Sidney watering restrictions

Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?

Sidney, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

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.CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), s. 4(1)-(3); Water, Watering Schedule and Water Restrictions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 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.
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.CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), Schedule A, s. 1(1)(a); Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District, Lawn Watering · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 The following schedule is in effect every year May 1 - September 30.
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.CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), Schedule A, s. 1(1)(b)(i); Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District, Established trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetable gardens; Pools · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 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.
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.CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), Schedule A, s. 1(1)(b)(iii); Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District, New Sod and/or Newly Seeded Lawns · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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; A permit is not required to install new sod and/or newly seeded lawns.
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.CRD Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 1857, Schedule 26, Schedule 26 to Bylaw No. 1857 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
Bylaw	Capital Regional District Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099)CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099), title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT WATER CONSERVATION BYLAW NO. 1, 2016

How it works

Sidney gets its water from the CRD system, and the CRD sets the restrictions under its Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099. 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.