Odessa, TX Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Odessa, TX, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Governing document
- Water Conservation & Drought Contingency Plan
- Adopted by
- Ordinance No. 2016-43
- No-watering window
- 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. daily
- Moderate-stage trigger
- Demand exceeds 95% of plant capacity
- Max penalty
- $2,000 fine per violation day
Summary
Odessa's Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan limits landscape irrigation to Administrator-designated days once demand triggers Moderate Conditions, with a citywide 10 a.m.-to-6 p.m. no-watering window that applies to every outdoor irrigation system.
Irrigation of landscaped area with hose-end sprinklers and automatic irrigation systems shall be limited to days designated by the Administrator. No irrigation is allowed during the hours of 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on any day. This shall apply to the irrigation of all outdoor areas. Large tract irrigation, consisting of two (2) or more acres of a single property, shall be limited to 10-hour watering periods on designated days in order to allow the completion of required irrigation cycles.
Full Breakdown
The City of Odessa's Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan, adopted by Ordinance No. 2016-43, activates in stages once daily water demand exceeds 90% (Mild), 95% (Moderate), or 98% (Severe) of the treatment plant's capacity for three straight days. Under Moderate Conditions, hose-end and automatic sprinkler irrigation is restricted to days the Director of Utilities designates, and no irrigation of any outdoor area is allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Severe Conditions go further, permitting only hand-held hoses, buckets, or drip irrigation and letting the Administrator ban landscape watering outright.
Violations & Fines
Violating the Plan is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 per day; a third conviction lets the City disconnect water service until fines, fees, and a reconnection charge are paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I water my lawn any day in Odessa?
What happens if I water during restricted hours?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Odessa
How Odessa compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Odessa to another location·View the Texas landscaping rules overview
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