Sherman, TX Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

The watering-day schedule is part of the Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Response Plan in Division 3 of Chapter 13.02, adopted by Ordinance 6714 on May 6, 2024. It applies to all persons, customers, and property using water provided by the City of Sherman, Texas, and it takes effect only once the mayor or the mayor's designee determines that a stage exists and a notice is published in a newspaper of general circulation.

Triggers sit in § 13.02.078. Stage 1 begins when total daily water demands equal or exceed 80 percent of the surface water zone, or 17 mgd, for five consecutive days. Stage 2 begins at 90 percent, or 19.13 mgd, for three consecutive days, and Stage 3 at 100 percent, or 21.25 mgd, for three consecutive days. Each stage can be rescinded when the triggering conditions have ceased for three consecutive days.

Under § 13.02.079, Stage 1 is voluntary and sets a goal of a 5 percent reduction in daily water demand. Stage 2 targets 15 percent and makes the schedule mandatory for hose-end sprinklers and automatic irrigation systems. Hand-held hoses, a faucet filled bucket or watering can of five (5) gallons or less, and drip irrigation are permitted at anytime. Stage 3 targets 20 percent and limits irrigation to designated watering days, by hand-held hoses, hand-held buckets, drip irrigation, or a permanently installed automatic sprinkler system only. Stage 2 also confines vehicle washing, pool filling, and golf course irrigation to the same days and hours, except that a golf course using a water source other than the city's is not subject to these regulations.

Even-numbered addresses end in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 or are locations without addresses, and odd-numbered addresses end in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9. A person seeking an exemption petitions the mayor for a variance within five (5) days after the plan or a stage has been invoked under § 13.02.083.