---
title: Pouce Coupe watering restrictions
question: "Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?"
place: Pouce Coupe, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/pouce-coupe
category: Water, sewer, roads and snow
owner: municipal
owner_body: Village of Pouce Coupe
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/water-restrictions/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/water-restrictions.json"
---

# Pouce Coupe watering restrictions

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

**Short answer:** In Pouce Coupe, Stage 1 watering rules start automatically on May 1 each year. Lawn watering is on set days by odd or even address, 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Council can declare Stages 2 to 4 with tighter limits. Check the Village for the current stage.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Village of Pouce Coupe, https://www.poucecoupe.ca)  
**Cost:** New lawn watering permit: $55.38 (Fees Bylaw Schedule K); the Village web page says $50. Ticket: $100 for most watering offences.  
**How long:** Stage 1 ends September 30 unless Council declares otherwise. A new lawn permit lasts 21 days; one extension is possible, up to 42 days total.  
**Where:**
- Online: Water Restrictions page, https://poucecoupe.ca/government/public-works/water-restrictions/
- In person: Village Office (new lawn permits), 5011 49th Avenue, Pouce Coupe, BC (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Phone: Village Office, 250-786-5794

## Key facts

- **When restrictions apply:** Stage 1 comes into force automatically on May 1 each year if no measures are in force, and no stage lasts past September 30 unless Council declares otherwise. Council may declare Stage 2, 3 or 4 (used for supply problems, drought or emergencies); a declared stage takes effect 72 hours later.
  - Source: [Water Conservation Measures Bylaw No. 927, 2009, s. 1.2, 1.4, 2.8.1](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/2024/)
  - Official wording: "If no water conservation measures are in force on May 1st of any year, Stage 1 Water Conservation measures automatically become effective on that date." … "No Water Conservation Measures Stage remains in force after September 30th of any year, unless the Council makes a declaration under this section." … "the water conservation stage described in the declaration comes into force in the Village seventy-two hours after the declaration."
  - Source: [Water Restrictions, Understanding Water Restriction Stages](https://poucecoupe.ca/government/public-works/water-restrictions/)
  - Official wording: "Stage One Water Conservation Measures automatically comes into effect May 1 - Sept 30" … "Stages Two and Three are used when facing water supply issues or in times of a prolonged drought" … "Stage Four is declared in emergency situations"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Sprinkling schedule:** Stage 1 (lawns): even-numbered addresses Wednesdays and Saturdays, odd-numbered addresses Thursdays and Sundays, 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Stage 2: even addresses Wednesdays only, odd addresses Thursdays only, same hours. Stage 3: no lawn watering. Stage 4: no watering of lawns or gardens.
  - Source: [Water Conservation Measures Bylaw No. 927, 2009, s. 2.1.1, 2.2.1, 2.3.1, 2.4.1](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/2024/)
  - Official wording: "at premises with even-numbered civic addresses, on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 4:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; and" … "at premises with odd-numbered civic addresses, on Thursdays and Sundays between 4:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; or" … "at premises with even-numbered civic addresses, on Wednesdays between 4:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; and" … "any lawn; or"
  - Source: [Water Conservation, Water Conservation Measures](https://poucecoupe.ca/government/public-works/water-conservation/)
  - Official wording: "even-numbered civic addresses, on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 4:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Allowed at any time:** Hand watering of flower and vegetable gardens is permitted at any time (Village page). Flower and vegetable gardens, planters, shrubs and trees are excepted from Stage 1 limits; drip irrigation is not counted as "watering". Stage 3: only by hand with a shut-off hose, no sprinklers or soaker hoses. Stage 4: not allowed.
  - Source: [Water Restrictions, Understanding Water Restriction Stages](https://poucecoupe.ca/government/public-works/water-restrictions/)
  - Official wording: "Hand watering of flower and vegetable gardens is permitted at anytime on any day"
  - Source: [Water Conservation Measures Bylaw No. 927, 2009, s. 2.5.1, 2.3.1, 4.1](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/2024/)
  - Official wording: "flower gardens, vegetable gardens, decorative planters, shrubs or trees" … "unless such watering is carried out by hand with a hose equipped with an automatic shut-off device and is not carried out using sprinklers or soaker hoses;" … "but does not include the method known as drip irrigation."
  - Source: [Water Conservation Measures Bylaw No. 927, 2009, s. 2.4.1](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/2024/)
  - Official wording: "(ii) flower or vegetable gardens;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **New lawns:** A permit for a new lawn (sod, turf or seed) or new landscaping lets you water in Stage 1 or 2. Fee $55.38 (Fees Bylaw Schedule K); the Village web page says $50.00. The permit expires 21 days after issue; one extension is possible, up to 42 days total. It does not cover Stage 3 or 4. Apply at the Village Office. (Sources differ: Conflict: web page $50.00 versus Bylaw 1062 Schedule K (2025) $55.38; the bylaw is given. Bylaw 927 s. 3.1.2 refers to Schedule K.)
  - Source: [Consolidated Municipal Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1062, 2025, Schedule K](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/46859/)
  - Official wording: "Permit Fee New Lawns or Landscaping Application $55.38"
  - Source: [Water Restrictions, Exemption Permits](https://poucecoupe.ca/government/public-works/water-restrictions/)
  - Official wording: "You may apply for this permit at the Village Office and upon approval, you will be charged a $50.00 fee."
  - Source: [Water Conservation Measures Bylaw No. 927, 2009, s. 3.1.5, 3.1.7, 3.1.8](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/2024/)
  - Official wording: "A permit does not exempt the holder from Stage 3 or Stage 4 Water Conservation Measures." … "A permit expires and is of no force or effect 21 days after the date of its issue, unless extended under subsection 3.1.8." … "any such extension must end on or before 42 days from the date of the issue of the permit"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** Per the MTI Bylaw: $100 for watering lawns on non-permitted days in Stage 1 or 2, $100 for most Stage 3 and 4 offences, $500 for operating a car wash in Stage 4. The water bylaw itself says a first offence is a written warning and a second offence is $75. (Sources differ: Conflict: three amounts for a second offence: Bylaw 927 s. 5.2(b) $75, Bylaw 1062 Schedule K $83.07, MTI Schedule P $100. Third offence: $100 to $500 on conviction (Bylaw 927 s. 5.2(c); Schedule K: "$100.00 minimum"). Bylaw 927 s. 5.2(d) says penalties are as in the MTI bylaw.)
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1052, 2025, Schedule P](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/46964/)
  - Official wording: "Stage 1: Water lawns on non-permitted days and times 2.1.1(a) $100.00" … "Stage 2: Water lawns on non-permitted days and times 2.2.1(a) $100.00" … "Stage 4: Operating a car wash 2.4.1(e) $500.00"
  - Source: [Water Conservation Measures Bylaw No. 927, 2009, s. 5.2](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/2024/)
  - Official wording: "for a first offense, a written warning will be issued by Village Administration." … "The specified penalty for a second offense shall be seventy-five dollars ($75.00), issued by Village Administration."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Water Conservation Measures Bylaw No. 927, 2009 (consolidated with Amendment Bylaw No. 1073, 2025).
  - Source: [Water Conservation Measures Bylaw No. 927, 2009, s. 6.1 (citation)](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/2024/)
  - Official wording: "WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES BYLAW NO. 927, 2009"
  - Source: [Water Conservation Measures Bylaw No. 927, 2009, Cover](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/2024/)
  - Official wording: "Water Conservation Amendment Bylaw No. 1073, 2025"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

