---
title: Sidney watering restrictions
question: "Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?"
place: Sidney, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/sidney
category: Water, sewer, roads and snow
owner: regional
owner_body: Capital Regional District
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/water-restrictions/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/water-restrictions.json"
---

# Sidney watering restrictions

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

**Short answer:** In Sidney, the Capital Regional District (CRD) sets watering rules under its Water Conservation Bylaw. Stage 1 applies every year from May 1 to September 30: even-numbered addresses water lawns Wednesdays and Saturdays, odd-numbered addresses Thursdays and Sundays. The ticket is $200.

**Who handles it:** Regional district (Capital Regional District, https://www.crd.ca)  
**Cost:** CRD tickets: $200 for watering a lawn outside Stage 1 days and hours, or wasting water. Stage 2 lawn watering $250; Stage 3 $400. Hindering an inspection $500. No permit needed for new lawns.  
**How long:** not applicable  
**Where:**
- Online: CRD watering schedule, https://www.crd.ca/environment/water-conservation/watering-schedule
- Phone: CRD (report suspected infractions), 250-478-0624
- Email: CRD Water Wise, waterwise@crd.bc.ca

## Key facts

- **When restrictions apply:** Stage 1 watering restrictions apply every year from May 1 to September 30. The CRD can start a stricter stage at any time of year; it takes effect 48 hours after notice. CRD Bylaw No. 4099 covers the Town of Sidney, which gets water from the CRD system.
  - Source: [CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), s. 4(1)-(3)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016)
  - Official wording: "The Stage 1 Water Use Restrictions prescribed in Schedule “A” are in effect each" … "year from May 1 to September 30 inclusive" … "take effect 48 hours after the" … "Town of Sidney"
  - Source: [Water, Watering Schedule and Water Restrictions](https://www.sidney.ca/services/water-sewer-and-storm-drains/water/)
  - Official wording: "The CRD sets water restrictions for our region. Stage 1 Watering Schedule is in effect May 1 through September 30 every year, unless more stringent water conservation measures are required."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Sprinkling schedule:** Stage 1 lawn watering: even-numbered addresses on Wednesdays and Saturdays; odd-numbered addresses on Thursdays and Sundays. Hours 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. by any method; automatic timed irrigation may also run 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m.
  - Source: [CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), Schedule A, s. 1(1)(a)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016)
  - Official wording: "the property has an even-numbered address, the lawn watering is on" … "Wednesdays or Saturdays, and the watering occurs between the hours of" … "Thursdays or Sundays, and the watering occurs between the hours of" … "4 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. by any method permitted"
  - Source: [Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District, Lawn Watering](https://www.crd.ca/environment/water-conservation/watering-schedule)
  - Official wording: "The following schedule is in effect every year May 1 - September 30."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Allowed at any time:** Trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables may be hand-watered (container or hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle) or watered by micro/drip irrigation any day, any time. Sprinklers on them only 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Pools, hot tubs and ponds may be filled.
  - Source: [CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), Schedule A, s. 1(1)(b)(i)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016)
  - Official wording: "water trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables on any day with a Sprinkler" … "other than during the prescribed hours for Stage 1 lawn watering or on any" … "day at any time if watering is done other than by hand-held container, hand" … "held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or by Micro-irrigation"
  - Source: [Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District, Established trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetable gardens; Pools](https://www.crd.ca/environment/water-conservation/watering-schedule)
  - Official wording: "Hand Watering & Micro/Drip Irrigation" … "Any day, any time" … "You may use water to fill wading pools, swimming pools, hot tubs, or garden pond during Stage 1 Water Restrictions."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **New lawns:** No permit is needed. New sod may be watered outside the lawn hours on installation day and for the first 21 days; newly seeded lawns until growth is established or 49 days, whichever is less. (Sources differ: Slight conflict: the bylaw lets new sod and seeded lawns be watered outside the lawn hours during those periods, while the CRD web page tells people to water between 4-10 a.m. and 7-10 p.m. The bylaw wins.)
  - Source: [CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), Schedule A, s. 1(1)(b)(iii)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016)
  - Official wording: "outside the prescribed Stage 1 lawn Watering hours, water new sod or" … "newly seeded lawns, 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: [Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District, New Sod and/or Newly Seeded Lawns](https://www.crd.ca/environment/water-conservation/watering-schedule)
  - Official wording: "A permit is not required to install new sod and/or newly seeded lawns."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** $200 for watering a lawn outside the Stage 1 days and hours, or for wasting water during Stage 1. Stage 2 lawn watering is $250 and Stage 3 is $400. Hindering an inspection is $500.
  - Source: [CRD Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 1857, Schedule 26, Schedule 26 to Bylaw No. 1857](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/1857-consolidated-capital-regional-district-ticket-information-authorization-bylaw-1990b)
  - Official wording: "Wasting water during Stage 1" … "7. Stage 1 – water contrary to restrictions Sch. A 1.(1)(b) $100.00" … "8. Stage 1 – operate Public Spray Park contrary to restrictions Sch. A 1.(1)(c) $100.00" … "Stage 1 – water lawn contrary to even-numbered" … "Stage 3 – water lawn or boulevard"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Capital Regional District Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099)
  - Source: [CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), title](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016)
  - Official wording: "CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT WATER CONSERVATION" … "BYLAW NO. 1, 2016"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Sidney gets its water from the CRD system, and the CRD sets the restrictions under its [Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016). Stage 1 applies every year from May 1 to September 30. The CRD can start a stricter stage at any time of year, and it takes effect 48 hours after notice. For the current stage, check the CRD's Weekly Water Watch.

