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Adams County, CO Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

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

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

Key Facts

Set by
Your water utility/district
SACWSD no-water hours
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Schedule basis
Even/odd street address
Drought overlay
Denver Water stages apply
County rule
None countywide

Summary

There is no single county watering rule; limits are set by your water provider. In the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District (Commerce City and vicinity), irrigation is barred between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., with assigned days based on your address. Denver Water customers face separate drought-stage rules.

City-specific rules exist: Thornton, and Westminster have their own water restrictions rules that differ from Adams County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Irrigation shall not occur between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Watering days based on even/odd last number of street address.

Full Breakdown

Outdoor water use in Adams County is governed by whichever utility or district serves your address, not by county government. The South Adams County Water and Sanitation District prohibits irrigation between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and assigns watering days by even/odd address (typically two days per week). Because part of the district's supply comes from Denver Water, it also adopts Denver Water's drought restrictions when declared, such as the Stage 1 mandatory two-day-per-week limit. Residents in Thornton, Brighton, or other providers must follow that provider's published schedule. Violations are enforced by the utility, not by county code compliance.

Violations & Fines

Utility-imposed warnings, escalating fines, and possible flow restriction for repeated watering-schedule violations, per your water provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Adams County set watering days?
No. Watering schedules are set by your water provider. In the South Adams County district, irrigation is banned 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with days assigned by even/odd address.
Why do my neighbors have different rules?
Different providers serve the metro. Denver Water customers follow Denver's drought stages; South Adams County district customers follow the district's schedule. Check who bills your water.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Adams County

All Adams County rules

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

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Water Restrictions in Cities Across Adams County