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Oak Bay watering restrictions

Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions in Oak Bay?

Oak Bay, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

Key facts

When restrictions applyOak 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.Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District, Water Conservation Bylaw; CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), consolidated April 2024, ss. 2, 4(1); Water Rate Bylaw No. 3370 (consolidated), s. 21 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
The restrictions and regulations in this bylaw are applicable in each Municipality.
The Corporation of the District of Oak Bay
The Municipal Council shall have the right to suspend or regulate
Sprinkling scheduleStage 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.CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), consolidated April 2024, Sched. A, s. 1(1)(a); Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District, Lawn Watering · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
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
Allowed at any timeHand 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.Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District, Established trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetable gardens; CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), consolidated April 2024, Sched. A, s. 1(1)(b)(i) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Hand Watering & Micro/Drip Irrigation
Any day, any time
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
New lawnsNo 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.Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District, New Sod and/or Newly Seeded Lawns; CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), consolidated April 2024, Sched. A, s. 1(1)(b)(iii) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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.
or for newly seeded lawns, water until growth is
established or for 49 days after installation, whichever is less;
FineTicket: $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.CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), consolidated April 2024, s. 10; CRD Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 1857 (consolidated), Sched. 26 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
is liable to a fine not
less than $100 and not exceeding $10,000.
a ticket information pursuant to Bylaw No. 1857,
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
BylawCapital Regional District Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (CRD Bylaw No. 4099)CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), consolidated April 2024, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT WATER CONSERVATION
BYLAW NO. 1, 2016

How it works

Oak Bay is covered by the CRD Water Conservation Bylaw. 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.

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.

Steps

  1. Find your address type (even or odd) and water only on your days and times.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Good to know

  • Vehicles and boats may be washed with a container or a hose with a shut-off nozzle, or at commercial car washes.
  • The CRD ticket is $200 in Stage 1, $250 in Stage 2 and $400 in Stage 3 (CRD Bylaw No. 1857). On conviction in court, the fine is $100 to $10,000, and each day is a separate offence.
  • 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.
  • The CRD web page and the bylaw word the timer hours differently but cover the same window.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Victoria · Saanich · Esquimalt · View Royal · Colwood · Langford

Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District (read 2026-11-06)
  2. CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), consolidated April 2024 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  3. CRD Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 1857 (consolidated) (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Water Rate Bylaw No. 3370 (consolidated) (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.