---
title: Salt Spring Island watering restrictions
question: "What are the current watering restrictions on Salt Spring, and what do the stages mean?"
place: Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/salt-spring-island
category: Water, sewer, roads and snow
owner: shared
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salt-spring-island/water-restrictions/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salt-spring-island/water-restrictions.json"
---

# Salt Spring Island watering restrictions

**Question:** What are the current watering restrictions on Salt Spring, and what do the stages mean?

**Short answer:** Salt Spring Island has no single water system. CRD systems follow CRD Bylaw 4492: Stage 1 applies May 1 to September 30 each year. North Salt Spring Waterworks District (NSSWD) restrictions apply April 1 to November 1 under its Bylaw 326. Hand watering of trees, shrubs, flowers and food plants is allowed any time at Stage 1, but lawns are limited. Check your provider for the current stage.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** CRD water system tickets: $200 to $400 (CRD Bylaw 1857). NSSWD: a court can impose up to six months in jail or a $2,000 fine, or both.  
**Where:**
- Online: NSSWD watering restrictions and rates, https://northsaltspringwaterworks.ca/water-conservation-programs/watering-restrictions-and-rates/
- Phone: NSSWD office, 250-537-9902
- Online: CRD electoral area water restrictions (current stage), https://www.crd.ca/news/alerts/electoral-area-water-restrictions

