Lake Cowichan watering restrictions
Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions in Lake Cowichan?
Short answer
Yes. In Lake Cowichan, Stage 1 watering restrictions apply May 1 to October 31 each year. Stricter stages are imposed as required. Check the Town's Water Use Restrictions page for the current stage. At Stage 1, sprinklers may run up to 2 hours a day on set days, between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m.
Key facts
| When restrictions apply | Stage 1 (Normal) restrictions apply May 1 to October 31. Stages 2 to 4 are imposed as required, with Stage 2 tied to Provincial Drought Level 3 and Stage 3 to Level 4.Water Regulations and Rates Bylaw No. 1112-2024, s. 15.6(a); Water Use Restrictions, Water Use Restrictions page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingshall apply between May 1 and October 31 unless exempted by Permit for newly planted lawns or landscaping; STAGE 1 As Permitted | STAGE 2 Provincial Drought Level 3 OR As Required1 | STAGE 3 | STAGE 2 Provincial Drought Level 3 OR As Required1 | STAGE 3 Provincial Drought Level 4 |
|---|---|
| Sprinkling schedule | Stage 1: sprinklers up to 2 hours per day; even-numbered addresses Wednesday and Saturday, odd-numbered addresses Thursday and Sunday. Watering is permitted only between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. Stage 2: one day (even Wednesday, odd Sunday).Water Use Restrictions, Water Use Restrictions page; 2026 Stage 1 Water Restrictions notice, 2026 Stage 1 notice · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingEven Addresses - Wed & Sat Odd Addresses - Thu & Sun Sprinkling and hand-watering is NOT permitted between 9:00am and 7:00pm. Outdoor watering is permitted only between 7pm and 9am |
| Allowed at any time | Hand watering and micro or drip irrigation of trees, shrubs and gardens may be done on any day, but not between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Food gardens and fruit trees: 4 hours a day (Stages 1 and 2), 2 hours (Stages 3 and 4); ornamentals 2 hours, then 1 hour. Weeper hoses allowed; soaker hoses not.Water Use Restrictions, Water Use Restrictions page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingResidents can use a bucket, spring-loaded spray nozzle or micro/drip irrigation to water trees, shrubs and gardens on any day of the week. Weeper hoses are considered micro/drip irrigation, and are permitted; soaker hoses are not permitted. Vegetable Gardens, Fruit Trees Sprinkling and hand-watering is NOT permitted between 9:00am and 7:00pm. |
| New lawns | A Garden Irrigation Permit lets new lawns be watered any day, 2 hours a day at Stage 1. Permits last 21 days for new sod or 49 days for seed, and are not issued during Stage 2, 3 or 4. The permit costs $25.Water Use Restrictions, Water Use Restrictions page; Fees and Charges for Services Bylaw No. 1127-2025, Schedule E, Water Charges · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingPermits may be issued for 21 days where new sod has been planted or 49 days where the lawn will be grown from seed. Sprinkling or Garden Irrigation Permits will not be issued during Stage 2, Stage 3 or Stage 4 water use restrictions. Water main tapping fee 500.00 per lot Garden Irrigation Permit 25.00 11 | P a g e |
| Fine | No ticket amount found. On conviction, a fine up to $2,000.Water Regulations and Rates Bylaw No. 1112-2024, s. 21.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordinga fine not exceeding Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000) |
| Bylaw | Town of Lake Cowichan Water Regulations and Rates Bylaw No. 1112-2024.Water Regulations and Rates Bylaw No. 1112-2024, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingTown of Lake Cowichan Water Regulations and Rates |
How it works
The Water Regulations and Rates Bylaw No. 1112-2024 sets Stage 1 (Normal) restrictions from May 1 to October 31. Stages 2 to 4 are imposed as required. Stage 2 is tied to Provincial Drought Level 3 and Stage 3 to Level 4. The Town's Water Use Restrictions page shows the stage now in force.
Good to know
- Stage 1: sprinklers up to 2 hours per day. Even-numbered addresses: Wednesday and Saturday. Odd-numbered addresses: Thursday and Sunday. Watering is permitted only between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m.
- Stage 2: one day only (even Wednesday, odd Sunday).
- Hand watering and micro or drip irrigation of trees, shrubs and gardens may be done on any day, but not between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Food gardens and fruit trees: 4 hours a day (Stages 1 and 2), 2 hours (Stages 3 and 4); ornamentals 2 hours, then 1 hour. Weeper hoses are allowed; soaker hoses are not.
- New lawns: a Garden Irrigation Permit ($25) lets new lawns be watered any day, 2 hours a day at Stage 1. It lasts 21 days for new sod or 49 days for seed, and is not issued during Stage 2, 3 or 4.
- No ticket amount was found. On conviction, a fine of up to $2,000 applies.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Ladysmith · Duncan · North Cowichan · Nanaimo · Lantzville · North Saanich
Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Water Regulations and Rates Bylaw No. 1112-2024 (PDF), Town of Lake Cowichan (read 2026-11-08)
- Water Use Restrictions, Town of Lake Cowichan (read 2026-11-08)
- 2026 Stage 1 Water Restrictions notice (PDF), Town of Lake Cowichan (read 2026-11-08)
- Fees and Charges for Services Bylaw No. 1127-2025 (PDF), Town of Lake Cowichan (read 2026-11-08)
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.