{"title":"Comox watering restrictions","question":"Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions in Comox?","slug":"water-restrictions","place":{"path":"ca/bc/comox","name":"Comox","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"water-roads-and-snow","name":"Water, sewer, roads and snow"},"owner":"regional","owner_label":"Regional district","owner_body":{"name":"Comox Valley Regional District","url":"https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca"},"short_answer":"In Comox, watering rules come from the Comox Valley Regional District's water conservation bylaw. Stage 1 starts May 1 and Stage 2 July 1 each year, with lawn watering on set days by even or odd street number. Stage 3 and up ban lawn watering. Check the current stage on the Town's water page.","aliases":["lawn watering Comox","sprinkling restrictions Comox","water restrictions Comox","watering days Comox"],"cost":"Ticket for using water against the restrictions: Stage 1 $75, Stage 2 $150, Stage 3 $225, Stage 4 $500; each is 25% less if paid within 14 days. Wasting water: $50 to $200. New lawn permit: $30.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"online","label":"Current water restrictions (Town of Comox)","value":"https://www.comox.ca/waterrestrictions"},{"type":"phone","label":"Comox Valley Regional District","value":"250-334-6000"},{"type":"phone","label":"Public Works and Operations","value":"250-339-5410"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Current Water Restrictions, Town of Comox","url":"https://www.comox.ca/waterrestrictions"},{"title":"Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw No. 129, Comox Valley Regional District (PDF)","url":"https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/media/17121"},{"title":"Stage 1 Water Restrictions, Comox Valley Regional District","url":"https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/services/water/current-water-restrictions/stage-1-water-restrictions"},{"title":"Comox Valley Regional District Bylaw Adjudication Ticketing System Bylaw No. 679 (consolidated to May 26, 2026) (PDF)","url":"https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/sites/default/files/2026-05/679%20Bylaw%20Adjudication%20Ticketing%20System%20CONSOLIDATED%2020260526.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"garbage-collection","title":"Comox garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/garbage-collection/"},{"slug":"yard-waste","title":"Comox yard waste collection and drop-off","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/yard-waste/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/courtenay","name":"Courtenay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cumberland","name":"Cumberland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/powell-river","name":"Powell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/campbell-river","name":"Campbell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-alberni","name":"Port Alberni","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/qualicum-beach","name":"Qualicum Beach","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/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":"The Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw (Regional District, applies in the Town). Stage 1 starts May 1 and Stage 2 July 1 each year. Stage 3 applies when Puntledge River flow falls below 11.3 m³/s, Stage 4 below 5.7 m³/s. Stage 5 (emergency) can be declared at any time. Officers can change dates.","short":"Stage 1 from May 1; Stage 2 from July 1","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/media/17121","title":"Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw No. 129, Comox Valley Regional District (PDF)","section":"s. 5","quotes":["Stage 1 and the water use restrictions for Stage 1 prescribed in Schedule A","are in effect May 1 of the year","are in effect July 1st of the year","is reduced below 11.3","are in effect when the flow within the Puntledge River is reduced below 5.7","may be brought","into effect at any time by written determination of the operational officers"]},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/waterrestrictions","title":"Current Water Restrictions, Town of Comox","section":"Current Water Restrictions page","quotes":["The Town of Comox is part of the Comox Valley water system, which is operated by the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD)."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"schedule":{"label":"Sprinkling schedule","value":"Stage 1: even street numbers Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday; odd numbers Wednesday, Friday, Sunday; 5 to 8 a.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. Stage 2: even Tuesday and Saturday, odd Wednesday and Sunday; 6 to 7:30 a.m. and 8 to 9:30 p.m. Stage 3 and up: no lawn watering.","short":"Stage 1: 3 days a week by address; no lawns Stage 3+","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/services/water/current-water-restrictions/stage-1-water-restrictions","title":"Stage 1 Water Restrictions, Comox Valley Regional District","section":"Stage 1 page","quotes":["Between the hours of 5 am to 8 am and 7 pm to 10 pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.","Between the hours of 5 am to 8 am and 7 pm to 10 pm on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday."]},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/waterrestrictions","title":"Current Water Restrictions, Town of Comox","section":"Current Water Restrictions page, Stages 2 and 3","quotes":["On Tuesday and Saturday between the hours of 6 am - 7:30 am and 8 pm - 9:30 pm.","On Wednesday and Sunday between the hours of 6 am - 7:30 am and 8 pm - 9:30 pm.","water a lawn or boulevard;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exempt_watering":{"label":"Allowed at any time","value":"Trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables may be watered any day, any time (even in Stage 3) by micro or drip irrigation, a hand-held container, or a hand-held hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle. Newly planted trees, shrubs and flowers may be watered by any method during installation and for 24 hours after, in Stage 1.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/waterrestrictions","title":"Current Water Restrictions, Town of Comox","section":"Current Water Restrictions page, Stage 3","quotes":["Water trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables on any day at any time if watering is done using micro-irrigation or drip-irrigation, a hand-held container, or a hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle."]