{"title":"Duncan watering restrictions","question":"Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?","slug":"water-restrictions","place":{"path":"ca/bc/duncan","name":"Duncan","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 Duncan","url":"https://duncan.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. In the City of Duncan, Stage 1 watering restrictions apply every year from May 1 to October 31, and Stages 2, 3 and 4 are imposed when water is in short supply. In Stage 1, sprinklers are allowed two days a week by address, for up to 2 hours a day.","aliases":["sprinkler bylaw duncan","lawn watering days duncan","watering restrictions duncan"],"cost":"Garden Irrigation Permit $25. Bylaw notice by stage: $100, $200, $300 or $400.","how_long":"Stage 1 runs May 1 to October 31 each year. Stages 2 to 4 last as long as the City imposes them.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Water Conservation / Restrictions page (check the current stage)","value":"https://duncan.ca/residents/utilities/waterconservation/"},{"type":"in_person","label":"City Hall (Garden Irrigation Permit)","value":"200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC V9L 1W3"},{"type":"phone","label":"City Hall","value":"250-746-6126"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3213, 2020 (PDF)","url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/166266"},{"title":"Water Use Restrictions FAQ (PDF)","url":"https://duncan.ca/download/water-use-restrictions-faqs/"}],"related":[],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/north-cowichan","name":"North Cowichan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/ladysmith","name":"Ladysmith","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-saanich","name":"North Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-cowichan","name":"Lake Cowichan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sidney","name":"Sidney","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/central-saanich","name":"Central Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/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 applies every year from May 1 to October 31. Stages 2, 3 and 4 are imposed as required when the Chief Administrative Officer or the Director considers water to be in short supply.","short":"Stage 1: May 1 to October 31; stricter as required","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/166266","title":"Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3213, 2020 (consolidated) (PDF), City of Duncan","section":"s. 8.1, 8.2","quotes":["Stage 1 Watering Restrictions are in effect from May 1st through October 31st","The CAO or Director may impose watering restrictions as set out in this bylaw when in their opinion they consider water to be in short supply."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"schedule":{"label":"Sprinkling schedule","value":"Stage 1: even civic addresses Wednesday and Saturday, odd addresses Thursday and Sunday; midnight to 9 a.m. or 7 p.m. to midnight; 2 hours max a day. Stage 2: even Wednesday only, odd Sunday only, same hours, 2 hours max. Stages 3 and 4: no lawn watering.","short":"Stage 1: even Wed, Sat; odd Thu, Sun; 2 hours a day max","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/166266","title":"Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3213, 2020 (consolidated) (PDF), City of Duncan","section":"s. 8.2 a), b), c), d)","quotes":["Owners or residents of even numbered civic addresses are permitted to water using conventional irrigation systems and sprinklers only on Wednesdays and Saturdays from midnight to 9:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. to midnight for a maximum of 2 hours per day.","Owners or residents of odd numbered civic addresses are permitted to water using conventional irrigation systems and sprinklers only on Thursdays and Sundays from midnight to 9:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. to midnight for a maximum of 2 hours per day.","Owners or residents of even numbered civic addresses are permitted to water using conventional irrigation systems and sprinklers only on Wednesdays from midnight to 9:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. to midnight for a maximum of 2 hours.","Owners or residents of odd numbered civic addresses are permitted to water using conventional irrigation systems and sprinklers only on Sundays from midnight to 9:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. to midnight for a maximum of 2 hours.","No person is permitted to water lawns except for newly planted lawns or landscaping with a previously approved Garden Irrigation Permit in effect."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exempt_watering":{"label":"Allowed at any time","value":"Hand watering and micro-irrigation or drip irrigation are allowed any day between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. Stage 1: lawns 2 hours, ornamental trees, flowers and shrubs 2 hours, fruit trees and vegetable gardens 4 hours. Stage 2: lawns 1 hour. Stages 3 and 4: ornamentals 1 hour, food gardens 2 hours; soaker hoses do not count.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/166266","title":"Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3213, 2020 (consolidated) (PDF), City of Duncan","section":"s. 8.2 a) vi, vii, viii; b) vii; c) and d)","quotes":["hand watering and micro-irrigation or drip irrigation for lawns on any day of the week between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. for a maximum of 2 hours per day.","drip irrigation for fruit trees and vegetable gardens on any day of the week between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. for a maximum of 4 hours per day.","drip irrigation of fruit trees and vegetable gardens on any day of the week between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. for a maximum of 2 hours per day. This does not include soaker hoses."]},{"url":"https://duncan.ca/download/water-use-restrictions-faqs/","title":"Water Use Restrictions Frequently Asked Questions (PDF), City of Duncan","section":"Vegetable gardens, flower beds, and trees","quotes":["Hand watering using buckets, a spring-loaded spray nozzle or micro/drip irrigation to water vegetable gardens and fruit trees is permitted on any day of the week during Stage 1 - 2 between 7 pm and 9 am for a maximum of 4 hours."