{"title":"New Westminster watering restrictions","question":"Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions in New Westminster?","slug":"water-restrictions","place":{"path":"ca/bc/new-westminster","name":"New Westminster","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"water-roads-and-snow","name":"Water, sewer, roads and snow"},"owner":"shared","owner_label":"More than one level of government","owner_body":null,"short_answer":"Yes. In New Westminster, Stage 1 applies every year from May 1 to October 15 without any announcement. At Stage 1, homes with even-numbered addresses may water lawns on Saturdays and odd-numbered homes on Sundays. From October 16 to April 30 there are no restrictions unless declared.","aliases":["lawn watering days new westminster","sprinkling restrictions new westminster","lawn watering permit new westminster","water shortage response bylaw","new lawn watering permit"],"cost":"Watering permit for a new lawn: $59 single-family, $87 multiple-family, $176 commercial or industrial. Fines for watering when prohibited: bylaw notice Stage 1 $100, Stage 2 $200, Stage 3 $500; municipal ticket Stage 1 $500, Stage 2 $600, Stage 3 $750, Stage 4 $1,000.","how_long":"Stage 1 runs May 1 to October 15 each year. Stages 2, 3 and 4 take effect 72 hours after a public announcement. A new-lawn permit lasts 21 days.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Engineering (lawn watering permits)","value":"604-527-4592"},{"type":"online","label":"Metro Vancouver lawn watering restrictions","value":"https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/water-restrictions"}],"documents":["Proof of the new lawn or landscaping when applying for a watering permit (the City's page does not list what is needed; ask Engineering)"],"forms":[{"title":"Lawn Watering FAQs (PDF)","url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Lawn_Watering_FAQs.pdf"},{"title":"Water Shortage Response Bylaw 6948 (PDF)","url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_6948__2004_Water_Shortage_Response__2025_05_12_consolidation_.pdf"}],"related":[],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/burnaby","name":"Burnaby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coquitlam","name":"Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-coquitlam","name":"Port Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-moody","name":"Port Moody","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/belcarra","name":"Belcarra","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/surrey","name":"Surrey","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/water-restrictions/"}],"topic":{"title":"Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/water-restrictions/"},"facts":{"in_effect":{"label":"When restrictions apply","value":"Stage 1 applies every year from May 1 to October 15, without any announcement. Metro Vancouver's Commissioner can declare Stage 2, 3 or 4, which take effect 72 hours after a public announcement. From October 16 to April 30 there are no restrictions unless declared.","short":"Stage 1: May 1 to October 15; stricter by declaration","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_6948__2004_Water_Shortage_Response__2025_05_12_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Water Shortage Response Bylaw 6948, 2004 (consolidated 2025) (PDF)","section":"s. 3.2, 3.4","quotes":["If no Restriction Stage is in force on May 1 of any year, Stage 1","Stage 1 Restrictions shall not remain in force after October 15th of"]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_6948__2004_Water_Shortage_Response__2025_05_12_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Water Shortage Response Bylaw 6948, 2004 (consolidated 2025) (PDF)","section":"s. 3.1(b)","quotes":["Restriction Stage described in the declaration comes into force in","seventy-two hours after the Commissioner"]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/services/environment-and-sustainability/water-protection-and-conservation","title":"Water Protection and Conservation, City of New Westminster","section":"Lawn Watering","quotes":["From October 16 to April 30, there are no water restrictions in place"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"schedule":{"label":"Sprinkling schedule","value":"Stage 1, residential: lawns may be watered Saturdays at even-numbered addresses and Sundays at odd-numbered addresses, 5-7 a.m. if automatic or 6-9 a.m. if manual. Non-residential: Mondays (even) and Tuesdays (odd), 4-6 a.m. automatic or 6-9 a.m. manual. Stage 2 and above: no lawn watering.","short":"Stage 1: even Sat, odd Sun; no lawn watering Stage 2+","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_6948__2004_Water_Shortage_Response__2025_05_12_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Water Shortage Response Bylaw 6948, 2004 (consolidated 2025) (PDF)","section":"Sch. 1, s. 1.1(a)","quotes":["at premises with even numbered civic addresses on Saturdays from 5 – 7 AM if using automatic watering and","at premises with odd numbered civic addresses on Sundays from 5 – 7 AM if using automatic watering and"]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_6948__2004_Water_Shortage_Response__2025_05_12_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Water Shortage Response Bylaw 6948, 2004 (consolidated 2025) (PDF)","section":"Sch. 1, s. 1.1(b)","quotes":["at premises with even numbered civic addresses on Mondays from 4 – 6 AM if using automatic watering and"]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_6948__2004_Water_Shortage_Response__2025_05_12_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Water Shortage Response Bylaw 6948, 2004 (consolidated 2025) (PDF)","section":"Sch. 1, s. 2.1(a)","quotes":["b) Non-residential Addresses shall not: 2.1.1 Water lawns. 