Nanaimo watering restrictions

Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?

Nanaimo, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Yes. The City of Nanaimo's Waterworks bylaw sets four watering stages. Stage 1 applies in April and October and Stage 2 from May to September. Stages 3 and 4 start only when the City gives notice. Check the City's Watering Restrictions page for the stage in effect now.

Key facts

When restrictions apply	Stage 1 (night watering only) applies in April and October and Stage 2 (every other day) from May to September. Stage 3 (voluntary cuts) and Stage 4 (full watering ban) start when the General Manager gives notice. The City page of November 4, 2026 says Stage 1 is in effect.Sources differ: The City web page says Stage 1 is in effect on November 4, 2026, but the bylaw ties Stage 1 to April and October only. Bylaw months quoted; the page is the only source of the current stage.Waterworks Rate and Regulation Bylaw 2006 No. 7004, ss. 43-46; Watering Restrictions, web page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording During the months of April and October, no person shall: During the months of May, June, July, August, and September, no person shall: all persons are encouraged to voluntarily reduce domestic water use in an effort to avoid a comprehensive watering ban. If the General Manager, Engineering & Public Works (7004.15) gives notice that a reduction in water use is necessary requiring Watering Restriction Level 4, no person shall: gives notice that a reduction in water use is necessary requiring Watering Restriction Level 4, no person shall: Stage 1 watering restrictions are currently in effect. To view the current Water Restriction Stage for Nanaimo, and how you can conserve water, see RDN Team WaterSmart.
Sprinkling schedule	Stage 1 (April, October): sprinklers 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. any day. Stage 2 (May to September): even addresses on even days, odd on odd, 7 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m., 2 hours a day. Stage 3 (as required, voluntary): one day a week, odd addresses Monday, even Thursday. Stage 4: no lawn watering.Waterworks Rate and Regulation Bylaw 2006 No. 7004, ss. 43-44, 46; https://www.nanaimo.ca/docs/water-resources/water-restrictions-simple-2026.pdf, City Watering Restrictions Guide 2026 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording (a) Use a sprinkler to water a lawn or garden growing on a property except between the hours of 7:00 pm to 7:00 am daily; An even-numbered address except on even-numbered days between the hours of 7:00 am to 10:00 am or 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and for no more than 2 hours per day; (a) Water lawns or boulevards at any time including newly seeded or sodded lawns; STAGE 1 – April and October Odd addresses: Monday; even addresses: Thursday Not Permitted: Lawn watering, filling pools/fountains/hot tubs
Allowed at any time	Vegetable gardens and fruit trees: any day and time. Flowers, shrubs and ornamental trees: any time in Stages 1 to 3 with a hand-held container or shut-off hose (Stage 4: only 7 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m.). Drip or micro-irrigation: any time in Stages 1 to 3; Stage 4 only 7 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m. (soaker hoses do not count). New trees and shrubs: any time during planting and the next 24 hours. Businesses needing water for normal operations are exempt.Waterworks Rate and Regulation Bylaw 2006 No. 7004, s. 47; Watering Restrictions, web page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording (f) A person may water vegetable gardens or fruit trees at any day and time. Stage 1, Stage 2, or Stage 3 if using a hand-held container or a hose equipped (h) A person may use micro-irrigation or drip-irrigation as follows: (i) Any day and any time during Watering Restriction Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage (e) A person may water new trees and shrubs during installation and for the following Soaker hoses and weeper hoses are not considered to be micro-irrigation or Vegetable gardens and fruit trees may be watered at any time
New lawns	A permit from the Public Works Department allows a new seeded or sodded lawn to be sprinkled outside permitted days (within restricted hours) for 14 days. Call Public Works at 250-758-5222. No permits at Stage 4; permits may be refused or invalid at Stages 2 and 3 at the General Manager's discretion.Sources differ: City page says permits "may not be issued during Stage 3 or 4"; the bylaw says during Stage 2, 3 or 4, at the General Manager's discretion. Bylaw followed.Waterworks Rate and Regulation Bylaw 2006 No. 7004, s. 47(a), (b), (d); s. 46(f); Watering Restrictions, web page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A person who has installed a new lawn, either newly seeded or new sod, may apply to the City of Nanaimo Water Public Works Department for a permit which New sod or newly seeded lawn may be sprinkled for 14 days after installation, Permits may not be issued or be valid during Watering Restriction Stage 2, Stage 3 (f) Obtain a new lawn watering permit. New lawns (seed or sod) may qualify for a 14-day watering permit to water outside restricted days. To apply, contact Public Works at 250‑758‑5222.
Fine	Stage 1 breach: $100. Stage 2 breach: $200 (early $150, late $250). Stage 4 breach: $400 (early $300, late $500). Using water contrary to restrictions (s. 23): $200.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2012 No. 7159, Schedule A, Schedule A, Waterworks Rate and Regulation Bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 43(a) Water at time not permitted during Stage 1 100.00 125.00 75.00 44(a) Water on day or time not permitted or 200.00 150.00 250.00 46(a) Water lawns or boulevards during Stage 4 400.00 300.00 500.00 23 Use water contrary to restrictions 200.00 150.00 250.00
Bylaw	Waterworks Rate and Regulation Bylaw 2006 No. 7004.Waterworks Rate and Regulation Bylaw 2006 No. 7004, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording WATERWORKS RATE AND REGULATION BYLAW 2006 NO. 7004

How it works

Nanaimo's restrictions are written in the Waterworks Rate and Regulation Bylaw 2006 No. 7004. Stage 1 applies in April and October, and Stage 2 from May to September. Stage 3 and Stage 4 start only when the General Manager gives notice. The bylaw does not say what applies from November to March. For anything in effect right now, check the City's Watering Restrictions page.

The stages

Stage 1 (April, October): sprinklers 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., any day.
Stage 2 (May to September): even addresses on even days, odd addresses on odd days, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., 2 hours a day.
Stage 3 (when required, voluntary): one day a week, odd addresses Monday, even addresses Thursday.
Stage 4: no lawn watering. Washing sidewalks and driveways and filling pools, fountains or hot tubs are also banned.
Stages 1 and 2 also limit washing vehicles, boats, trailers, windows and house siding to a hand-held container or a hose with a shut-off device.

Good to know

Exempt: vegetable gardens and fruit trees, any day and time. Flowers, shrubs and ornamental trees: any time in Stages 1 to 3 with a hand-held container or shut-off hose (Stage 4: only 7 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m.). Drip or micro-irrigation: any time in Stages 1 to 3, and 7 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m. in Stage 4 (soaker hoses do not count). New trees and shrubs: any time during planting and the next 24 hours. Businesses needing water for normal operations are exempt.
A permit from Public Works (250-758-5222) allows a new seeded or sodded lawn to be sprinkled outside permitted days, within restricted hours, for 14 days. There are no permits at Stage 4, and they may be refused or invalid at Stages 2 and 3 at the General Manager's discretion. The City page says permits may not be issued in Stage 3 or 4, so confirm first.
Tickets: Stage 1 breach $100. Stage 2 breach $200 (early $150, late $250). Stage 4 breach $400 (early $300, late $500). Using water contrary to restrictions is $200.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Lantzville · Ladysmith · Parksville · Sechelt · Qualicum Beach · Lake Cowichan

Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Watering Restrictions, City of Nanaimo (read 2026-11-05)
Waterworks Rate and Regulation Bylaw 2006 No. 7004 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2012 No. 7159 (PDF), Schedule A (read 2026-11-05)
https://www.nanaimo.ca/docs/water-resources/water-restrictions-simple-2026.pdf (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. How answers are checked.