## Key facts

- **When restrictions apply:** Depends on your water system. CRD-run systems (Cedar Lane, Cedars of Tuam, Highland/Fernwood, Fulford, Beddis): Stage 1 applies May 1 to September 30 each year; the CRD can bring in Stages 2 to 4 any time. North Salt Spring Waterworks District: restrictions apply April 1 to November 1.
  - Source: [CRD Bylaw 4492, Electoral Areas Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2023 (consolidated April 2025), s. 4](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/bylawno4492consolidatedapril2025)
  - Official wording: "The Stage 1 Water Use Restrictions prescribed in Schedule “A” are in effect each year from May 1 to September 30 inclusive" … "terminate or bring into effect a Stage more restrictive than Stage 1 at any time of the year"
  - Source: [Watering Restrictions and Rates, NSSWD, page](https://northsaltspringwaterworks.ca/water-conservation-programs/watering-restrictions-and-rates/)
  - Official wording: "Watering restrictions are in effect each year from April 1 to November 1."
  - Source: [Electoral Area Water Restrictions, Capital Regional District, alert](https://www.crd.ca/news/alerts/electoral-area-water-restrictions)
  - Official wording: "Cedar Lane (Salt Spring Island): www.crd.ca/cedarlane-ws"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Sprinkling schedule:** CRD systems: Stage 1 lawns one day a week, 4-10 a.m. or 7-10 p.m.; Stage 2 one day per two weeks; Stage 3 and 4 no lawn watering. NSSWD sprinklers on existing lawns: Stage 1 up to three days a week, Stage 2 two, Stage 3 one, Stage 4 none; no fixed hours.
  - Source: [CRD Bylaw 4492, Electoral Areas Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2023 (consolidated April 2025), Sched. A ss. 1-3](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/bylawno4492consolidatedapril2025)
  - Official wording: "on more than one day per week between the hours of 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m." … "on more than one day per two-week period" … "water a lawn, turf or Boulevard;"
  - Source: [Water Distribution Regulation Bylaw No. 326, NSSWD, Sched. B ss. 1.1.1, 2.1.1, 3.1.1, 4.1.1](https://northsaltspringwaterworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/North-Salt-Spring-WWD-Water-Distribution-Regulation-Bylaw-2026-NO.-326-Registered.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Watering existing lawns with a sprinkler system is permitted up to three days per week." … "Watering existing lawns with a sprinkler system is permitted up to one day per week." … "Watering existing lawns with a sprinkler system is not permitted."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Allowed at any time:** CRD systems: watering trees, shrubs, flowers and food plants by hand-held container, hose with automatic shut-off nozzle, or drip or micro-irrigation is allowed any day and time in Stages 1 and 2 (lawns are still limited); Stage 3 one day a week, 4-10 a.m.; Stage 4 none. NSSWD: hand watering food plants anytime at every stage; ornamental hand watering anytime in Stages 1 to 3.
  - Source: [Electoral Area Water Restrictions, Capital Regional District, Stage 1](https://www.crd.ca/news/alerts/electoral-area-water-restrictions)
  - Official wording: "Hand watering of trees, shrubs, flowers and food gardens with a container, a hose with a shut-off valve or by micro/drip irrigation is permitted any day and time."
  - Source: [CRD Bylaw 4492, Electoral Areas Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2023 (consolidated April 2025), Sched. A s. 3(1)(b)(i), s. 4(1)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/bylawno4492consolidatedapril2025)
  - Official wording: "except where watering only one day per week between the hours of 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m." … "all outdoor use of Water is prohibited" … "(a) no person shall, by any method, water a lawn growing on a property, including" … "(i) water trees, shrubs, flowers and for food production on any day with a"
  - Source: [Water Distribution Regulation Bylaw No. 326, NSSWD, Sched. B ss. 3.2.3, 4.3.3](https://northsaltspringwaterworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/North-Salt-Spring-WWD-Water-Distribution-Regulation-Bylaw-2026-NO.-326-Registered.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Watering food-producing plants and crops by hand is permitted anytime." … "Watering trees, shrubs, plants and flowers by hand is permitted anytime."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **New lawns:** CRD systems at Stage 1: new sod may be watered outside lawn hours on installation day and for 21 days; new seed until growth is established or 49 days, whichever is less. NSSWD: new lawns sprinklers anytime in Stage 1; special permit (14 days) in Stage 2; not permitted in Stages 3 and 4.
  - Source: [CRD Bylaw 4492, Electoral Areas Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2023 (consolidated April 2025), Sched. A s. 1(1)(b)(iii)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/bylawno4492consolidatedapril2025)
  - Official wording: "other than on new sod installation and during the first 21 days after installation, or for newly seeded lawns, water until growth is established or for 49 days after installation, whichever is less;"
  - Source: [Water Distribution Regulation Bylaw No. 326, NSSWD, Sched. B ss. 1.1.2, 2.1.2, 5.1, 5.6](https://northsaltspringwaterworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/North-Salt-Spring-WWD-Water-Distribution-Regulation-Bylaw-2026-NO.-326-Registered.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Watering new lawns with a sprinkler system requires a special permit." … "Special watering permits will not be issued or valid during the Stage 4 Watering Restrictions."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** CRD water systems, tickets: watering a lawn against Stage 1 rules $200; Stage 2 $250; Stage 3 $400; wasting water $200 to $400. NSSWD: breach is an Offence Act offence; a court can impose up to six months in jail or a $2,000 fine, or both.
  - Source: [CRD Bylaw 1857, Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw, Sched. 20 items 2-6, 11, 21](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/1857-consolidated-capital-regional-district-ticket-information-authorization-bylaw-1990b)
  - Official wording: "Wasting water 7.(3) $200.00" … "Stage 1 – water lawn contrary to days/times Sch. A 1.(1)(a) $200.00" … "Stage 2 – water lawn contrary to days/times Sch. A 2.(1)(a) $250.00" … "Stage 3 – water lawn, turf, or boulevard Sch. A 3.(1)(a)(i) $400.00"
  - Source: [Water Distribution Regulation Bylaw No. 326, NSSWD, s. 44](https://northsaltspringwaterworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/North-Salt-Spring-WWD-Water-Distribution-Regulation-Bylaw-2026-NO.-326-Registered.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A penalty of up to six months in jail or a $2,000 fine, or both, could be imposed by the Court if a summary conviction is obtained from the Court."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** CRD Electoral Areas Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2023 (CRD Bylaw No. 4492) for CRD water systems; North Salt Spring Waterworks District Water Distribution Regulation Bylaw 2026 (Bylaw No. 326), Schedule B, for its customers.
  - Source: [CRD Bylaw 4492, Electoral Areas Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2023 (consolidated April 2025), title](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/bylawno4492consolidatedapril2025)
  - Official wording: "ELECTORAL AREAS WATER CONSERVATION BYLAW"
  - Source: [Water Distribution Regulation Bylaw No. 326, NSSWD, title](https://northsaltspringwaterworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/North-Salt-Spring-WWD-Water-Distribution-Regulation-Bylaw-2026-NO.-326-Registered.pdf)
  - Official wording: "WATER DISTRIBUTION REGULATION BYLAW 2026" … "BYLAW NO.326"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Your rules depend on who supplies your water. The CRD runs several Salt Spring systems (Cedar Lane, Cedars of Tuam, Highland/Fernwood, Fulford and Beddis) under [CRD Bylaw 4492](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/bylawno4492consolidatedapril2025). North Salt Spring Waterworks District (NSSWD) serves its own customers under [Bylaw 326](https://northsaltspringwaterworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/North-Salt-Spring-WWD-Water-Distribution-Regulation-Bylaw-2026-NO.-326-Registered.pdf). Wells, rain barrels and other non-CRD water are not regulated by the CRD bylaw.

