{"title":"North Cowichan watering restrictions","question":"Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions in North Cowichan?","slug":"water-restrictions","place":{"path":"ca/bc/north-cowichan","name":"North Cowichan","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"water-roads-and-snow","name":"Water, sewer, roads and snow"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"Municipality of North Cowichan","url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca"},"short_answer":"In North Cowichan, Stage 1 watering restrictions apply every year from May 1 through October 31. Sprinklers run up to 2 hours a day on two days a week, by address, and no outdoor watering is allowed between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Check the Water Conservation page for the current stage.","aliases":["sprinkling restrictions north cowichan","lawn watering days north cowichan","water conservation stage north cowichan","new lawn watering permit north cowichan"],"cost":"Garden Irrigation Permit for a new lawn: $25. Fines: bylaw notice $100 (Stage 1), $200 (Stage 2), $300 (Stage 3 or 4); municipal ticket $200, $400, $600.","how_long":"Stage 1 runs May 1 to October 31. The Director of Engineering may bring in Stage 2, 3 or 4 when needed. A new-lawn permit lasts 21 days for sod and 49 days for seed.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Water Conservation (current stage)","value":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/utilities/water-conservation"},{"type":"online","label":"Watering permits","value":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/utilities/water-conservation/watering-permits"},{"type":"phone","label":"Operations","value":"250-746-3106"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Waterworks Bylaw No. 3620, 2016 (PDF)","url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Waterworks%20Bylaw.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"North Cowichan bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/bylaw-fines/"},{"slug":"garbage-collection","title":"North Cowichan garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/garbage-collection/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/duncan","name":"Duncan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/ladysmith","name":"Ladysmith","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-saanich","name":"North Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sidney","name":"Sidney","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-cowichan","name":"Lake Cowichan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/central-saanich","name":"Central Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/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 through October 31. The Director of Engineering may bring in Stage 2, 3 or 4 when needed, with notice on the Municipality's website, social media, signs, newspaper or radio. Check the Water Conservation page for the current stage.","short":"Stage 1: May 1 to October 31; stricter when needed","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Waterworks%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Waterworks Bylaw No. 3620, 2016, consolidated to March 19, 2025 (PDF)","section":"s. 17(1)-(2), s. 18","quotes":["Stage 1 water conservation measures are in effect from May 1 through October 31 each","must determine when stage 1 water conservation measures","website, social media, signage placed in relevant public locations"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/utilities/water-conservation","title":"Water Conservation, Municipality of North Cowichan","section":"Overview","quotes":["May 1 - Oct 31 annually"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"schedule":{"label":"Sprinkling schedule","value":"Stage 1 (May 1 to Oct 31): sprinklers on lawns, vegetable gardens, fruit trees, ornamental trees, shrubs and flower gardens up to 2 hours a day on two days a week: even-numbered addresses Wednesday and Saturday; odd-numbered addresses Thursday and Sunday. Stage 2: one day a week (even Wednesday, odd Sunday). Stages 3 and 4: no sprinklers. No outdoor watering between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.","short":"Stage 1: 2 days a week by address; none 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Waterworks%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Waterworks Bylaw No. 3620, 2016, consolidated to March 19, 2025 (PDF)","section":"s. 17(3)-(4)","quotes":["on their designated days for a maximum of 2","except between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.","Wednesdays and Saturdays during stage 1","Thursdays and Sundays during stage 1","at any time during stage 3 and stage 4"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exempt_watering":{"label":"Allowed at any time","value":"Hand watering or micro-drip irrigation is allowed any day, outside 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.: vegetable gardens and fruit trees up to 4 hours a day (Stage 1-2) or 2 hours (Stage 3-4); ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers 2 hours (Stage 1-2) or 1 hour (Stage 3-4); lawns 2 hours (Stage 1) or 1 hour (Stage 2), none in Stage 3-4. The Municipality and School District 79 sports fields are exempt from sprinkling days; some businesses (nurseries, car washes etc.) are exempt from some Stage 2 and 3 rules.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Waterworks%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Waterworks Bylaw No. 3620, 2016, consolidated to March 19, 2025 (PDF)","section":"s. 17(5)-(7), s. 19","quotes":["hand water or use micro-drip irrigation on vegetable gardens, or fruit","for a maximum of 4 hours per day during stage 1 and stage 2","the Municipality is exempt from the sprinkling restrictions under section 17","a commercial enterprise which requires water"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/utilities/water-conservation","title":"Water Conservation, Municipality of North Cowichan","section":"Overview table","quotes":["Vegetable gardens, fruit trees | 4 hours/day | 4 hours/day | 2 hours/day | 2 hours/day"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"new_lawns":{"label":"New lawns","value":"Yes, with a Garden Irrigation Permit ($25) for extra watering of a new lawn (newly seeded or sodded for the first time). Stage 1: sprinkler up to 2 hours a day on any day, or hand watering 2 hours. Stage 2 or 3: 1 hour (permits must be obtained before Stage 2; none issued during Stage 2 or 3). Stage 4: not permitted. Permits last 21 days for sod, 49 days for seed.