---
title: North Saanich watering restrictions
question: "Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?"
place: North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/north-saanich
category: Water, sewer, roads and snow
owner: shared
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/water-restrictions/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/water-restrictions.json"
---

# North Saanich watering restrictions

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

**Short answer:** Yes. In North Saanich, the Capital Regional District (CRD) Water Conservation Bylaw 4099 applies. Stage 1 restrictions apply every year from May 1 to September 30, and the CRD can change the dates or bring in a stricter stage at any time. Lawn watering days depend on whether your address is odd or even.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** Stage 1 ticket $200 for watering a lawn outside the allowed days or times, or for wasting water.  
**Where:**
- Online: CRD regional watering schedule, https://www.crd.ca/environment/water-conservation/watering-schedule
- Email: CRD water conservation, waterwise@crd.bc.ca

## Key facts

- **When restrictions apply:** Stage 1 restrictions apply every year from May 1 to September 30 inclusive. The CRD's Regional Water Supply Commission can change those dates or bring in a stricter stage at any time of year; a new stage takes effect 48 hours after notice.
  - Source: [CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099, ss. 4(1), 4(2), 4(3)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016)
  - Official wording: "are in effect each year from May 1 to September 30 inclusive" … "terminate or bring into effect a Stage more restrictive than Stage 1 at any" … "take effect 48 hours after the Notice for that Stage under section 5(1)"
  - Source: [Water Conservation, Water Conservation page](https://www.northsaanich.ca/lands-planning/agriculture-environment/water-conservation)
  - Official wording: "The CRD imposes Stage 1 Water Conservation measures annually from May 1 until September 30. Corresponding watering schedules are in effect within the District of North Saanich"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Sprinkling schedule:** Lawns, Stage 1: even-numbered addresses on Wednesdays and Saturdays; odd-numbered addresses on Thursdays and Sundays. Any method: 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Timed or automatic irrigation systems: 12:01 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. For multi-unit and strata complexes, use the address number of the whole complex.
  - Source: [CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099, Schedule A, s. 1(1)(a)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016)
  - Official wording: "the property has an even-numbered address, the lawn watering is on Wednesdays or Saturdays, and the watering occurs between the hours of" … "the property has an odd-numbered address, the lawn watering is on Thursdays or Sundays, and the watering occurs between the hours of" … "or between the hours of 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. by any method permitted by this bylaw;"
  - Source: [Regional Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District, Lawn Watering](https://www.crd.ca/environment/water-conservation/watering-schedule)
  - Official wording: "Odd Number | Thursdays & Sundays Any method: 4-10am or 7-10pm Timed/automatic irrigation systems: 12:01-10 am or 7-10 pm" … "Even Number | Wednesdays & Saturdays Any method: 4-10am or 7-10pm Timed/automatic irrigation systems: 12:01-10 am or 7-10 pm"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Allowed at any time:** Established trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables: sprinklers on any day 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; hand watering (hand-held container or hose with automatic shut-off) and micro or drip irrigation any day at any time. Vehicles and boats can be washed any time with a container or a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle. Pools, hot tubs and ponds may be filled. Nurseries, farms, turf farms and tree farms are exempt.
  - Source: [Regional Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District, Established trees; Vehicle and Boat Washing; Pools; Nurseries](https://www.crd.ca/environment/water-conservation/watering-schedule)
  - Official wording: "Sprinkler | Any day 4-10am or 7-10pm" … "Hand Watering & Micro/Drip Irrigation | Any day, any time" … "A person may wash their vehicle or boat anytime using a handheld container or a handheld hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle" … "You may use water to fill wading pools, swimming pools, hot tubs, or garden pond during Stage 1 Water Restrictions." … "Nurseries, farms, turf farms and tree farms are exempt from the Water Conservation Bylaw 4099."
  - Source: [CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099, s. 8(1)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016)
  - Official wording: "Nurseries, Farms, Turf Farms and Tree Farms are exempted from all Stage"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **New lawns:** No permit is needed for new sod or newly seeded lawns. Water between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on installation and for the first 21 days for new sod, and for newly seeded lawns until growth is established or for 49 days after installation, whichever is less. After that, return to your lawn watering days and times.
  - Source: [Regional Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District, New Sod and/or Newly Seeded Lawns](https://www.crd.ca/environment/water-conservation/watering-schedule)
  - Official wording: "A permit is not required to install new sod and/or newly seeded lawns." … "for new sod on installation and during the first 21 days after installation, and newly seeded lawns until growth is established or for 49 days after installations, whichever is less."
  - Source: [CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099, Schedule A, s. 1(1)(b)(iii)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016)
  - Official wording: "or for newly seeded lawns, water until growth is established or for 49 days after installation, whichever is less;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Stage 1 ticket (CRD Bylaw 1857, Schedule 26): $200 for watering a lawn outside the allowed days or times, and $200 for wasting water or watering contrary to the restrictions. A court fine is $100 to $10,000, and each day is a separate offence.
  - Source: [CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099, s. 10(1), (2), (4)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016)
  - Official wording: "A person who contravenes this bylaw commits an offence and is liable to a fine not" … "less than $100 and not exceeding $10,000." … "a ticket information pursuant to Bylaw No. 1857,"
  - Source: [CRD Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 1857 (Schedule 26)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/1857-consolidated-capital-regional-district-ticket-information-authorization-bylaw-1990b)
  - Official wording: "Stage 1 – water lawn contrary to even-numbered" … "Wasting water during Stage 1 7.(3) $200.00" … "Water contrary to restriction 7.(4) $200.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Capital Regional District Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099)
  - Source: [CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099, title](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016)
  - Official wording: "CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT WATER CONSERVATION BYLAW NO. 1, 2016" … "BYLAW NO. 4099"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

