District of North Vancouver watering restrictions

Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions in the District of North Vancouver?

District of North Vancouver, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

Yes. In the District of North Vancouver (not the City of North Vancouver), Stage 1 starts automatically every May 1. Stage 1 lets homes water lawns one day a week: even-numbered addresses Saturday, odd-numbered Sunday. Higher stages are set by Metro Vancouver. Lawn watering is banned in Stage 2 and higher.

Key facts

When restrictions apply	Stage 1 starts automatically every May 1. Stages 2, 3 and 4 are turned on and off by the Metro Vancouver (GVWD) Commissioner and take effect 72 hours after the District announces them. Any stage ends after October 15 unless the Commissioner continues it.Drinking Water Conservation Bylaw 8320, Part 4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Stage 1 restrictions come into effect automatically on May 1 every year Stage 2, 3 and 4 restrictions are activated and deactivated by the GVWD come into force 72 hours after the District has made a public announcement ceases to be in force after October 15 each year
Sprinkling schedule	Stage 1, homes: lawns may be watered one day a week. Even-numbered addresses Saturday, odd-numbered Sunday; automatic systems 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., hand watering 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Stage 2 and higher: lawn watering is prohibited.Drinking Water Conservation Bylaw 8320, Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording EVEN numbered civic addresses: • Saturdays - Automatic watering 5:00am – 7:00am. - Manual watering 6:00am – 9:00am. ODD numbered civic addresses: • Sundays Watering lawns Prohibited
Allowed at any time	In stages 1 and 2, trees, shrubs and flowers may be watered any day 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. with a sprinkler, or any time by hand-held hose with shut-off, soaker hose, water container or drip irrigation. In stage 3 sprinklers and soaker hoses are prohibited; hand-held hose, container or drip are allowed. In stage 4 watering them is prohibited. The tables exclude edible plants (plants grown for human consumption).Drinking Water Conservation Bylaw 8320, Schedule A, stages 1-3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording On any day from 5:00am to 9:00am if using a handheld automatic shut off device, soaker hose, water container or drip irrigation Prohibited if using a sprinkler or soaker hose Watering trees, shrubs and flowers Prohibited means a plant grown for the purpose of human consumption.
New lawns	A permit to water a new lawn (seed or sod) costs $66 and lasts 21 days, with one 21-day extension. Stage 1: available. Stage 2: permits issued in stage 1 stay valid until they expire, but the Stage 2 table says no new permits or renewals (s. 6.1 reads as if stage 2 permits are possible). Stage 3 and 4: none. Nematode permit is free, 21 days.Drinking Water Conservation Bylaw 8320, Part 6; Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481, Permits Pursuant to the Drinking Water Conservation Bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording may apply to the Municipal Engineer for a permit authorizing the permit holder to will expire 21 days after the date of issue No new permits or permit extensions will be issued in stage 3 There is no fee for permits issued pursuant to section 6.1(b) No new permits issued or renewed. Permit must be obtained at cost to applicant. Fee for water sprinkling permit for new lawn $66.00
Fine	Municipal ticket: $150 (stage 1), $250 (stage 2), $350 (stage 3), $500 (stage 4); $150 for watering another premises or sprinkling a street. Bylaw notice: same base amounts; early $120/$190/$265/$375; late $180/$375/$525/$750. Court fine on conviction: $3,000 to $50,000.Drinking Water Conservation Bylaw 8320, s. 7.4; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7458, Schedule A, Drinking Water Conservation Bylaw 8320 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Use water contrary to restriction stage 1 $150.00 Use water contrary to restriction stage 4 $500.00 3.1 Use water contrary to restriction stage 1 150 120 180 3.1 Use water contrary to restriction stage 4 500 375 750
Bylaw	Drinking Water Conservation Bylaw 8320, 2018 (follows the Metro Vancouver Drinking Water Conservation Plan)Drinking Water Conservation Bylaw 8320, Preamble · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A bylaw to regulate the consumption of water in accordance with the Metro Vancouver Drinking Water Conservation Bylaw 8320, 2018

How it works

The Drinking Water Conservation Bylaw 8320 follows the Metro Vancouver Drinking Water Conservation Plan. Stage 1 starts automatically every May 1 in the District of North Vancouver. Stages 2, 3 and 4 are turned on and off by the Metro Vancouver (Greater Vancouver Water District) Commissioner and take effect 72 hours after the District announces them. Any stage ends after October 15 unless the Commissioner continues it. The bylaw does not say what stage is in force now, so check dnv.org.

Steps

Check the current stage on dnv.org.
Stage 1, homes: water lawns one day a week. Even-numbered addresses Saturday, odd-numbered Sunday. Automatic systems 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.; hand watering 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Stage 2 and higher: lawn watering is prohibited.
For a new lawn (seed or sod), get a permit. It costs $66 (see the Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481).

Good to know

Trees, shrubs and flowers (excluding edible plants), stages 1 and 2: any day 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. with a sprinkler, or any time by hand-held hose with shut-off, soaker hose, water container or drip irrigation. Stage 3: sprinklers and soaker hoses are prohibited; hand-held hose, container or drip are allowed. Stage 4: watering them is prohibited.
New lawn permits last 21 days with one 21-day extension. Stage 1: available. Stage 2: permits issued in Stage 1 stay valid until they expire, but the Stage 2 table says no new permits or renewals. Stage 3 and 4: none.
Municipal ticket: $150 (Stage 1), $250 (Stage 2), $350 (Stage 3), $500 (Stage 4); $150 for watering another premises or sprinkling a street. Court fine on conviction: $3,000 to $50,000.
Bylaw notice: the same base amounts. Early: $120, $190, $265, $375. Late: $180, $375, $525, $750.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

North Vancouver · Belcarra · West Vancouver · Port Moody · Vancouver · Burnaby

Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Drinking Water Conservation Bylaw 8320 (PDF), District of North Vancouver (read 2026-11-06)
Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481 (PDF), District of North Vancouver (read 2026-11-06)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7458 (PDF), District of North Vancouver (read 2026-11-06)

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