---
title: Port Moody watering restrictions
question: "Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?"
place: Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/port-moody
category: Water, sewer, roads and snow
owner: shared
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/water-restrictions/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/water-restrictions.json"
---

# Port Moody watering restrictions

**Question:** Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?

**Short answer:** Yes. Each year from May 1 to October 15, Metro Vancouver's watering restrictions apply in Port Moody, and the City enforces them. If no stage is declared on May 1, Stage 1 starts automatically; higher stages are declared as needed. Check the City or Metro Vancouver page for the current stage.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** Municipal ticket $75 at Stage 1, $100 at Stage 2, $200 at Stage 3, $300 at Stage 4. Permit to water a new lawn $51.65.  
**How long:** Restrictions apply May 1 to October 15 each year; a stage continues past October 15 only if the Commissioner declares so.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Operations (questions), 604-469-4574
- Online: Bylaw complaint form, https://forms.portmoody.ca/Bylaws/Bylaws-Complaint-form

## Key facts

- **When restrictions apply:** Restrictions apply May 1 to October 15 each year. If no stage is in force on May 1, Stage 1 starts automatically. Stages 1 to 4 are declared by the Metro Vancouver Commissioner (in force 72 hours after announcement); a stage continues past October 15 only if the Commissioner declares so.
  - Source: [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw, 2022, No. 3346, s. 4.1, 4.2, 4.4](https://portmoody-edocs.ghdcdn.com/v1/eDocs/PortMoody?docnumber=582722)
  - Official wording: "comes into force in the City" … "72 hours after the Commissioner or the City makes a" … "If no Restriction Stage is in force on May 1st of any year, Stage 1 Restrictions" … "No Restriction Stage remains in force after October 15th of any year unless the"
  - Source: [Water Restrictions](https://www.portmoody.ca/home-and-property/lawns-and-gardens/water-restrictions/)
  - Official wording: "Annual water restrictions are in effect May 1 through October 15 in municipalities throughout Metro Vancouver, including Port Moody."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Sprinkling schedule:** Stage 1, homes: lawns on Saturdays for even-numbered addresses and Sundays for odd-numbered; automatic watering 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., manual 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Non-residential: Mondays (even) and Tuesdays (odd); automatic 4 a.m. to 6 a.m., manual 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. At Stage 2 and above, lawn watering is prohibited.
  - Source: [Water Restrictions](https://www.portmoody.ca/home-and-property/lawns-and-gardens/water-restrictions/)
  - Official wording: "Even-numbered addresses: Saturdays" … "Odd-numbered addresses: Sundays" … "Automatic watering: 5am to 7am" … "Manual watering: 6am to 9am" … "Even-numbered addresses: Monday" … "Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesdays" … "Automatic watering: 4am to 6am"
  - Source: [Lawn Watering Restrictions, Metro Vancouver, Stage 1 water restrictions](https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/water-restrictions)
  - Official wording: "Automatic watering: 5:00 am – 7:00 am" … "Manual watering: 6:00 am – 9:00 am"
  - Source: [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw, 2022, No. 3346, Schedule 1, Part 1](https://portmoody-edocs.ghdcdn.com/v1/eDocs/PortMoody?docnumber=582722)
  - Official wording: "Even-Numbered Civic Addresses on" … "Odd-Numbered Civic Addresses on Sundays:" … "Watering Lawns Prohibited."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Allowed at any time:** Stage 1: trees, shrubs, flowers and edible plants may be watered any day, any time by hand-held hose, soaker hose, container or drip irrigation, and by sprinkler 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. (4 a.m. non-residential). City and Metro pages say vegetable gardens can be watered any time; the bylaw table does not. (Sources differ: At Stage 3, sprinklers and soaker hoses are prohibited for trees, shrubs, flowers and edible plants; handheld hose, container or drip irrigation stay allowed at any time. Rainwater, grey water and recycled water are not covered by the restrictions (Metro Vancouver page).)
  - Source: [Water Restrictions](https://www.portmoody.ca/home-and-property/lawns-and-gardens/water-restrictions/)
  - Official wording: "Vegetable gardens can be watered any time." … "By sprinkler: any day from 5am to 9am." … "Watering trees, shrubs, and flowers is permitted any day, any time using a watering container, soaker hose, drip irrigation, or hose with a spring-loaded shut-off nozzle."
  - Source: [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw, 2022, No. 3346, Schedule 1, Part 1](https://portmoody-edocs.ghdcdn.com/v1/eDocs/PortMoody?docnumber=582722)
  - Official wording: "On any day at any time if using a handheld" … "hose, Soaker Hose, Water container, or Drip" … "Watering trees, shrubs, and flowers, and"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **New lawns:** Yes, at Stage 1 only: apply to the City Engineer for a permit to water a new lawn or landscaping ($51.65, 21 days; one extension $33.96, up to 42 days) or a lawn treated with nematodes (14 days). No new permits at Stage 2. Schedule 1 voids all permits at Stage 3, but s. 5.10 says earlier permits stay valid. (Sources differ: Stage 2: Stage 1 permits stay valid until they expire and no new ones are issued or renewed; Stage 3: all permits invalidated (Schedule 1). The Fees Bylaw lists one fee for the new lawn/chafer permit; no separate nematode fee line was found.)
  - Source: [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw, 2022, No. 3346, s. 5.1, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.9](https://portmoody-edocs.ghdcdn.com/v1/eDocs/PortMoody?docnumber=582722)
  - Official wording: "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" … "14 days after the date of its issue." … "Previously issued Lawn sprinkling exemption Permits will remain valid during" … "All City Permits issued for Lawn Watering are"
  - Source: [Fees Bylaw, 2025, No. 3524 (consolidated PDF), Drinking Water Conservation Plan](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=669753)
  - Official wording: "Permit to water new lawn, landscaping, or lawns being treated for the European" … "51.65" … "Optional Extension Fee (One extension – valid for a cumulative period of 42 days" … "33.96"
  - Source: [Water Restrictions, Exemption permits](https://www.portmoody.ca/home-and-property/lawns-and-gardens/water-restrictions/)
  - Official wording: "are only eligible for a temporary exemption permit from water restrictions when Stage 1 is in effect."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Municipal ticket: $75 at Stage 1, $100 at Stage 2, $200 at Stage 3, $300 at Stage 4.
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 3218 (consolidated PDF), Schedule 2, Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw No. 3346](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=514329)
  - Official wording: "Prohibited Water Use at Stage 1 Schedule 1 $75.00" … "Prohibited Water Use at Stage 2 Schedule 1 $100.00" … "Prohibited Water Use at Stage 3 Schedule 1 $200.00" … "Prohibited Water Use at Stage 4 Schedule 1 $300.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of Port Moody Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw, 2022, No. 3346 (follows the Metro Vancouver Drinking Water Conservation Plan)
  - Source: [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw, 2022, No. 3346, s. 1.1](https://portmoody-edocs.ghdcdn.com/v1/eDocs/PortMoody?docnumber=582722)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as City of Port Moody Drinking Water Conservation" … "Plan Bylaw, 2022, No. 3346"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Restrictions apply May 1 to October 15 each year under the City of Port Moody's [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw](https://portmoody-edocs.ghdcdn.com/v1/eDocs/PortMoody?docnumber=582722), which follows Metro Vancouver's plan. Stages 1 to 4 are declared by the Metro Vancouver Commissioner and take effect 72 hours after the announcement. If no stage is in force on May 1, Stage 1 starts automatically. To see which stage is in force today, check the City's Water Restrictions page or Metro Vancouver's page.