North Saanich's water comes through the CRD, and [CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016) applies. Stage 1 restrictions apply every year from May 1 to September 30. The CRD's Regional Water Supply Commission can change those dates or bring in a stricter stage at any time of year; a new stage takes effect 48 hours after notice. To check the current stage, see the CRD watering schedule page.

## Stage 1 schedule

- **Lawns:** even-numbered addresses on Wednesdays and Saturdays; odd-numbered addresses on Thursdays and Sundays. Any method: 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Timed or automatic irrigation systems: 12:01 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Multi-unit and strata complexes use the address number of the whole complex.
- **Established trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables:** sprinklers any day, 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Hand watering (a container or a hose with an automatic shut-off) and micro or drip irrigation any day, any time.
- **New sod or seeded lawns:** no permit needed. Water 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on installation and for the first 21 days for new sod; for new seed, until growth is established or 49 days after installation, whichever is less. Then return to your lawn days.
- **Vehicles and boats:** wash any time with a container or a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle. Pools, hot tubs and ponds may be filled. Nurseries, farms, turf farms and tree farms are exempt.

## Good to know

- Water must not be wasted or sprayed onto neighbouring property.
- The Stage 1 ticket is $200 for watering a lawn outside the allowed days or times, and $200 for wasting water (CRD Bylaw 1857, Schedule 26). A court fine is $100 to $10,000, and each day is a separate offence.
- The bylaw's automatic-system hours (12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m.) differ from the CRD page (12:01 a.m. to 10 a.m.); confirm with the CRD.

## Official forms and pages

- [CRD Regional Watering Schedule](https://www.crd.ca/environment/water-conservation/watering-schedule)
- [Water Conservation page, District of North Saanich](https://www.northsaanich.ca/lands-planning/agriculture-environment/water-conservation)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/water-restrictions.md)
- [Sidney](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/water-restrictions.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/water-restrictions.md)
- [Highlands](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/water-restrictions.md)
- [Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/water-restrictions.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/water-restrictions.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/water-restrictions.md)

## Sources

- [CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099 (PDF)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Regional Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District](https://www.crd.ca/environment/water-conservation/watering-schedule) (read 2026-11-05)
- [CRD Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 1857 (Schedule 26) (PDF)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/1857-consolidated-capital-regional-district-ticket-information-authorization-bylaw-1990b) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Water Conservation, District of North Saanich](https://www.northsaanich.ca/lands-planning/agriculture-environment/water-conservation) (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 any government. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/water-restrictions/_