---
title: Armstrong watering restrictions
question: "Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?"
place: Armstrong, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/armstrong
category: Water, sewer, roads and snow
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Armstrong
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/water-restrictions/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/water-restrictions.json"
---

# Armstrong watering restrictions

**Question:** Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?

**Short answer:** Yes. Under the City of Armstrong's Water Use and Conservation Bylaw 1926, outdoor watering rules apply all year, with three stages set by the City. Watering days depend on your street address. Check the City's Water Conservation page for the current stage.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Armstrong, https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca)  
**Cost:** Municipal tickets, full amount (amount if paid within 30 days): Stage 1 watering violation $100 ($50); Stage 2 $250 ($200); Stage 3 $500 ($300). Use of water contrary to the bylaw: $500.  
**Where:**
- Online: Water Conservation page (current stage), https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/water-conservation/
- Phone: City Hall, 250-546-3023
- Email: City Hall, info@cityofarmstrong.bc.ca

## Key facts

- **When restrictions apply:** Outdoor watering rules apply year-round to everyone on the City water system (including Spallumcheen customers in the listed water districts). The Manager of Operations sets the stage: Stage 1 at Provincial Drought Level 0-3, Stage 2 at Level 4, Stage 3 at Level 5. The City gives notice of each stage change.
  - Source: [Water Use and Conservation Bylaw No. 1926, 2024, s. 2.1, 6.1, 7.1; Schedule A](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/179555)
  - Official wording: "The restrictions and regulations outlined in this bylaw are applicable to everyone" … "The Manager of Operations, or designate, shall determine the applicable stage of" … "Provincial Drought Level 0-3 Provincial Drought Level 4 Provincial Drought Level 5" … "The City shall give notice or cause notice to be given of the applicable water"
  - Source: [Water Use Restrictions sheet](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/179564)
  - Official wording: "YEAR-ROUND WATER USE SCHEDULE"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Sprinkling schedule:** Addresses ending 00-49 (Group A) and 50-99 (Group B). Stage 1: A Tue, Thu, Sat; B Mon, Wed, Fri. Stage 2: A Tue, Sat; B Mon, Wed. Stage 3: sprinklers not permitted; drip irrigation 1 day a week (A Tue, B Wed). Up to 3 hours a day; no irrigation 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; automated systems only 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  - Source: [Water Use and Conservation Bylaw No. 1926, 2024, Schedule A (continued)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/179555)
  - Official wording: "Group A : Addresses ending in 00-49 Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday Tuesday, Saturday Tuesday" … "Group B: Addresses ending in 50-99 Monday, Wednesday, Friday Monday, Wednesday Wednesday" … "*On designated irrigation days Irrigation is permitted for a maximum of three hours." … "*No Irrigation is permitted between 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM." … "*Automated irrigation permitted between 10:00 PM – 6:00 AM only."
  - Source: [Water Use and Conservation Bylaw No. 1926, 2024, Schedule A](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/179555)
  - Official wording: "Sprinkler Use (automated or manual) 3 days/week 2 days/week Not permitted"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Allowed at any time:** Hand watering (spring-loaded nozzle or water can) of trees, shrubs, plants and food-producing plants has no restriction at any stage. Drip irrigation follows the day limits (1 day a week at Stage 3). Hand watering of lawns is limited to the same days at Stages 1 and 2 and not permitted at Stage 3. (Sources differ: Conflict: the bylaw's Schedule A limits hand watering of lawns by day, but the City's Sept 2026 notice says handheld watering is permitted at any time. The value follows the bylaw. The Stage 3 'Other Activities' rules also limit washing (boats only for invasive species control) and ban filling pools, hot tubs, ponds and fountains.)
  - Source: [Water Use and Conservation Bylaw No. 1926, 2024, Schedule A](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/179555)
  - Official wording: "Hand watering (spring loaded nozzle or water can) No restrictions No restriction No restrictions" … "Hand watering (spring loaded nozzle or" … "water can) 3 days/week 2 days/week Not permitted"
  - Source: [City of Armstrong Returns to Stage 2 Water Conservation Restrictions (September 15, 2026), City notice, Sept 15, 2026](https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/2026/09/15/armstrong-returns-to-stage-2-water-conservation-restrictions/)
  - Official wording: "Permitted at any time using a handheld container or hose with a shut-off nozzle"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **New lawns:** A Water Use Exemption Permit from the City is required to water new lawns (sod or seed) and new trees or shrubs outside the schedule ('as per permit' at Stages 1 and 2). A permit is valid for at most 21 days; extending needs a new application. At Stage 3 no new permits are issued.
  - Source: [Water Use and Conservation Bylaw No. 1926, 2024, Schedule A](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/179555)
  - Official wording: "New Lawn (permit required from City) As per permit As per permit No new permits issued"
  - Source: [Water Conservation, Water Conservation page](https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/water-conservation/)
  - Official wording: "A Water Use Exemption Permit is a temporary waiver from the City that allows a resident or business to irrigate outside of the restrictions"
  - Source: [https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/181236/, Application form, page 1](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/181236/)
  - Official wording: "Permits for new plantings will be valid for a maximum of 21 days from the date the permit begins." … "NEW SOD INSTALLATION"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Municipal ticket (full amount, or the lower amount if paid within 30 days): Stage 1 watering violation $100 ($50); Stage 2 $250 ($200); Stage 3 $500 ($300). Use of water contrary to the bylaw: $500.
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 1889, 2022, Schedule 12](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/165574)
  - Official wording: "Stage 1 watering violation Schedule A $100.00 $50.00" … "Stage 2 watering violation Schedule A $250.00 $200.00" … "Stage 3 watering violation Schedule A $500.00 $300.00"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 1889, 2022, Schedule 12, s. 5(b)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/165574)
  - Official wording: "Column 4 represents the fine payable if payment is received within 30 days"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of Armstrong Water Use and Conservation Bylaw No. 1926, 2024 (Schedule A, Water Conservation Stages).
  - Source: [Water Use and Conservation Bylaw No. 1926, 2024, s. 12.1](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/179555)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the “City of Armstrong Water Use"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Outdoor watering rules apply year-round to everyone on the City of Armstrong water system, including customers in the listed Spallumcheen water districts, under the [Water Use and Conservation Bylaw](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/179555). The Manager of Operations sets the stage: Stage 1 at Provincial Drought Level 0 to 3, Stage 2 at Level 4, Stage 3 at Level 5. The City gives notice of each change, so check its Water Conservation page.

