Victoria watering restrictions
Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?
Short answer
Yes. Under the Capital Regional District's Water Conservation Bylaw 4099, Stage 1 watering rules apply in Victoria every year from May 1 to September 30. Lawns can be watered two days a week, by street address, in the early morning or evening only. The CRD can bring in stricter stages at any time.
Key facts
| When restrictions apply | Stage 1 restrictions apply every year from May 1 to September 30. The regional water commission can change that period or bring in a stricter stage at any time of year; stricter stages take effect 48 hours after notice.CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw 4099), s. 4; Regional Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District, Water Conservation Bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe 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 Stage 1 Watering Schedule of the Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099 for the Regional Water Supply System is in effect May 1 through September 30 every year. |
|---|---|
| Sprinkling schedule | May 1 to September 30. Even-numbered addresses: Wednesdays and Saturdays. Odd-numbered addresses: Thursdays and Sundays. Any method 4 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m.; timed or automatic irrigation systems may also run 12:01 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m. For a strata or multi-unit complex use the complex's street number.Regional Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District, Lawn Watering · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOdd Number | Thursdays & Sundays Even Number | Wednesdays & Saturdays Any method: 4-10am or 7-10pm Timed/automatic irrigation systems: 12:01-10 am or 7-10 pm the address number means the street address that is assigned to the entire complex, and not the individual unit number. |
| Allowed at any time | Hand watering and micro or drip irrigation: any day, any time. Established trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables with a sprinkler: any day, 4 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m. Vehicles and boats can be washed with a container or hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or at commercial washes. Pools, hot tubs and ponds may be filled. Nurseries and farms are exempt.Regional Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District, Stage 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingHand Watering & Micro/Drip Irrigation | Any day, any time Sprinkler | Any day 4-10am or 7-10pm A person may wash their vehicle or boat anytime using a handheld container or a handheld hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle You may use water to fill wading pools, swimming pools, hot tubs, or garden pond during Stage 1 Water Restrictions. Nurseries, farms, turf farms and tree farms are exempt from the Water Conservation Bylaw 4099. |
| New lawns | No permit needed. New sod may be watered on installation and for the first 21 days, and newly seeded lawn until growth is established or 49 days, whichever is less, between 4 to 10 a.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. Then go back to your lawn watering days.Regional Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District, New Sod · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA permit is not required to install new sod and/or newly seeded lawns. for new sod on installation and during the first 21 days after installation, and newly seeded lawns until growth is established or for 49 days after installations, whichever is less. Once your new lawn is established, please revert to your designated lawn watering days and times. |
| Fine | Court fine of $100 to $10,000 per offence, each day a separate offence. Ticket (CRD Bylaw 1857): $200 for watering a lawn outside the Stage 1 days or times, wasting water in Stage 1 or watering contrary to a restriction; $100 for playing fields or spray parks; $250 for lawns in Stage 2; $400 in Stage 3.CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw 4099), s. 10; CRD Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw 1857, Schedule 26 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA person who contravenes this bylaw commits an offence and is liable to a fine not less than $100 and not exceeding $10,000. a ticket information pursuant to Bylaw No. 1857 Stage 1 – water lawn contrary to even-numbered Wasting water during Stage 1 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 4099), Title; Report a Bylaw Violation, Watering Restrictions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT WATER CONSERVATION BYLAW NO. 1, 2016 The Capital Regional District regulates water conservation through its Water Conservation Bylaw. |
How it works
Victoria is served by the CRD Regional Water Supply, and the Water Conservation Bylaw 4099 applies in each municipality. Stage 1 restrictions apply every year from May 1 to September 30. The regional water commission can change that period or bring in a stricter stage at any time of year, and a stricter stage takes effect 48 hours after notice. Check the CRD page for the stage in force now.
Stage 1 schedule
- Lawns, May 1 to September 30: even-numbered addresses water on Wednesdays and Saturdays; odd-numbered addresses on Thursdays and Sundays. Any method may be used 4 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m. Timed or automatic irrigation systems may also run 12:01 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m. For a strata or multi-unit complex, use the complex's street number.
- Established trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables: a sprinkler any day, 4 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m. Hand watering and micro or drip irrigation: any day, any time.
- New sod or seeded lawn: no permit needed. New sod may be watered on installation and for the first 21 days; new seed until growth is established or 49 days, whichever is less, between 4 to 10 a.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. Then go back to your lawn watering days.
Good to know
- Vehicles and boats can be washed with a container or a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or at commercial washes. Pools, hot tubs and ponds may be filled. Nurseries and farms are exempt.
- Hand-held hoses must have an automatic shut-off nozzle. Wasting water, such as running taps or hoses, over-watering, or spray onto neighbouring property, is also banned.
- Tickets under CRD Bylaw 1857: $200 for watering a lawn outside the Stage 1 days or times, wasting water in Stage 1, or watering contrary to a restriction; $100 for playing fields or spray parks; $250 for lawns in Stage 2; $400 in Stage 3.
- A court can fine $100 to $10,000 per offence, and each day is a separate offence.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Oak Bay · Esquimalt · View Royal · Saanich · Colwood · Langford
Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Regional Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District (read 2026-11-05)
- CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw 4099) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- CRD Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw 1857, Schedule 26 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Report a Bylaw Violation, City of Victoria (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. How answers are checked.