Penticton watering restrictions
Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?
Short answer
Penticton sets watering restrictions in four stages, depending on water supply. Stage 1 normally applies May 1 to August 31. The stage changes, so check the City's Water Restrictions page for the current stage and your watering days before you water.
Key facts
| When restrictions apply | The City's Designated Officer sets four stages when supply is short. Stage 1 (normal) typically applies May 1 to August 31 each year. Stage 2 cuts use by 20%, Stage 3 by 50%, and Stage 4 prohibits all lawn and garden watering with City water.Water Restrictions, Water Restriction Stages; Irrigation, Sewer and Water Bylaw No. 2005-02 (consolidated September 2020), s. 19(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPenticton is typically in Stage 1 Normal water restrictions from May 1 - August 31 every year Total water usage must be reduced by 20%. The Designated Officer has the right to impose Total water usage must be 50% less than used during the normal restriction period. Use of City of Penticton supplied water for all forms of lawn and garden watering is prohibited. |
|---|---|
| Sprinkling schedule | Stage 1: odd addresses Tue, Thu, Sat; even Wed, Fri, Sun; none Monday. Stage 2: odd Tue, Sat; even Wed, Sun. Stage 3, one day a week: bylaw says odd Sat, even Sun; City page says odd Tue, even Wed. Automatic systems 12:01 to 6 a.m.; sprinklers 6 to 10 a.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. Stage 4: none.Sources differ: Stage 3 day: the bylaw (s. 19(1)(c), 2020 consolidation) says Saturday only for odd and Sunday only for even addresses; the City Water Restrictions page says Tuesday only for odd and Wednesday only for even. Value gives "one day a week" and does not choose. Stage 1 and 2 days and times agree between bylaw and web page. Townhouses and condominiums use the street address; only RSM (mobile home park) properties use the unit number. Stage 4 web page: outdoor water use prohibited.Irrigation, Sewer and Water Bylaw No. 2005-02 (consolidated September 2020), s. 19(1)(a), (b), (c); Water Restrictions, Water Restriction Stages · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOdd numbered Street addresses may irrigate on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday only. Odd numbered Street addresses may irrigate on Tuesday and Saturday only. Even numbered Street addresses may irrigate on Wednesday and Sunday only. Manual Irrigation may occur between 0600 and 1000 and 1800 and 2200 hours only on the designated day. Odd numbered Street addresses may irrigate on Saturday only. Even numbered Street addresses may irrigate on Sunday only. Odd numbered Street addresses may irrigate on Saturday only. Even numbered Street addresses may irrigate on Sunday only. Even numbered street addresses may irrigate on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday only. No watering on Mondays. Automatic irrigation systems can be programmed to run between 12:01am - 6am on designated days. Under Stage 3, watering is only allowed one day a week Odd-numbered addresses • Tuesday only |
| Allowed at any time | Hand watering with a handheld hose, watering can or bucket is allowed at any time in Stages 1 to 3, if you hold the hose and control the flow. Vegetable gardens watered by hand are not restricted unless Stage 4 is in effect, though less water is advised in Stages 2 and 3.Water Restrictions, Restriction Exceptions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingHand watering using a hose, watering can or bucket is permitted at any time during Stages 1 through 3. Water restrictions do not apply to this unless Stage 4 is in effect. |
| New lawns | You can apply to the City for a permit to water new sod or a newly seeded lawn outside the restrictions. The bylaw lets the Designated Officer issue it for 21 days; the permit, issue date and end date must be displayed on the front lawn. Contact the Water Treatment Plant, 250-490-2500, publicworks@penticton.ca.Irrigation, Sewer and Water Bylaw No. 2005-02 (consolidated September 2020), s. 19(2); Water Restrictions, Restriction Exceptions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingmay issue a permit for the applicant to water outside of the use restrictions for a period of 21 days The permit, date of issue and ending date must be prominently displayed on the front lawn. Please contact the Water Treatment Plant to request this. |
