{"title":"Dawson Creek watering restrictions","question":"Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?","slug":"water-restrictions","place":{"path":"ca/bc/dawson-creek","name":"Dawson Creek","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"water-roads-and-snow","name":"Water, sewer, roads and snow"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Dawson Creek","url":"https://www.dawsoncreek.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. Dawson Creek's Water Conservation Measures Bylaw 3844 has four stages, declared by Council and in force 72 hours after the public announcement. If no measures are in force on May 1, Stage 1 starts that day. Check the City's water conservation page for the current stage.","aliases":["lawn watering dawson creek","sprinkling ban","odd even watering","new lawn watering permit","water conservation stages"],"cost":"New lawn watering permit $61.14 (2026). Bylaw notices run from $100 (Stage 1) to $350 (Stage 4).","how_long":"A new lawn permit lasts 21 days (one extension allowed, up to 42 days in total).","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Water conservation, City of Dawson Creek","value":"https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/water-and-environment/water-security/water-conservation/"},{"type":"phone","label":"Bylaw Enforcement","value":"250-784-3657"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Water Conservation Measures Bylaw 3844 (PDF)","url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112547"},{"title":"Water conservation measures and tips","url":"https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/water-and-environment/water-security/water-conservation/"}],"related":[],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/pouce-coupe","name":"Pouce Coupe","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/taylor","name":"Taylor","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/taylor/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/fort-st-john","name":"Fort St. John","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/tumbler-ridge","name":"Tumbler Ridge","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/mackenzie","name":"Mackenzie","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/prince-george","name":"Prince George","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/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":"Four stages, declared by Council and in force 72 hours after the public announcement. If no measures are in force on May 1, Stage 1 starts automatically that day. No stage stays in force after September 30 unless Council declares it. The City's page says Stage 1 runs every year from May 1 to October 1.","short":"Stage 1: May 1 to October 1; stricter by Council","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112547","title":"Water Conservation Measures Bylaw No. 3844, 2008 (PDF)","section":"s. 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 4.7.1","quotes":["comes into force in the City seventy-two hours after the Council or the General Manager of Operations makes a public announcement of the declaration.","If no water conservation measures are in force on May 1st of any year, Stage 1 Water Conservation measures automatically become effective on that date","No Water Conservation Measures Stage remains in force after September 30th of any year, unless the Council makes a declaration under this section."]},{"url":"https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/water-and-environment/water-security/water-conservation/","title":"Water Conservation, City of Dawson Creek","section":"Water Conservation","quotes":["Stage 1 Water Conservation Measures are in effect every year from May 1st to October 1st."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"The bylaw says September 30; the City page says October 1. The page also says the area remains in prolonged drought. The current stage is not stated in a standing rule."},"schedule":{"label":"Sprinkling schedule","value":"Lawn watering only, 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Stage 1: even-numbered addresses on even dates, odd-numbered addresses on odd dates. Stage 2: even addresses on Wednesdays and Saturdays, odd addresses on Thursdays and Sundays. Stage 3: even addresses on Wednesdays only, odd addresses on Thursdays only. Stage 4: no lawn watering. Hoses need an automatic shut-off device.","short":"Stage 1: odd/even dates, 4 to 9 a.m., 7 to 10 p.m.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112547","title":"Water Conservation Measures Bylaw No. 3844, 2008 (PDF)","section":"s. 4.1.1, 4.2.1, 4.3.1, 4.4.1","quotes":["at premises with even-numbered civic addresses, on even calendar dates between 4:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; and","at premises with even-numbered civic address, on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 4:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; and","on Thursdays and Sundays between 4:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.","lawns at premises with even-numbered civic address, on Wednesday between 4:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; and","lawns or landscaping, whether newly planted or otherwise","use a hose providing water unless the hose is equipped with an automatic shut-off device."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exempt_watering":{"label":"Allowed at any time","value":"Stages 1 and 2: flower gardens, vegetable gardens, decorative planters, shrubs and trees are exempt, as are public sports fields, school yards, turf farms and golf course playing surfaces. Stage 3: those gardens, planters, shrubs and trees may be watered only by hand with a shut-off hose (no sprinklers or soaker hoses). Stage 4: vegetable gardens may be watered by hand only. Drip irrigation is not 'watering' in Stages 1 to 3.