Do You Know Your County’s Water Rules?
In Central Florida, the sun is always shining. And although we are in the heart of the Sunshine State, where the lakes and rivers are endless, managing water and adhering to Central Florida watering restrictions is a responsibility we all share.
Knowing your county’s watering regulations isn’t just about following the rules; it’s stewardship. It’s about maintaining the delicate equilibrium of our ecosystems and ensuring sustainable use for future generations.
Whether you’re watering your front yard in Orange County or enjoying Polk County’s sprawling citrus groves, each area has its own management challenges and considerations.
Click to jump to your county:
Orange County
From: Orange County, FL Official Website
REMINDER: From March 10 to November 2, 2024, you can water only two days a week.
Mandatory lawn watering restrictions specify the days when you may water. These days depend on whether you have an odd- or even-numbered address, and the time of year. Per County ordinance, the following restrictions apply to landscape irrigation regardless of whether the water comes from groundwater or surface water, from a private well or pump, or from a public or private utility:
- During Eastern Standard Time (from the first Sunday in November until the second Sunday in March), limit outdoor irrigation to one day a week. During Daylight Saving Time (from the second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November), limit outdoor irrigation to two days a week.
- Water only if necessary and not between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
- Water for no more than one hour per zone.
| Time of year | Homes with odd-numbered or no addresses | Homes with even-numbered addresses | Nonresidential properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 10 to November 2, 2024 | Wednesday Saturday | Thursday Sunday | Tuesday Friday |
| November 3, 2024 to March 8, 2025 | Saturday | Sunday | Tuesday |
Seminole County
From: Seminole County, FL Official Website
Seminole County Irrigation Schedule Now until Sunday, November 3, 2024
These restrictions are mandatory in Seminole County, regardless of whether your water comes from a private well or city/county utility.
- No watering permitted between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. any day
- Water only twice per week:
- Residential customers with odd street addresses may irrigate on Wednesday & Saturday.
- Residential customers with even street addresses may irrigate on Thursday & Sunday.
- Non-residential customers may irrigate on Tuesday & Friday, unless using reclaimed water.
- Reclaimed water customers may irrigate two times per week year round.
- You can water with a hand-held hose anytime, as long as it has an automatic shutoff nozzle.
If you own an automatic lawn sprinkler system, you must have a rain sensor or switch installed to override the system when adequate rainfall occurs.
Lake County
From: Lake County, FL Official Website
The majority of Lake County is located in the St. Johns River Water Management District. As part of its charter, the District established rules for lawn and landscape irrigation.
The St. Johns River Water Management District designed its permanent watering restrictions to ensure efficient water use for landscape irrigation. The restrictions allow enough water to maintain healthy landscapes year-round.
Landscape irrigation refers to watering plants outside in landscapes, including shrubbery, trees, lawns, grass, ground covers, plants, vines, gardens, and other flora found in residential areas, public, commercial, and industrial establishments, as well as public medians and rights-of-way. Landscape irrigation does not include agricultural crops, nursery plants, cemeteries, golf course greens, tees, fairways, primary roughs, and vegetation associated with intensive recreational areas, such as playgrounds, football, baseball and soccer fields.
Know Your Days:
| Time of Year | Home with odd numbered or no addresses | Home with even numbered addresses | Nonresidential properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daylight Saving Time | Wednesday/Saturday | Thursday/Sunday | Tuesday/Friday |
| Eastern Standard Time | Saturday | Sunday | Tuesday |
- Daylight saving time:Second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November.
- Eastern Standard Time:First Sunday in November until the second Sunday in March
- Water only when needed and not between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Water for no more than one hour per zone.
- Restrictions apply to private wells and pumps, ground or surface water and water from public and private utilities.
- An odd numbered address is one that ends in 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9.
- An even numbered address is one that ends in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8.
Summary of the restrictions:
- During daylight saving time, irrigation schedules allow for no more than two days per week:
- Residential irrigation at odd-numbered or unnumbered addresses occurs on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Residential irrigation at even-numbered addresses occurs on Thursday and Sunday.
- Nonresidential irrigation occurs on Tuesday and Friday.
- During Eastern Standard Time, irrigation schedules allow for no more than one day per week:
- Residential irrigation at odd-numbered or unnumbered addresses occurs on Saturday.
- Residential irrigation at even-numbered addresses occurs on Sunday.
- Nonresidential irrigation occurs on Tuesday.
