Salmon Arm watering restrictions
Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?
Short answer
Yes. The City of Salmon Arm has four stages of outdoor watering restrictions, and Stage 1 is in effect year-round: three days a week by street address. Watering is limited to 2 hours a day and no irrigation is allowed from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Higher stages are added when needed.
Key facts
| When restrictions apply | Stage 1 is in effect year-round. Higher stages (2 moderate, 3 acute, 4 severe) are activated when needed, depending on environmental conditions, water supply capacity and demand. Changes are posted on signs, the City website and Notify Me alerts.Water Restrictions; Multi-Stage Water Restrictions FAQs, Q9; Multi-Stage Water Restrictions info sheet, Info sheet · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingStage 1 is in effect year-round and other stages will be activated when required, depending on environmental conditions, capacity of the water supply system and demand on the system. There are no specific dates for stage changes. NORMAL MODERATE ACUTE SEVERE |
|---|---|
| Sprinkling schedule | By the last two digits of the street address. Stage 1: 00-33 Sun, Tue, Fri; 34-66 Mon, Wed, Sat; 67-99 Sun, Tue, Thu. Stage 2 allows two of those days, Stage 3 one, Stage 4 none. Maximum 2 hours a day; no irrigation 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.Multi-Stage Water Restrictions FAQs, Q1; Water Restrictions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingGroup A (00 – 33) Sun, Tues, Fri Tues, Fri Tues Group B (34 – 66) Mon, Wed, Sat Wed, Sat Wed Group C (67 – 99) Sun, Tues, Thurs Sun, Thurs Thurs outdoor water use is allowed for a MAXIMUM of 2 HOURS Irrigation is NOT PERMITTED between 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM |
| Allowed at any time | Food-producing plants: all stages, including Stage 4 (sprinklers 7 days a week, 2 hours a day; hand watering and drip as needed). Non-lawn landscaping (trees, shrubs, flowers): hand watering and drip 7 days a week, 2 hours a day. Lawns, even by hand or drip, stay on the lawn limits (2 hours a day). Washing vehicles and filling pools: Stages 1 to 3. Hoses need self-closing nozzles.Multi-Stage Water Restrictions FAQs, Q5, Q6, Q7, Q11; Water Restrictions, Notes · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingSprinkler or soaker hose: 7 days a week, 2 hours maximum per day. Hand watering/drip irrigation: As-needed (not restricted). food producing plants can be watered in all stages without changes to the restrictions Hand watering or drip irrigation: 7 days/week, 2 hours maximum per day. These are all permitted in Stages 1, 2 and 3, but are NOT permitted in Stage 4. A3: Lawns are restricted to a maximum of 2 hours per day, regardless of the type of watering system used (i.e. Q5: How long can I water my landscaping plants/trees/shrubs/flowers? - Hand watering or drip irrigation: 7 days/week, 2 hours maximum per day. It is prohibited to use a hose or pipe without a self-closing nozzle for irrigation or non-irrigation outdoor water use. |
| New lawns | A permit exemption for new lawns is available in Stages 1 and 2 only: 2 weeks for new sod, 3 weeks for new seed, renewable in Stages 1 and 2. Use the form on the Water Restrictions page (email info@salmonarm.ca) or apply at City Hall.Multi-Stage Water Restrictions FAQs, Q4; Water Restrictions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingYes, exemptions are provided for new lawns in Stages 1 and 2 only. Two (2) week exemptions for new sod and three (3) week exemptions for new seed. Exemptions can be renewed in Stages 1 and 2 if more time is required to establish the lawn. Exemption permit for new lawns (Stage 1 & 2 only). Complete the form and submit to info@salmonarm.ca for approval. |
| Fine | Municipal ticket for watering contrary to restriction: Stage 1 $50, Stage 2 $100, Stage 3 $250, Stage 4 $500.Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 2760 (consolidated, PDF), Schedule 10, Schedule 10 (Water Rates and Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 1274, s. 20) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingWatering contrary to restriction 20 Stage 1 restrictions $50.00 Stage 2 restrictions $100.00 Stage 3 restrictions $250.00 Stage 4 restrictions $500.00 |
| Bylaw | Water Rates and Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 1274, section 20 (the Superintendent of Works may fix watering hours and restrict use); fines in Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 2760Water Rates and Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 1274, s. 1; Water Rates and Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 1274, s. 20 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingSalmon Arm Water Rates and Waterworks Regulation Bylaw, 1978 In case of a water shortage or other emergency, the Superintendent of Works shall have the power to restrict the use of water; |
How it works
The City's multi-stage restrictions apply to every property using City water. Under Water Rates and Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 1274, section 20, the Superintendent of Works may fix watering hours and restrict use. Stage 1 is in effect year-round. Stage 2 (moderate), Stage 3 (acute) and Stage 4 (severe) are activated when needed, depending on environmental conditions, water supply capacity and demand. Changes are posted on signs, the City website and Notify Me alerts. Check the Water Restrictions page for the current stage.
Your watering days depend on the last two digits of your street address (stratas and mobile home parks use the street address, not the unit):
| Address ends | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00-33 | Sun, Tue, Fri | Tue, Fri | Tue |
| 34-66 | Mon, Wed, Sat | Wed, Sat | Wed |
| 67-99 | Sun, Tue, Thu | Sun, Thu | Thu |
Stage 4: outdoor irrigation is not permitted.
Steps
- Find your group by the last two digits of your street address.
- Water only on your days, for a maximum of 2 hours a day (the 2 hours may be split), and not from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For automatic systems, the preferred time is 12 a.m. to 7 a.m.
- For a new lawn, get a permit exemption in Stage 1 or 2 only: 2 weeks for new sod, 3 weeks for new seed, renewable in Stages 1 and 2. Use the form on the Water Restrictions page and email it to info@salmonarm.ca, or apply at City Hall.
Good to know
- Food-producing plants can be watered in all stages, including Stage 4 (sprinklers 7 days a week, 2 hours a day; hand watering and drip as needed).
- Hand watering and drip for non-lawn landscaping (trees, shrubs, flowers): 7 days a week, 2 hours a day. Lawns stay on the lawn limits, even by hand or drip. The info sheet shows hand watering and drip of landscaping plants as not permitted in Stage 4.
- Washing vehicles and filling pools are allowed in Stages 1 to 3. Hoses need self-closing nozzles.
- City water must not irrigate parcels over 1/2 acre, including farm-status properties. This is a separate $500 ticket.
- Municipal tickets under Bylaw 2760: Stage 1 $50, Stage 2 $100, Stage 3 $250, Stage 4 $500.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Water Restrictions, City of Salmon Arm (read 2026-11-05)
- Multi-Stage Water Restrictions info sheet (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Multi-Stage Water Restrictions FAQs (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Water Rates and Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 1274 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 2760 (consolidated, PDF), Schedule 10 (read 2026-11-05)
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