Winnebago County, IL Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Winnebago County, 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
- Governing authority
- Water district director
- Trigger
- Shortage or high pumpage
- Scope
- All lawn sprinkling, outdoor irrigation
- Fine
- Up to $500/day per violation
- Applies to
- County water district customers only
Summary
The county water district can ban all lawn sprinkling and outdoor irrigation during shortages, with no fixed schedule until the director lifts it.
(b)Lawn irrigation. Use of water for the irrigation of lawns and to other outside irrigations shall be limited by restrictions as follows: (1)The water district may prohibit all lawn sprinkling and other outside irrigation from the system by publishing notice of such prohibition if the director determines that (a) a public water shortage is likely to occur, or (b) the amount of pump age of water from the system has reached such volume that, unless restricted, the public health and safety and welfare is likely to be endangered.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64).
Full Breakdown
Winnebago County's water district (Chapter 68) doesn't run a routine odd/even watering calendar. Instead, Sec. 68-7 gives the water system director standing authority to publish a notice banning all lawn sprinkling and outside irrigation from district-supplied water the moment he determines a shortage is likely or that pumpage has reached a volume that endangers public health and safety. During a declared shortage emergency, the director can also order other restrictions or measures on any system user. The ban applies only to properties connected to the county water district (areas like the Baxter Road/Rock 39 service area), not to private wells.
Violations & Fines
Violating any Chapter 68 provision, including an active irrigation ban, draws a fine of up to $500 per day, with each day a separate offense; the county can also shut off water service until the violation is corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Winnebago County set fixed watering days?
Who does the irrigation ban cover?
What happens if I keep watering during a ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winnebago County
How Winnebago County compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Winnebago County to another location·View the Illinois landscaping rules overview
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