or bubbler systems anytime; brand-new landscaping for a 30-day daily period followed by 30 days of every-other-day watering; watering in chemicals within 24 hours of application, capped at one-fourth inch; system testing and repair up to 20 minutes per zone per hour; hand-held hoses with an automatic shut-off nozzle; air-conditioning condensate discharge; reclaimed water; and recycled water drawn from wet detention ponds not augmented from ground or public supply.

Anyone installing an automatic irrigation system must equip it with a rain or moisture sensor that overrides watering during adequate rainfall. The water and sewer director may grant a variance from the day-of-week schedule where compliance would cause substantial economic or health hardship, and a divided property may be split into zones on different days, but no single zone may be watered more than twice weekly under Daylight Saving Time or once weekly under Eastern Standard Time. This variance is separate from any zoning board of adjustment variance under chapter 122.