Waukegan, IL Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Waukegan, IL, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Season covered
- May 15 through September 15
- Even addresses
- Water on even calendar days only
- Odd addresses
- Water on odd calendar days only
- No-watering window
- 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., every day
- New sod/seed exception
- Daily watering allowed for 90 days
- Enforcing agency
- City of Waukegan water department
Summary
Waukegan runs a mandatory odd/even watering schedule every summer: from May 15 through September 15, even-numbered addresses water on even calendar days and odd-numbered addresses water on odd days, with a midday ban from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The water department enforces it citywide.
From May 15 through September 15 of each calendar year, the usage of water provided by the City of Waukegan for the purpose of watering lawns, gardens, bushes and other foliage not grown for food purposes shall only be allowed according to the following schedule:(1)Even-numbered addresses on even-numbered calendar days.(2)Odd-numbered addresses on odd-numbered calendar days.(3)At no time shall watering be allowed between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.(4)Newly seeded or sodded lawns may be watered daily for a period of 90 days after seeding or sodding.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 113).
Full Breakdown
City Code Sec. regardless of address. The rule carves out one exception: newly seeded or sodded lawns may be watered daily for 90 days after seeding or sodding, so a fresh lawn installation does not have to wait for its assigned day. Separately, Sec. 24-138(a) gives the superintendent of the waterworks emergency powers: when system-wide demand threatens public health, safety, or welfare, the superintendent may declare an emergency and issue additional conservation regulations limiting or banning the use of water for sprinkling, watering, or irrigating shrubbery, trees, lawns, grass, ground cover, plants, vines, gardens, vegetables and flowers.
Emergency regulations take effect on publication in a newspaper of general circulation, per Sec. 24-138(b). The water department administers both the standing schedule and any emergency orders, and Sec. 24-137 separately lets the city limit or regulate the rate and total quantity of water used by any consumer at any time, seasonal schedule or not.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 24 treats an off-schedule watering violation like any other violation of the water chapter: under Sec. 24-135, the water department can demand compliance by written notice, and if the resident has not complied by the 13th day after that notice, a second notice sets a shutoff date 12 days later. Continued noncompliance is deemed willful, and the city turns off water service until the violator complies; a labor and inspection charge is billed to cover the shutoff and reconnection, and late fees may be assessed under Sec. 24-215.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Waukegan's lawn watering schedule?
Can I water a newly sodded lawn every day?
What happens if the city declares a water emergency?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waukegan
How Waukegan compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Waukegan to another location·View the Illinois landscaping rules overview
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