Fernie watering restrictions
Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?
Short answer
Yes. Under the City of Fernie's Water Conservation and Regulation Bylaw 2518, Stage 1 rules apply automatically every year from March 1 to October 15. The City can declare Stage 2, 3 or 4 when needed. At Stage 1, even-numbered properties water lawns Monday, Thursday and Saturday; odd-numbered, Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
Key facts
| When restrictions apply | Stage 1 applies automatically from March 1 to October 15 each year. The Director of Engineering and Public Works can declare Stage 2, 3 or 4 when reservoir levels or demand require it (Stage 2 takes effect 48 hours after public announcement, Stages 3 and 4 after 24 hours).Sources differ: Inside the bylaw, s. 5.2 says Stage 1 runs March 1 to October 15 but s. 8.1 says March 1 to October 31; the City page says October 15. Current notice: the City page says "Current Water Restrictions in Effect: Stage 2", and a July 20, 2026 notice put Stage 2 into effect July 22, 2026 at 2 p.m. Check fernie.ca/waterconservation for the current stage.Water Conservation and Regulation Bylaw No. 2518, 2024, s. 5.1, 5.2; Water Conservation, Water Restriction Stages · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingStage 1 Regulation is in force from March 1st to October 15th of any year without prior declaration the Outdoor Water Use Regulation Stage described in the declaration comes into force in the City 48 hours for Stage 2, and 24 hours for Stage 1 water restrictions are in effect from March 1- October 15 annually unless otherwise posted. |
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| Sprinkling schedule | Stage 1 (lawns): even-numbered properties Mon, Thu, Sat; odd-numbered Tue, Fri, Sun; up to 2 hours a day, 5 to 10 a.m. or 8 to 11 p.m. Stage 2: even Mon and Thu; odd Tue and Fri; same hours. Stage 3: gardens, trees, shrubs only, with a shut-off nozzle, even Thu, odd Tue, 1 hour, 6 to 8 a.m. or 8 to 10 p.m. Stage 4: no lawn watering.Water Conservation and Regulation Bylaw No. 2518, 2024, s. 8.1, 9.3, 10.3, 11.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingon Monday, Thursday, and Saturday for even on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday for odd numbered for a maximum of 2 hours per day between the hours of on Monday and Thursday only for even numbered on Thursdays only for even numbered properties and for a maximum of 1 hour per day from 6:00am to Lawns whether New Lawns, or otherwise; |
| Allowed at any time | Exempt in Stages 1 to 3: vegetable gardens and edible plants, concrete curing, City playing fields. City parks and greenspaces are exempt in Stages 1 and 2 only. Rain barrel water is exempt. Stage 4 has no exemptions except essential City maintenance and pre-purchased landscaping stock.Water Conservation and Regulation Bylaw No. 2518, 2024, s. 7.1, 8.2, 11.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingdo not apply to a person using water obtained from alternative to a person watering a vegetable garden or edible plants; to a person watering concrete for curing purposes; Except for sections 11.5 and 11.6, there are no exemptions from Stage (g) City parks, Playing Fields, and greenspaces. (j) City Playing Fields. (e) Commercial Car Washes and general car washing; |
| New lawns | A Water Use Permit lets you water a new lawn or tree during Stage 1 or 2. Fees: $25 low or medium density residential, $50 high density, $100 commercial, industrial or institutional. It lasts 21 days; one extension is allowed but must end within 21 days of first issue. Not valid in Stage 3 or 4.Water Conservation and Regulation Bylaw No. 2518, 2024, s. 6.1, 6.4, Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingmay apply to the Director of Engineering and Public Works, or designate, for a Permit Any Permits issued when Stage 3 Regulations or Stage 4 Regulations are in force will not be valid. Low and Medium Density Residential $25.00 High Density Residential $50.00 Commercial, Industrial, or Institutional $100.00 Such an extension shall end on or before 21 days from the date of issue of the initial |
| Fine | Municipal ticket for breaking Stage 1, 2 or 3 rules: $100 first offence, $200 second, $500 third. Stage 4: $500 first, $1,000 second. Wasting water: $250, $350, $500.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2041, Appendix 20 of Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2041 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingViolate Water Use Regulation Stage 1 (1st Offence) 8.2 $100.00 Violate Water Use Regulation Stage 1 (2nd Offence) 8.2 $200.00 Violate Water Use Regulation Stage 1 (3rd Offence) 8.2 $500.00 Violate Water Use Regulation Stage 4 (1st Offence) 11.2 $500.00 Violate Water Use Regulation Stage 4 (2nd Offence) 11.2 $1000.00 Waste of Water (1st Offence) 7.2 $250.00 |
| Bylaw | Water Conservation and Regulation Bylaw No. 2518, 2024Water Conservation and Regulation Bylaw No. 2518, 2024, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingTHE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF FERNIE BRITISH COLUMBIA WATER CONSERVATION AND REGULATION BYLAW NO. 2518, 2024 1|Page |
How it works
The Water Conservation and Regulation Bylaw No. 2518, 2024 puts Stage 1 in place automatically from March 1 to October 15 each year. The Director of Engineering and Public Works can declare Stage 2, 3 or 4 when reservoir levels or demand require it. Stage 2 takes effect 48 hours after public announcement; Stages 3 and 4 after 24 hours. To see which stage is in force now, check the City's Water Conservation page.
Watering days and hours
- Stage 1 (lawns): even-numbered properties Monday, Thursday and Saturday; odd-numbered Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Up to 2 hours a day, 5 to 10 a.m. or 8 to 11 p.m.
- Stage 2: even-numbered Monday and Thursday; odd-numbered Tuesday and Friday; same hours. Trees, shrubs, flowers and plants at homes may be watered 5 to 8 a.m. only (non-residential 1 to 9 a.m.), up to 2 hours. Washing a car needs an automatic shut-off hose, 5 to 10 a.m. or 8 to 11 p.m.
- Stage 3: gardens, trees and shrubs only, with a shut-off nozzle: even-numbered Thursday, odd-numbered Tuesday, 1 hour, 6 to 8 a.m. or 8 to 10 p.m.
- Stage 4: no watering of lawns, flowers, shrubs, trees or playing fields.
Good to know
- Exempt: vegetable gardens and edible plants, concrete curing and City playing fields in Stages 1 to 3; City parks and greenspaces in Stages 1 and 2 only; rain barrel water. Stage 4 has no exemptions except essential City maintenance and pre-purchased landscaping stock. Hoses must have an automatic shut-off unless a person is holding them.
- New lawn or tree: a Water Use Permit lets you water during Stage 1 or 2. It is not valid in Stage 3 or 4. Post it on a stake facing the street.
- Tickets: $100 first offence, $200 second and $500 third for Stage 1, 2 or 3 rules; Stage 4 is $500 first and $1,000 second. Wasting water is $250, $350 and $500.
- Sources differ: section 5.2 of the bylaw and the City's page say Stage 1 ends October 15, but section 8.1 says October 31. Confirm with Public Works.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Cranbrook · Elkford · Kimberley · Canal Flats · Creston · Invermere
Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Water Conservation and Regulation Bylaw No. 2518, 2024 (PDF), City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
- Water Conservation, City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2041 (PDF), City of Fernie (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. How answers are checked.