{"title":"Abbotsford watering restrictions","question":"Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?","slug":"water-restrictions","place":{"path":"ca/bc/abbotsford","name":"Abbotsford","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"water-roads-and-snow","name":"Water, sewer, roads and snow"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Abbotsford","url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. In Abbotsford, Stage 1 water restrictions apply every year from May 1 to September 30, with lawn watering on set days: even-numbered addresses Saturday, odd-numbered Sunday. The General Manager can bring in a stricter stage at any time of year. Check ourwatermatters.ca for the current stage.","aliases":["sprinkling restrictions abbotsford","lawn watering abbotsford","water restrictions abbotsford","watering days abbotsford"],"cost":"Fine: $500 bylaw notice ($450 if paid within 14 days) or $1,000 municipal ticket ($500 if paid in full by the 30th day). Sprinkling permit for a new lawn: $50 in May, June and September; $100 in July and August; none October to April.","how_long":"Stage 1 applies every year from May 1 to September 30. A stage stays in effect until it is ended.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Current stage and rules (Our Water Matters)","value":"https://www.ourwatermatters.ca/conservation/water-restrictions"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Waterworks Regulations Bylaw, 2017 (No. 2665-2017)","url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/ja11cikbj"}],"related":[{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Abbotsford bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/bylaw-fines/"},{"slug":"garbage-collection","title":"Abbotsford garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/garbage-collection/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/mission","name":"Mission","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langley-township","name":"Township of Langley","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/chilliwack","name":"Chilliwack","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langley","name":"Langley City","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/maple-ridge","name":"Maple Ridge","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/pitt-meadows","name":"Pitt Meadows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/water-restrictions/"}],"topic":{"title":"Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/water-restrictions/"},"facts":{"in_effect":{"label":"When restrictions apply","value":"Stage 1 applies every year from May 1 to September 30. The General Manager, by resolution, can change those dates or bring in a stricter stage (Stage 2, 3 or 4) at any time of year, and a stage stays in effect until it is ended. The current stage is not stated in the bylaw.","short":"Stage 1: May 1 to September 30; stricter stages as set","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/ja11cikbj","title":"Waterworks Regulations Bylaw, 2017 (No. 2665-2017), consolidated to December 9, 2025","section":"s. 32(2)","quotes":["year from May 1 to September 30 inclusive, except as provided under subsection (b);","Terminate or bring into effect a more restrictive Stage at any time of year for any","Amend the effective period of time for any Stage, or","A Stage will remain in effect until it is terminated under this Bylaw, or until the"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"schedule":{"label":"Sprinkling schedule","value":"Stage 1, residential lawns: even-numbered civic addresses on Saturdays and odd-numbered addresses on Sundays; automatic systems 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., hand watering 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Stage 2 and higher: no lawn watering. Commercial and institutional lawns have their own days (Mondays and Tuesdays).","short":"Stage 1: even Sat, odd Sun; no lawn watering Stage 2+","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/ja11cikbj","title":"Waterworks Regulations Bylaw, 2017 (No. 2665-2017), consolidated to December 9, 2025","section":"Schedule B, s. 3, 4, 5","quotes":["Water a Lawn, except for properties zoned for residential use:","when applying Automatic Watering on Saturdays between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.;","when applying Manual Watering on Saturdays between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.;","when applying Automatic Watering on Sundays between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.;","when applying Manual Watering on Sundays between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.;","when Stage 2 Restrictions are in force, no Person shall:","when applying Automatic Watering on Mondays between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exempt_watering":{"label":"Allowed at any time","value":"Stages 1 and 2: trees, shrubs, decorative gardens and planters by hand watering, soaker hose or drip/micro-spray, and edible plants; automatic watering of those plants on residential properties from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. any day. Stage 3: hand or drip watering of trees, shrubs and gardens. Stage 4: no watering of lawns, gardens or edible plants.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/ja11cikbj","title":"Waterworks Regulations Bylaw, 2017 (No. 2665-2017), consolidated to December 9, 2025","section":"Schedule B, s. 2, 9, 10, 15","quotes":["trees, shrubs, decorative gardens and planters if carried out by Manual Watering, or by","Soaker Hose or Drip/Micro Spray Irrigation;","applying Automatic Watering on properties zoned for residential between the hours of","if watering is carried out using Drip /Micro spray Irrigation;","When Stage 4 Restrictions are in force, no Person shall:"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"new_lawns":{"label":"New lawns","value":"A person who has installed a new lawn (sod, turf or seed) or new landscaping can apply to the General Manager for a sprinkling permit allowing watering at the set times. Fee: $50 in May, June and September; $100 in July and August; none October to April. No new permits in Stage 2; holders may not water the new lawn in Stage 3 or 4.