---
title: Maple Ridge watering restrictions
question: "Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?"
place: Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/maple-ridge
category: Water, sewer, roads and snow
owner: shared
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/water-restrictions/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/water-restrictions.json"
---

# Maple Ridge watering restrictions

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

**Short answer:** Yes. Stage 1 restrictions start automatically on May 1 each year and end October 15. Metro Vancouver declares Stages 2 to 4. In Maple Ridge in Stage 1, homes with even addresses may water lawns on Saturdays and odd addresses on Sundays. Lawn watering is prohibited in Stage 2 and above.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** Lawn Watering Permit for a new lawn: $30.90 for a single detached home.  
**How long:** A new-lawn permit lasts 21 days and may be extended once, to at most 42 days.  
**Where:**
- Online: Watering Regulations, City of Maple Ridge, https://www.mapleridge.ca/resident-services/water-sewer/waterworks/watering-regulations
- Online: Report a concern, https://www.mapleridge.ca/report
- Email: Bylaw Services, Bylaws@MapleRidge.ca
- Phone: Bylaw, Licensing and Community Safety, 604-467-7305

## Key facts

- **When restrictions apply:** Stage 1 restrictions start automatically on May 1 each year and end October 15 unless a stage is declared otherwise. Stages 2 to 4 are declared by Metro Vancouver (GVWD Commissioner) and take effect in the City 72 hours after the public announcement. No stage stays in force after October 15 unless the Commissioner declares it. The current stage is not stated in the pages read.
  - Source: [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw No. 7425-2018, s. 3.1, 3.2, 3.4](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/drinking-water-conservation-plan-bylaw-no-7425-2018)
  - Official wording: "If no Restriction Stage is in force on May 1st of any year, Stage 1 Restrictions come into force" … "comes into force in the City 72 hours after the GVWD" … "No Restriction Stage remains in force after October 15th of any year, unless the GVWD"
  - Source: [Watering Regulations, City of Maple Ridge (updated October 22, 2026), intro](https://www.mapleridge.ca/resident-services/water-sewer/waterworks/watering-regulations)
  - Official wording: "Water restrictions typically begin at Stage 1 on May 1, and extend to October 15, unless otherwise noted."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Sprinkling schedule:** Stage 1, homes: lawns may be watered on Saturdays for even-numbered civic addresses and Sundays for odd-numbered ones. Automatic (sprinkler system) watering 5 to 7 a.m.; manual watering 6 to 9 a.m. In Stage 2 and above, lawn watering is prohibited.
  - Source: [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw No. 7425-2018, Schedule 1, Stage 1 and 3](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/drinking-water-conservation-plan-bylaw-no-7425-2018)
  - Official wording: "Even-numbered civic addresses permitted on Saturdays:" … "Odd-numbered civic addresses permitted on Sundays:" … "Automatic watering from 5 am to 7 am" … "Manual watering from 6 am to 9 am"
  - Source: [Watering Regulations, City of Maple Ridge (updated October 22, 2026), Stage 2](https://www.mapleridge.ca/resident-services/water-sewer/waterworks/watering-regulations)
  - Official wording: "| Residential | Watering Lawns | Prohibited"
  - Source: [Lawn Watering Restrictions, Metro Vancouver, Stage 1](https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/water-restrictions)
  - Official wording: "- Residential lawn watering allowed: Even-numbered addresses: Saturdays Odd-numbered addresses: Sundays Automatic watering: 5:00 am - 7:00 am" … "Residential lawn watering allowed: Even-numbered addresses: Saturdays Odd-numbered addresses: Sundays Automatic watering: 5:00 am - 7:00 am Manual watering: 6:00 am - 9:00 am"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Allowed at any time:** Edible plants (vegetables, herbs, berries) may be watered at any time in every stage; the bylaw schedule says so for Stage 4, though the City page says all activities are prohibited in Stage 4. Trees, shrubs and flowers: sprinkler any day 5 to 9 a.m. (Stages 1 and 2); handheld hose, container or drip irrigation any time, plus soaker hose in Stages 1 and 2; prohibited in Stage 4. (Sources differ: Drip irrigation is excluded from the bylaw's definition of 'Watering' (s. 2.1). Hoses must have an automatic shut-off device (s. 6.1).)
  - Source: [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw No. 7425-2018, Schedule 1, Stage 1 and 3](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/drinking-water-conservation-plan-bylaw-no-7425-2018)
  - Official wording: "Watering edible plants. No restriction. At any time." … "On any day from 5 am to 9 am if using a sprinkler" … "On any day at any time if using a handheld hose," … "soaker hose, water container, or drip irrigation" … "Watering trees, shrubs, and flowers. Prohibited."
  - Source: [Watering Regulations, City of Maple Ridge (updated October 22, 2026), Stage 4](https://www.mapleridge.ca/resident-services/water-sewer/waterworks/watering-regulations)
  - Official wording: "All activities prohibited in Emergency Stage 4."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **New lawns:** A 'Lawn Watering Permit - New Lawn' (new sod, seed or landscaping) or 'Natural Pest Control' (nematodes for chafer beetle) lets you water outside the restricted times. The new-lawn permit lasts 21 days and may be extended once, to at most 42 days. $30.90 for a single detached home. No new permits in Stage 2; permits are void in Stage 3.
  - Source: [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw No. 7425-2018, Part 5, s. 5.1, 5.5-5.7](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/drinking-water-conservation-plan-bylaw-no-7425-2018)
  - Official wording: "may apply to the Engineer for a 'Lawn Watering Permit - New Lawn'" … "shall expire and be of no force or effect 21 days" … "such extension shall end on or before 42 days from the date of issue" … "must not be issued, renewed, or extended;"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 7575-2019, Watering and Sprinkling Fees](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/fees-charges-consolidated-bylaw-no-7575-2019)
  - Official wording: "Newly Seeded Lawns or Landscaping sprinkling permit for single detached $30.90"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: $250 ($200 early, $300 late) for hose, runoff and Part 1 watering offences; $450 ($400, $500) for Part 2 watering. Municipal ticket: $250 for the general rules; watering $250, $500, $750 or $1,000 (Parts 1 to 4). The City says fines start at $450 in Stage 2 and are $750 in Stage 3. Court: $3,000 to $10,000.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 7626-2020, Schedule A, Part 11](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/bylaw-notice-enforcement-consolidated-bylaw-no-7626-2020)
  - Official wording: "Unauthorized Watering $250 $200 $300 No" … "Unauthorized Watering $450 $400 $500 No" … "7425-2018 6.1 No automatic shut off device $250 $200 $300 No"
  - Source: [Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 6929-2012 (Consolidated), Schedule 7](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/ticket-information-utilization-bylaw-no-6929-2012-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "Unauthorized Watering Schedule 1, Part 1 $250" … "Unauthorized Watering Schedule 1, Part 4 $1000"
  - Source: [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw No. 7425-2018, s. 7.6](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/drinking-water-conservation-plan-bylaw-no-7425-2018)
  - Official wording: "not more than $10,000 and not less than $3,000"
  - Source: [Watering Regulations, City of Maple Ridge (updated October 22, 2026), Enforcement & Compliance](https://www.mapleridge.ca/resident-services/water-sewer/waterworks/watering-regulations)
  - Official wording: "During Stage 3, no further warnings will be provided and fines for non-compliance are $750 per offence"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Maple Ridge Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw No. 7425-2018 (amended by Nos. 7831-2022, 8068-2025 and 8111-2026); stages are declared by Metro Vancouver
  - Source: [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw No. 7425-2018, citation](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/drinking-water-conservation-plan-bylaw-no-7425-2018)
  - Official wording: "Maple Ridge Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw No. 7425-" … "2. Maple Ridge Drinking Water Conservation Plan Amending Bylaw No. 7831-2022"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw No. 7425-2018](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/drinking-water-conservation-plan-bylaw-no-7425-2018), Stage 1 restrictions start automatically on May 1 each year and end October 15 unless a stage is declared otherwise. Stages 2 to 4 are declared by Metro Vancouver (GVWD Commissioner) and take effect in the City 72 hours after the public announcement. No stage stays in force after October 15 unless the Commissioner declares it. The Engineer may also impose extra temporary restrictions. Check the City's Watering Regulations page for the stage now in effect.