## Good to know

- Season: on CRD systems Stage 1 applies May 1 to September 30 each year, and the CRD can bring in Stages 2 to 4 at any time. NSSWD restrictions apply April 1 to November 1.
- CRD lawns: Stage 1 one day a week, 4-10 a.m. or 7-10 p.m.; Stage 2 one day per two weeks; Stages 3 and 4 no lawn watering.
- NSSWD sprinklers on existing lawns: Stage 1 up to three days a week, Stage 2 two, Stage 3 one, Stage 4 none. No fixed hours.
- Hand watering: on CRD systems, trees, shrubs, flowers and food plants may be watered any day and time at Stages 1 and 2 by hand-held container, hose with automatic shut-off nozzle, or drip or micro-irrigation, while lawns stay limited. Stage 3 allows one day a week, 4-10 a.m.; Stage 4 none. NSSWD allows hand watering of food plants anytime at every stage, and ornamental hand watering anytime in Stages 1 to 3.
- New lawns: on CRD systems at Stage 1, new sod may be watered outside lawn hours on installation day and for 21 days; new seed until growth is established or 49 days, whichever is less. NSSWD allows new-lawn sprinklers anytime at Stage 1, a 14-day special permit at Stage 2, and none at Stages 3 and 4.
- Nurseries, farms, turf farms and tree farms are exempt from all CRD stages.
- Penalties: CRD tickets are $200 for watering a lawn against Stage 1 rules, $250 at Stage 2, $400 at Stage 3, and $200 to $400 for wasting water. An NSSWD breach is an Offence Act offence, and NSSWD can turn off water on 24 hours' written notice.
- The current stage changes often. Check the CRD alerts page or the NSSWD page before you water.

## Official forms and pages

- [CRD Electoral Areas Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2023, Bylaw 4492 (PDF)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/bylawno4492consolidatedapril2025)
- [NSSWD Water Distribution Regulation Bylaw 326 (PDF)](https://northsaltspringwaterworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/North-Salt-Spring-WWD-Water-Distribution-Regulation-Bylaw-2026-NO.-326-Registered.pdf)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/water-restrictions.md)

## Sources

- [CRD Bylaw 4492, Electoral Areas Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2023 (consolidated April 2025) (PDF)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/bylawno4492consolidatedapril2025) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Water Distribution Regulation Bylaw No. 326, NSSWD (PDF)](https://northsaltspringwaterworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/North-Salt-Spring-WWD-Water-Distribution-Regulation-Bylaw-2026-NO.-326-Registered.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Watering Restrictions and Rates, NSSWD](https://northsaltspringwaterworks.ca/water-conservation-programs/watering-restrictions-and-rates/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Electoral Area Water Restrictions, Capital Regional District](https://www.crd.ca/news/alerts/electoral-area-water-restrictions) (read 2026-11-05)
- [CRD Bylaw 1857, Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw (PDF)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/1857-consolidated-capital-regional-district-ticket-information-authorization-bylaw-1990b) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 any government. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salt-spring-island/water-restrictions/_