---
title: Comox watering restrictions
question: "Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions in Comox?"
place: Comox, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/comox
category: Water, sewer, roads and snow
owner: regional
owner_body: Comox Valley Regional District
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/water-restrictions/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/water-restrictions.json"
---

# Comox watering restrictions

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Regional district (Comox Valley Regional District, https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca)  
**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.  
**Where:**
- Online: Current water restrictions (Town of Comox), https://www.comox.ca/waterrestrictions
- Phone: Comox Valley Regional District, 250-334-6000
- Phone: Public Works and Operations, 250-339-5410

## Key facts

- **When restrictions apply:** 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.
  - Source: [Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw No. 129, Comox Valley Regional District, s. 5](https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/media/17121)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Current Water Restrictions, Current Water Restrictions page](https://www.comox.ca/waterrestrictions)
  - Official wording: "The Town of Comox is part of the Comox Valley water system, which is operated by the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD)."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Sprinkling schedule:** 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.
  - Source: [Stage 1 Water Restrictions, Comox Valley Regional District, Stage 1 page](https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/services/water/current-water-restrictions/stage-1-water-restrictions)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Current Water Restrictions, Current Water Restrictions page, Stages 2 and 3](https://www.comox.ca/waterrestrictions)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Allowed at any time:** 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.
  - Source: [Current Water Restrictions, Current Water Restrictions page, Stage 3](https://www.comox.ca/waterrestrictions)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Stage 1 Water Restrictions, Comox Valley Regional District, Stage 1 page](https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/services/water/current-water-restrictions/stage-1-water-restrictions)
  - Official wording: "Water newly planted trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables by any method during installation and for the following 24 hours."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **New lawns:** 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.
  - Source: [Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw No. 129, Comox Valley Regional District, Schedule B](https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/media/17121)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** 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.
  - Source: [Comox Valley Regional District Bylaw Adjudication Ticketing System Bylaw No. 679 (consolidated to May 26, 2026), Schedule 19](https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/sites/default/files/2026-05/679%20Bylaw%20Adjudication%20Ticketing%20System%20CONSOLIDATED%2020260526.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw No. 129, Comox Valley Regional District, s. 13(1)](https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/media/17121)
  - Official wording: "on summary conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $100"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw 2010, Regional District Bylaw No. 129 (tickets under Bylaw Adjudication Ticketing Bylaw No. 679)
  - Source: [Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw No. 129, Comox Valley Regional District, title](https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/media/17121)
  - Official wording: "Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw 2010"
  - Source: [Comox Valley Regional District Bylaw Adjudication Ticketing System Bylaw No. 679 (consolidated to May 26, 2026), Schedule 19](https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/sites/default/files/2026-05/679%20Bylaw%20Adjudication%20Ticketing%20System%20CONSOLIDATED%2020260526.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Bylaw No. 129 – “Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw 2010”"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [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.

- Stage 1 starts May 1 and Stage 2 starts July 1 each year.
- Stage 3 applies when Puntledge River flow falls below 11.3 m³/s, and Stage 4 below 5.7 m³/s.
- Stage 5 (emergency) can be declared at any time.

Sprinkler schedule by street number:

- Stage 1: even numbers Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday; odd numbers Wednesday, Friday, Sunday; 5 to 8 a.m. and 7 to 10 p.m.
- 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.
- Stage 3 and up: no lawn watering.

Strata 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)).

## Check the current stage

The stage in force changes during the year. Check the Town's [Current Water Restrictions page](https://www.comox.ca/waterrestrictions) before you water.

## Good to know

- 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.
- Newly planted trees, shrubs and flowers may be watered by any method during installation and for 24 hours after, in Stage 1.
- 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.
- 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.

## Official forms and pages

- [Current Water Restrictions, Town of Comox](https://www.comox.ca/waterrestrictions)
- [Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw No. 129, Comox Valley Regional District (PDF)](https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/media/17121)
- [Stage 1 Water Restrictions, Comox Valley Regional District](https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/services/water/current-water-restrictions/stage-1-water-restrictions)
- [Comox Valley Regional District Bylaw Adjudication Ticketing System Bylaw No. 679 (consolidated to May 26, 2026) (PDF)](https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/sites/default/files/2026-05/679%20Bylaw%20Adjudication%20Ticketing%20System%20CONSOLIDATED%2020260526.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Comox garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/garbage-collection.md)
- [Comox yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/yard-waste.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/water-restrictions.md)
- [Courtenay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/water-restrictions.md)
- [Cumberland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/water-restrictions.md)
- [Powell River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/water-restrictions.md)
- [Campbell River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/water-restrictions.md)
- [Port Alberni](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/water-restrictions.md)
- [Qualicum Beach](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/water-restrictions.md)

## Sources

- [Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw No. 129, Comox Valley Regional District (PDF)](https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/media/17121) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Stage 1 Water Restrictions, Comox Valley Regional District](https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/services/water/current-water-restrictions/stage-1-water-restrictions) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Current Water Restrictions, Town of Comox](https://www.comox.ca/waterrestrictions) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Comox Valley Regional District Bylaw Adjudication Ticketing System Bylaw No. 679 (consolidated to May 26, 2026) (PDF)](https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/sites/default/files/2026-05/679%20Bylaw%20Adjudication%20Ticketing%20System%20CONSOLIDATED%2020260526.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 Comox Valley Regional District. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/water-restrictions/_