---
title: Duncan watering restrictions
question: "Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?"
place: Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/duncan
category: Water, sewer, roads and snow
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Duncan
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/water-restrictions/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/water-restrictions.json"
---

# Duncan watering restrictions

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Duncan, https://duncan.ca)  
**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:**
- Online: Water Conservation / Restrictions page (check the current stage), https://duncan.ca/residents/utilities/waterconservation/
- In person: City Hall (Garden Irrigation Permit), 200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC V9L 1W3
- Phone: City Hall, 250-746-6126

## Key facts

- **When restrictions apply:** 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.
  - Source: [Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3213, 2020 (consolidated), s. 8.1, 8.2](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/166266)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Sprinkling schedule:** 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.
  - Source: [Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3213, 2020 (consolidated), s. 8.2 a), b), c), d)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/166266)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Allowed at any time:** 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.
  - Source: [Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3213, 2020 (consolidated), s. 8.2 a) vi, vii, viii; b) vii; c) and d)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/166266)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Water Use Restrictions Frequently Asked Questions, Vegetable gardens, flower beds, and trees](https://duncan.ca/download/water-use-restrictions-faqs/)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **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, 49 for seed. None are issued in Stages 2 to 4; one already issued allows 1 hour a day in Stages 2 and 3.
  - Source: [Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3213, 2020 (consolidated), s. 8.2 a) iv, 8.3 a)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/166266)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020, consolidated to August 24, 2026, Garden Irrigation Permit](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386)
  - Official wording: "i. Garden Irrigation Permit $25.00"
  - Source: [Water Use Restrictions Frequently Asked Questions, What about a newly sodded lawn?](https://duncan.ca/download/water-use-restrictions-faqs/)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** 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.
  - Source: [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF, consolidated June 8, 2026), Schedule A, Waterworks Regulation Bylaw s. 8.2](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3213, 2020 (Part VIII, Watering Restrictions)
  - Source: [Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3213, 2020 (consolidated), Title page](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/166266)
  - Official wording: "Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3213, 2020 (With Amendments to January 27, 2025)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under 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.

## Sprinklers and irrigation

- **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.
- **Stage 2:** even addresses Wednesday only; odd addresses Sunday only; same hours, 2 hours maximum.
- **Stages 3 and 4:** no lawn watering.
- Automatic systems must be programmed to match the stage. For a strata, the watering day follows the building address, not the unit.

## Good to know

- 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.
- Washing driveways and houses is banned from Stage 2; vehicles and boats may not be washed in Stage 3 or 4.
- 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.
- 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.

## Official forms and pages

- [Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3213, 2020 (PDF)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/166266)
- [Water Use Restrictions FAQ (PDF)](https://duncan.ca/download/water-use-restrictions-faqs/)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/water-restrictions.md)
- [North Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/water-restrictions.md)
- [Ladysmith](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/water-restrictions.md)
- [North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/water-restrictions.md)
- [Lake Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/water-restrictions.md)
- [Sidney](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/water-restrictions.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/water-restrictions.md)

## Sources

- [Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 3213, 2020 (consolidated) (PDF), City of Duncan](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/166266) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Water Conservation / Restrictions, City of Duncan](https://duncan.ca/residents/utilities/waterconservation/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Water Use Restrictions Frequently Asked Questions (PDF), City of Duncan](https://duncan.ca/download/water-use-restrictions-faqs/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020, consolidated to August 24, 2026 (PDF), City of Duncan](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF, consolidated June 8, 2026), City of Duncan](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 City of Duncan. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/water-restrictions/_