Lantzville watering restrictions
Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?
Short answer
Yes. Lantzville's Water System Bylaw has four watering stages, brought in by notice when needed. They apply to properties on the District's community water system, not private wells. Check the District's Water page for the current stage.
Key facts
| When restrictions apply | Four stages, brought in by notice from the Director of the District's water system when needed (Stage 1 "as required"). They apply to properties on the District's community water system, not private wells.District of Lantzville Water System Bylaw No. 140, 2018 (consolidated to Bylaw 308, 2022), s. 15; Water Restriction Stages notice · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe Director may issue a notice stating that a water restriction stage will take effect within the District, as set out in Schedule "C" Water restrictions only apply to those property owners who are on the District's community water system. |
|---|---|
| Sprinkling schedule | Stage 1: 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., any day. Stage 2: 7 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m., max 2 hours, every other day (even-numbered houses on even days, odd on odd). Stage 3: same hours, one day a week (even houses Thursdays, odd Mondays); other uses voluntary. Stage 4: lawn watering ban.Water Restrictions Stage 2 notice, October 15, 2026, Stage 2 notice table · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingStage 2 – Effective Thursday, October 15, 2026 Every Other Day Even # Houses – Even Odd # Houses – Odd One day per week: Even # houses on Thursdays Odd # houses on Mondays for a MAX of 2 HOURS |
| Allowed at any time | Hand-watering (hose with a spring-loaded shut-off or hand-held container) and micro or drip irrigation are allowed at any time in Stages 1 and 2; in Stage 4 only 7 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m. Vegetable gardens and fruit trees may be watered any time. Nurseries, turf farms and tree farms are exempt from the stages.Water Restrictions Stage 2 notice, October 15, 2026, Stage 2 notice definitions; District of Lantzville Water System Bylaw No. 140, 2018 (consolidated to Bylaw 308, 2022), Schedule C, B(ii) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording"Delivering water by hose with spring-loaded nozzle shut-off device or hand-held container." "Delivers water to the root zone of the plants and uses less than 20 gallons per hour at less than 25 psi." Hand-Watering* Micro / Drip* Nurseries, turf farms and tree farms are exempt from water restriction stages. |
| New lawns | A permit may be applied for at Stages 1 and 2 to sprinkle a new seeded or sodded lawn outside permitted days, for 14 days after installation. Permits are not issued at Stage 4; the Stage 3 rule is unclear (see note).Sources differ: Conflict: Schedule C in the Water System Bylaw (consolidated to 2022) says permits are not issued or valid at Levels 3 and 4; the District's October 2026 notice (based on Amendment Bylaw 432, 2026, a scan) shows Stage 3 as "VOLUNTARY RESTRICTIONS" and Stage 4 as "NOT PERMITTED". The value follows the bylaw text I could read.District of Lantzville Water System Bylaw No. 140, 2018 (consolidated to Bylaw 308, 2022), Schedule C, A(i)-(iv); Water Restrictions Stage 2 notice, October 15, 2026, Stage 2 notice table · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingmay apply to the Director for a permit, which will allow the new lawn to be sprinkled outside of permitted New sod or newly seeded lawn may be sprinkled for 14 days after installation Permits will not be issued or be valid during the Water Restriction Level 3 and 4 VOLUNTARY RESTRICTIONS New Lawn Permits Can apply for Can apply for NOT PERMITTED Residents must minimize permit permit |
| Fine | No ticket amount is set. On conviction of an offence under the Water System Bylaw, the fine is not more than $10,000.District of Lantzville Water System Bylaw No. 140, 2018 (consolidated to Bylaw 308, 2022), s. 69-70 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingUpon being convicted of an offence under this bylaw, a person shall be liable to pay a fine of not more than $10,000. |
| Bylaw | District of Lantzville Water System Bylaw No. 140, 2018District of Lantzville Water System Bylaw No. 140, 2018 (consolidated to Bylaw 308, 2022), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingWATER SYSTEM BYLAW NO. 140, 2018 |
How it works
The Water System Bylaw No. 140 sets four watering stages. The Director of the District's water system brings them in by notice when needed; Stage 1 is "as required". They apply to properties on the District's community water system.
| Stage | Sprinkling allowed |
|---|---|
| 1 | 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., any day |
| 2 | 7 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m., maximum 2 hours, every other day (even-numbered houses on even days, odd on odd) |
| 3 | Same hours, one day a week (even houses Thursdays, odd Mondays); other uses voluntary |
| 4 | Lawn watering banned |
Steps
- Check the District's Water page for the current stage. A notice for Stage 2 was posted effective October 15, 2026, but stages change, so do not rely on a past date.
- Water only within the hours for that stage.
Good to know
- Hand-watering (hose with a spring-loaded shut-off, or a hand-held container) and micro or drip irrigation are allowed at any time in Stages 1 and 2; in Stage 4 only 7 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m. Vegetable gardens and fruit trees may be watered any time. Nurseries, turf farms and tree farms are exempt. The 2022 bylaw also exempts car dealerships, car washes and other commercial uses needing water for normal business.
- The Stage 3 rule is unclear: the District's notice says "voluntary restrictions" and "residents must minimize water use". Confirm with the District.
- New lawn: a permit may be applied for at Stages 1 and 2 to sprinkle a new seeded or sodded lawn outside permitted days, for 14 days after installation. The bylaw says permits are not issued at Stage 4; the notice and bylaw differ for Stage 3, so ask.
- No ticket amount is set. A conviction under the bylaw can carry a fine of up to $10,000, and each day of a continuing offence is a separate offence.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Nanaimo · Parksville · Qualicum Beach · Sechelt · Ladysmith · Gibsons
Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- District of Lantzville Water System Bylaw No. 140, 2018 (consolidated to Bylaw 308, 2022) (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Water Restrictions Stage 2 notice, October 15, 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Water Restriction Stages notice, District of Lantzville (PDF) (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.