---
title: Vernon watering restrictions
question: "Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?"
place: Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/vernon
category: Water, sewer, roads and snow
owner: regional
owner_body: Regional District of North Okanagan
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/water-restrictions/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/water-restrictions.json"
---

# Vernon watering restrictions

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

**Short answer:** Yes. Greater Vernon Water, run by the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO), sets watering rules for the City of Vernon at all times. A "Normal" stage applies by default, and Stages 1 to 4 are imposed when drought requires. Check rdno.ca/waterrestrictions for the current stage.

**Who handles it:** Regional district (Regional District of North Okanagan, https://www.rdno.ca)  
**Cost:** Wasting water: municipal ticket $100, $400 for a repeat offence. Bylaw notice $100 ($80 if paid within 14 days); repeat $400 ($320 early). Court fine $200 to $2,000 per offence.  
**How long:** The stage can change as water supply changes. Check the RDNO page before you water.  
**Where:**
- Online: Current Greater Vernon Water restrictions, https://www.rdno.ca/waterrestrictions

## Key facts

- **When restrictions apply:** Restrictions are in place year-round: the "Normal" stage is the default at all times. Stages 1 (Dry), 2 (Very Dry), 3 (Extremely Dry) and 4 (Emergency) are imposed when drought or an emergency requires. They apply to everyone on Greater Vernon Water, including the City of Vernon.
  - Source: [Greater Vernon Water Use and Regulation Bylaw No. 2545 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, Part J (J.1, J.2); Part H](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/BL_2545_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "is the default water restriction in place at all times," … "the General Manager may impose a different water restriction stage"
  - Source: [Greater Vernon Water Restrictions, Regional District of North Okanagan, Did you know?](https://www.rdno.ca/waterrestrictions)
  - Official wording: "which is why they are in place year-round." … "If you are a resident, business, or agricultural water user within the City of Vernon or District of Coldstream, then yes, this applies to you."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Sprinkling schedule:** Normal and Stage 1: sprinklers on hoses 6-10 a.m. and 7 p.m. to midnight, up to 3 days a week (odd addresses Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday; even addresses Wednesday, Friday, Sunday); automatic timer systems 12-6 a.m. on the same days. Stage 2: up to 2 days (Tuesday and Saturday odd; Wednesday and Sunday even). Stage 3: no lawn watering.
  - Source: [Greater Vernon Water Use and Regulation Bylaw No. 2545 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, Schedule A (Bylaw 3089, 2026), line A-B](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/BL_2545_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Watering allowed between 6am-10am" … "Watering allowed between 12am-6am" … "Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday" … "Wednesday, Friday, Sunday" … "Tuesday & Saturday" … "No lawn watering by any method."
  - Source: [Greater Vernon Water - Stage 3 Watering Restrictions, Regional District of North Okanagan, Stage 3 notice](https://www.rdno.ca/our-communities/rdno-news/greater-vernon-water-stage-3-watering-restrictions)
  - Official wording: "No lawn watering is permitted"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Allowed at any time:** Normal: hand watering (spring-loaded nozzle or can), micro-jet and drip any time. Stage 1: hand watering any time; drip and micro-jet any day 7 p.m.-10 a.m. Stage 3: food gardens and potted plants by drip, micro-jet or hand only, 7 p.m.-10 a.m.; fruit trees every 2 days (bylaw) or 2 days a week (RDNO page); no sprinklers. (Sources differ: Stage 3 food gardens: the RDNO page says up to 7 days a week and the June 18, 2026 notice says daily, but Schedule A of the bylaw (June 17, 2026) says fruit trees and shrubs 'maximum every 2 days' while the RDNO page says residential fruit trees and shrubs up to 2 days a week. The bylaw wording is shown. Stage 3 aesthetic gardens: established plants 1 day a week and newly planted up to 2 days, by micro-jet, drip or hand only, 7 p.m. to 10 a.m. Under Stage 3 filling pools, ponds and water features is prohibited, with pool top-ups up to 1% of volume a week.)
  - Source: [Greater Vernon Water Use and Regulation Bylaw No. 2545 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, Schedule A, lines C-D, F; definition of Sprinkle](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/BL_2545_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "C Anytime Micro Jet or Drip 10am ." … "D nozzle on hose or Anytime Anytime" … "does not include the methods known as Drip Irrigation, Micro Jet Irrigation, or hand watering." … "Fruit trees / shrubs maximum every 2" … "No sprinklers or soaker hoses allowed."
  - Source: [Greater Vernon Water Restrictions, Regional District of North Okanagan, Stage 3 FAQ](https://www.rdno.ca/waterrestrictions)
  - Official wording: "Watering is allowed up to 7 days a week between 7:00pm and 10:00am to maintain plant health for food security. Watering can be done by micro jet, drip irrigation, or hand watering. Sprinklers and soaker hoses are not allowed"
  - Source: [Greater Vernon Water - Stage 3 Watering Restrictions, Regional District of North Okanagan, Stage 3 notice](https://www.rdno.ca/our-communities/rdno-news/greater-vernon-water-stage-3-watering-restrictions)
  - Official wording: "Food gardens and potted plants may now be watered daily, as required to maintain plant health."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **New lawns:** Normal: follow the supplier's recommended watering schedule after installation (2 weeks for sod, 6 weeks for seeded lawns), then resume regular restrictions. Stage 2: an RDNO sprinkling permit is required (2 weeks for sod; 6 weeks for seeding, which must start before April 30 or after Sept. 1). Stage 3: no new permits.
  - Source: [Greater Vernon Water Use and Regulation Bylaw No. 2545 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, Schedule A, line E](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/BL_2545_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Follow supplier recommended watering" … "After installation (2 weeks for" … "Sod or 6 weeks for Seeded Lawns)" … "RDNO sprinkling permit required. Sod" … "Seeding must start before April 30 or" … "No new permits issued or renewed for lawns."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Using water contrary to the restrictions (wasting water): $100 municipal ticket, $400 for a repeat offence. Bylaw notice: $100, or $80 if paid within 14 days; repeat offence $400 ($320 early). Continued non-compliance can lead to water shut-off.
  - Source: [Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw 2908, Regional District of North Okanagan, Schedule G](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2908_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Wasting Water H.3.b and $100.00 $400.00"
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2909, Regional District of North Okanagan, Schedule A, Appendix 6](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2909_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Wasting Water H.3.a, $100.00 $80.00 Yes"
  - Source: [Greater Vernon Water Use and Regulation Bylaw No. 2545 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, Part H.3(a); Part Q; Part N](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/BL_2545_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "use water in contravention of Schedule "A" - Greater Vernon Water - Water Use Restriction Stages;" … "In the event that a Customer's Water Service is shut off pursuant Section N.5.f of this Bylaw" … "not less than $200.00 and not more than $2000.00 for each offence"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Greater Vernon Water Use and Regulation Bylaw No. 2545, 2014 (Regional District of North Okanagan); Schedule A replaced by Bylaw No. 3089, 2026
  - Source: [Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw 2908, Regional District of North Okanagan, Schedule G](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2908_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Greater Vernon Water Use and Regulation Bylaw No. 2545, 2014"
  - Source: [Greater Vernon Water Use and Regulation Bylaw No. 2545 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, Schedule A](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/BL_2545_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Bylaw No. 3089, 2026"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Greater Vernon Water, run by the Regional District of North Okanagan, applies the [Greater Vernon Water Use and Regulation Bylaw No. 2545](<https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/BL_2545_C.pdf>) to everyone on the system, including the City of Vernon. "Normal" is the default stage at all times. Stages 1 (Dry), 2 (Very Dry), 3 (Extremely Dry) and 4 (Emergency) are imposed when drought or an emergency requires. The RDNO may set a stage stricter than the bylaw in places. Check rdno.ca/waterrestrictions for the current stage.

