NYC has no permanent statewide watering schedule, but Admin Code section 24-308 and DEP Water Use Restriction rules (15 RCNY Chapter 21) let the Commissioner declare drought watch, warning, or emergency stages with progressively tighter outdoor watering bans.
Under Admin Code section 24-308 the Department of Environmental Protection issues drought-stage declarations consistent with the New York State Drought Management Plan and the NYS DEC State Drought Index. At the watch stage DEP urges voluntary 15 percent reductions; at warning stage, lawn watering is restricted to even-odd address days; at emergency stage, all lawn watering is banned and sidewalks may not be hosed except for sanitation. Year-round, Admin Code section 24-303 forbids hose use without a spring-loaded shutoff nozzle, and refilling pools without a permit is prohibited. Hydrant misuse violates Admin Code section 24-313 separately.
Watering during a declared drought emergency violates Admin Code section 24-308 and 15 RCNY 21-04 with civil fines from $250 to $1,000 per offense. Hose-nozzle violations under section 24-303 carry $250 first-time penalties.
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