---
title: Lake Country watering restrictions
question: "Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions in Lake Country?"
place: Lake Country, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/lake-country
category: Water, sewer, roads and snow
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Lake Country
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/water-restrictions/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/water-restrictions.json"
---

# Lake Country watering restrictions

**Question:** Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions in Lake Country?

**Short answer:** Lake Country's Water Regulation Bylaw sets no fixed watering schedule. In a shortage the Director may set days and hours when watering is not allowed. Check the District's Water Conservation page for the current stage and schedule.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Lake Country, https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca)  
**Cost:** Bylaw notice $150 ($100 if paid within 14 days, $175 after 28 days). Municipal ticket $1,000 ($800 if paid within 30 days).  
**How long:** Not applicable.  
**Where:**
- Online: Water Conservation, District of Lake Country, https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/waterconservation
- Phone: Utilities Manager (new lawn exemptions), 250-766-6677
- Phone: Water after hours, 250-317-3250

## Key facts

- **When restrictions apply:** Water Regulation Bylaw 984 sets no fixed watering schedule. In a shortage the Director may set days and hours when watering is not allowed. Check the District's Water Conservation page for the current stage.
  - Source: [Water Regulation and Rates Bylaw 984, 2016 (consolidated), Water Conservation and Allocation Regulations](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/water-regulation-and-rates-bylaw-984-2016-consolidated-2025-08-19)
  - Official wording: "In case of a water shortage or other emergency, the Director is authorized to suspend, regulate" … "hours, days and time periods during which Customers shall not be permitted to use water"
  - Source: [Water Conservation, Water Conservation page](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/waterconservation)
  - Official wording: "Modified Stage 2 Restrictions in Effect" … "As of May 4th, the District of Lake Country is reinforcing modified Stage 2 water restrictions." … "Restrictions will remain in place and may change depending on weather conditions."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Sprinkling schedule:** None set. Water Regulation Bylaw 984 sets no fixed watering schedule.
- **Allowed at any time:** Hand-watering (hand-held hose, can or bucket, including gardens and vehicles) at any time, any day. Vegetable gardens are exempt from Stage 1 and 2 restrictions and can be watered as needed, ideally with drip irrigation.
  - Source: [Water Conservation, Restriction Exceptions](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/waterconservation)
  - Official wording: "Hand-watering (e.g., gardens, vehicles) is permitted at any time, any day. Stage 1-3 water restrictions do not apply to hand-watering." … "Vegetable gardens are exempt from Stage 1 and Stage 2 watering restrictions."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **New lawns:** Possibly. Owners of newly planted sod or a newly seeded lawn may apply to the District for permission to water outside the restrictions; the District reviews and may grant an exemption. Contact the Utilities Manager, 250-766-6677.
  - Source: [Water Conservation, Newly Planted Sod or Seeded Lawn](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/waterconservation)
  - Official wording: "may apply to the District of Lake Country for permission to water outside of current restrictions." … "The District will review the request and may grant an exemption." … "Office: 250-766-6677"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice $150 ($100 if paid within 14 days, $175 if paid after 28 days). Municipal ticket $1,000 ($800 if paid within 30 days). Wasting irrigation water and irrigating outside the season are ticketed the same.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 760, 2010 (consolidated), Schedule A.19](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/bylaw-notice-enforcement-bylaw-760-2010-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "11.1 Violation of water restrictions $150.00 $100.00 $175.00 Yes"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 753, 2010 (consolidated), Schedule 20](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/municipal-ticket-information-bylaw-753-2010-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "11.1 Violation of water restrictions $1,000.00 $800.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Water Regulation and Rates Bylaw 984, 2016 (District of Lake Country), Water Conservation and Allocation Regulations.
  - Source: [Water Regulation and Rates Bylaw 984, 2016 (consolidated), Title](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/water-regulation-and-rates-bylaw-984-2016-consolidated-2025-08-19)
  - Official wording: "BYLAW 984, 2016" … "Water Regulation and Rates Bylaw"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The District's [Water Regulation and Rates Bylaw 984](<https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/water-regulation-and-rates-bylaw-984-2016-consolidated-2025-08-19>) has Water Conservation and Allocation Regulations but no fixed watering schedule. In a shortage the Director may set days and hours when watering is not allowed. The rules apply to all properties connected to the District water system, regardless of municipal boundaries. The current stage is a notice that can change with weather, so check the Water Conservation page before you water.

## Steps

1. Open the District's [Water Conservation page](<https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/waterconservation>) to see the current stage and watering days.
2. Water only on the days and at the times the notice allows.
3. For newly planted sod or a newly seeded lawn, apply to the District for permission to water outside the restrictions. Contact the Utilities Manager at 250-766-6677. The District reviews it and may grant an exemption.

## Good to know

- Hand-watering with a hand-held hose, can or bucket, including gardens and vehicles, is allowed at any time on any day.
- Vegetable gardens are exempt from Stage 1 and Stage 2 restrictions and can be watered as needed, ideally with drip irrigation.
- Agricultural users have separate limits: 27 inches per acre, and no irrigation after September 15 without approval.
- Breaking the restrictions is a bylaw notice of $150, or a municipal ticket of $1,000 ($800 if paid within 30 days). Wasting irrigation water and irrigating outside the season are ticketed the same. The District says it is taking an education-first approach at this time.

## Official forms and pages

- [Water Conservation, District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/waterconservation)
- [Water Regulation and Rates Bylaw 984, 2016 (consolidated)](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/water-regulation-and-rates-bylaw-984-2016-consolidated-2025-08-19)

## Related questions

- [Lake Country bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/bylaw-fines.md)
- [Lake Country garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/garbage-collection.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/water-restrictions.md)
- [Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/water-restrictions.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/water-restrictions.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/water-restrictions.md)
- [West Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/water-restrictions.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/water-restrictions.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/water-restrictions.md)

## Sources

- [Water Conservation, District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/waterconservation) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Water Regulation and Rates Bylaw 984, 2016 (consolidated), District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/water-regulation-and-rates-bylaw-984-2016-consolidated-2025-08-19) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 760, 2010 (consolidated), District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/bylaw-notice-enforcement-bylaw-760-2010-consolidated) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 753, 2010 (consolidated), District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/municipal-ticket-information-bylaw-753-2010-consolidated) (read 2026-11-06)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Lake Country. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/water-restrictions/_