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Waterworks%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Waterworks Bylaw No. 3620, 2016, consolidated to March 19, 2025 (PDF)","section":"s. 17(8)-(9), s. 20","quotes":["a person shall be permitted to use a sprinkler on new","No new irrigation permits will be issued during stage 2 or stage 3"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/utilities/water-conservation/watering-permits","title":"Watering permits, Municipality of North Cowichan","section":"Garden irrigation permits","quotes":["$25 permit fee","21 days for planting a new lawn with sod","49 days for planting a new lawn from seed"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020 (PDF)","section":"item 9","quotes":["Garden Irrigation Permit $25"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: Stage 1 sprinkling on the wrong day $100 ($50 if paid within 14 days; $120 after 28 days); Stage 2 $200 ($100 early, $220 late); Stage 3 or 4 sprinkler use $300 ($150, $320). Municipal ticket: $200 (Stage 1), $400 (Stage 2), $600 (Stage 3 or 4).","short":"Notice $100 Stage 1 ($50 if paid in 14 days); ticket $200","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf","title":"Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021 (PDF)","section":"Schedule A, Waterworks Bylaw","quotes":["Violate stage 3 or stage 4 sprinkler use 17(4) $300 $150 $320 YES","17(3)(a)(i) $100 $50 $120 YES","17(3)(a)(ii) $200 $100 $220 YES"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw (PDF)","section":"Schedule 2, Section 19","quotes":["Violate stage 3 or stage 4 sprinkler use restrictions 17(4) $600"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Waterworks Bylaw No. 3620, 2016 (Part 4, s. 17 and Schedule 1), consolidated to March 19, 2025.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Waterworks%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Waterworks Bylaw No. 3620, 2016, consolidated to March 19, 2025 (PDF)","section":"title","quotes":["CONSOLIDATION WATERWORKS BYLAW Bylaw No. 3620 Current to October April 2, 2025 Last amended on March 19, 2025","Schedule 1 [BL3874. BL3904] Waterworks Bylaw No. 3620, 2016 WATER RESTRICTIONS TABLE Outdoor watering is permitted on your designated day as per the table below, except between 9am and 7pm."]}],"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 [Waterworks Bylaw](<https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Waterworks%20Bylaw.pdf>) sets a standing Stage 1 every year from May 1 through October 31. The Director of Engineering may bring in Stage 2, 3 or 4 when needed, with notice on the Municipality's website, social media, signs, newspaper or radio. It applies to properties on North Cowichan's water systems; private wells and agriculture are regulated by the Province.\n\n**Sprinklers** (lawns, vegetable gardens, fruit trees, ornamental trees, shrubs and flower gardens):\n\n- **Stage 1:** up to 2 hours a day on two days a week. Even-numbered addresses: Wednesday and Saturday. Odd-numbered addresses: Thursday and Sunday.\n- **Stage 2:** one day a week (even Wednesday, odd Sunday).\n- **Stages 3 and 4:** no sprinklers.\n- No outdoor watering between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check the Water Conservation page for the current stage.\n2. Hand watering or micro-drip irrigation is allowed any day outside 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Vegetable gardens and fruit trees: up to 4 hours a day (Stage 1-2) or 2 hours (Stage 3-4). Ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers: 2 hours (Stage 1-2) or 1 hour (Stage 3-4). Lawns: 2 hours (Stage 1) or 1 hour (Stage 2), none in Stage 3-4.\n3. New lawn (newly seeded or sodded for the first time): get a Garden Irrigation Permit ($25) for extra watering. Stage 1: sprinkler up to 2 hours a day on any day, or hand watering 2 hours. Stage 2 or 3: 1 hour. Permits last 21 days for sod and 49 days for seed.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Permits must be obtained before Stage 2 begins. None are issued during Stage 2 or 3, and the Watering Permits page says none in Stage 4 either. New-lawn watering is not permitted in Stage 4.\n- Municipal and School District 79 sports fields are exempt from sprinkling days. Some businesses (nurseries, car washes and so on) are exempt from some Stage 2 and 3 rules.\n- Filling pools and hot tubs and washing vehicles have separate stage rules in the bylaw.\n- A bylaw notice for sprinkling on the wrong day is $100 in Stage 1 ($50 if paid within 14 days, $120 after 28 days), $200 in Stage 2 ($100 early, $220 late) and $300 in Stage 3 or 4 ($150, $320). A municipal ticket is $200, $400 and $600.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/utilities/water-conservation","title":"Water Conservation, Municipality of North Cowichan","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/utilities/water-conservation/watering-permits","title":"Watering permits, Municipality of North Cowichan","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Waterworks%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Waterworks Bylaw No. 3620, 2016, consolidated to March 19, 2025 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf","title":"Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","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/north-cowichan/water-restrictions/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/water-restrictions.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/water-restrictions.json"}}