{"title":"Port Hardy watering restrictions","question":"Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions in Port Hardy?","slug":"water-restrictions","place":{"path":"ca/bc/port-hardy","name":"Port Hardy","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"water-roads-and-snow","name":"Water, sewer, roads and snow"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"District of Port Hardy","url":"https://porthardy.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. Port Hardy's Water Conservation Bylaw puts Stage 1 watering rules in effect every year from May 1 to October 31. Under Stage 1, even-numbered homes water lawns Monday, Wednesday and Saturday and odd-numbered homes Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, 7 to 9 a.m. or 8 to 10 p.m.","aliases":["sprinkling restrictions port hardy","watering days port hardy","lawn watering port hardy","water ban port hardy","water stage port hardy"],"cost":"Permit to water a new lawn outside permitted days: $22. Municipal ticket: $100 (Stage 1) or $200 (Stage 2) for watering outside permitted days.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"in_person","label":"District of Port Hardy Municipal Hall","value":"7360 Columbia St., Port Hardy, BC V0N 2P0","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding statutory holidays)"},{"type":"phone","label":"District Office","value":"250-949-6665"},{"type":"phone","label":"Operational Services (public works)","value":"250-949-7779"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1050-2016, consolidated October 2018 (PDF), District of Port Hardy","url":"https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1050-2016-CONSOLIDATED-Water-Conservation-Bylaw.pdf"},{"title":"User Rates and Fees Bylaw No. 1187-2026 (PDF), District of Port Hardy","url":"https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1187-2026-User-Rates-and-Fees-for-2026.pdf"},{"title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 01-2010, consolidated August 2014 (PDF), District of Port Hardy","url":"https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/01-2010_mti_consolidated_august_2014.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Port Hardy bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-hardy/bylaw-fines/"},{"slug":"garbage-collection","title":"Port Hardy garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-hardy/garbage-collection/"},{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Port Hardy building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-hardy/building-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/port-mcneill","name":"Port McNeill","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-mcneill/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/tahsis","name":"Tahsis","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tahsis/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sayward","name":"Sayward","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sayward/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/gold-river","name":"Gold River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/campbell-river","name":"Campbell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cumberland","name":"Cumberland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/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":"Stage 1 is in effect every year from May 1 to October 31. The District Administrator can change that period or bring in a stricter stage (2, 3 or 4) at any time, effective 48 hours after the public announcement.","short":"Stage 1: May 1 to October 31; stricter at any time","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1050-2016-CONSOLIDATED-Water-Conservation-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1050-2016, consolidated October 2018 (PDF), District of Port Hardy","section":"s. 3(a), 3(b), 3(c)","quotes":["are in","effect in each year from May 1st to October 31st both inclusive","terminate or bring into effect a Stage more restrictive than Stage 1 at any time of","comes into force in the District forty eight (48) hours after"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"},"sources_differ":"Conflict: the District's FAQ page says Stage 1 runs 'May 1st to September 30th'; the bylaw says October 31. A May 28, 2026 news item announced Level 2 (Stage 2); the current stage is not given here."},"schedule":{"label":"Sprinkling schedule","value":"Stage 1 lawn watering: even-numbered homes Mon, Wed, Sat; odd-numbered homes Tue, Thu, Sun; 7 to 9 a.m. or 8 to 10 p.m. Stage 2: even Wed and Sat, odd Thu and Sun, same hours. Stage 3: no lawn watering. Non-residential: 1 to 8 a.m., maximum 2 hours.","short":"Stage 1: 3 days a week by address, 7 to 9 a.m., 8 to 10 p.m.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1050-2016-CONSOLIDATED-Water-Conservation-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1050-2016, consolidated October 2018 (PDF), District of Port Hardy","section":"Schedule A, s. 1.1, 2.1, 3.1","quotes":["at a residential premises with even-numbered civic addresses Monday,","Wednesday and Saturday between the hours of 7:00am-9:00am OR 8:00pm-","at a premises with even-numbered civic addresses Wednesday and Saturday","no person shall","water a lawn or Boulevard;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"exempt_watering":{"label":"Allowed at any time","value":"Stage 1 and 2: trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables may be watered any day by hand-held container or hose with a shut-off nozzle, and drip or micro-irrigation any day for up to 3 hours. Stage 3: only by hand or drip and only in set hours (hand), no sprinklers.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1050-2016-CONSOLIDATED-Water-Conservation-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1050-2016, consolidated October 2018 (PDF), District of Port Hardy","section":"Schedule A, s. 1.1(b), 2.1(c), 3.1(b)","quotes":["on any date at any time if watering","is done by hand-held container or a hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle","use Micro-irrigation or Drip-irrigation systems to water trees, shrubs, flowers and","vegetables at any time on any day to a maximum of 3 hours"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"new_lawns":{"label":"New lawns","value":"During Stage 1 only, a permit lets you sprinkle a new lawn outside the permitted days but within the permitted hours: new sod for 21 days, new seed until growth is established or 49 days, whichever is less. Fee $22. No permits in Stage 2 or 3; they become invalid.