--- title: Port Coquitlam watering restrictions question: "Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?" place: Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada place_path: ca/bc/port-coquitlam category: Water, sewer, roads and snow owner: shared sources_read: 2026-11-05 review: machine_checked canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/water-restrictions/" json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/water-restrictions.json" --- # Port Coquitlam watering restrictions **Question:** Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions? **Short answer:** Yes. Port Coquitlam's Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw 4045 sets watering restrictions each year from May 1 to October 15. Stage 1 starts automatically on May 1; Metro Vancouver can declare stricter Stages 2 to 4. At Stage 1, residential lawns are watered on Saturdays (even addresses) or Sundays (odd). **Who handles it:** More than one level of government **Cost:** Sprinkling permit for a new lawn $30 (renewal $10); nematode permit free. Tickets $100 to $450 by stage. **How long:** Restrictions run each year from May 1 to October 15. A new stage starts 72 hours after it is announced. A new-lawn permit lasts 21 days, with one extension up to 42 days. **Where:** - Online: Water Use Restrictions page, https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/services/environment-nature/water-protection/water-use-restrictions - Online: Report a violation (service request form), https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/services/service-requests - Phone: Bylaw Services, 604-927-5440 ## Key facts - **When restrictions apply:** Restrictions run each year from May 1 to October 15. Stage 1 starts automatically on May 1 if no stage is in force; Metro Vancouver can declare Stages 2 to 4, which start 72 hours after announcement. No current stage is stated; check the City or Metro Vancouver. - Source: [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw 2018, No. 4045, s. 4.1-4.4](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/4045%20-%20Drinking%20Water%20Conservation%20Plan.pdf) - Official wording: "comes into force in the City of Port Coquitlam seventy-two hours after the Commissioner or" … "If no Restriction Stage is in force on May 1 of any year, Stage 1 Restrictions" … "No Restriction Stage will remain in force after October 15 of any year," - Source: [Water Use Restrictions, page](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/services/environment-nature/water-protection/water-use-restrictions) - Official wording: "Regional water restrictions go into effect in Port Coquitlam annually from May 1 to October 15" … "Stage 1 Water Restrictions are in effect as of September 1." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Sprinkling schedule:** Stage 1, residential lawns: even-numbered addresses on Saturdays, odd-numbered on Sundays. Automatic systems 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.; manual (hand-held) watering 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Non-residential: Mondays (even) and Tuesdays (odd), 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. automatic, 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. manual. Stage 2 and higher: no lawn watering. - Source: [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw 2018, No. 4045, Schedule B, s. 2.1(a), 3(a), 4.1(a)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/4045%20-%20Drinking%20Water%20Conservation%20Plan.pdf) - Official wording: "at residential premises with even numbered civic addresses, on" … "Saturdays:" … "Automatic watering – from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m." … "Manual watering – from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.;" … "When Stage 2 Restrictions are in force, no person shall water lawns." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Allowed at any time:** Vegetable gardens: any day, any time in Stages 1 to 3. Trees, shrubs and flowers: handheld hose, water container or drip irrigation any time (soaker hoses only in Stages 1 and 2). Sprinklers: 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Stage 1; 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Stage 2 under the City bylaw (Metro's 2021 plan says 5 a.m.). Hoses need shut-off nozzles. (Sources differ: At Stage 1 the City page says sprinkler watering of trees and shrubs is allowed 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.; Bylaw Schedule B s. 2.1(b) says 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. for residential users (4 a.m. is for non-residential). The bylaw wins. Stage 4 bans watering trees, shrubs and flowers including edible plants. The City page also lists car and boat washing, pressure washing and topping up pools and hot tubs as allowed at Stage 1; at Stage 2 washing surfaces is banned and at Stage 3 pool filling is banned.) - Source: [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw 2018, No. 4045, Schedule B, s. 1.1, 2.1(b), 3(b)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/4045%20-%20Drinking%20Water%20Conservation%20Plan.pdf) - Official wording: "All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device." … "on any day from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. for residential users, if using a sprinkler;" … "on any day at any time if using a handheld hose, soaker hose, water container, or" … "on any day from 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. for residential users if" … "a handheld hose, water container, or drip irrigation." - Source: [Water Use Restrictions, FAQ](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/services/environment-nature/water-protection/water-use-restrictions) - Official wording: "Watering vegetable gardens is permitted any day, any time under Stages 1, 2, and 3." