District Water Restrictions

Phase I Water Shortage

Always refer to your "city or county" regulations first.

Effective Dates and Areas

  • The District’s Phase I water shortage restrictions are in effect Nov. 21, 2023 through July 1, 2024, except where stricter measures have been imposed by local governments. 
  • The following restrictions apply to all of Charlotte, Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Sumter counties; portions of Lake and Levy counties; The City of Dunnellon and The Villages in Marion County; and the portion of Gasparilla Island in Lee County. 
  • As of Dec. 1, 2023, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties will be under a Modified Phase I Water Shortage Order limiting lawn watering to once per week through July 1, 2024.
  • Some local governments such as unincorporated Citrus, Hernando and Sarasota counties, and the cities of Dunedin and Venice, have local ordinances that remain on one-day-per-week schedules. 

Once-Per-Week Lawn Watering Days and Times for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Counties

  • Lawn watering is limited to no more than once per week.
  • Lawn watering days and times are as follows unless your city or county has a different schedule or stricter hours in effect:
    • If your address (house number) ends in...
      • ...0 or 1, water only on Monday
      • ...2 or 3, water only on Tuesday
      • ...4 or 5, water only on Wednesday
      • ...6 or 7, water only on Thursday
      • ...8 or 9*, water only on Friday
      • * and locations without a discernible address
    • Unless your city or county already has stricter hours in effect, properties under two acres in size may only water before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
    • Unless your city or county already has stricter hours in effect, properties two acres or larger may only water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
  • Low-volume watering of plants and shrubs (micro-irrigation, soaker hoses, hand watering) is allowed any day and any time.

Twice-Per-Week Lawn Watering Days and Times

  • Lawn watering is limited to no more than twice per week.
  • Lawn watering days and times are as follows unless your city or county has a different schedule or stricter hours in effect:
    • Even addresses may water on Thursday and/or Sunday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
    • Odd addresses may water on Wednesday and/or Saturday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
    • Locations without a discernable address, such as rights-of-way and common areas inside a subdivision, may water on Tuesday and/or Friday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
  • Hand watering and micro-irrigation of plants (other than lawns) can be done on any day and any time.

New Lawns and Plants

  • New lawns and plants have a "30-30" establishment period.
  • On the day of installation, watering is allowed on any day at any time. 
  • During the first 30 days, watering is allowed on any day during the allowable hours. 
  • During the second 30 days, watering is allowed three days per week: even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday; odd-numbered addresses may water Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; and locations without a discernable address may water on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

Reclaimed Water

  • Reclaimed water is only subject to voluntary watering hours, unless restricted by the local government or utility. 

Fountains, Car Washing and Pressure Washing

  • There are no specific restrictions on fountains, car washing and pressure washing.
  • These and other water uses should be conducted as efficiently as possible, such as using a shutoff nozzle on each hose to adhere to the general restriction prohibiting wasteful water use.

Other Requirements

In addition, the following activities should be executed:

  • Test irrigation systems for leaks and efficiencies.
  • Agricultural users should comply with all permit conditions and Best Management Practices. 
  • Golf courses should comply with all water use permit conditions and Best Management Practices; fairways/driving ranges should be irrigated twice per week; tees and green areas three times a week; nonplay areas should follow lawn and landscape irrigation days and times.
  • All wasteful water use such as hosing down driveways and impervious surfaces, allowing water to flow unattended and using water in a grossly inefficient manner, is prohibited.
  • Water utilities should review and update enforcement procedures, implement the ability to issue and process citations, refer complaints to the District, submit status report of enforcement activities to the District in 60 days and submit all monthly enforcement data to the District monthly.

Report Watering Violation

Use this service to report a water use violation, or you may call us at 1-800-836-0797 (FL only) or (813) 856-5679 (during business hours). and leave a detailed message.

View Water Restrictions Violation Reporting Form »

Contact Us

If you have additional water restrictions questions, contact us by sending an email to Water.Restrictions@WaterMatters.org or by calling 1-800-836-0797 (FL only) or (813) 856-5679 (during business hours).

Mailing Address

Demand Management Program
SWFWMD
7601 U.S. Hwy. 301 North
Tampa, FL 33637

A Petition for Variance from year-round water conservation measures or water shortage restrictions is available for qualified circumstances. To confirm that a variance is needed or for assistance when filling out an application form, check with our staff during normal business hours at 1-800-848-0499 (FL only) or email Water.Variances@WaterMatters.org.