{"title":"Oak Bay watering restrictions","question":"Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions in Oak Bay?","slug":"water-restrictions","place":{"path":"ca/bc/oak-bay","name":"Oak Bay","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"water-roads-and-snow","name":"Water, sewer, roads and snow"},"owner":"regional","owner_label":"Regional district","owner_body":{"name":"Capital Regional District","url":"https://www.crd.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. Oak Bay follows the Capital Regional District (CRD) Water Conservation Bylaw. Stage 1 applies every year from May 1 to September 30: even addresses water lawns Wednesday and Saturday, odd addresses Thursday and Sunday, 4 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m.","aliases":["oak bay sprinkling days","lawn watering schedule oak bay","crd water restrictions oak bay","new sod watering oak bay"],"cost":"No permit is needed for a new lawn. A CRD ticket for wrong-day or wrong-time lawn watering is $200 in Stage 1, $250 in Stage 2 and $400 in Stage 3. On conviction in court, the fine is $100 to $10,000.","how_long":"Stage 1 runs May 1 to September 30 each year. The CRD can bring in stricter stages at any time; they take effect 48 hours after notice.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"CRD watering schedule","value":"https://www.crd.ca/environment/water-conservation/watering-schedule"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"CRD Watering Schedule","url":"https://www.crd.ca/environment/water-conservation/watering-schedule"},{"title":"CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099) (PDF)","url":"https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016"},{"title":"CRD Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw (Bylaw No. 1857) (PDF)","url":"https://www.crd.ca/media/file/1857-consolidated-capital-regional-district-ticket-information-authorization-bylaw-1990b"}],"related":[{"slug":"garbage-collection","title":"Oak Bay garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/garbage-collection/"},{"slug":"yard-waste","title":"Oak Bay yard waste collection and drop-off","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/yard-waste/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/victoria","name":"Victoria","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/saanich","name":"Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/esquimalt","name":"Esquimalt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/view-royal","name":"View Royal","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/colwood","name":"Colwood","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langford","name":"Langford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/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":"Oak Bay is covered by the CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099. Stage 1 restrictions apply every year from May 1 to September 30. The CRD can bring in stricter stages at any time; they take effect 48 hours after notice.","short":"Stage 1: May 1 to September 30; stricter by notice","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.crd.ca/environment/water-conservation/watering-schedule","title":"Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District","section":"Water Conservation Bylaw","quotes":["Stage 1 Watering Schedule of the Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099 for the Regional Water Supply System is in effect May 1 through September 30 every year.","the water use restrictions prescribed for that stage take effect 48 hours after the notice for that stage"]},{"url":"https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016","title":"CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), consolidated April 2024 (PDF)","section":"ss. 2, 4(1)","quotes":["The restrictions and regulations in this bylaw are applicable in each Municipality.","The Corporation of the District of Oak Bay"]},{"url":"https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/3370-Water-Rate-Bylaw-1981-CONSOLIDATED.pdf","title":"Water Rate Bylaw No. 3370 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"s. 21","quotes":["The Municipal Council shall have the right to suspend or regulate"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"schedule":{"label":"Sprinkling schedule","value":"Stage 1 lawn watering: even-numbered addresses on Wednesdays and Saturdays, odd-numbered on Thursdays and Sundays, 4 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m. Timed or automatic systems may also run 12:01 to 4 a.m.","short":"Stage 1: even Wed, Sat; odd Thu, Sun; 4-10 a.m., 7-10 p.m.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016","title":"CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), consolidated April 2024 (PDF)","section":"Sched. A, s. 1(1)(a)","quotes":["the property has an even-numbered address, the lawn watering is on","Wednesdays or Saturdays","Thursdays or Sundays","12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. by utilizing an irrigation system with a timer or"]},{"url":"https://www.crd.ca/environment/water-conservation/watering-schedule","title":"Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District","section":"Lawn Watering","quotes":["12:01-10 am or 7-10 pm | Even Number | Wednesdays & Saturdays Any method: 4-10am or 7-10pm Timed/automatic irrigation systems:","| Even Number | Wednesdays & Saturdays Any method: 4-10am or 7-10pm Timed/automatic irrigation systems: 12:01-10 am or 7-10 pm"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exempt_watering":{"label":"Allowed at any time","value":"Hand watering (container or hose with shut-off nozzle) and micro or drip irrigation of trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables are allowed any day, any time. Sprinklers on these plants: 4 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m. only.