{"title":"Burnaby watering restrictions","question":"Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?","slug":"water-restrictions","place":{"path":"ca/bc/burnaby","name":"Burnaby","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"water-roads-and-snow","name":"Water, sewer, roads and snow"},"owner":"shared","owner_label":"More than one level of government","owner_body":null,"short_answer":"Yes. In Burnaby, Stage 1 watering restrictions apply every year from May 1 to October 15 unless the Greater Vancouver Water District Commissioner declares a higher stage. In Stage 1, residential lawns may be watered one morning a week: Saturday for even-numbered addresses, Sunday for odd.","aliases":["lawn watering burnaby","sprinkling restrictions burnaby","watering days burnaby","lawn watering permit burnaby","report watering violation burnaby"],"cost":"Bylaw notice (amount if paid within 15 days in brackets): Stage 1 $150 ($100); Stage 2 $250 ($200); Stage 3 $350 ($300); Stage 4 $500 ($450). New-lawn Watering Permit: $67 in the fee bylaw ($65 with taxes on the City's page); free for nematode chafer treatment.","how_long":"A Watering Permit lasts 21 days, with one extension to 42 days.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Report lawn watering violations","value":"https://www.burnaby.ca/form/report-lawn-watering-violations"},{"type":"phone","label":"Water Conservation Officers","value":"604-293-6528"},{"type":"online","label":"Apply for a lawn watering exemption permit (My Permits Portal)","value":"https://mypermits.burnaby.ca/"},{"type":"email","label":"Water restrictions questions","value":"waterrestrictions@burnaby.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Watering Restrictions, City of Burnaby","url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/water-and-sewers/watering-restrictions"},{"title":"Lawn Watering Restrictions, Metro Vancouver","url":"https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/water-restrictions"},{"title":"Waterworks Regulation Bylaw 3325 (consolidated PDF)","url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/3325CC.pdf"}],"related":[],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/new-westminster","name":"New Westminster","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/richmond","name":"Richmond","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-moody","name":"Port Moody","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/belcarra","name":"Belcarra","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vancouver","name":"Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coquitlam","name":"Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/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 restrictions are in force every year from May 1 to October 15, unless the Greater Vancouver Water District Commissioner activates a higher stage (Stage 2, 3 or 4) at any time, effective on the declared date.","short":"Stage 1: May 1 to October 15; stricter by declaration","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/3325CC.pdf","title":"Burnaby Waterworks Regulation Bylaw 1953 (No. 3325), consolidated, Schedule B (PDF)","section":"Schedule B, ss. 1.1, 2.1, 2.2","quotes":["“Stage 1 Restrictions Period” means May 1 until October 15 of each year,","Stage 1 Restrictions are in force during the Stage 1 Restrictions Period, unless the","The GVWD Commissioner may, at any time, activate and deactivate Stage 2"]},{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/water-and-sewers/watering-restrictions","title":"Watering Restrictions, City of Burnaby","section":"Watering Restrictions page","quotes":["Metro Vancouver regional watering restrictions are in effect from May 1 to October 15."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"schedule":{"label":"Sprinkling schedule","value":"Stage 1, residential: lawns may be watered only on Saturdays for even-numbered civic addresses and Sundays for odd-numbered addresses; automatic systems 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., manual (hand-held) watering 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Non-residential and mixed-use: Mondays (even) and Tuesdays (odd), automatic 4 a.m. to 6 a.m., manual 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Stage 2 and higher: lawn watering is prohibited.","short":"Stage 1: even Sat, odd Sun; no lawn watering Stage 2+","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/3325CC.pdf","title":"Burnaby Waterworks Regulation Bylaw 1953 (No. 3325), consolidated, Schedule B (PDF)","section":"Schedule B, ss. 6.1, 7.1","quotes":["Even-numbered civic addresses: restricted to Saturdays","Odd-numbered civic addresses: restricted to Sundays","- automatic watering from 5 am to 7 am","- manual watering from 6 am to 9 am","RESIDENTIAL Watering Lawns Prohibited"]},{"url":"https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/water-restrictions","title":"Lawn Watering Restrictions, Metro Vancouver","section":"Stage 1","quotes":["- Residential lawn watering allowed: Even-numbered addresses: Saturdays Odd-numbered addresses: Sundays Automatic watering: 5:00 am - 7:00 am","Residential lawn watering allowed: Even-numbered addresses: Saturdays Odd-numbered addresses: Sundays Automatic watering: 5:00 am - 7:00 am Manual watering: 6:00 am - 9:00 am"]},{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/water-and-sewers/watering-restrictions","title":"Watering Restrictions, City of Burnaby","section":"Stage 1","quotes":["Watering lawns is permitted 1 morning per week. Automatic watering is permitted from 5 am to 7 am. Manual watering is permitted from 6 am to 9 am."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exempt_watering":{"label":"Allowed at any time","value":"Stage 1: trees, shrubs and flowers (not edible plants) may be watered any day at any time by hand-held hose, soaker hose, water container or drip irrigation; by sprinkler only 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. (4 a.m. to 9 a.m. non-residential). Vegetable gardens can be watered at any time (City page). Hoses must have an automatic shut-off device, and water may not run off onto driveways or gutters. Rainwater, grey water and recycled water are not covered.