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Rock County, WI Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Water restrictions in Rock County, WI, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.

Key Facts

County watering schedule
None set by Rock County
Permit to water lawn
Not required by state
Who imposes limits
City / water utility
Withdrawal registration
Over 100,000 gal/day
Garden condition
Non-commercial produce

Summary

Rock County sets no countywide lawn-watering schedule. The state does not require a permit to water a lawn or private garden. Odd/even or drought watering limits, when they exist, come from your city or water utility, not the county.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Rock County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

A permit is not required to pump water to water a lawn or private garden, provided that produce from the garden is non-commercial.

Full Breakdown

There is no Rock County ordinance imposing lawn-watering days or drought sprinkling bans; that authority sits with municipal water utilities (Janesville, Beloit and others), which may issue odd/even or time-of-day restrictions during shortages. At the state level, the DNR does not require a permit to pump water for a lawn or non-commercial private garden. Large withdrawals are different: registration applies to any withdrawal that could exceed 100,000 gallons per day. For everyday residential irrigation, check your city or water utility for any seasonal restriction; well water for household lawn use is otherwise unrestricted.

Violations & Fines

Water-use restrictions and penalties are set and enforced by municipal water utilities; violations during declared restrictions may bring utility fines or service warnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there watering restrictions in Rock County?
Not from the county. Any odd/even or drought watering limits come from your city or water utility, so check with them, especially during dry summers.
Do I need a permit to water my lawn?
No. Wisconsin does not require a permit to pump water for a lawn or non-commercial private garden. Registration only applies above 100,000 gallons per day.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Rock County

All Rock County rules

How Rock County compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Rock County to another location·View the Wisconsin landscaping rules overview

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Water Restrictions in Cities Across Rock County