People watering their lawn using a sprinkler

Water restrictions explained

When can you water?

Use our Can I water? tool to find rules for your address.

Can I water today?

Water restrictions are set by Metro Vancouver and apply to the use of treated drinking water. 

Restrictions are in effect May 1 to October 15.

Note If you water outside of allowed times, you could be fined $250.

Hoses must have automatic shut-off device year round

Note Per the Water Works Bylaw 4848, automatic shut-off devices are required on hoses year round for all watering and washing activites, regardless of the current level of water restrictions.

Lawn watering restrictions

please note  Currently in Stage 1.

Residential lawn watering

 Water restrictions stage 1 Water restrictions stage 2 Water restrictions stage 3 Water restrictions stage 4
Residential lawn watering

Restricted

Even-numbered addresses:
Wednesday and Saturday
4am – 9am ONLY

Odd-numbered addresses:
Thursday and Sunday
4am – 9am ONLY

Restricted

Even-numbered addresses:
Wednesday
4am – 9am ONLY

Odd-numbered addresses:
Thursday
4am – 9am ONLY

Prohibited

No lawn watering allowed

Prohibited

No lawn watering allowed

Non-residential lawn watering

 Water restrictions stage 1 Water restrictions stage 2 Water restrictions stage 3 Water restrictions stage 4
Residential lawn watering

Restricted

Even-numbered addresses:
Monday
1am – 6am
Friday
4am – 9am

Odd-numbered addresses:
Tuesday
1am – 6am
Friday
4am – 9am

Restricted

Even-numbered addresses:
Monday
1am – 6am 

Odd-numbered addresses:
Tuesday
1am – 6am 

Prohibited

No lawn watering allowed

Prohibited

No lawn watering allowed

Most lawns only need about one inch of water per week, including rainfall. This is equal to one hour of watering.

Other residential water use restrictions

Flower gardens, shrubs, plants and trees

 Water restrictions level 1 Water restrictions level 2 Water restrictions level 3 Water restrictions level 4

Restricted

Sprinklers
4am - 9am, any day

Allowed anytime:

  • Hand watering
  • Drip irrigation
  • Spring-loaded shut-off nozzle  

Restricted

Sprinklers
4am - 9am, any day

Allowed anytime:

  • Hand watering
  • Drip irrigation 
  • Spring-loaded shut-off nozzle 

 

Prohibited

No sprinklers allowed 

Hand watering, drip irrigation or spring-loaded shut-off nozzle ONLY

Prohibited

No watering allowed

Vegetable gardens

 Water restrictions level 1 Water restrictions level 2 Water restrictions level 3 Water restrictions level 4
Flowers and vegetable gardens, decorative planters, shrubs, and trees

Allowed

 

Allowed

 

 

Allowed

 

Prohibited

No watering allowed

Car and boat washing

 Water restrictions level 1 Water restrictions level 2 Water restrictions level 3 Water restrictions level 4
Outdoor car washing and boat washing

Restricted

Spring-loaded shut-off nozzle ONLY

Restricted

Spring-loaded shut-off nozzle ONLY

Prohibited

For safety ONLY
(mirrors, windows, licence plate)
Commercial car washes open

Prohibited

For safety ONLY
(mirrors, windows, licence plate)
Commercial car washes closed

Surface and power washing

 Water restrictions level 1 Water restrictions level 2 Water restrictions level 3 Water restrictions level 4
Private and commercial pressure washing

Allowed

Restricted

For safety or painting prep ONLY.
Commercial companies exempt.

Restricted

For safety or painting prep ONLY.
Commercial companies exempt.

Prohibited

Not allowed unless ordered by a regulatory authority

Full list of water use restrictions

The Metro Vancouver Water Shortage Response Plan lists all the water use restrictions for homes, businesses, governments, and schools for stages 1 to 4.

View the list of restrictions PDF file (642 KB)

Water exemption permits

If you have a new lawn or you are using nematodes to treat your lawn for European Chafer Beetles, you may be eligible for a water exemption permit.

Learn more and apply

Where our drinking water comes from

Our drinking water comes from rain and snowmelt collected in the Capilano, Seymour, and Coquitlam watersheds. With population growth and climate change, there is increasing pressure on our water supply.

Water restrictions help to make sure we have enough treated drinking water for everyone during the dry summer months. 

What you can do

It's important to be water wise every day to protect our water. Find out how you can reduce your water use and protect our waterways.

Book a free irrigation assessment

Book a free assessment to get help setting your lawn and garden irrigation system to follow watering restrictions.