},{"url":"https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/services/water/current-water-restrictions/stage-1-water-restrictions","title":"Stage 1 Water Restrictions, Comox Valley Regional District","section":"Stage 1 page","quotes":["Water newly planted trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables by any method during installation and for the following 24 hours."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"new_lawns":{"label":"New lawns","value":"A new lawn permit from the Regional District or the Town costs $30 and is available only in Stages 1 and 2. New sod may be sprinkled for 21 days after installation; seeded lawn for up to 49 days, in the restricted hours. Permits are not valid in Stage 3 or 4.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/media/17121","title":"Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw No. 129, Comox Valley Regional District (PDF)","section":"Schedule B","quotes":["a fee in the amount of $30.00.","New sod may be watered for 21 days after installation and newly seeded lawn","may be watered until growth is established or for 49 days after installation,","Permits will not be issued or be valid during Stage 3 or 4 restrictions."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Regional District ticket for using water contrary to restrictions: Stage 1 $75, Stage 2 $150, Stage 3 $225, Stage 4 $500; each is 25% less if paid within 14 days. Wasting water $50 to $200.","short":"Ticket $75 Stage 1 (25% less if paid in 14 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/sites/default/files/2026-05/679%20Bylaw%20Adjudication%20Ticketing%20System%20CONSOLIDATED%2020260526.pdf","title":"Comox Valley Regional District Bylaw Adjudication Ticketing System Bylaw No. 679 (consolidated to May 26, 2026) (PDF)","section":"Schedule 19","quotes":["3 (5), Sch A St. 1 $56.25 $75.00","3 (5), Sch A St. 2 $112.50 $150.00","3 (5), Sch A St. 3 $168.75 $225.00","Wasting water at stage 1 3 (3) $37.50 $50.00"]},{"url":"https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/media/17121","title":"Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw No. 129, Comox Valley Regional District (PDF)","section":"s. 13(1)","quotes":["on summary conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $100"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw 2010, Regional District Bylaw No. 129 (tickets under Bylaw Adjudication Ticketing Bylaw No. 679)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/media/17121","title":"Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw No. 129, Comox Valley Regional District (PDF)","section":"title","quotes":["Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw 2010"]},{"url":"https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/sites/default/files/2026-05/679%20Bylaw%20Adjudication%20Ticketing%20System%20CONSOLIDATED%2020260526.pdf","title":"Comox Valley Regional District Bylaw Adjudication Ticketing System Bylaw No. 679 (consolidated to May 26, 2026) (PDF)","section":"Schedule 19","quotes":["Bylaw No. 129 – “Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw 2010”"]}],"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 [Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw](https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/media/17121) is a Regional District bylaw that applies in the Town of Comox. Officers can change the dates.\n\n- Stage 1 starts May 1 and Stage 2 starts July 1 each year.\n- Stage 3 applies when Puntledge River flow falls below 11.3 m³/s, and Stage 4 below 5.7 m³/s.\n- Stage 5 (emergency) can be declared at any time.\n\nSprinkler schedule by street number:\n\n- Stage 1: even numbers Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday; odd numbers Wednesday, Friday, Sunday; 5 to 8 a.m. and 7 to 10 p.m.\n- Stage 2: even numbers Tuesday and Saturday; odd numbers Wednesday and Sunday; 6 to 7:30 a.m. and 8 to 9:30 p.m.\n- Stage 3 and up: no lawn watering.\n\nStrata properties use unit numbers and have special rules for common areas ([Stage 1 page](https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/services/water/current-water-restrictions/stage-1-water-restrictions)).\n\n## Check the current stage\n\nThe stage in force changes during the year. Check the Town's [Current Water Restrictions page](https://www.comox.ca/waterrestrictions) before you water.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables may be watered any day, any time (even in Stage 3) by micro or drip irrigation, a hand-held container, or a hand-held hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle. In Stage 4 this is allowed only as needed to keep plants alive. In Stage 5 all use other than drinking, food, hygiene and safety is banned.\n- Newly planted trees, shrubs and flowers may be watered by any method during installation and for 24 hours after, in Stage 1.\n- A new lawn permit costs $30 and is available only in Stages 1 and 2. New sod may be sprinkled for 21 days after installation and seeded lawn for up to 49 days, in the restricted hours. Permits are not valid in Stage 3 or 4, and the Town page says none is issued or valid in Stage 5.\n- Tickets under [Bylaw 679](https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/sites/default/files/2026-05/679%20Bylaw%20Adjudication%20Ticketing%20System%20CONSOLIDATED%2020260526.pdf): Stage 1 $75, Stage 2 $150, Stage 3 $225, Stage 4 $500, each 25% less if paid within 14 days. Wasting water is $50 to $200. That bylaw lists no Stage 5 amount.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/media/17121","title":"Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw No. 129, Comox Valley Regional District (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/services/water/current-water-restrictions/stage-1-water-restrictions","title":"Stage 1 Water Restrictions, Comox Valley Regional District","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/waterrestrictions","title":"Current Water Restrictions, Town of Comox","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/sites/default/files/2026-05/679%20Bylaw%20Adjudication%20Ticketing%20System%20CONSOLIDATED%2020260526.pdf","title":"Comox Valley Regional District Bylaw Adjudication Ticketing System Bylaw No. 679 (consolidated to May 26, 2026) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","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/comox/water-restrictions/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/water-restrictions.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/water-restrictions.json"}}