| Fine | Bylaw notice, first / second offence: Stage 1 $25 / $50; Stage 2 $50 / $100; Stage 3 $100 / $200; Stage 4 $200 / $400. Continuing offence: $500 (bylaw: for each day it continues). The same amounts appear in the municipal ticket schedule.Sources differ: Continuing offence: the bylaw says a fine "not less than $500.00 for each day"; the City Water Restrictions page says "up to $500 per day". The schedules list $500. Early-payment amounts are about 10% lower (for example $45 for a $50 fine). Failing to follow other water restrictions (car washing, pool filling; ss. 12, 13) is $25.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2012-5037 (consolidated June 2026), Schedule A, Appendix 15; Irrigation, Sewer and Water Bylaw No. 2005-02 (consolidated September 2020), s. 19(3) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingStage 1 treated water use restrictions. First offence: $25.00 $22.50 $27.50 Yes Second offence: $50.00 $45.00 $55.00 No Continuing: $500.00 $450.00 $550.00 No Stage 2 treated water use restrictions. First offence: $50.00 $45.00 $55.00 Yes Second offence: $100.00 $90.00 $110.00 No Continuing: $500.00 $450.00 $550.00 No Stage 3 treated water use restrictions. First offence: $100.00 $90.00 $110.00 Yes Second offence: $200.00 $180.00 $220.00 No Stage 4 treated water use restrictions. First offence: $200.00 $180.00 $220.00 Yes Second offence: $400.00 $360.00 $440.00 No to a fine not less than $500.00 for each day the offence is continued |
| Bylaw | Irrigation, Sewer and Water Bylaw No. 2005-02, s. 19 (consolidated September 2020)Irrigation, Sewer and Water Bylaw No. 2005-02 (consolidated September 2020), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingIRRIGATION, SEWER AND WATER BYLAW NO. 2005-02 |
How it works
Under the Irrigation, Sewer and Water Bylaw (s. 19), the City's Designated Officer sets the stage when supply is short. Stage 1 (normal) typically applies May 1 to August 31 each year. Stage 2 cuts use by 20%, Stage 3 by 50%, and Stage 4 prohibits all lawn and garden watering with City water. The stage in effect changes with conditions; the City's Water Restrictions page shows the current one.
Watering days by stage
Odd and even refer to your street address number. Townhouses and condominiums use the street address; only RSM (mobile home park) properties use the unit number.
- Stage 1: odd addresses Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday; even Wednesday, Friday, Sunday. None on Monday.
- Stage 2: odd Tuesday and Saturday; even Wednesday and Sunday.
- Stage 3, one day a week: the bylaw says odd Saturday, even Sunday; the City page says odd Tuesday, even Wednesday. Check which applies with the City.
- Stage 4: none.
- Times: automatic systems 12:01 to 6 a.m.; sprinklers 6 to 10 a.m. and 6 to 10 p.m.
Good to know
- Hand watering with a hose you hold, a watering can or a bucket is allowed at any time in Stages 1 to 3. Hand-watered vegetable gardens are not restricted unless Stage 4 is in effect.
- For new sod or a newly seeded lawn, apply to the City for a permit to water outside the restrictions. The bylaw lets the Designated Officer issue it for 21 days, and it must be displayed on the front lawn. Contact the Water Treatment Plant at 250-490-2500 or publicworks@penticton.ca. No fee is stated.
- The continuing-offence fine is $500 a day by the bylaw ("not less than"); the City page says "up to $500 per day". Other water offences (car washing, pool filling) are $25.
- Reclaimed water used on parks and fields is not treated drinking water.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Summerland · Peachland · Keremeos · West Kelowna · Kelowna · Osoyoos
Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Water Restrictions, City of Penticton (read 2026-11-05)
- Irrigation, Sewer and Water Bylaw No. 2005-02 (PDF) (consolidated September 2020), City of Penticton (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2012-5037 (PDF) (consolidated June 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
- Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2012-5021 (PDF) (consolidated June 2026) (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. How answers are checked.