2.1.2 Water trees, shrubs, and flowers excluding edible plants,"]},{"url":"https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/water-restrictions","title":"Lawn Watering Restrictions, Metro Vancouver","section":"Stage 1 Residential","quotes":["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":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exempt_watering":{"label":"Allowed at any time","value":"Trees, shrubs and flowers (not edible plants) may be watered any day at any time with a handheld hose, soaker hose, water container or drip irrigation, and by sprinkler 5-9 a.m. in Stage 1. Edible plants (vegetable gardens) are not restricted. In Stage 3, only handheld hose, container or drip irrigation.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_6948__2004_Water_Shortage_Response__2025_05_12_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Water Shortage Response Bylaw 6948, 2004 (consolidated 2025) (PDF)","section":"Sch. 1, s. 1.1.2","quotes":["on any day from 5 – 9 AM if using a sprinkler;","on any day at any time if using a handheld hose, soaker","1.1.2 Water trees, shrubs, and flowers excluding edible plants,"]},{"url":"https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/water-restrictions","title":"Lawn Watering Restrictions, Metro Vancouver","section":"Stage 1 Residential","quotes":["Vegetable gardens - Can be watered at any time"]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_6948__2004_Water_Shortage_Response__2025_05_12_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Water Shortage Response Bylaw 6948, 2004 (consolidated 2025) (PDF)","section":"Sch. 1, s. 3.1.2","quotes":["3.1.2 Water trees, shrubs, and flowers excluding edible plants:","(ii) except on any day at any time if using a handheld hose,"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"new_lawns":{"label":"New lawns","value":"A permit lets you water a new lawn (sod or seed), new landscaping, or a lawn treated for European chafer beetle with nematodes for 21 days from 4 to 9 a.m. during Stage 1 (one extension up to 42 days in total for nematodes). It covers Stage 1 and 2 only, not Stage 3 or 4. Fee $59 for a single-family home.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_6948__2004_Water_Shortage_Response__2025_05_12_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Water Shortage Response Bylaw 6948, 2004 (consolidated 2025) (PDF)","section":"s. 5.1","quotes":["21 day period during the hours of 4 – 9 AM, at the premises described in","does not exempt the holder from Stage 3 & 4 Restrictions."]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_6948__2004_Water_Shortage_Response__2025_05_12_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Water Shortage Response Bylaw 6948, 2004 (consolidated 2025) (PDF)","section":"s. 5.2","quotes":["nematode treated lawn when Stage 1 Restrictions in force for a 21 day"]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7553__2013_Engineering_User_Fees_and_Rates__2025_12_15_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Engineering User Fees and Rates Bylaw 7553, 2013, Part 11.0 (PDF)","section":"Part 11.0","quotes":["$59.00 for Single Family"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice for watering when prohibited: Stage 1 $100 ($75 if paid within 14 days; $125 late); Stage 2 $200; Stage 3 $500. Municipal ticket information: Stage 1 $500, Stage 2 $600, Stage 3 $750, Stage 4 $1,000. Bylaw s. 6.3 court fines: $100 to $1,000.","short":"Notice $100 ($75 if paid in 14 days); ticket $500","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7318__2009_Bylaw_Notice_Enforcement__2026_07_29_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7318, 2009 (consolidated July 29, 2026) (PDF)","section":"Sch. A Part 25","quotes":["Stage 1 – water lawn 100.00 75.00 125.00","Stage 2 – water lawn 200.00 150.00 225.00","Stage 3 – water lawn 500.00 450.00 525.00"]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_6948__2004_Water_Shortage_Response__2025_05_12_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Water Shortage Response Bylaw 6948, 2004 (consolidated 2025) (PDF)","section":"s. 6.3","quotes":["$100 if the offence is committed when Stage 1 Restrictions are in","$1000 if the offence is committed when Stage 4 Restrictions are in"]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8077__2019_Municipal_Ticket_Information__2026_07_29_consolidation_(1).pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 8077, 2019 (consolidated July 29, 2026) (PDF)","section":"Sch. B Part 25","quotes":["Stage 1 – water lawn when prohibited even 500.00","Stage 2 – water lawn when prohibited even 600.00","Stage 1 – water lawn when prohibited even","Stage 2 – water lawn when prohibited even","Stage 3 – water lawn when prohibited","Stage 4 – water lawns when prohibited"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Water Shortage Response Bylaw No. 6948, 2004 (permit fees in Engineering Fees and Rates Bylaw No. 7553, 2013, Part 11.0).