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/3325CC.pdf","title":"Burnaby Waterworks Regulation Bylaw 1953 (No. 3325), consolidated, Schedule B (PDF)","section":"Schedule B, ss. 5.1, 6.1","quotes":["all hoses shall have an automatic shut-off device;","Permitted on any day at any time if using a handheld","Restricted to 5 am to 9 am on any day if using a sprinkler"]},{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/water-and-sewers/watering-restrictions","title":"Watering Restrictions, City of Burnaby","section":"Stage 1","quotes":["Vegetable gardens can be watered any time.","Hoses must have an automatic shut-off nozzle."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"new_lawns":{"label":"New lawns","value":"A Watering Permit lets new lawns and chafer-beetle-treated lawns be watered outside restricted times. It lasts 21 days, with one extension to 42 days, and is not issued or extended in Stage 2, 3 or 4. Fee $67 per the fee bylaw (City page says $65 with taxes); free for nematode chafer treatment. Apply on the City's online portal.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/3325CC.pdf","title":"Burnaby Waterworks Regulation Bylaw 1953 (No. 3325), consolidated, Schedule B (PDF)","section":"Schedule B, ss. 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5","quotes":["a person who has installed a new Lawn, either by placing sod or turf or by seeding","21 days after the date of issuance, unless the Watering Permit has been extended","shall not issue or extend a Watering Permit when","post the Watering Permit in a location within the property that is easily visible"]},{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/water-and-sewers/watering-restrictions","title":"Watering Restrictions, City of Burnaby","section":"Lawn watering exemption permits","quotes":["You must pay the $65 fee (includes taxes) before we can issue a permit.","The permit is free when it's for treating European chafer beetles.","waterrestrictions@burnaby.ca"]},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf","title":"Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedule C14 (PDF)","section":"Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw, Schedule C14","quotes":["o At Property Line $410.00 o At Main $4,100.00 ▪ Watering Permit $67.00 *Refer to Complex Area Location Table Complex Area Location Table"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":true},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice, for not complying with the restriction stage in force: Stage 1 $150 ($100 if paid within 15 days); Stage 2 $250 ($200); Stage 3 $350 ($300); Stage 4 $500 ($450). Related: hose without automatic shut-off $200 ($160); running a hose or tap unnecessarily $200 ($160); breaking a Watering Permit $100 ($80).","short":"Notice $150 Stage 1 ($100 if paid in 15 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/12657CC.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 12657, Schedule A (PDF)","section":"Schedule A, Waterworks Regulation Bylaw, Schedule B","quotes":["Not complying with Stage 1 Restriction 150 100 NO","Not complying with Stage 2 Restriction 250 200 NO","Not complying with Stage 3 Restriction 350 300 NO","Not complying with Stage 4 Restriction 500 450 NO","Running hose or tap unnecessarily 200 160 NO"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Burnaby Waterworks Regulation Bylaw 1953 (Bylaw No. 3325), Schedule B (Water Shortage Restrictions).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/3325CC.pdf","title":"Burnaby Waterworks Regulation Bylaw 1953 (No. 3325), consolidated, Schedule B (PDF)","section":"title","quotes":["Burnaby Waterworks Regulation Bylaw 1953"]}],"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\nThe [Waterworks Regulation Bylaw](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/3325CC.pdf), Schedule B, sets Stage 1 restrictions every year from May 1 to October 15. The Greater Vancouver Water District Commissioner can activate Stage 2, 3 or 4 at any time. To see the current stage, check metrovancouver.org/lawns or the City's Watering Restrictions page. In Stage 2 and higher, lawn watering is prohibited.\n\n## Stage 1 rules\n\n- Residential lawns: Saturday for even-numbered civic addresses, Sunday for odd-numbered. Automatic systems 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.; hand-held watering 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.\n- Non-residential and mixed-use lawns: Monday (even) and Tuesday (odd). Automatic 4 a.m. to 6 a.m.; manual 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.\n- Trees, shrubs and flowers (not edible plants): any day, any time by hand-held hose, soaker hose, water container or drip irrigation; by sprinkler only 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. (4 a.m. to 9 a.m. non-residential).\n- Vegetable gardens can be watered at any time, according to the City's and Metro Vancouver's pages.\n- Hoses need an automatic shut-off device, and water may not run off onto driveways or gutters.\n\n## Watering Permit for new lawns\n\nA permit lets new lawns and chafer-beetle-treated lawns be watered outside restricted times. It lasts 21 days with one extension to 42 days, and is not issued or extended in Stage 2, 3 or 4. Apply on the City's online portal. The fee is $67 in the fee bylaw; the City's page says $65 with taxes. The bylaw figure is used here, so confirm when you apply. It is free for nematode chafer treatment.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- The City's page says only \"1 morning per week\"; the bylaw and Metro Vancouver give the days above.\n- Other bylaw notices (amount if paid within 15 days in brackets): hose without automatic shut-off $200 ($160); running a hose or tap unnecessarily $200 ($160); breaking a Watering Permit $100 ($80). A court fine can reach $10,000.\n- To report a violation, use the City's online form or call 604-293-6528.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/water-and-sewers/watering-restrictions","title":"Watering Restrictions, City of Burnaby","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/water-restrictions","title":"Lawn Watering Restrictions, Metro Vancouver","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/3325CC.pdf","title":"Burnaby Waterworks Regulation Bylaw 1953 (No. 3325), consolidated, Schedule B (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf","title":"Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedule C14 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/12657CC.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 12657, Schedule A (PDF)","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/burnaby/water-restrictions/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/water-restrictions.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/water-restrictions.json"}}