Comox watering restrictions
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.
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.Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw No. 129, Comox Valley Regional District, s. 5; Current Water Restrictions, Current Water Restrictions page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingStage 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 The Town of Comox is part of the Comox Valley water system, which is operated by the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD). |
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| 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.Stage 1 Water Restrictions, Comox Valley Regional District, Stage 1 page; Current Water Restrictions, Current Water Restrictions page, Stages 2 and 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBetween 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. 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; |
| 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.Current Water Restrictions, Current Water Restrictions page, Stage 3; Stage 1 Water Restrictions, Comox Valley Regional District, Stage 1 page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingWater 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. Water newly planted trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables by any method during installation and for the following 24 hours. |
| 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.Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw No. 129, Comox Valley Regional District, Schedule B · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinga 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. |
| 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.Comox Valley Regional District Bylaw Adjudication Ticketing System Bylaw No. 679 (consolidated to May 26, 2026), Schedule 19; Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw No. 129, Comox Valley Regional District, s. 13(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording3 (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 on summary conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $100 |
| Bylaw | Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw 2010, Regional District Bylaw No. 129 (tickets under Bylaw Adjudication Ticketing Bylaw No. 679)Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw No. 129, Comox Valley Regional District, title; Comox Valley Regional District Bylaw Adjudication Ticketing System Bylaw No. 679 (consolidated to May 26, 2026), Schedule 19 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingComox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw 2010 Bylaw No. 129 – “Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw 2010” |
How it works
The Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw 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).
Check the current stage
The stage in force changes during the year. Check the Town's Current Water Restrictions page 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: 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
The same question in other places
Courtenay · Cumberland · Powell River · Campbell River · Port Alberni · Qualicum Beach
Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw No. 129, Comox Valley Regional District (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Stage 1 Water Restrictions, Comox Valley Regional District (read 2026-11-06)
- Current Water Restrictions, Town of Comox (read 2026-11-06)
- Comox Valley Regional District Bylaw Adjudication Ticketing System Bylaw No. 679 (consolidated to May 26, 2026) (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. How answers are checked.