Topeka, KS Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Topeka, KS, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Schedule
- Even addresses water on even days
- Hand watering
- Always allowed with handheld hose/bucket
- Trigger
- Declared Stage 2 water alert only
- Exempt
- Commercial nurseries and sod farms
Summary
Once Topeka declares a Stage 2 water alert, sprinkler irrigation of lawns and landscaping is restricted to alternate days set by street address parity, with narrow exceptions for handheld hoses and buckets.
Irrigation utilizing individual sprinklers or sprinkler systems of lawns, gardens, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs or other plants is prohibited except on a designated day which shall be on alternate days. Consumers with even-numbered addresses shall irrigate on even-numbered days. Those with odd-numbered addresses shall irrigate on odd-numbered days...irrigation...is permitted at any time if: (i) A handheld hose is used; or (ii) A handheld faucet-filled bucket of five gallons or less is used; and (iii) No waste of water occurs.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 20671, passed July 14, 2026).
Full Breakdown
TMC 13.10.690(a)(1) bars sprinkler or irrigation-system watering of lawns, gardens, trees and shrubs except on designated alternate days once the Utilities Director declares a Stage 2 water alert in Topeka: even-numbered street addresses water on even-numbered calendar days, odd addresses on odd days. Hand watering is still allowed anytime with a handheld hose or a five-gallon or smaller handheld bucket, provided no water is wasted. Commercial nurseries and sod farms are exempt from the day restriction but must still curtail non-essential use. This mandatory schedule only takes effect when the Director activates Stage 2 under Chapter 13.10 TMC. Shawnee County, Kansas.
Violations & Fines
Violating Stage 2 watering-day limits brings a written notice; continued violations lead to water service disconnection under TMC 13.10.650, with reconnection fees starting at $50 residential and rising to 300 percent of average monthly billing for repeat offenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I water my lawn any day in Topeka?
Can I hand-water outside my assigned day?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Topeka
How Topeka compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Topeka to another location·View the Kansas landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.