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_6948__2004_Water_Shortage_Response__2025_05_12_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Water Shortage Response Bylaw 6948, 2004 (consolidated 2025) (PDF)","section":"s. 1.1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited as the \"Water Shortage Response Bylaw No.","6948, 2004\""]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7553__2013_Engineering_User_Fees_and_Rates__2025_12_15_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Engineering User Fees and Rates Bylaw 7553, 2013, Part 11.0 (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as “Engineering Fees and Rates Bylaw No. 7553, 2013.”"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe City enforces Metro Vancouver's stages through its [Water Shortage Response Bylaw 6948](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_6948__2004_Water_Shortage_Response__2025_05_12_consolidation_.pdf). Stage 1 applies every year from May 1 to October 15, without any announcement. Metro Vancouver's Commissioner can declare Stage 2, 3 or 4, which take effect 72 hours after a public announcement, and may keep Stage 1 going past October 15. From October 16 to April 30 there are no restrictions unless declared. Check Metro Vancouver's page for the current stage.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Stage 1, homes: lawns may be watered Saturdays at even-numbered addresses and Sundays at odd-numbered addresses, 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. if automatic or 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. if manual.\n- Stage 1, non-residential: Mondays (even) and Tuesdays (odd), 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. if automatic or 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. if manual.\n- Stage 2 and above: no lawn watering.\n- Trees, shrubs and flowers (not edible plants) may be watered any day, any time, with a handheld hose, soaker hose, water container or drip irrigation, and by sprinkler 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. in Stage 1. Edible plants are not restricted. In Stage 3, only handheld hose, container or drip irrigation.\n- Hoses need an automatic shut-off nozzle, and water must not run off onto driveways.\n- A permit lets you water a new lawn (sod or seed), new landscaping, or a lawn treated for European chafer beetle with nematodes, for 21 days from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. in Stage 1 (one extension up to 42 days in total for nematodes). It covers Stages 1 and 2 only, not Stage 3 or 4. Fees: $59 single-family, $87 multiple-family, $176 commercial or industrial. Apply to the Director of Engineering Services (604-527-4592).\n- Fines for watering when prohibited: a bylaw notice is $100 at Stage 1 ($75 if paid within 14 days), $200 at Stage 2 and $500 at Stage 3. A municipal ticket is $500 at Stage 1, $600 at Stage 2, $750 at Stage 3 and $1,000 at Stage 4. The bylaw also sets court fines of $100 to $1,000.\n- The Engineering fees bylaw lists a rain barrel at $76.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/services/environment-and-sustainability/water-protection-and-conservation","title":"Water Protection and Conservation, City of New Westminster","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_6948__2004_Water_Shortage_Response__2025_05_12_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Water Shortage Response Bylaw 6948, 2004 (consolidated 2025) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7553__2013_Engineering_User_Fees_and_Rates__2025_12_15_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Engineering User Fees and Rates Bylaw 7553, 2013, Part 11.0 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/water-restrictions","title":"Lawn Watering Restrictions, Metro Vancouver","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7318__2009_Bylaw_Notice_Enforcement__2026_07_29_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7318, 2009 (consolidated July 29, 2026) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8077__2019_Municipal_Ticket_Information__2026_07_29_consolidation_(1).pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 8077, 2019 (consolidated July 29, 2026) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/water-restrictions/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/water-restrictions.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/water-restrictions.json"}}