---
title: Merritt watering restrictions
question: "Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?"
place: Merritt, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/merritt
category: Water, sewer, roads and snow
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Merritt
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/water-restrictions/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/water-restrictions.json"
---

# Merritt watering restrictions

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

**Short answer:** Merritt sets lawn watering by level. Levels 1 and 2 allow three days a week, Level 3 two days, Level 4 one day and Level 5 none. Check the City's watering page for the level in effect now. Your days depend on whether your house number is even or odd.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Merritt, https://www.merritt.ca)  
**Cost:** A watering violation is a $100 bylaw notice ($75 if paid within 14 days; $125 after 28 days).  
**Where:**
- Online: Watering Restrictions page (current level), https://www.merritt.ca/residents/water-utilities/watering/
- Phone: Public Works, 250-378-4224 ext. 500

## Key facts

- **When restrictions apply:** The City sets stages under its Outdoor Watering Conservation Policy: Levels 1 and 2 allow lawn watering three days a week, Level 3 two days, Level 4 one day. Notices go on the City webpage, in the newspaper and on the radio.
  - Source: [Council Policy, Outdoor Watering Conservation Policy, s. 4; Tables 2.1-2.3](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Policy-Outdoor-Watering-Conservation-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Notices of changes to watering restrictions will be advertised on the City webpage, in the newspaper, on the radio" … "Table 2.1 – THREE days per week regulations – Levels 1 & 2" … "Table 2.2 – TWO days per week regulations – Level 3" … "Table 2.3 – ONE day per week regulations – Level 4"
  - Source: [Waterworks Bylaw 2412, 2025, s. 62](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Waterworks-Bylaw-2412-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "shall use water supplied through the City's domestic system only during those times so designated by resolution of City Council."
  - Source: [Watering Restrictions, Level 3 Watering Restrictions](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/water-utilities/watering/)
  - Official wording: "Level Three Watering restrictions limit lawn watering to 2 TIMES a week."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Sprinkling schedule:** By house number (unit number for strata and mobile home parks). Manual sprinkler 6-8 a.m. or 7-9 p.m.; automatic 12-2 a.m. Levels 1 and 2: even Mon, Wed, Fri; odd Tue, Thu, Sat. Level 3: even Thu, Sun; odd Tue, Sat. Level 4: even Fri; odd Tue, manual 6-8 a.m. only. Level 5: lawn watering not permitted.
  - Source: [Council Policy, Outdoor Watering Conservation Policy, Tables 2.1-2.3](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Policy-Outdoor-Watering-Conservation-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "House number With a manual sprinkler With an automatic irrigation system" … "Even Monday, Wednesday, Friday" … "Odd Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday" … "Even Thursday, Sunday" … "Odd Tuesday, Saturday" … "Table 2.3 – ONE day per week regulations – Level 4"
  - Source: [Watering Restrictions, Level 3 Watering Restrictions](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/water-utilities/watering/)
  - Official wording: "Even Numbered Addresses or Unit Number: Thursday & Sunday" … "Odd Numbered Addresses or Unit Number: Tuesday & Saturday" … "Manual Sprinkler: 6 am – 8 am | OR | 7 pm – 9 pm"
  - Source: [Watering Restrictions poster, Level table](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Watering-Restrictions-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "6 AM – 8 AM OR 7 PM – 9 PM" … "NOT PERMITTED NOT PERMITTED"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Allowed at any time:** Hand watering and drip irrigation of gardens, trees and shrubs are allowed at any time at every level, with an auto shut-off valve on hoses; hand watering a lawn is not exempt. Washing with an auto shut-off hose is allowed at any time at Level 3, but not at Level 4 (vehicle window hand washing only).
  - Source: [Watering Restrictions, Level 3 Watering Restrictions](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/water-utilities/watering/)
  - Official wording: "Hand watering or drip-irrigating gardens (not lawns) and washing with an auto shut-off valve is permitted anytime."
  - Source: [Watering Restrictions poster, Level table](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Watering-Restrictions-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Hand watering not exempt" … "1 TIME 2 TIMES ANYTIME ANYTIME NOT PERMITTED" … "2 TIMES 2 TIMES ANYTIME ANYTIME ANYTIME TOP UP ONLY"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **New lawns:** On application, the City may grant an exemption while the drought level is Level 3 or lower. In general, new lawns or lawn restoration get one month of daily watering between 12-2 a.m., 6-8 a.m. or 7-9 p.m.
  - Source: [Council Policy, Outdoor Watering Conservation Policy, s. 5](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Policy-Outdoor-Watering-Conservation-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Upon application, the City of Merritt may grant exemptions to watering restrictions as long as the Drought Level is set at a Level 3 or lower." … "exemptions for new lawns or lawn restoration will be limited to one month of daily watering between the hours of 12-2 am, 6-8 am, or 7-9 pm"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: $100 for a watering violation ($75 if paid within 14 days; $125 after 28 days). The City prefers voluntary compliance: a first step is a warning letter, and water service may be suspended for those who refuse to comply.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2424, 2026, Schedule A, Schedule A, Waterworks Bylaw s. 62](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/BNE-Bylaw-2424-2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Watering Violation 62 $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 No"
  - Source: [Watering Restrictions, Enforcement](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/water-utilities/watering/)
  - Official wording: "Those who contravene the bylaw will receive a warning letter explaining the infraction."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of Merritt Waterworks Bylaw 2412, 2025 (s. 62); schedule set by the Council Policy "Outdoor Watering Conservation Policy".
  - Source: [Waterworks Bylaw 2412, 2025, title](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Waterworks-Bylaw-2412-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "“City of Merritt Waterworks Bylaw 2412, 2025”"
  - Source: [Council Policy, Outdoor Watering Conservation Policy, title](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Policy-Outdoor-Watering-Conservation-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Council Policy: Outdoor Watering Conservation Policy"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Merritt sets watering levels under its [Outdoor Watering Conservation Policy](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Policy-Outdoor-Watering-Conservation-1.pdf) and [Waterworks Bylaw 2412](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Waterworks-Bylaw-2412-2025.pdf). Staff move the level up or down, and notices go on the City website, in the newspaper and on the radio. The policy and bylaw give no fixed start or end dates for the season. Look at the City's [watering page](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/water-utilities/watering/) to see which level is in effect now.