## Steps

1. Check the current stage on the RDNO page.
2. Normal and Stage 1: sprinklers on hoses 6 to 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. to midnight, up to 3 days a week (odd addresses Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday; even addresses Wednesday, Friday, Sunday). Automatic timer systems run 12 to 6 a.m. on the same days.
3. Stage 2: up to 2 days a week (odd addresses Tuesday and Saturday; even addresses Wednesday and Sunday).
4. Stage 3: no lawn watering and no sprinklers.

## Good to know

- Check these days and hours against Schedule A of the bylaw. The schedule table is hard to read and the stage columns need confirming.
- Normal: hand watering, micro-jet and drip are allowed any time. Stage 1: hand watering any time; drip and micro-jet any day 7 p.m. to 10 a.m.
- Stage 3: food gardens and potted plants by drip, micro-jet or hand only, 7 p.m. to 10 a.m. Fruit trees "maximum every 2 days" in the bylaw, but 2 days a week on the RDNO page. Filling pools, ponds and water features is prohibited, with pool top-ups up to 1% of volume a week.
- New lawns: Normal, follow the supplier's schedule (2 weeks for sod, 6 weeks for seeded lawns). Stage 2 needs an RDNO sprinkling permit. Stage 3: no new permits.
- Continued non-compliance can lead to water shut-off. Each day is a separate offence.

## Official forms and pages

- [Greater Vernon Water Use and Regulation Bylaw No. 2545 (PDF)](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/BL_2545_C.pdf)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/water-restrictions.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/water-restrictions.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/water-restrictions.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/water-restrictions.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/water-restrictions.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/water-restrictions.md)
- [Enderby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/water-restrictions.md)

## Sources

- [Greater Vernon Water Restrictions, Regional District of North Okanagan](https://www.rdno.ca/waterrestrictions) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Greater Vernon Water Use and Regulation Bylaw No. 2545 (consolidated) (PDF), Regional District of North Okanagan](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/BL_2545_C.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Greater Vernon Water - Stage 3 Watering Restrictions, Regional District of North Okanagan](https://www.rdno.ca/our-communities/rdno-news/greater-vernon-water-stage-3-watering-restrictions) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw 2908 (PDF), Regional District of North Okanagan](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2908_C.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2909 (PDF), Regional District of North Okanagan](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2909_C.pdf) (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 Regional District of North Okanagan. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/water-restrictions/_