Under the [Water Conservation Measures Bylaw No. 927](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/2024/), Stage 1 comes into force in Pouce Coupe automatically on May 1 each year if no measures are in force, and no stage lasts past September 30 unless Council declares otherwise. Council may declare Stage 2, 3 or 4, used for supply problems, drought or emergencies. A declared stage takes effect 72 hours later. The Village posts stage changes as news items, so check its Water Restrictions page for the current stage.

## Good to know

- Stage 1 (lawns): even-numbered addresses Wednesdays and Saturdays, odd-numbered addresses Thursdays and Sundays, 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Stage 2: even addresses Wednesdays only, odd addresses Thursdays only, same hours. A hose also may not be used (other than for painting or fire prevention), and ornamental fountains may not run.
- Stage 3: no lawn watering. Stage 4: no watering of lawns or gardens.
- At no time may a tap or hose be used to water unless it has an automatic shut-off device.
- Flower and vegetable gardens, planters, shrubs and trees are excepted from Stage 1 limits, and drip irrigation is not counted as watering. Stage 3: by hand only with a shut-off hose; no sprinklers or soaker hoses. Stage 4: not allowed.
- New lawn (sod, turf or seed) or new landscaping: a permit lets you water in Stage 1 or 2, not Stage 3 or 4. Apply at the Village Office.
- Under the ticket bylaw, watering lawns on non-permitted days in Stage 1 or 2 is $100, most Stage 3 and 4 offences are $100, and operating a car wash in Stage 4 is $500. The water bylaw itself says a first offence is a written warning and a second offence is $75, and the fees bylaw lists another amount, so confirm with the Village.

## Official forms and pages

- [Water Conservation Measures Bylaw No. 927, 2009 (PDF)](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/2024/)
- [Water Restrictions page, Village of Pouce Coupe](https://poucecoupe.ca/government/public-works/water-restrictions/)

## Related questions

- [Pouce Coupe bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/bylaw-fines.md)
- [Pouce Coupe garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/garbage-collection.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/water-restrictions.md)
- [Dawson Creek](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/water-restrictions.md)
- [Taylor](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/taylor/water-restrictions.md)
- [Fort St. John](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/water-restrictions.md)
- [Tumbler Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/water-restrictions.md)
- [Mackenzie](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/water-restrictions.md)
- [Prince George](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/water-restrictions.md)

## Sources

- [Water Conservation Measures Bylaw No. 927, 2009 (PDF), Village of Pouce Coupe](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/2024/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Water Restrictions, Village of Pouce Coupe](https://poucecoupe.ca/government/public-works/water-restrictions/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Water Conservation, Village of Pouce Coupe](https://poucecoupe.ca/government/public-works/water-conservation/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Consolidated Municipal Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1062, 2025 (PDF), Village of Pouce Coupe](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/46859/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1052, 2025 (PDF), Village of Pouce Coupe](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/46964/) (read 2026-11-08)

_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 Village of Pouce Coupe. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/water-restrictions/_