Thurston County, WA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Thurston County, 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
- Governing law
- Thurston County Code § 15.10.210
- Firefighting irrigation ban
- Sprinklers barred during active fires
- Discretionary cutbacks
- Department can restrict anytime
- Applies to
- County water system customers only
- Enforcement
- Thurston County Public Works
Summary
On county-run water systems, sprinkler and irrigation use is banned during active firefighting and outdoor watering can be curtailed anytime the department decides it's needed.
No person shall knowingly use water from a water system for lawn or garden sprinkling/irrigation while a fire is being extinguished within the water system service area. The outdoor use of water and use of water for other than domestic purposes shall be under the jurisdiction of the department and shall be subject to change from time to time if the need arises.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 77).
Full Breakdown
Thurston County Public Works operates water systems in areas like Grand Mound and Boston Harbor, and Section 15.10.210 gives the department direct control over outdoor watering. Knowingly running a lawn or garden sprinkler or irrigation system while a fire is being fought anywhere in that water system's service area is a violation. Beyond that, the county reserves the right to limit outdoor and non-domestic water use "from time to time if the need arises", meaning a customer's normal irrigation schedule can be cut back on short notice during supply strain, not just wildfire response. This applies only to properties connected to a county water system, not private wells.
Violations & Fines
Violating water-use restrictions under Ch. 15.10 can trigger service fees and, per Section 15.10.500, penalties or criminal charges; the county can also disconnect service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run my sprinklers whenever I want in Thurston County?
What happens if I irrigate during a fire nearby?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Thurston County
How Thurston County compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Thurston County to another location·View the Washington landscaping rules overview
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