{"title":"Princeton watering restrictions","question":"Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?","slug":"water-restrictions","place":{"path":"ca/bc/princeton","name":"Princeton","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":"Town of Princeton","url":"https://www.princeton.ca"},"short_answer":"In Princeton, sprinkling regulations apply every year from May 15 to September 30, in four stages set by Council. Stage 1 starts May 15 unless Council declares a stricter stage. Stage 1 limits watering to set days by address and bans it from noon to 6:00 p.m.","aliases":["sprinkling restrictions princeton","watering days princeton bc","water stage princeton","new lawn watering permit princeton"],"cost":"No permit fee found. No ticket amount is listed for watering restrictions in the Water Regulations Bylaw schedule; see Good to know.","how_long":"Restrictions run May 15 to September 30 each year. New sod: permit for 21 days after installation. New seed: until growth is established or 49 days, whichever is less.","where":[{"type":"in_person","label":"Town Hall","value":"151 Vermilion Avenue, Princeton, BC","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."},{"type":"phone","label":"Town Hall","value":"250-295-3135"},{"type":"phone","label":"Public Works after-hours water emergencies","value":"250-295-6134"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer (PDF), Town of Princeton","url":"https://princeton.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2FTown_Services%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=Stage%201-4%20Water%20restricitons.pdf"},{"title":"Water Regulations Bylaw No. 987, 2020 (PDF), Town of Princeton","url":"https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/40774/"},{"title":"Municipal Services, Town of Princeton","url":"https://www.princeton.ca/p/municipal-services"}],"related":[{"slug":"yard-waste","title":"Princeton yard waste collection and drop-off","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/yard-waste/"},{"slug":"garbage-collection","title":"Princeton garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/garbage-collection/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/keremeos","name":"Keremeos","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/keremeos/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/summerland","name":"Summerland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/hope","name":"Hope","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/penticton","name":"Penticton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/peachland","name":"Peachland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/water-restrictions/"},{"place":"ca/bc/merritt","name":"Merritt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/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":"Sprinkling regulations apply May 15 to September 30 every year. There are four stages, decided and announced by Council; Stage 1 starts May 15 unless Council declares a stricter stage. They apply to residential, multi-family, commercial, industrial, institutional and public properties.","short":"May 15 to September 30","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://princeton.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2FTown_Services%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=Stage%201-4%20Water%20restricitons.pdf","title":"Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer (PDF), Town of Princeton","section":"Sprinkling regulations flyer","quotes":["Lawn sprinkling regulations are in effect from May 15 to September 30 every year.","There are four stages of restrictions, which are determined and announced by Council.","Stage 1 restrictions begin on May 15 of any year unless Council declares that further restrictive Stages are"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"schedule":{"label":"Sprinkling schedule","value":"Stage 1: even-numbered addresses Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays; odd-numbered Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; none on Mondays; none between noon and 6:00 p.m.. Stage 2: even Wednesdays and Saturdays only; odd Thursdays and Sundays only; none between noon and 6:00 p.m.. Stage 3: no sprinklers or soaker hoses. Stage 4: no outdoor water use.","short":"Stage 1: 3 days a week by address; none Mondays","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://princeton.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2FTown_Services%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=Stage%201-4%20Water%20restricitons.pdf","title":"Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer (PDF), Town of Princeton","section":"Stage 1 and 2 lists","quotes":["Even numbered civic addresses may water on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.","Odd numbered civic addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.","No watering is permitted between Noon and 6:00 pm.","Even numbered civic addresses may water on Wednesdays and Saturdays only.","Odd numbered civic addresses may water, on Thursdays and Sundays only.","no person shall use water outdoors for any purpose"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"exempt_watering":{"label":"Allowed at any time","value":"In Stage 3, watering lawns, flower and vegetable gardens, planters, shrubs and trees is allowed only by hand, with a hose with an automatic shut-off device, or from a container (no sprinklers or soaker hoses). In Stage 4 no outdoor use at all. The flyer lists no allowed-anytime activities for Stages 1 and 2 beyond the day and hour limits.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://princeton.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2FTown_Services%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=Stage%201-4%20Water%20restricitons.pdf","title":"Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer (PDF), Town of Princeton","section":"Stage 3","quotes":["unless such watering is carried by hand, with hoses equipped with automatic shut-off devices or by a container and is not carried out using sprinklers or soaker hoses."