- Additional restrictions include:
- Each irrigation zone is limited to a maximum of ¾ inch of water per day.
- Each irrigation zone is limited to one hour per day.
- Irrigation should only provide the necessary amount to meet landscape needs.
- When reclaimed water is available for irrigation, you cannot use private irrigation wells.
Exceptions to the restrictions:
- You can use micro–spray, micro–jet, drip, or bubbler irrigation systems anytime.
- Irrigation of new landscapes is allowed at any time of day for the initial 30 days and every other day for the next 30 days, totaling a 60–day period, ensuring minimal water use for establishment.
- You can apply chemicals, including insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides, and herbicides, within 24 hours of application as required by law, manufacturer guidelines, or best practices. Ensure that each application does not exceed ¼ inch of water unless otherwise mandated.
- You may operate irrigation systems anytime for maintenance and repair purposes, with a limit of 20 minutes per hour per zone.
- You can use hand-held hoses equipped with adjustable spray nozzles anytime for irrigation.
- There are no restrictions on discharging water from water-to-air air-conditioning units or other water-dependent cooling systems.
- You can use water from reclaimed water systems anytime. These systems may supplement water during peak demand periods.
- You may use recycled water from wet detention treatment ponds for irrigation anytime, provided the ponds do not receive augmentation from any ground or off-site surface water or public supply sources.
For more in-depth information and water saving tips, visit the St. Johns River Water Management District’s watering restrictions Web site.
Volusia and Osceola County
From: Volusia County, FL Official Website
The St. Johns River Water Management District is the largest and includes Volusia and Osceola counties.
Watering restrictions:
Restrictions apply to all county residents, including those living in cities.
Watering is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
During Eastern Standard Time:
- Residential irrigation is limited to 4 p.m. to 10 a.m. Saturdays for odd-numbered addresses and Sundays for even-numbered addresses.
- Businesses may irrigate from 4 p.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesdays.
During Daylight Saving Time:
- Residential irrigation is allowed at odd-numbered addresses from 4 p.m. to 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays and even-number addresses Thursdays and Sundays.
- Business may irrigate from 4 p.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays.
Daylight Saving Time begins the second Sunday in March and ends the first Sunday in November.
Irrigation limits each zone to one hour and three-quarters inch of water per day. A typical yard has four irrigation zones.
Restrictions apply to all water sources, including private wells, surface water, and water from public and private utilities, except for reclaimed water (see your reclaimed water provider for any restrictions.)
You can water new plantings anytime for 30 days, then every other day for another 30 days. Keep the store receipt for proof of purchase.
- You can hand water anytime with an automatic shutoff on the hose.
- You may water chemicals any time within 24 hours of application, not exceeding a quarter-inch of water.
- All automatic landscape irrigation systems, regardless of installation date, must have functional rain-sensing devices or soil-moisture sensors.
Agricultural uses are exempt from the provisions of the Water Conservation Ordinance, as long as they follow the agricultural water conservation requirements of the St. Johns River Water Management District.
Polk County
From: Polk County, FL Official Website
Lawn watering is limited to twice-per-week using the lawn watering schedule for potable (drinking water) and other water resources, regardless of the source such as wells, surface water, etc.
Watering times are midnight to 10 a.m. and / or 4 p.m. to midnight. Hand watering or micro-irrigation of landscape other than actual lawn areas are allowed at any time.
Locations without a discernible address are areas such as rights-of-way and other common areas inside a subdivision are included in the restrictions.
| If Your Address Is | Watering Days |
|---|---|
| Even Address | Thursday and/or Sunday |
| Odd Address | Wednesday and/or Saturday |
| *Common Areas | Tuesday and/or Friday |
*All common areas and properties where no address can be determined.
New Lawns and Plants:
- You can irrigate new lawns and plants at any time on planting day.
- Days 2 – 30: Any day is allowed, but no watering within the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. restricted times.
- Days 31- 60: Three days per week watering is allowed, except between restricted hours, on the following days:
- Even Address – Tuesday, Thursday and / or Sunday
- Odd Address – Monday, Wednesday and / or Saturday
- *Common Areas – Tuesday, Friday and / or Sunday
*All common areas and properties where no address can be determined.
Watering your lawn is one of the most important parts of lawn care maintenance, especially with Central Florida watering restrictions in mind. Not only does it keep your grass looking fresh and healthy, but it also makes it easier for your lawn care technician to work on your outdoor oasis. Click here to read more about our Central Florida lawn care services.
