Puyallup, WA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Puyallup, WA, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Prohibited
- Excessive irrigation/sprinkling causing runoff into streets or sidewalks
- Break exception
- Accidental leaks allowed 2 hours to repair after notice
- Enforcement
- City may shut off water if unrepaired
- Shortage authority
- Council apportions supply during shortages, no fixed schedule
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $1,000.00 and/or 90 days
- Notice required
- Written notice with correction deadline before enforcement
Summary
Puyallup Municipal Code § 14.02.110 makes it unlawful to waste water through excessive irrigation or sprinkling that runs off into a street, alley or sidewalk. A broken hose, pipe or irrigation device has to be fixed within two hours of notice or the public works department will shut the water off, and reconnecting without repairs is itself unlawful.
It is unlawful for anyone to waste water. For the purposes of this section, "waste" means the excessive irrigation or sprinkling from public mains of lawn, gardens, trees, grass, shrubbery or vegetation which causes water to run into any street, alley or sidewalk; provided nothing in this section shall be construed as to apply to the accidental breaking of any hose, water pipe, or other irrigation device unless same is not abated within two hours after personal notice of such break is given the person owning, controlling or maintaining the same or having any pecuniary interest therein. If such breaks are not repaired, or the water turned off within the specified time, it shall be the duty of the public works department to cause the water to be shut off ... Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Upon conviction thereof, a fine in an amount not exceeding $1,000 and/or by imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment, for each violation shall be imposed. Each day in which a violation continues shall be deemed to be a separate offense.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4985225; v6 updated 2026-07-21; through 07-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
110 defines wasting water as excessive irrigation or sprinkling from the public mains of a lawn, garden, trees, grass, shrubbery or other vegetation that causes water to run into a street, alley or sidewalk, and it is unlawful outright. The section carves out one narrow exception: an accidentally broken hose, water pipe or irrigation device isn't a violation unless it goes unrepaired for more than two hours after the person controlling it, or with a financial interest in it, receives personal notice of the break.
Once that two-hour window passes without repair, the public works department has the authority to shut the water off itself, and it is unlawful for anyone to turn it back on until the repairs are actually made. 180(3), during a threatened or actual water shortage the city apportions its available supply among customers as directed by the council, in whatever manner appears most equitable under the circumstances, with due regard for public health and safety, rather than by a fixed, code-specified watering-day schedule. 320 before penalties attach, with the offender given a stated time to permanently stop the violation.
Violations & Fines
Under § 14.02.330, violating any provision of Chapter 14.02, including the water-waste ban in § 14.02.110, is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000.00 and 90 days in jail, or both, with each day of continued runoff a separate offense. Before that penalty attaches, § 14.02.320 requires the city to give written notice by certified mail or door tag describing the violation and a deadline to permanently correct it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Puyallup have set watering days for lawns and gardens?
How long do I have to fix a broken sprinkler or irrigation line?
What's the penalty for wasting water in Puyallup?
Can the city restrict watering during a drought?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Puyallup
How Puyallup compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Puyallup to another location·View the Washington landscaping rules overview
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Water Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle water restrictions.