North Vancouver watering restrictions

Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?

North Vancouver, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Yes. In the City of North Vancouver, Stage 1 watering rules start automatically May 1 and end October 15. Residential lawns may be watered once a week: even-numbered addresses on Saturdays and odd-numbered addresses on Sundays. Metro Vancouver can order stricter stages 2 to 4.

Key facts

When restrictions apply	Stage 1 starts automatically May 1 and ends October 15. Stages 2, 3 and 4 are activated by the Metro Vancouver (GVWD) Commissioner and take effect 72 hours after the City's public announcement. Stage 2 and 3: no lawn watering (Stage 3 also bans sprinklers and soaker hoses on trees and shrubs). Stage 4: no lawn, tree, shrub or flower watering. Current stage not stated.Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw 2018 No. 8627 (consolidated June 1, 2026), s. 5; Water Restrictions, Water Restrictions page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Stage 1 Restrictions come into effect automatically on May 1 every year. Stages 2, 3 and 4 are activated and deactivated by the GVWD Commissioner. comes into force 72 hours after the A Restriction Stage ceases to be in force after October 15 each year; unless the Stage 1 regulations are in effect throughout Metro Vancouver from May 1 to October 15 No lawn watering is permitted during these stages, and sprinklers/soaker hoses are also prohibited in Stage 3. All outside uses are prohibited.
Sprinkling schedule	Stage 1, residential lawns: once a week only. Even-numbered civic addresses on Saturdays, odd-numbered on Sundays. Automatic (sprinkler system) watering 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.; manual watering 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Non-residential and mixed-use: Mondays (even) and Tuesdays (odd), automatic 4 a.m. to 6 a.m., manual 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Stages 2 to 4: no lawn watering.Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw 2018 No. 8627 (consolidated June 1, 2026), Schedule A, Stage 1; Water Restrictions, Water Restrictions page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Even-numbered civic addresses on Saturdays: Odd-numbered civic addresses on Sundays: - Automatic watering from 5 am to 7 am - Manual watering 6 am to 9 am Even-numbered civic addresses on Mondays: Odd-numbered civic addresses on Tuesdays: Watering lawns Prohibited Permitted once weekly, with automatic watering 5am-7am and manual watering 6am-9am
Allowed at any time	Residential Stage 1: trees, shrubs and flowers may be watered with a sprinkler any day 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., and at any time with a handheld hose, soaker hose, water container or drip irrigation. Vegetable gardens and edible plants: any day, any time. Hoses must have an automatic shut-off, and water must not run off onto hard surfaces.Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw 2018 No. 8627 (consolidated June 1, 2026), Schedule A, Stage 1 and general restrictions; Water Restrictions, Water Restrictions page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording On any day from 5 am to 9 am if using a sprinkler On any day at any time if using a handheld hose, soaker hose, water container, or drip irrigation All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device. water any day at any time
New lawns	A Lawn Watering Permit lets you water a new lawn (seed, sod, turf) or treat a lawn for nematodes or European chafer beetle outside the restricted times. Apply before Stage 2 with proof of purchase. Valid 21 days (one 21-day extension in Stage 1); nematode permits 14 days. Fee $31.22 single-family or duplex, $78.11 multi-family, $156.21 commercial; none for clover. Permits end in Stage 3 and 4.Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw 2018 No. 8627 (consolidated June 1, 2026), s. 8; Fees and Charges Bylaw 2024 No. 9000, Fees schedule, Lawn Watering Permit · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording may apply to the Delegate prior to Stage 2 Restrictions for a Lawn Watering Permit will expire 21 days after the date of issue unless the person has received an extension for the permit. No new permits or permit extensions will be issued in Stage 2. No permits will remain in effect in Stage 3 or Stage 4, and no permits will be issued or extended during Stage 3 or Stage 4 restrictions. Lawn Watering Permit - Single Family / Duplex $ 31.22 Lawn Watering Permit - Multi-Family $ 78.11 Lawn Watering Permit - Commercial / Industrial $ 156.21 Lawn Watering Permit - Lawn with Clover No fee
Fine	Stage 1: $100 (early $50, late $150). Stage 2: $200 (early $150, late $250). Stage 3: $300 (early $250, late $400). Stage 4: $400 (early $350, late $500). On court conviction the bylaw sets a fine of $3,000 to $10,000 for a first offence.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2018 No. 8675, Schedule A, Schedule A, Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw, 2018, No. 8627; Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw 2018 No. 8627 (consolidated June 1, 2026), s. 9(B) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Fail to Follow Water Use Restrictions - Stage 1 (Sched. A) 5 No $100 $50 $150 N/A Fail to Follow Water Use Restrictions - Stage 2 (Sched. A) 5 No $200 $150 $250 N/A Fail to Follow Water Use Restrictions - Stage 3 (Sched. A) 5 No $300 $250 $400 N/A Fail to Follow Water Use Restrictions - Stage 4 (Sched. A) 5 No $400 $350 $500 N/A not less than $3,000 but not more than $10,000 for a first conviction for an
Bylaw	Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw, 2018, No. 8627 (follows the Metro Vancouver Drinking Water Conservation Plan)Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw 2018 No. 8627 (consolidated June 1, 2026), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw, 2018, No. 8627

How it works

Residential water use in the City of North Vancouver follows Metro Vancouver's Drinking Water Conservation Plan, adopted by the Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw 8627. Stage 1 starts automatically May 1 and ends October 15. Stages 2, 3 and 4 are activated by the Metro Vancouver (GVWD) Commissioner and take effect 72 hours after the City's public announcement. The current stage is not stated here.

Steps

Stage 1, residential lawns: once a week only. Even-numbered civic addresses on Saturdays, odd-numbered on Sundays. Automatic (sprinkler system) watering 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.; manual watering 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Non-residential and mixed-use lawns: Mondays (even) and Tuesdays (odd), automatic 4 a.m. to 6 a.m., manual 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
For a new lawn (seed, sod, turf) or a nematode or European chafer beetle treatment, apply for a Lawn Watering Permit before Stage 2, with proof of purchase. Permits end in Stages 3 and 4.

Good to know

Trees, shrubs and flowers (Stage 1): sprinkler any day 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., and at any time with a handheld hose, soaker hose, water container or drip irrigation. Vegetable gardens and edible plants: any day, any time.
Hoses need an automatic shut-off, and water must not run off onto hard surfaces.
Stages 2 and 3: no lawn watering (Stage 3 also bans sprinklers and soaker hoses on trees and shrubs). Stage 4: no lawn, tree, shrub or flower watering.
Bylaw notices: Stage 1 $100 ($50 early, $150 late); Stage 2 $200; Stage 3 $300; Stage 4 $400. On court conviction a first offence carries a fine of $3,000 to $10,000.
Report a breach to Bylaw Services at 604-982-8302.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

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

Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Water Restrictions, City of North Vancouver (read 2026-11-05)
Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw 2018 No. 8627 (consolidated June 1, 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Fees and Charges Bylaw 2024 No. 9000 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2018 No. 8675, Schedule A (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)

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