Williams Lake watering restrictions
Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions?
Short answer
In Williams Lake, lawn watering is limited from April 1 to September 30 each year: 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., on even days for even-numbered addresses and odd days for odd- numbered addresses. Automatic systems may water daily 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. The City may add temporary restrictions.
Key facts
| When restrictions apply | Every year from April 1 to September 30, landscape irrigation and outdoor cleaning are allowed only as the bylaw permits. The Director of Municipal Services may announce further temporary restrictions in a water shortage. No current stage is stated.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2194, 2014 (consolidated), s. 7.11.1; Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2194, 2014 (consolidated), s. 7.11.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBetween April 1st and September 30th, inclusive, in each year, no person shall carry out, may by public announcement, in the event of a water shortage, impose further temporary water conservation restrictions |
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| Sprinkling schedule | Lawn watering is allowed 12:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on even days for even-numbered addresses and odd days for odd-numbered addresses; both on June 1, August 1 and September 1. Mobile homes in parks water on alternate days by bay number. Automatic systems may water daily 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2194, 2014 (consolidated), s. 7.11.2(a); Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2194, 2014 (consolidated), s. 7.11.2(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingLawn watering shall only be permitted during the hours of 12:00 am to 10:00 am and 6:00 pm to 11:59 pm for: properties with even numbered addresses on even numbered days properties with odd numbered addresses on odd numbered days June 1st, August 1st and September 1st permitted to water daily between the hours of 12:00 am and 4:00 am |
| Allowed at any time | Hand watering of plants at any time with a hose that has a working spring-loaded shut-off nozzle or a hand-held container. The bylaw's definition of 'lawn watering' excludes drip irrigation, hand-held containers and nozzled hand-held hoses. Automatic systems may water daily 12 a.m. to 4 a.m.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2194, 2014 (consolidated), s. 7.11.2(d); Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2194, 2014 (consolidated), s. 7.11.2(c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPersons may, at any time, hand-water plants using a hose with a working spring- loaded shut-off nozzle or a hand-held container but does not include drip irrigation or distribution of water by means of hand All outdoor hand use of hoses for other than filling swimming pools and/or hot |
| New lawns | A person with a new lawn (sod or seed) or substantial new landscaping may apply for a 21-day watering permit, renewable once for up to 21 days; one permit and one renewal per property per calendar year. Fee $25 for a single-family home or duplex; $150 for apartments, commercial, industrial or institutional property.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2194, 2014 (consolidated), s. 7.11.3; Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2194, 2014 (consolidated), s. 7.11.4; Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2194, 2014 (consolidated), Schedule J · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA person who has installed a new lawn, whether by the placement of sod or by seeding, Permits issued under Section 7.11.3 of this Bylaw will be issued for a period of 21 days A person may not apply for more than one permit and a renewal thereof for the Single Family or Duplex Residential $25.00 Apartment Complexes $150.00 |
| Fine | Bylaw notice: $100 for lawn watering at unauthorized times ($75 if paid within 14 days; $125 late).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2196, 2013 (consolidated), Schedule A-20; Water Conservation, page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingParked vehicle on 7.10.6 $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 No Highway impeding snow removal Lawn Watering during 7.11 $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 Yes unauthorized times Council has authorized a minimum fine of $100.00 for infractions of the sprinkling regulations |
| Bylaw | Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2194, 2014 (s. 7.11, Sprinkling Regulations)Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2194, 2014 (consolidated), s. 7.11; Water Conservation, page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingremoval and storage and upon providing proof of ownership to the contractor. 7.11 Sprinkling Regulations 7.11.1 Between April 1st and September 30th, inclusive, in each year, no person shall carry out, GOOD NEIGHBOUR BYLAW NO. 2194, 2014 Table of Contents Sprinkling Regulations - See Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2194, Section 7.11 |
How it works
Section 7.11 (Sprinkling Regulations) of the Good Neighbour Bylaw limits outdoor watering every year from April 1 to September 30. The Director of Municipal Services may announce further temporary restrictions in a water shortage. No current stage is stated in the bylaw; check the City's Water Conservation page or call City Hall (250-392-2311) for current notices.
Lawn watering hours
- Allowed 12:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., on even days for even-numbered addresses and odd days for odd-numbered addresses; any address may water on June 1, August 1 and September 1.
- Mobile homes in parks water on alternate days by bay number.
- Automatic systems may water daily 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.
What is exempt
- Hand watering of plants at any time, with a hose that has a working spring-loaded shut-off nozzle or a hand-held container. The bylaw's definition of lawn watering excludes drip irrigation, hand-held containers and nozzled hand-held hoses. Drip irrigation and food gardens are not specifically mentioned.
New lawns
A person with a new lawn (sod or seed) or substantial new landscaping may apply for a 21-day watering permit, renewable once for up to 21 days; one permit and one renewal per property per calendar year. The fee is $25 for a single-family home or duplex and $150 for apartments, commercial, industrial or institutional property. Display the permit prominently on the property.
Good to know
- Where the fire hazard is rated extreme for three days or more, the Fire Chief may suspend the watering requirements by notice.
- Watering at unauthorized times is a $100 bylaw notice ($75 if paid within 14 days; $125 if paid late).
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
100 Mile House · Quesnel · Clinton · Lillooet · Ashcroft · Barriere
Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Water Conservation, City of Williams Lake (read 2026-11-05)
- Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2194, 2014 (consolidated) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2196, 2013 (consolidated), Schedule A-20 (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.