## Good to know

- Stage 1 lawn watering: even-numbered addresses on Wednesdays and Saturdays; odd-numbered addresses on Thursdays and Sundays. For a multi-unit complex, use the complex's street address.
- Hours: 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. by any method. Automatic timed irrigation may also run 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m.
- Trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables may be hand-watered (container or hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle) or watered by micro or drip irrigation any day, any time. Sprinklers on them only 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Pools, hot tubs and ponds may be filled.
- New lawns: no permit is needed. New sod may be watered outside the lawn hours on installation day and for the first 21 days; newly seeded lawns until growth is established or 49 days, whichever is less. The CRD web page tells people to use the regular hours; the bylaw is followed here.
- Nurseries, farms, turf farms and tree farms are exempt. A person unable to water in the restricted times due to incapacity may get written approval from the CRD General Manager for two days a week (Stage 1).
- Tickets are the CRD's (Schedule 26 of Bylaw 1857): $200 for Stage 1 lawn watering or wasting water, $250 at Stage 2, $400 at Stage 3, $500 for hindering an inspection.
- Report suspected infractions to the CRD at 250-478-0624 or waterwise@crd.bc.ca.

## Official forms and pages

- [CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099 (PDF)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016)
- [CRD Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 1857, Schedule 26 (PDF)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/1857-consolidated-capital-regional-district-ticket-information-authorization-bylaw-1990b)

## Related questions

- [Sidney garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/garbage-collection.md)
- [Sidney bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/water-restrictions.md)
- [North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/water-restrictions.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/water-restrictions.md)
- [Highlands](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/water-restrictions.md)
- [Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/water-restrictions.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/water-restrictions.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/water-restrictions.md)

## Sources

- [CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099) (PDF)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/4099-capital-regional-district-water-conservation-bylaw-no-1-2016) (read 2026-11-06)
- [CRD Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 1857, Schedule 26 (PDF)](https://www.crd.ca/media/file/1857-consolidated-capital-regional-district-ticket-information-authorization-bylaw-1990b) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District](https://www.crd.ca/environment/water-conservation/watering-schedule) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Water, Town of Sidney](https://www.sidney.ca/services/water-sewer-and-storm-drains/water/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Enforcement, Town of Sidney](https://www.sidney.ca/services/bylaw-enforcement/) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 Capital Regional District. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/water-restrictions/_