Miami, FL Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Reclaimed water
- exempt from watering-day rule
- Existing landscaping
- 2 days/week only
- Watering blackout
- 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
- First violation
- written warning
- Repeat fines
- up to $500/day
Summary
Miami's water conservation ordinance regulates when residents may irrigate landscaping, but explicitly exempts irrigation done with reclaimed water or saltwater from those day-and-time restrictions.
The provisions of this Code shall apply to each user providing landscape irrigation from all water resources within the boundaries of the city. The provisions of this article shall not apply to athletic play areas or agricultural operations (including nurseries) and irrigation accomplished using reclaimed water or saltwater.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 | Ordinance 11000 (Previous Zoning Code): Supplement 22 | Miami 21 (Zoning Code): ?).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 22.5-71 through 22.5-76 set the city's landscape irrigation conservation rules, capping most properties to two watering days a week under Sec. 22.5-75. Sec. 22.5-73 carves out an exception: irrigation accomplished using reclaimed water or saltwater is not subject to the article's restrictions at all, and Sec. 22.5-72 defines reclaimed water as wastewater given at least secondary treatment and basic disinfection under F.A.C. Rule 62-40.210. The code does not create a separate reclaimed-water permitting or distribution program of its own for the city; using reclaimed water for irrigation is simply outside the watering-day rule.
Violations & Fines
Irrigating with regular water on the wrong day, or during the 10 a.m.-4 p.m. blackout, draws a warning, then fines up to $75, then $500 per day: reclaimed-water irrigation is exempt entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I water my lawn any day if I use reclaimed water in Miami?
What counts as reclaimed water under Miami's ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami to another location·View the Florida water use rules overview
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