Pocatello, ID Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Pocatello, ID, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Sprinkler/irrigation ban hours
- 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
- Trigger
- Mayor-declared minor, critical, or emergency shortage
- Critical shortage notice
- Takes effect 24 hours after public notice
- Emergency rationing
- By gallons per person or usage percentage
- Exceptions
- New lawns, food sources, economic hardship, health/safety
- Penalty
- Infraction citation per violation, Idaho Code nonmoving
- Third violation
- Water service terminated until fees paid
Summary
When Pocatello's water superintendent flags a shortage, the mayor can declare a minor, critical, or emergency water restriction under City Code section 13.04.340, cutting sprinkler and irrigation use to outside the hours of 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Section 13.04.350 lets the mayor exempt newly seeded lawns or food sources, and violators face an infraction citation under section 13.04.360.
A. Minor Shortage; Voluntary Restrictions: If the mayor declares a minor water shortage, he shall accompany the declaration with a list of recommended water conservation measures, which shall not be required, but are voluntary on the part of the consumers. ... ... 3. Discontinuing operation of sprinkler and irrigation systems between the hours of ten o'clock (10:00) A.M. and six o'clock (6:00) P.M. ... ... B. Critical Water Shortage; Mandatory Restrictions: In the event that the superintendent determines that the water shortage is approaching a critical stage, he shall prepare a report for the mayor detailing the problem. The mayor may then declare a critical water shortage and provide notice to the public of the restrictions being imposed, which may include any or all of the items set forth above as he deems most useful in maintaining the necessary water supply.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 13.04's water-shortage provisions give the Public Works superintendent authority to report a developing shortage to the mayor, who may declare a minor shortage, critical shortage, or water emergency under section 13.04.330. For a minor shortage, the mayor issues a list of voluntary conservation measures that are not mandatory, including discontinuing sprinkler and irrigation operation between 10:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., staying within a suggested conservation rotation schedule, limiting vehicle washing to a bucket and shutoff-nozzle hose, and preventing sprinkler overspray and runoff (section 13.04.340(A)).
If the superintendent finds the shortage reaching a critical stage, the mayor may declare a critical water shortage and make any of those same measures mandatory citywide. In a declared water emergency, the mayor may prohibit all nonessential water use outright and, in a disaster, ration water by gallons per person for residential accounts or by a percentage of historical usage for nonresidential accounts (section 13.04.340(B), (C)). Section 13.04.350 lets the mayor grant written exceptions for newly seeded or sodded lawns, food sources, prevention of economic hardship to commercial or industrial operations, or to protect health, safety, or welfare.
Notice of a critical shortage takes effect 24 hours after public notification by newspaper, radio, television, and the City website; an emergency declaration takes effect immediately. The city council reviews the declaration and restrictions at its next regular meeting and can continue, cancel, or modify them.
Violations & Fines
Violating a water restriction without a written mayoral exception is an infraction under section 13.04.360, punishable under the Idaho Code's nonmoving infraction penalties, with a separate citation for each violation. After a third infraction on an account, the utility billing department may terminate water service, and standard council-set turn-on and turn-off fees must be paid in full before service is reinstated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pocatello ban lawn watering during certain hours?
Can I get an exception to water my new lawn?
What penalty applies for violating a Pocatello water restriction?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pocatello
How Pocatello compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Pocatello to another location·View the Idaho landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.