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

# Mission watering restrictions

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

**Short answer:** In Mission, Stage 1 water restrictions apply every year from May 1 to September 30. Residential lawns may be watered once a week: even street numbers on Saturdays, odd numbers on Sundays. The City Engineer can bring in a stricter stage (2, 3 or 4) at any time.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Mission, https://www.mission.ca)  
**Cost:** Sprinkling permit for a new lawn: $58 for May, June or September, $121 for July or August. Bylaw notice $250 (Stage 1 or 2) or $500 (Stage 3 or 4).  
**How long:** A sprinkling permit expires 14 days after it is issued.  
**Where:**
- Online: Current restrictions (Alerts), https://www.mission.ca/index-pages/alerts
- Email: Water conservation (questions and infractions), waterconservation@mission.ca
- Phone: Water conservation, 604-820-3736
- In person: Welton Common (pay watering permit fee), 7337 Welton Street, Mission, BC V2V 3X1 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **When restrictions apply:** Stage 1 applies every year from May 1 to September 30. The City Engineer can change the dates or bring in a stricter stage (2, 3 or 4) at any time of year, and a stage stays in effect until it is ended.
  - Source: [Water Bylaw 6244-2023, s. 5.2](https://www.mission.ca/media/file/6244-2023-water-bylawpdf)
  - Official wording: "are in effect each year from May 1 to September 30 inclusive" … "Terminate or bring into effect a more restrictive Stage at any time of year"
  - Source: [Water Restrictions](https://www.mission.ca/services/water-sewer/water/water-conservation)
  - Official wording: "Water restrictions start annually on May 1."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Sprinkling schedule:** Stage 1, residential lawns, once a week: even street numbers Saturdays, odd numbers Sundays. Automatic systems 5 to 7 a.m.; manual watering 6 to 9 a.m. Stages 2, 3 and 4: no lawn watering.
  - Source: [Water Bylaw 6244-2023, Schedule E, s. 3(1), 5(1), 10(1)](https://www.mission.ca/media/file/6244-2023-water-bylawpdf)
  - Official wording: "i. when applying Automatic Watering on Saturdays between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.;" … "ii. when applying Manual Watering on Saturdays between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.;" … "i. when applying Automatic Watering on Sundays between the hours of 5:00 a.m." … "when Stage 2 Restrictions are in force, no Person shall: (1) Water a Lawn;" … "when Stage 3 Restrictions are in force, no Person shall: (1) Water a Lawn;" … "When Stage 4 Restrictions are in force, no Person shall: (1) Water a lawn;"
  - Source: [Seasonal Alerts, Stage 1 Water Restrictions return](https://www.mission.ca/alert/seasonal-alerts)
  - Official wording: "Stage 1 allows residential lawn watering once per week based on your address schedule. Even-numbered addresses: Saturdays - Automatic watering: 5 - 7 am"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Allowed at any time:** Stages 1 and 2: trees, shrubs, decorative gardens and planters by hand, soaker hose or drip/micro spray at any time, or by automatic sprinkler 5 to 9 a.m.; edible plants. Stage 3: trees, shrubs and the like by hand or drip only; edible plants not restricted through Stage 3 (City chart). Stage 4: all outdoor watering banned. A hose must always have an automatic shut-off device. (Sources differ: Stage 2: sprinklers on trees and shrubs 5 to 9 a.m. Stage 3: manual or drip only, no sprinkler or soaker hose. The City’s chart (a PDF titled 2025/2026) agrees with the bylaw on these points; its stage colour codes were not readable as text.)
  - Source: [Water Bylaw 6244-2023, Schedule E, s. 1(1), 2, 3(2)(a), 10(2), 15(3)](https://www.mission.ca/media/file/6244-2023-water-bylawpdf)
  - Official wording: "Use a hose providing water without an equipped Automatic Shut-off Device at any time for any purpose;" … "trees, shrubs, decorative gardens and planters if carried out by Manual Watering, or by Soaker Hose or Drip/Micro Spray Irrigation;" … "(2) Edible Plants; and" … "applying Automatic Watering on properties zoned for residential between the hours of 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on any day;" … "if watering is carried out by Manual Watering;" … "Water Edible Plants;"
  - Source: [Residential Water Restrictions chart, Watering trees, shrubs, and flowers](https://www.mission.ca/media/file/residential-water-restrictions-2026)
  - Official wording: "Edible plants are exempt" … "from restrictions in Stages 1 to 3."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **New lawns:** Apply to the City Engineer for a Sprinkling Permit if you have a new seeded or sodded lawn, new landscaping, or European chafer beetle nematode treatment. It lets you water during Stage 1 at the times on the permit; it expires 14 days after issue and must be posted facing the street. No new permits in Stage 2; no permit watering in Stages 3 and 4. Fee: $58 for May, June or September, $121 for July or August. (Sources differ: The bylaw fee schedule describes permit hours of 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. daily for one week (May, June, September) or two weeks (July, August); the City web page says permits are valid for 2 consecutive weeks with automatic watering 5 to 7 a.m. and manual watering 6 to 9 a.m. daily. The bylaw says permits last 14 days. Fees agree. Permits are applied for by email to engineering@mission.ca and paid in person at 7337 Welton Street.)
  - Source: [Water Bylaw 6244-2023, s. 5.9; Schedule A](https://www.mission.ca/media/file/6244-2023-water-bylawpdf)
  - Official wording: "has installed a new lawn, either by seeding or placing sod or turf" … "will expire, and be of no force or effect, 14 days after the date of issue" … "May, June, and September: Daily sprinkling permitted from 6:00 am to 8:00" … "Sprinkling Permit Fee"
  - Source: [Water Restrictions, Watering Permits](https://www.mission.ca/services/water-sewer/water/water-conservation)
  - Official wording: "Permit Fees: $58 for May, June, or September or $121 for July or August." … "During Stage 2, no new permits will be issued or renewed."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: Stage 1 or 2 $250 ($175 within 14 days, $325 after 28 days); Stage 3 or 4 $500 ($350 / $650). Municipal ticket: Stage 1 $250, Stage 2 $375, Stage 3 $500, Stage 4 $1,000. The City may also shut off service. The City web page says up to $250.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 5700-2018, Schedule 7, Schedule 7, s. 5.5](https://www.mission.ca/media/file/5700-2018-bylaw-notice-enforcement-bylawpdf)
  - Official wording: "Violate water restriction – Stage 1 5.5 $250 $175 $325 Yes" … "Violate water restriction – Stage 3 5.5 $500 $350 $650 Yes"
  - Source: [Water Bylaw 6244-2023, s. 5.5](https://www.mission.ca/media/file/6244-2023-water-bylawpdf)
  - Official wording: "the City may cause Service to the Person’s property to be shut off"
  - Source: [Ticket Information Bylaw 2646-1993, Schedule 10, Ticket Information Bylaw 2646-1993, Schedule 10 (Water Bylaw 6244-2023)](https://www.mission.ca/media/file/2646-1993-ticket-information-bylawpdf-0)
  - Official wording: "Violate water restriction – Stage 2 5.5 $375.00" … "Violate water restriction – Stage 4 5.5 $1,000.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of Mission Water Bylaw 6244-2023 (Schedule E, Stages of Water Restrictions)
  - Source: [Water Bylaw 6244-2023, Cover](https://www.mission.ca/media/file/6244-2023-water-bylawpdf)
  - Official wording: "ENACTS AS FOLLOWS: 1. This bylaw may be cited as "City of Mission Water Bylaw 6244-2023". 2. INTERPRETATION"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Water Bylaw 6244-2023](<https://www.mission.ca/media/file/6244-2023-water-bylawpdf>), Stage 1 applies every year from May 1 to September 30. The City Engineer can change the dates or bring in a stricter stage (2, 3 or 4) at any time of year, and a stage stays in effect until it is ended. To see the stage in effect now, check the City's alerts page at mission.ca or call 604-820-3736.