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"new_lawns":{"label":"New lawns","value":"Apply to Town Hall for a permit to sprinkle a new lawn outside watering days, within restricted hours. New sod: 21 days after installation. Newly seeded lawn: until growth is established or 49 days, whichever is less. The permit must be displayed at the premises. No permits are issued or valid in Stage 3 or 4.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://princeton.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2FTown_Services%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=Stage%201-4%20Water%20restricitons.pdf","title":"Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer (PDF), Town of Princeton","section":"New lawns","quotes":["may apply to the Town Hall for a permit which will allow the new lawn to be sprinkled outside of watering days, but within restricted hours","New sod may be sprinkled for 21 days after installation","whichever is less","Permits will not be issued or be valid during Stage 3 or Stage 4 restrictions."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"No ticket amount is listed for breaking watering restrictions (Water Regulations Bylaw Schedule E). Offence Act proceedings: fine not less than $250. The Town's flyer, citing Bylaw 834, says a minimum fine of $25.","short":"No ticket; court fine not less than $250","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://princeton.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2FTown_Services%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=Stage%201-4%20Water%20restricitons.pdf","title":"Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer (PDF), Town of Princeton","section":"Fines","quotes":["is subject to a minimum fine of $25.00"]},{"url":"https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/40774/","title":"Water Regulations Bylaw No. 987, 2020 (PDF), Town of Princeton","section":"s. 14.2(a)","quotes":["if proceedings are brought under the Offence Act, to pay a fine of not less than $250 and not more than $50,000;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Water Use Restrictions Bylaw No. 834, 2010 (as named on the Town's flyer); the Water Regulations Bylaw No. 987, 2020 lets the Director set conservation measures (s. 3.7) and bans irrigation against a conservation notice (s. 7.1(e)).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://princeton.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2FTown_Services%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=Stage%201-4%20Water%20restricitons.pdf","title":"Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer (PDF), Town of Princeton","section":"Fines","quotes":["Bylaw No. 834, 2010 Water Use Restrictions."]},{"url":"https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/40774/","title":"Water Regulations Bylaw No. 987, 2020 (PDF), Town of Princeton","section":"ss. 3.7, 7.1(e)","quotes":["establish water conservation measures in accordance with Water Use Restrictions bylaw No. 834, 2010","use water supplied by the Town for irrigation if the Director has issued a notice of water conservation measures, except as specified in the notice;"]}],"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 Town's [sprinkling regulations flyer](https://princeton.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2FTown_Services%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=Stage%201-4%20Water%20restricitons.pdf) sets four stages that apply from May 15 to September 30 every year. They apply to residential, multi-family, commercial, industrial, institutional and public properties. Council decides and announces the stage. Stage 1 starts May 15 unless Council declares a stricter stage. To see the current stage, check the Town's [municipal services page](https://www.princeton.ca/p/municipal-services) or call Town Hall at 250-295-3135.\n\n- **Stage 1:** even-numbered addresses on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays; odd-numbered addresses on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; none on Mondays; none between noon and 6:00 p.m.\n- **Stage 2:** even-numbered addresses on Wednesdays and Saturdays only; odd-numbered on Thursdays and Sundays only; none between noon and 6:00 p.m.\n- **Stage 3:** no sprinklers or soaker hoses.\n- **Stage 4:** no outdoor water use.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- In Stage 3, you may water lawns, flower and vegetable gardens, planters, shrubs and trees only by hand, with a hose with an automatic shut-off device, or from a container. The flyer lists no other allowed-anytime uses for Stages 1 and 2, and does not mention drip irrigation.\n- Stage 2 also limits hose washing of surfaces. In Stages 1 and 2, vehicles and boats need an automatic shut-off hose.\n- New lawns: apply to Town Hall for a permit to sprinkle outside watering days, within restricted hours. A new sod permit lasts 21 days after installation; a newly seeded lawn, until growth is established or 49 days, whichever is less. Display the permit at the premises. No permits are issued or valid in Stage 3 or 4. No permit fee was found.\n- Fines are unclear. The flyer cites Bylaw 834 and a minimum fine of $25. The [Water Regulations Bylaw No. 987](https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/40774/) bans irrigation against a conservation notice (s. 7.1(e)), but its ticket schedule has no line for it; it sets a general ticket fine of not less than $1,000 (s. 14.2) and $250 for wasting water or not fixing a leak. Offence Act proceedings carry a fine of not less than $250. Confirm with the Town.","sources":[{"url":"https://princeton.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2FTown_Services%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=Stage%201-4%20Water%20restricitons.pdf","title":"Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer (PDF), Town of Princeton","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/40774/","title":"Water Regulations Bylaw No. 987, 2020 (PDF), Town of Princeton","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.princeton.ca/p/municipal-services","title":"Municipal Services, Town of Princeton","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/princeton/water-restrictions/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/water-restrictions.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/water-restrictions.json"}}