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"new_lawns":{"label":"New lawns","value":"A Garden Irrigation Permit ($25, City Hall) allows watering a new lawn, sod or landscaping in Stage 1 on any day, 7 p.m. to 9 a.m., up to 2 hours. It lasts 21 days for sod, 49 for seed. None are issued in Stages 2 to 4; one already issued allows 1 hour a day in Stages 2 and 3.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/166266","title":"Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3213, 2020 (consolidated) (PDF), City of Duncan","section":"s. 8.2 a) iv, 8.3 a)","quotes":["Owners or residents are permitted to water newly planted lawns or landscaping on any day of the week between 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. with an approved Garden Irrigation Permit for a maximum of 2 hours each day.","A consumer may apply to the City for a Garden Irrigation Permit to sprinkle a new lawn, new sod, or new landscaping when Stage 1 Watering Restrictions are in effect","may sprinkle newly planted lawns or landscaping between the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. on any day of the week for the duration of the permit for a maximum of 1 hour each day.","No person is permitted to water lawns except for newly planted lawns or landscaping with a previously approved Garden Irrigation Permit in effect."]},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020, consolidated to August 24, 2026 (PDF), City of Duncan","section":"Garden Irrigation Permit","quotes":["i. Garden Irrigation Permit $25.00"]},{"url":"https://duncan.ca/download/water-use-restrictions-faqs/","title":"Water Use Restrictions Frequently Asked Questions (PDF), City of Duncan","section":"What about a newly sodded lawn?","quotes":["will be issued for 21 days where new sod has been planted and for 49 days where the lawn will be grown from seed.","Garden Irrigation Permits will not be issued during Stage 2 – 3 – 4 Water Use Restrictions."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice by stage: Stage 1 $100 ($75 if paid within 14 days, $125 after 28 days); Stage 2 $200 ($175, $225); Stage 3 $300 ($275, $325); Stage 4 $400 ($375, $425). No municipal ticket amount is listed for watering restrictions.","short":"Notice $100 Stage 1 ($75 if paid in 14 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059","title":"Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF, consolidated June 8, 2026), City of Duncan","section":"Schedule A, Waterworks Regulation Bylaw s. 8.2","quotes":["Not complying with stage 1 watering restrictions $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 YES","Not complying with stage 2 watering restrictions $200.00 $175.00 $225.00 NO","Not complying with stage 3 watering restrictions $300.00 $275.00 $325.00 NO","Not complying with stage 4 watering restrictions $400.00 $375.00 $425.00 NO"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3213, 2020 (Part VIII, Watering Restrictions)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/166266","title":"Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3213, 2020 (consolidated) (PDF), City of Duncan","section":"Title page","quotes":["Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3213, 2020 (With Amendments to January 27, 2025)"]}],"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\nUnder the [Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3213](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/166266), Stage 1 applies every year from May 1 to October 31. The Chief Administrative Officer or the Director can impose Stages 2, 3 and 4 when water is in short supply. To see which stage applies now, check the City's Water Conservation page. The rules cover City water only; homes on private wells or private utilities are not covered.\n\n## Sprinklers and irrigation\n\n- **Stage 1:** even civic addresses Wednesday and Saturday; odd addresses Thursday and Sunday. Midnight to 9 a.m. or 7 p.m. to midnight, 2 hours maximum a day.\n- **Stage 2:** even addresses Wednesday only; odd addresses Sunday only; same hours, 2 hours maximum.\n- **Stages 3 and 4:** no lawn watering.\n- Automatic systems must be programmed to match the stage. For a strata, the watering day follows the building address, not the unit.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Hand watering and drip or micro-irrigation are allowed any day between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. In Stage 1: lawns 2 hours, ornamental trees, flowers and shrubs 2 hours, fruit trees and vegetable gardens 4 hours. In Stage 2: lawns 1 hour. In Stages 3 and 4: ornamentals 1 hour, food gardens 2 hours; soaker hoses do not count.\n- Washing driveways and houses is banned from Stage 2; vehicles and boats may not be washed in Stage 3 or 4.\n- New lawns: a Garden Irrigation Permit ($25, City Hall) allows watering a new lawn, sod or landscaping in Stage 1 on any day, 7 p.m. to 9 a.m., up to 2 hours. It lasts 21 days for sod and 49 for seed. No new permits are issued in Stages 2 to 4; one already issued allows 1 hour a day in Stages 2 and 3.\n- Bylaw notice ([Bylaw No. 3200](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059)): Stage 1 $100 ($75 if paid within 14 days, $125 after 28 days); Stage 2 $200 ($175, $225); Stage 3 $300 ($275, $325); Stage 4 $400 ($375, $425). The court fine is up to $10,000, and the City may stop the water supply to a parcel breaking a restriction.","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/166266","title":"Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3213, 2020 (consolidated) (PDF), City of Duncan","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://duncan.ca/residents/utilities/waterconservation/","title":"Water Conservation / Restrictions, City of Duncan","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://duncan.ca/download/water-use-restrictions-faqs/","title":"Water Use Restrictions Frequently Asked Questions (PDF), City of Duncan","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020, consolidated to August 24, 2026 (PDF), City of Duncan","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059","title":"Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF, consolidated June 8, 2026), City of Duncan","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/duncan/water-restrictions/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/water-restrictions.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/water-restrictions.json"}}