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

# Princeton watering restrictions

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Princeton, https://www.princeton.ca)  
**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:**
- In person: Town Hall, 151 Vermilion Avenue, Princeton, BC (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Phone: Town Hall, 250-295-3135
- Phone: Public Works after-hours water emergencies, 250-295-6134

## Key facts

- **When restrictions apply:** 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.
  - Source: [Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer, 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)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Sprinkling schedule:** 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.
  - Source: [Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer, Stage 1 and 2 lists](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)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Allowed at any time:** 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.
  - Source: [Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer, Stage 3](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)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **New lawns:** 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.
  - Source: [Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer, New lawns](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)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** 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.
  - Source: [Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer, Fines](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)
  - Official wording: "is subject to a minimum fine of $25.00"
  - Source: [Water Regulations Bylaw No. 987, 2020, s. 14.2(a)](https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/40774/)
  - Official wording: "if proceedings are brought under the Offence Act, to pay a fine of not less than $250 and not more than $50,000;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** 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)).
  - Source: [Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer, Fines](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)
  - Official wording: "Bylaw No. 834, 2010 Water Use Restrictions."
  - Source: [Water Regulations Bylaw No. 987, 2020, ss. 3.7, 7.1(e)](https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/40774/)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The 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.

- **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.
- **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.
- **Stage 3:** no sprinklers or soaker hoses.
- **Stage 4:** no outdoor water use.

## Good to know

- 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.
- Stage 2 also limits hose washing of surfaces. In Stages 1 and 2, vehicles and boats need an automatic shut-off hose.
- 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.
- 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.

## Official forms and pages

- [Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer (PDF), Town of Princeton](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)
- [Water Regulations Bylaw No. 987, 2020 (PDF), Town of Princeton](https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/40774/)
- [Municipal Services, Town of Princeton](https://www.princeton.ca/p/municipal-services)

## Related questions

- [Princeton yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/yard-waste.md)
- [Princeton garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/garbage-collection.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/water-restrictions.md)
- [Keremeos](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/keremeos/water-restrictions.md)
- [Summerland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/water-restrictions.md)
- [Hope](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/water-restrictions.md)
- [Penticton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/water-restrictions.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/water-restrictions.md)
- [Merritt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/water-restrictions.md)

## Sources

- [Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer (PDF), Town of Princeton](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) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Water Regulations Bylaw No. 987, 2020 (PDF), Town of Princeton](https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/40774/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Municipal Services, Town of Princeton](https://www.princeton.ca/p/municipal-services) (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 Town of Princeton. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/water-restrictions/_