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.crd.ca/environment/water-conservation/watering-schedule","title":"Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District","section":"Established trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetable gardens","quotes":["Hand Watering & Micro/Drip Irrigation","Any day, any time"]},{"url":"https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016","title":"CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), consolidated April 2024 (PDF)","section":"Sched. A, s. 1(1)(b)(i)","quotes":["water trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables on any day with a Sprinkler","other than during the prescribed hours for Stage 1 lawn watering or on any"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"new_lawns":{"label":"New lawns","value":"No permit needed. New sod: water during installation and the first 21 days. Newly seeded lawns: until growth is established or 49 days, whichever is less. Water between 4 and 10 a.m. and 7 and 10 p.m.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.crd.ca/environment/water-conservation/watering-schedule","title":"Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District","section":"New Sod and/or Newly Seeded Lawns","quotes":["A permit is not required to install new sod and/or newly seeded lawns.","during the first 21 days after installation, and newly seeded lawns until growth is established or for 49 days after installations, whichever is less."]},{"url":"https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016","title":"CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), consolidated April 2024 (PDF)","section":"Sched. A, s. 1(1)(b)(iii)","quotes":["or for newly seeded lawns, water until growth is","established or for 49 days after installation, whichever is less;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Ticket: $200 for watering a lawn on the wrong days or times in Stage 1, $250 in Stage 2, $400 in Stage 3 (CRD Bylaw No. 1857, Schedule 26). On conviction in court, a fine of $100 to $10,000, and each day is a separate offence.","short":"Ticket $200 Stage 1; court $100 to $10,000","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016","title":"CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), consolidated April 2024 (PDF)","section":"s. 10","quotes":["is liable to a fine not","less than $100 and not exceeding $10,000.","a ticket information pursuant to Bylaw No. 1857,"]},{"url":"https://www.crd.ca/media/file/1857-consolidated-capital-regional-district-ticket-information-authorization-bylaw-1990b","title":"CRD Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 1857 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"Sched. 26","quotes":["Stage 1 – water lawn contrary to even-numbered            Sch. A 1.(1)(a)(i)    $200.00","Stage 2 – water lawn contrary to even-numbered            Sch. A 2.(1)(a)(i)    $250.00","Stage 3 – water lawn or boulevard                         Sch. A 3.(1)(a)(i)     $400.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Capital Regional District Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (CRD Bylaw No. 4099)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016","title":"CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), consolidated April 2024 (PDF)","section":"title","quotes":["CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT WATER CONSERVATION","BYLAW NO. 1, 2016"]}],"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\nOak Bay is covered by the CRD [Water Conservation Bylaw](<https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016>). Stage 1 restrictions apply every year from May 1 to September 30. The CRD can bring in stricter stages at any time, taking effect 48 hours after notice. Check the CRD watering schedule page for the current stage.\n\nStage 1 lawn watering: even-numbered addresses on Wednesdays and Saturdays, odd-numbered on Thursdays and Sundays, 4 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m. Timed or automatic systems may also run 12:01 to 4 a.m.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Find your address type (even or odd) and water only on your days and times.\n2. Hand watering (container or hose with a shut-off nozzle) and micro or drip irrigation of trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables are allowed any day, any time. Sprinklers on these plants: 4 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m. only.\n3. New lawns need no permit. New sod: water during installation and the first 21 days. Newly seeded lawns: until growth is established or 49 days, whichever is less. Water between 4 and 10 a.m. and 7 and 10 p.m.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Vehicles and boats may be washed with a container or a hose with a shut-off nozzle, or at commercial car washes.\n- The CRD ticket is $200 in Stage 1, $250 in Stage 2 and $400 in Stage 3 ([CRD Bylaw No. 1857](<https://www.crd.ca/media/file/1857-consolidated-capital-regional-district-ticket-information-authorization-bylaw-1990b>)). On conviction in court, the fine is $100 to $10,000, and each day is a separate offence.\n- Oak Bay's own Water Rate Bylaw s. 21 also lets Council regulate hose and sprinkler use by notice. Oak Bay's ticket bylaw sets water fines only for meter and system offences, not sprinkling.\n- The CRD web page and the bylaw word the timer hours differently but cover the same window.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.crd.ca/environment/water-conservation/watering-schedule","title":"Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016","title":"CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), consolidated April 2024 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.crd.ca/media/file/1857-consolidated-capital-regional-district-ticket-information-authorization-bylaw-1990b","title":"CRD Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 1857 (consolidated) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/3370-Water-Rate-Bylaw-1981-CONSOLIDATED.pdf","title":"Water Rate Bylaw No. 3370 (consolidated) (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/oak-bay/water-restrictions/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/water-restrictions.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/water-restrictions.json"}}