## Good to know

- Stage 1, homes: lawns may be watered on Saturdays for even-numbered civic addresses and Sundays for odd-numbered ones. Automatic (sprinkler system) watering is 5 to 7 a.m.; manual watering is 6 to 9 a.m. Lawn watering is prohibited in Stages 2, 3 and 4.
- Non-residential properties and mixed-use buildings follow different days: even addresses Monday, odd Tuesday; automatic watering 4 to 6 a.m.
- Edible plants (vegetables, herbs, berries) may be watered at any time in every stage, according to the bylaw schedule, including Stage 4. The City page says all activities are prohibited in Stage 4, so confirm with the City.
- Trees, shrubs and flowers: sprinkler any day 5 to 9 a.m. (Stages 1 and 2); handheld hose, container or drip irrigation any time, plus soaker hose in Stages 1 and 2; prohibited in Stage 4. Hoses must have an automatic shut-off device.
- New lawn: a "Lawn Watering Permit - New Lawn" (new sod, seed or landscaping) lets you water outside the restricted times. It costs $30.90 for a single detached home, plus $30.90 for each dwelling unit in a multiple residential development, to a maximum of $154.50. No new permits in Stage 2; permits are void in Stage 3. A "Natural Pest Control" permit (nematodes for chafer beetle) cannot be renewed.
- Fines: a bylaw notice is $250 ($200 early, $300 late) for hose, runoff and Part 1 watering offences, and $450 ($400, $500) for Part 2 watering. A municipal ticket is $250 for the general rules and $250, $500, $750 or $1,000 for watering (Parts 1 to 4). The City says fines start at $450 in Stage 2 and are $750 in Stage 3. In court: $3,000 to $10,000.

## Official forms and pages

- [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw 7425-2018 (PDF)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/drinking-water-conservation-plan-bylaw-no-7425-2018)
- [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Amending Bylaw 8111-2026 (PDF)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/maple-ridge-drinking-water-conservation-plan-amending-bylaw-8111-2026pdf)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/water-restrictions.md)
- [Pitt Meadows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/water-restrictions.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/water-restrictions.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/water-restrictions.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/water-restrictions.md)
- [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/water-restrictions.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/water-restrictions.md)

## Sources

- [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw No. 7425-2018 (PDF)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/drinking-water-conservation-plan-bylaw-no-7425-2018) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Watering Regulations, City of Maple Ridge (updated October 22, 2026)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/resident-services/water-sewer/waterworks/watering-regulations) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Lawn Watering Restrictions, Metro Vancouver](https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/water-restrictions) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 7575-2019 (PDF)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/fees-charges-consolidated-bylaw-no-7575-2019) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 7626-2020 (PDF)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/bylaw-notice-enforcement-consolidated-bylaw-no-7626-2020) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 6929-2012 (Consolidated) (PDF)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/ticket-information-utilization-bylaw-no-6929-2012-consolidated) (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 any government. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/water-restrictions/_