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1050-2016-CONSOLIDATED-Water-Conservation-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1050-2016, consolidated October 2018 (PDF), District of Port Hardy","section":"Schedule B, s. 1 to 5","quotes":["During Stage 1, a person who has installed a new lawn, either newly seeded or new sod, may","Permits will not be issued during Stage 2 or Stage 3 restrictions.","New sod may be watered for 21 days after installation and newly seeded lawn may be watered"]},{"url":"https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1187-2026-User-Rates-and-Fees-for-2026.pdf","title":"User Rates and Fees Bylaw No. 1187-2026 (PDF), District of Port Hardy","section":"Misc. fees","quotes":["Permit to water new lawn outside permitted days"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"},"sources_differ":"Fee conflict: Schedule B of the bylaw says $20; the 2026 User Rates and Fees Bylaw says 'Permit to water new lawn outside permitted days 22.00'; the current rates bylaw is the later one."},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Municipal ticket (Schedule S, which still cites repealed Bylaw 06-2005): watering outside permitted days $100 in Stage 1, $200 in Stage 2; wasting water $100; unlawful use of water $300. Court minimums in Bylaw 1050-2016 s. 11 are $50 (Stage 1) and $75 (Stage 2) for breaking stage rules.","short":"Ticket $100 Stage 1; $200 Stage 2","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1050-2016-CONSOLIDATED-Water-Conservation-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1050-2016, consolidated October 2018 (PDF), District of Port Hardy","section":"s. 11(a)(ii), (iii)","quotes":["$100 plus","costs if the offence is committed during Stage 1, $200 plus costs if the offence is","a minimum fine of $50 plus costs"]},{"url":"https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/01-2010_mti_consolidated_august_2014.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 01-2010, consolidated August 2014 (PDF), District of Port Hardy","section":"Schedule S, Water Conservation Bylaw No. 06-2005","quotes":["Watering during Stage 1 restrictions outside of permitted day and/or","Watering during Stage 2 restrictions outside of permitted day and/or","Wasting water $ 100.00","Unlawful use of water $ 300.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"},"sources_differ":"Conflict: the Municipal Ticket schedule (Schedule S, still citing the repealed Bylaw 06-2005) lists $100 for Stage 1 and $200 for Stage 2 watering outside permitted days, and $300 for unlawful vehicle washing; the water bylaw's s. 11 gives $50 and $75 for those offences. Ticket bylaw consolidated August 2014."},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"District of Port Hardy Water Conservation Bylaw 1050-2016 (consolidated for convenience, October 2018, with Bylaw 1086-2018).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1050-2016-CONSOLIDATED-Water-Conservation-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1050-2016, consolidated October 2018 (PDF), District of Port Hardy","section":"s. 1","quotes":["A BYLAW TO REGULATE CONSERVATION OF WATER","Amending Bylaw 1086-2018, October 2018"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe [Water Conservation Bylaw 1050-2016](<https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1050-2016-CONSOLIDATED-Water-Conservation-Bylaw.pdf>) sets stages. Stage 1 is in effect every year from May 1 to October 31. The District Administrator can change that period or bring in a stricter stage (2, 3 or 4) at any time, effective 48 hours after the public announcement. To find the current stage, check the District's website or call the District Office at 250-949-6665.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Stage 1 lawn watering: even-numbered homes Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; odd-numbered homes Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday; 7 to 9 a.m. or 8 to 10 p.m.\n2. Stage 2: even-numbered homes Wednesday and Saturday; odd-numbered homes Thursday and Sunday; same hours.\n3. Stage 3: no lawn watering.\n4. Non-residential premises: 1 to 8 a.m., maximum 2 hours. In Stage 1 they also follow the even and odd days.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Stage 1 and 2: trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables may be watered any day by hand-held container or hose with a shut-off nozzle, and by drip or micro-irrigation any day for up to 3 hours. In Stage 3, only by hand or drip and only in set hours, with no sprinklers.\n- Also exempt in Stage 1: newly planted trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables for 24 hours after planting, filling pools and hot tubs, and hand vehicle washing. Nurseries and farms are exempt in every stage.\n- New lawns, Stage 1 only: a permit ($22) lets you water outside permitted days but within permitted hours. New sod gets 21 days; new seed until growth is established or 49 days, whichever is less. No permits in Stage 2 or 3.\n- A municipal ticket is $100 (Stage 1) or $200 (Stage 2) for watering outside permitted days, $100 for wasting water and $300 for unlawful use of water ([Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw 01-2010](<https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/01-2010_mti_consolidated_august_2014.pdf>)). The water bylaw's own court minimums are $50 and $75, so confirm the amount with the District.\n- The District's FAQ page says Stage 1 runs May 1 to September 30, while the bylaw says October 31. The bylaw is the rule; confirm with the District.\n- Schedule B of the bylaw says the new lawn permit is $20; the [User Rates and Fees Bylaw 1187-2026](<https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1187-2026-User-Rates-and-Fees-for-2026.pdf>) says $22.","sources":[{"url":"https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1050-2016-CONSOLIDATED-Water-Conservation-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1050-2016, consolidated October 2018 (PDF), District of Port Hardy","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1187-2026-User-Rates-and-Fees-for-2026.pdf","title":"User Rates and Fees Bylaw No. 1187-2026 (PDF), District of Port Hardy","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/01-2010_mti_consolidated_august_2014.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 01-2010, consolidated August 2014 (PDF), District of Port Hardy","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://porthardy.ca/faqs/","title":"FAQs, District of Port Hardy","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","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/port-hardy/water-restrictions/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-hardy/water-restrictions.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-hardy/water-restrictions.json"}}