Port Hardy watering restrictions

Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions in Port Hardy?

Port Hardy, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

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.

Key facts

When restrictions apply	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.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.Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1050-2016, consolidated October 2018, s. 3(a), 3(b), 3(c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording 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
Sprinkling schedule	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.Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1050-2016, consolidated October 2018, Schedule A, s. 1.1, 2.1, 3.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording 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;
Allowed at any time	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.Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1050-2016, consolidated October 2018, Schedule A, s. 1.1(b), 2.1(c), 3.1(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording 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
New lawns	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.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.Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1050-2016, consolidated October 2018, Schedule B, s. 1 to 5; User Rates and Fees Bylaw No. 1187-2026, Misc. fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording 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 Permit to water new lawn outside permitted days
Fine	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.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.Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1050-2016, consolidated October 2018, s. 11(a)(ii), (iii); Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 01-2010, consolidated August 2014, Schedule S, Water Conservation Bylaw No. 06-2005 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording $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 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
Bylaw	District of Port Hardy Water Conservation Bylaw 1050-2016 (consolidated for convenience, October 2018, with Bylaw 1086-2018).Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1050-2016, consolidated October 2018, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording A BYLAW TO REGULATE CONSERVATION OF WATER Amending Bylaw 1086-2018, October 2018

How it works

The Water Conservation Bylaw 1050-2016 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.

Steps

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.
Stage 2: even-numbered homes Wednesday and Saturday; odd-numbered homes Thursday and Sunday; same hours.
Stage 3: no lawn watering.
Non-residential premises: 1 to 8 a.m., maximum 2 hours. In Stage 1 they also follow the even and odd days.

Good to know

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.
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.
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.
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). The water bylaw's own court minimums are $50 and $75, so confirm the amount with the District.
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.
Schedule B of the bylaw says the new lawn permit is $20; the User Rates and Fees Bylaw 1187-2026 says $22.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Port McNeill · Tahsis · Sayward · Gold River · Campbell River · Cumberland

Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1050-2016, consolidated October 2018 (PDF), District of Port Hardy (read 2026-11-08)
User Rates and Fees Bylaw No. 1187-2026 (PDF), District of Port Hardy (read 2026-11-08)
Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 01-2010, consolidated August 2014 (PDF), District of Port Hardy (read 2026-11-08)
FAQs, District of Port Hardy (read 2026-11-08)

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