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/ja11cikbj","title":"Waterworks Regulations Bylaw, 2017 (No. 2665-2017), consolidated to December 9, 2025","section":"s. 32(9)","quotes":["A Person who has installed a new Lawn, either by placing sod or turf or by seeding,","shall not be allowed to water the new Lawn or landscaping during Stage 3 Restrictions and","Lawn Sprinkling Permit\" means a permit issued to allow manual or automatic lawn watering for"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2006b1532","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2006, Schedule I","section":"Schedule I, s. 14","quotes":["14. SPRINKLING PERMIT","(a) October to April .................................................................................... No Charge","(b) May, June and September ..........................................................................$50.00","(c) July and August.........................................................................................$100.00"]},{"url":"https://www.ourwatermatters.ca/conservation/water-restrictions","title":"Water Restrictions, Our Water Matters","section":"Stage 2 Restrictions","quotes":["No lawn watering permits will be issued but existing permits will be honoured until they expire"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: $500 ($50 discount if paid within 14 days of delivery, so $450). Municipal ticket: $1,000 ($500 discount if paid in full by the 30th day after service, so $500). The City may also shut off water service until the offence is fixed and a reconnection fee is paid.","short":"Notice $500 ($450 if paid in 14 days); ticket $1,000","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2020bylaw3017","title":"Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw, 2020 (No. 3017)","section":"s. 6(a), 6(b), 17, 18, 28","quotes":["$500 for a bylaw contravention dealt with by bylaw notice;","$1 000 for a bylaw contravention dealt with by municipal ticket;","is discounted by $50 if the penalty is paid in full within 14 days of the delivery of the bylaw notice.","is $500 if not paid within 30 days following the date the penalty becomes due and payable.","is discounted by $500 if the penalty is paid in full by the 30th day from the date on which the ticket is served.","The Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2007 and Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw, 2007 are"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/ja11cikbj","title":"Waterworks Regulations Bylaw, 2017 (No. 2665-2017), consolidated to December 9, 2025","section":"s. 32(5)","quotes":["commits an offence under this Bylaw is subject to enforcement and penalties in","accordance with the Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw.","In addition, the City may cause Service"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Waterworks Regulations Bylaw, 2017 (Bylaw No. 2665-2017), s. 32 and Schedule B","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/ja11cikbj","title":"Waterworks Regulations Bylaw, 2017 (No. 2665-2017), consolidated to December 9, 2025","section":"title","quotes":["Waterworks Regulations Bylaw, 2017","Bylaw No. 2665-2017"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nUnder s. 32 and Schedule B of the [Waterworks Regulations Bylaw](<https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/ja11cikbj>), Stage 1 applies every year from May 1 to September 30. The General Manager, by resolution, can change those dates or bring in a stricter stage (Stage 2, 3 or 4) at any time of year, and a stage stays in effect until it is ended. The bylaw does not state the current stage. Check ourwatermatters.ca.\n\n## Stage 1 schedule\n\n- Residential lawns: even-numbered civic addresses on Saturdays and odd-numbered addresses on Sundays. Automatic systems 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.; hand watering 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.\n- Commercial and institutional lawns have their own days (Mondays and Tuesdays).\n- A hose must have an automatic shut-off device at all times in Stages 1 to 4.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- **Stage 2 and higher:** no lawn watering.\n- **Trees, shrubs, gardens and edible plants:** in Stages 1 and 2, hand watering, soaker hose or drip/micro-spray is allowed, as is automatic watering of those plants on residential properties from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. any day. In Stage 3, hand or drip watering of trees, shrubs and gardens only; Stage 3 also stops filling hot tubs and pools and planting new trees, shrubs or turf. In Stage 4, no watering of lawns, gardens or edible plants.\n- **New lawns:** if you have installed a new lawn (sod, turf or seed) or new landscaping, you can apply to the General Manager for a sprinkling permit allowing watering at the set times. Fee: $50 in May, June and September; $100 in July and August; none October to April. No new permits in Stage 2; holders may not water the new lawn in Stage 3 or 4.\n- **Fines:** no specific amount is listed, so the general penalty applies: a $500 bylaw notice ($450 if paid within 14 days of delivery) or a $1,000 municipal ticket ($500 if paid in full by the 30th day after service). The City may also shut off water service until the offence is fixed and a reconnection fee is paid.","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/ja11cikbj","title":"Waterworks Regulations Bylaw, 2017 (No. 2665-2017), consolidated to December 9, 2025","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.ourwatermatters.ca/conservation/water-restrictions","title":"Water Restrictions, Our Water Matters","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2006b1532","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2006, Schedule I","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2020bylaw3017","title":"Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw, 2020 (No. 3017)","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/water-restrictions/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/water-restrictions.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/water-restrictions.json"}}