Princeton watering restrictions
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.
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.Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer, Sprinkling regulations flyer · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingLawn 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 |
|---|---|
| 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.Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer, Stage 1 and 2 lists · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingEven 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 |
| 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.Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer, Stage 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingunless 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. |
| 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.Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer, New lawns · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingmay 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. |
| 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.Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer, Fines; Water Regulations Bylaw No. 987, 2020, s. 14.2(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingis subject to a minimum fine of $25.00 if proceedings are brought under the Offence Act, to pay a fine of not less than $250 and not more than $50,000; |
| 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)).Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer, Fines; Water Regulations Bylaw No. 987, 2020, ss. 3.7, 7.1(e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBylaw No. 834, 2010 Water Use Restrictions. 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; |
How it works
The Town's sprinkling regulations flyer 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 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 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
The same question in other places
Keremeos · Summerland · Hope · Penticton · Peachland · Merritt
Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Stage 1-4 Water Restrictions flyer (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
- Water Regulations Bylaw No. 987, 2020 (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
- Municipal Services, Town of Princeton (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. How answers are checked.