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112547","title":"Water Conservation Measures Bylaw No. 3844, 2008 (PDF)","section":"s. 2.1, 4.3.1.a, 4.4.1.b, 4.5.1","quotes":["flower gardens, vegetable gardens, decorative planters, shrubs or trees; and","unless such watering is carried out by hand with a hose equipped with an automatic shut-off device and is not carried out using sprinklers or soaker hoses;","water vegetable gardens, unless the watering is carried out by hand;","but does not include the method known as drip irrigation.","water, or engage in drip irrigation of:"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"new_lawns":{"label":"New lawns","value":"Yes. A person with a new lawn (sod, turf or seed) or substantial new landscaping can apply to the General Manager of Development Services for a permit to water during Stages 1, 2 or 3. Fee $61.14 (2026). The permit lasts 21 days (one extension allowed, up to 42 days in total), must be posted facing the street, and does not exempt the holder from Stage 4.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112547","title":"Water Conservation Measures Bylaw No. 3844, 2008 (PDF)","section":"s. 5.1","quotes":["may apply to the General Manager of Development Services for a permit authorizing the person to water the new lawn and new landscaping when Stage 1, Stage 2 or Stage 3","A permit expires and is of no force or effect 21 days after the date of its issue","any such extension must end on or before 42 days from the date of the issue of the permit","A permit does not exempt the holder from Stage 4 Water Conservation Measures.","A permit must be affixed to a window or a post facing the street"]},{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/136171","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule U (PDF)","section":"Schedule U, Water Conservation Fees","quotes":["Permit to water new lawn $59.95 $61.14 $62.37 $63.61"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: Stage 1 watering at wrong times or no shut-off hose $100 ($75 if paid within 14 days); Stage 2 $150 ($100 early; $200 late); Stage 3 $250 ($150 early; $400 late); Stage 4 $350 ($250 early; $500 late); not posting a watering permit $50. Municipal ticket: Stage 4 offences $750.","short":"Notice $100 Stage 1 ($75 if paid in 14 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112178","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4277, Schedule B (PDF)","section":"Schedule B, Water Conservation Measures Bylaw","quotes":["3844 4.1.1.a 100 75 100 Yes","3844 4.2.1.a 150 100 200 Yes","3844 4.3.1.a Stage 3 - Improperly water 250 150 400 No","3844 4.4.1.a garden, planters, shrubs, trees, turf or 350 250 500 No","3844 5.1.6 Fail to post watering permit 50 25 75 Yes"]},{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112527","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 4278 (PDF)","section":"Schedule Y","quotes":["3844 4.4.1.a Stage 4 - Water any lawn, plants, or garden 750"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Water Conservation Measures Bylaw No. 3844, 2008","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112547","title":"Water Conservation Measures Bylaw No. 3844, 2008 (PDF)","section":"s. 1.1","quotes":["WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES BYLAW NO. 3844, 2008"]}],"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\n[Water Conservation Measures Bylaw 3844](<https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112547>) sets four stages of watering limits in Dawson Creek, declared by Council. If no measures are in force on May 1, Stage 1 starts automatically that day. No stage stays in force after September 30 unless Council declares it. The City's water conservation page says Stage 1 runs from May 1 to October 1, so confirm the end date with the City. The page also says the area remains in prolonged drought, so check it for the stage in force now.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Lawn watering is allowed only from 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Hoses need an automatic shut-off device.\n- Stage 1: even-numbered addresses on even dates, odd-numbered addresses on odd dates. Stage 2: even addresses on Wednesdays and Saturdays, odd addresses on Thursdays and Sundays. Stage 3: even addresses on Wednesdays only, odd addresses on Thursdays only. Stage 4: no lawn watering.\n- Stages 1 and 2: flower gardens, vegetable gardens, decorative planters, shrubs and trees are exempt, as are public sports fields, school yards, turf farms and golf course playing surfaces. Stage 3: those may be watered only by hand with a shut-off hose. Stage 4: vegetable gardens by hand only. Drip irrigation is not \"watering\" in Stages 1 to 3.\n- New lawn (sod, turf or seed) or substantial new landscaping: apply to the General Manager of Development Services for a permit to water during Stages 1 to 3. The fee is $61.14 (2026). The permit lasts 21 days (one extension, up to 42 days in total), must be posted facing the street, and does not exempt you from Stage 4.\n- Fines: bylaw notice Stage 1 $100 ($75 within 14 days); Stage 2 $150 ($100 early; $200 late); Stage 3 $250 ($150 early; $400 late); Stage 4 $350 ($250 early; $500 late); not posting a permit $50. Municipal ticket: Stage 4 offences $750.","sources":[{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112547","title":"Water Conservation Measures Bylaw No. 3844, 2008 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/water-and-environment/water-security/water-conservation/","title":"Water Conservation, City of Dawson Creek","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/136171","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule U (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112178","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4277, Schedule B (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112527","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 4278 (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/dawson-creek/water-restrictions/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/water-restrictions.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/water-restrictions.json"}}