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **New lawns:** In Stage 1 you can apply to the Director of Engineering and Public Works for a Sprinkling Permit for a new lawn (seed or sod) or substantial new landscaping, with proof of purchase: 21 days, one extension up to 42 days; $30 (renewal $10). The bylaw also allows Stage 2, but Metro's plan says no new permits then. None at Stage 3 or 4. Free 21-day nematode permit. - Source: [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw 2018, No. 4045, s. 6.1, 6.4-6.7](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/4045%20-%20Drinking%20Water%20Conservation%20Plan.pdf) - Official wording: "who has installed a new lawn, either by placing sod or turf or by" … "shall expire and be of no force or effect 21" … "days after the date of its issue, unless the Person has been issued an extension" … "A Person who wishes to treat their lawn with nematodes" … "shall waive the cost for the Sprinkling Permit." … "A permit does not" … "Permit issued under section 6.2 shall expire and be of no force or effect 21" - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4415, Schedule (Engineering)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Bylaw%204415%20-%202026%20Fees%20and%20Charges.pdf) - Official wording: "Sprinkling Permit $30 (valid 21 days)" … "Sprinkling Permit Renewal $10" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Fine:** Unauthorized watering: Stage 1 $100 ($70 if paid within 30 days; $175 if paid after 90 days); Stage 2 $150 ($105 / $225); Stage 3 $300 (no early amount; $375 late); Stage 4 $450 (no early amount; $500 late). - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3814, Schedule A, Schedule A, Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw 4045](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-10/3814%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement.pdf) - Official wording: "Unauthorized watering Sch. B" … "100 70 175 N/A" … "– Stage 1 (2.1)" … "150 105 225 N/A" … "- Stage 2 (3.1)" … "300 N/A 375 N/A" … "– Stage 3 (4.1)" … "450 N/A 500 N/A" … "– Stage 4 (5.1)" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Bylaw:** Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw, 2018, No. 4045 - Source: [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw 2018, No. 4045, s. 3](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/4045%20-%20Drinking%20Water%20Conservation%20Plan.pdf) - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as the “Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw, 2018, No. 4045." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 ## How it works Restrictions under [Bylaw 4045](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/4045%20-%20Drinking%20Water%20Conservation%20Plan.pdf) run each year from May 1 to October 15. Stage 1 starts automatically on May 1 if no stage is in force. Metro Vancouver can declare Stages 2 to 4, which start 72 hours after the announcement. The bylaw states no current stage, and the City's page may be out of date, so check the City or Metro Vancouver for the stage now in force. ## Stage rules - Residential lawns, Stage 1: even-numbered addresses on Saturdays, odd-numbered on Sundays. Automatic systems 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.; manual (hand-held) watering 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. - Non-residential lawns, Stage 1: Mondays (even) and Tuesdays (odd). Automatic 4 a.m. to 6 a.m.; manual 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. - Stage 2 and higher: no lawn watering. - Vegetable gardens: any day, any time in Stages 1 to 3. - Trees, shrubs and flowers: handheld hose, water container or drip irrigation any time (soaker hoses only in Stages 1 and 2). Sprinklers 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Stage 1 and 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Stage 2. Stage 4 bans watering them, edible plants included. ## Steps 1. For a new lawn (seed or sod) or substantial new landscaping in Stage 1, apply to the Director of Engineering and Public Works for a Sprinkling Permit, with proof of purchase. It is $30 (renewal $10), valid 21 days with one extension up to 42 days. 2. A nematode permit is free for 21 days. 3. To report a violation, use the service request form. ## Good to know - No new-lawn permits at Stage 3 or 4. The bylaw also allows them at Stage 2, but Metro's plan says no new permits then. - Washing surfaces is banned at Stage 2, and filling pools at Stage 3. - The City page gives 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. for Stage 1 sprinklers on trees and shrubs; the bylaw says 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. for residential users. Confirm if it matters. - Tickets for unauthorized watering: Stage 1 $100 ($70 if paid within 30 days, $175 after 90 days); Stage 2 $150 ($105 / $225); Stage 3 $300 (no early amount; $375 late); Stage 4 $450 (no early amount; $500 late). ## Official forms and pages - [Watering Permit Application (new lawn)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/services/environment-nature/water-protection/water-use-restrictions/watering-permit-application) - [Watering Permit Application for Nematodes](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/services/environment-nature/water-protection/water-use-restrictions/watering-permit-nematodes) - [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw 4045 (PDF)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/4045%20-%20Drinking%20Water%20Conservation%20Plan.pdf) ## Related questions - [Port Coquitlam bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/bylaw-fines.md) ## The same question elsewhere - [Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/water-restrictions.md) - [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/water-restrictions.md) - [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/water-restrictions.md) - [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/water-restrictions.md) - [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/water-restrictions.md) - [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/water-restrictions.md) - [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/water-restrictions.md) ## Sources - [Water Use Restrictions, City of Port Coquitlam](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/services/environment-nature/water-protection/water-use-restrictions) (read 2026-11-05) - [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw 2018, No. 4045 (PDF)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/4045%20-%20Drinking%20Water%20Conservation%20Plan.pdf) (read 2026-11-05) - [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4415 (PDF)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Bylaw%204415%20-%202026%20Fees%20and%20Charges.pdf) (read 2026-11-05) - [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3814, Schedule A (PDF)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-10/3814%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement.pdf) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with any government. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/water-restrictions/_