Lawn Sprinkling Regulations

Recent City publications such as the annual calendar, Tax newsletter and Focus newsletter all carry the old sprinkling regulations. However, starting in 2011, residential lawn sprinkling hours are restricted to 4 to 9am. That’s when the least amount of water used on lawns will evaporate.

The most significant change is that you can no longer sprinkle in the evenings. These restrictions are in place from June 1 to September 30. See Metro Vancouver's website for the most current lawn sprinkling news.

Residential addresses

• Even-numbered addresses may sprinkle lawns 4-9am Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
• Odd-numbered addresses may sprinkle lawns 4-9am Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Non-residential addresses

• Even-numbered addresses may sprinkle lawns 1-6am Monday and Wednesday
• Odd-numbered addresses may sprinkle lawns 1-6am Tuesday and Thursday
• All non-residential addresses can also sprinkle 4-9am on Friday.

Why does Metro Vancouver have lawn sprinkling regulations every summer?

Water use almost doubles (mostly due to outdoor use) at the same time that seasonal rainfall is at its lowest.

These restrictions help ensure that demand does not exceed what our existing water distribution system can deliver throughout the Metro Vancouver region.

What else can you do?

• Work with nature and let your lawn go dormant (brown) over the summer.
• Leave grass clippings on your lawn. They’ll help trap moisture while they break down to feed your lawn naturally.
• Planting a new lawn in the spring or fall will cut the amount of time you’ll spend watering.

Exemptions

• Watering newly-planted lawns outside of restricted times requires a special permit from your municipality.
• Watering of flower and vegetable gardens, decorative planters, shrubs and trees.
• Filling of pools, spas, water play parks and fountains.
• Washing of cars or boats using spring-loaded shutoff.
• Sports playing fields and school yards. Lawns at golf courses and turf farms.
• Artificial turf requiring wetting and outdoor tracks requiring hosing for dust control or safety.