## Rules by level

Days follow your house number (unit number for strata complexes and mobile home parks). Manual sprinklers run 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; automatic irrigation runs 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

- **Levels 1 and 2** (three days a week): even numbers Monday, Wednesday, Friday; odd numbers Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.
- **Level 3** (two days): even numbers Thursday and Sunday; odd numbers Tuesday and Saturday.
- **Level 4** (one day): even numbers Friday; odd numbers Tuesday. Manual sprinklers 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. only. Check the policy for the exact Level 4 layout.
- **Level 5:** lawn watering is not permitted.

## Good to know

- Hand watering or drip irrigation of gardens, trees and shrubs is allowed at any time at every level, with an auto shut-off valve on hoses. Hand watering a lawn is not exempt.
- Washing with an auto shut-off hose is allowed at any time at Level 3. At Level 4 only vehicle window hand washing is allowed. The rules for other levels were not read.
- New lawns: on application, the City may grant an exemption while the drought level is Level 3 or lower. In general, a new lawn or lawn restoration gets one month of daily watering at the permitted hours.
- The City prefers voluntary compliance. A first step is a warning letter, and water service may be suspended for those who refuse to comply.
- A watering violation is a $100 bylaw notice ($75 within 14 days, $125 after 28 days). In court the Waterworks Bylaw sets a fine of $3,000 to $50,000.

## What you'll need

- Your house number or, for a strata complex or mobile home park, your unit number

## Official forms and pages

- [Watering Restrictions poster (PDF)](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Watering-Restrictions-2023.pdf)
- [Outdoor Watering Conservation Policy (PDF)](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Policy-Outdoor-Watering-Conservation-1.pdf)
- [Waterworks Bylaw 2412, 2025 (PDF)](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Waterworks-Bylaw-2412-2025.pdf)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/water-restrictions.md)
- [Logan Lake](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/logan-lake/water-restrictions.md)
- [Kamloops](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/water-restrictions.md)
- [Princeton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/water-restrictions.md)
- [Ashcroft](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ashcroft/water-restrictions.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/water-restrictions.md)
- [West Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/water-restrictions.md)

## Sources

- [Watering Restrictions, City of Merritt](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/water-utilities/watering/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Council Policy, Outdoor Watering Conservation Policy (PDF), City of Merritt](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Policy-Outdoor-Watering-Conservation-1.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Watering Restrictions poster (PDF), City of Merritt](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Watering-Restrictions-2023.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Waterworks Bylaw 2412, 2025 (PDF), City of Merritt](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Waterworks-Bylaw-2412-2025.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2424, 2026 (PDF), Schedule A, City of Merritt](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/BNE-Bylaw-2424-2026.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Contact, City of Merritt](https://www.merritt.ca/contact/) (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 City of Merritt. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/water-restrictions/_