Sioux Falls, SD Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Sioux Falls, SD, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Standing ban
- No watering noon-5 p.m.
- Normal-flow schedule
- Odd/even address, odd/even dates
- Low-flow trigger
- 1 day/week at ≤49 cfs
- Full ban trigger
- ≤20 cfs, 5 days straight
- Enforcement
- Notice, then citation or shutoff
Summary
Sioux Falls ties lawn watering to Big Sioux River flow: a standing noon-to-5 p.m. sprinkling ban, plus odd/even-address watering days, one-day-a-week limits, or a full ban as river flow drops through set thresholds.
Municipal water users having even-numbered addresses may water lawns on even-numbered calendar dates. Municipal water users having odd-numbered addresses may water lawns on odd-numbered calendar dates. This annual lawn watering schedule is in effect when the water flow rate in the Big Sioux River is at 50 cubic feet per second (cfs) or more as measured at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Cliff Avenue gauging station...Municipal water users are prohibited from watering lawns during the hours of 12 noon to 5 p.m.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-135: Current through local ordinance 54-26, passed 7-14-2026).
Full Breakdown
Under city code § 52.003.1, watering lawns is always banned from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Beyond that, restrictions escalate with the Big Sioux River's flow at the USGS Cliff Avenue gauge: at 50 cfs or more, even-address properties water on even calendar dates and odd-address on odd dates; between 21-49 cfs (with demand over 42 mgd) each user gets one designated day per week; at 20 cfs or less (with demand over 34 mgd) watering is prohibited entirely. The mayor can add further restrictions during drought for up to 30 days.
Violations & Fines
First offense: posted and mailed notice of violation, correct within 24 hours. Second or later offense: administrative citation under Chapter 40. The city may also shut off water service and issue civil penalties for noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I water my lawn any time of day in Sioux Falls?
What decides which days I can water in Sioux Falls?
What happens if I violate the watering schedule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sioux Falls
How Sioux Falls compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Sioux Falls to another location·View the South Dakota landscaping rules overview
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