White Rock watering restrictions
Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?
Short answer
Yes. The City of White Rock applies watering restrictions each year from May 1 to October 15, starting with Stage 1 on May 1. In Stage 1, residential lawns may be watered one day a week: even-numbered addresses on Saturdays, odd-numbered on Sundays. Check the Water Conservation page for the current stage.
Key facts
| When restrictions apply | Restrictions apply every year from May 1 to October 15 (one City page elsewhere says October 31). Stage 1 starts automatically each May 1; Stages 2 to 4 are brought in as needed. The City's 2026 guide says to follow Stage 1.Water Conservation, Water Restrictions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOutdoor watering restrictions are in effect every year from May 1 to October 15. Stage 1 restrictions are automatically implemented each year on May 1. Stage 2 to Stage 4 restrictions are implemented as needed. runs from May 1 to October 31 every year to assist in water conservation. |
|---|---|
| Sprinkling schedule | Stage 1, residential lawns: one day a week only. Even-numbered addresses Saturdays, odd-numbered Sundays. Automatic systems 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.; manual (hand-held) watering 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Multi-family buildings go by the building number. Stage 2 and higher: no lawn watering.Water Conservation, Stage 1 Restrictions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingResidential lawn watering is permitted one day a week. Automatic watering is allowed 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. Manual watering is allowed 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Even numbered addresses: Saturdays Odd numbered addresses: Sundays All lawn watering is prohibited. |
| Allowed at any time | Stage 1: gardens, shrubs, trees and flower beds may be watered any day 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. with a sprinkler (residential), or at any time by hand or with drip irrigation. Stage 2: vegetable gardens at any time; trees, shrubs and flowers by hand, soaker hose or drip at any time. Hoses washing a boat or vehicle need an automatic shut-off.Water Conservation, Stages 1 and 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingwatering of gardens, shrubs, trees and flower beds is permitted any day from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. for residential properties or anytime if hand watering or using drip irrigation. Vegetable gardens can be watered at any time. water hoses must be equipped with an automatic shut off device. |
| New lawns | A Water Exemption Permit for a newly planted, not yet established lawn costs $61, is valid 21 days, and allows daily watering 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. Available under Stage 1 and Stage 2; one renewal is available unless Stage 3 is in effect.Water Conservation, Water Exemption Permits; Fees and Charges Bylaw 2026, No. 2554, Water Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingWater exemption permits are allowed under Stage 1 and Stage 2 water restrictions. Permit Fees are $61 Permits are valid for only three weeks (21 days) from the permit issue date every day for 21 days between the morning hours of 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. Water Restriction Exemption Permit $61.00 |
| Fine | Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read. |
| Bylaw | Not confirmed. The City's Water Conservation page names no bylaw. |
How it works
The City of White Rock's Water Conservation page sets four stages of watering restrictions every year from May 1 to October 15. One City page elsewhere says October 31. Stage 1 starts automatically each May 1, and Stages 2 to 4 are brought in as needed. The City's 2026 guide says to follow Stage 1. No current stage notice was in the pages we read, so check the Water Conservation page for today's stage.
Good to know
- Stage 1, residential lawns: one day a week only. Even-numbered addresses on Saturdays, odd-numbered on Sundays. Automatic systems 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.; hand-held watering 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Multi-family buildings go by the building number. Non-residential: even addresses Mondays, odd Tuesdays; automatic 4 to 6 a.m.; manual 6 to 9 a.m.
- Stage 2 and higher: no lawn watering.
- Stage 1: gardens, shrubs, trees and flower beds may be watered any day 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. with a sprinkler (residential), or at any time by hand or with drip irrigation. Stage 2: vegetable gardens at any time; trees, shrubs and flowers by hand, soaker hose or drip at any time. Stage 3 allows gardens only by hand, containers or drip irrigation; Stage 4 bans all outdoor watering.
- Hoses washing a boat or vehicle need an automatic shut-off.
- New lawn: a Water Exemption Permit costs $61, is valid 21 days, and allows daily watering 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. It is available under Stage 1 and Stage 2, with one renewal unless Stage 3 is in effect. Email water@whiterockcity.ca.
- Fines: we found no ticket amount or City bylaw for breaking the restrictions. The Water Services Bylaw sets a general court fine of $100 to $10,000 but has no sprinkling rules. Report violations to the Bylaws Department at 604-541-2181.
What you'll need
- Water Exemption Permit Application (only for a newly planted lawn that has not yet established)
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Surrey · Langley City · Township of Langley · Delta · New Westminster · Burnaby
Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Water Conservation, City of White Rock (read 2026-11-05)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw 2026, No. 2554 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Water Services Bylaw 2015, No. 2117 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 4 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 2 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.