## Steps

1. Stage 1, residential lawns, once a week: even street numbers on Saturdays, odd numbers on Sundays. Automatic systems 5 to 7 a.m.; manual watering 6 to 9 a.m.
2. Stages 2, 3 and 4: no lawn watering.
3. Always use a hose with an automatic shut-off device.
4. For a new seeded or sodded lawn, new landscaping, or European chafer beetle nematode treatment, apply to the City Engineer for a Sprinkling Permit at engineering@mission.ca. Pay in person at 7337 Welton Street. The fee is $58 for May, June or September and $121 for July or August.

## Good to know

- Trees, shrubs, decorative gardens and planters in Stages 1 and 2: by hand, soaker hose or drip/micro spray at any time under the bylaw, or by automatic sprinkler 5 to 9 a.m. The City's chart instead groups soaker hoses with sprinklers (5 to 9 a.m.) in Stages 1 and 2. In Stage 3, by hand or drip only (no sprinkler or soaker hose). Check with the City if unsure.
- Edible plants are not restricted through Stage 3 (City chart). Stage 4 bans all outdoor watering.
- A permit expires 14 days after issue and must be posted facing the street. No new permits in Stage 2; no permit watering in Stages 3 and 4. The bylaw fee schedule and the City web page describe permit hours differently; check your permit.
- A bylaw notice is $250 for Stage 1 or 2 ($175 within 14 days, $325 after 28 days) and $500 for Stage 3 or 4 ($350 / $650). A municipal ticket is $250 for Stage 1, $375 for Stage 2, $500 for Stage 3 and $1,000 for Stage 4. The City may also shut off service. The City web page says up to $250.

## Official forms and pages

- [Residential Water Restrictions chart (PDF)](https://www.mission.ca/media/file/residential-water-restrictions-2026)
- [Watering Permit (PDF)](https://www.mission.ca/media/file/watering-permit-2026)
- [Water Restrictions, City of Mission](https://www.mission.ca/services/water-sewer/water/water-conservation)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/water-restrictions.md)
- [Abbotsford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/water-restrictions.md)
- [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/water-restrictions.md)
- [Maple Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/water-restrictions.md)
- [Langley City](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/water-restrictions.md)
- [Pitt Meadows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/water-restrictions.md)
- [Chilliwack](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/water-restrictions.md)

## Sources

- [Water Bylaw 6244-2023 (PDF)](https://www.mission.ca/media/file/6244-2023-water-bylawpdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Water Restrictions, City of Mission](https://www.mission.ca/services/water-sewer/water/water-conservation) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Residential Water Restrictions chart (PDF)](https://www.mission.ca/media/file/residential-water-restrictions-2026) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Seasonal Alerts, City of Mission](https://www.mission.ca/alert/seasonal-alerts) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 5700-2018, Schedule 7 (PDF)](https://www.mission.ca/media/file/5700-2018-bylaw-notice-enforcement-bylawpdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Ticket Information Bylaw 2646-1993, Schedule 10 (PDF)](https://www.mission.ca/media/file/2646-1993-ticket-information-bylawpdf-0) (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 Mission. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/water-restrictions/_