Watering days depend on your street address (use the street address, not the unit number):

| Stage | Addresses 00 to 49 | Addresses 50 to 99 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday | Monday, Wednesday, Friday |
| 2 | Tuesday, Saturday | Monday, Wednesday |
| 3 (sprinklers not permitted; drip irrigation 1 day a week) | Tuesday | Wednesday |

## Good to know

- Irrigation is limited to 3 hours a day, with none from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Automated systems run only from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Hand watering (spring-loaded nozzle or water can) of trees, shrubs, plants and food plants has no restriction at any stage. Hand watering of lawns is limited to the same days at Stages 1 and 2 and not permitted at Stage 3. A September 2026 City notice says handheld watering is permitted at any time; the bylaw is stricter, so confirm with the City.
- Watering new lawns (sod or seed), trees or shrubs outside the schedule needs a Water Use Exemption Permit, valid for at most 21 days. No new permits are issued at Stage 3.
- At Stage 3, washing is limited (boats only for invasive species control) and filling pools, hot tubs, ponds and fountains is not allowed.

## Official forms and pages

- [Water Use Restrictions sheet (PDF)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/179564)
- [Water Use and Conservation Bylaw 1926, 2024 (PDF)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/179555)
- [Water Use Restriction Exemption Permit Application (PDF)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/181236)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/water-restrictions.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/water-restrictions.md)
- [Enderby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/water-restrictions.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/water-restrictions.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/water-restrictions.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/water-restrictions.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/water-restrictions.md)

## Sources

- [Water Use and Conservation Bylaw No. 1926, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/179555) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Water Use Restrictions sheet (PDF), City of Armstrong](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/179564) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Water Conservation, City of Armstrong](https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/water-conservation/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Water Use Restriction Exemption Permit Application (PDF), City of Armstrong](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/181236) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 1889, 2022, Schedule 12 (PDF), City of Armstrong](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/165574) (read 2026-11-05)
- [City of Armstrong Returns to Stage 2 Water Conservation Restrictions (September 15, 2026)](https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/2026/09/15/armstrong-returns-to-stage-2-water-conservation-restrictions/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/181236/](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/181236/) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Armstrong. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/water-restrictions/_