## Good to know

- Stage 1, homes: lawns on Saturdays for even-numbered addresses and Sundays for odd-numbered; automatic systems 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., manual watering 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Non-residential: Mondays (even) and Tuesdays (odd); automatic 4 a.m. to 6 a.m., manual 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
- At Stage 2 and above, lawn watering is prohibited.
- Stage 1, trees, shrubs, flowers and edible plants: any day, any time by hand-held hose, soaker hose, container or drip irrigation, and by sprinkler 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. (4 a.m. non-residential). The City and Metro pages say vegetable gardens can be watered any time, but the bylaw table groups edible plants with trees and shrubs, so confirm if unsure.
- At Stage 3, sprinklers and soaker hoses are prohibited for trees, shrubs, flowers and edible plants; hand-held hose, container or drip irrigation stay allowed. Rainwater, grey water and recycled water are not covered by the restrictions (Metro Vancouver).
- New lawn: at Stage 1 only, apply to the City Engineer for a permit to water a new lawn or landscaping ($51.65, 21 days; one extension $33.96, up to 42 days) or a lawn treated with nematodes (14 days). No new permits at Stage 2. Schedule 1 voids all permits at Stage 3, but s. 5.10 says earlier permits stay valid.
- Municipal ticket: $75 at Stage 1, $100 at Stage 2, $200 at Stage 3, $300 at Stage 4. Court fines on conviction are $3,000 to $10,000 for a first offence and $5,000 to $10,000 for later ones.
- To report a neighbour, use the bylaw complaint form (no anonymous complaints).

## Official forms and pages

- [Water Restrictions, City of Port Moody](https://www.portmoody.ca/home-and-property/lawns-and-gardens/water-restrictions/)
- [Lawn watering restrictions, Metro Vancouver](https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/water-restrictions)
- [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw No. 3346 (PDF)](https://portmoody-edocs.ghdcdn.com/v1/eDocs/PortMoody?docnumber=582722)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/water-restrictions.md)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/water-restrictions.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/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 Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/water-restrictions.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/water-restrictions.md)

## Sources

- [Water Restrictions, City of Port Moody](https://www.portmoody.ca/home-and-property/lawns-and-gardens/water-restrictions/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Lawn Watering Restrictions, Metro Vancouver](https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/water-restrictions) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw, 2022, No. 3346 (PDF)](https://portmoody-edocs.ghdcdn.com/v1/eDocs/PortMoody?docnumber=582722) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 3218 (consolidated PDF)](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=514329) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees Bylaw, 2025, No. 3524 (consolidated PDF)](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=669753) (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-moody/water-restrictions/_