Lawn Watering


Sprinkler watering green grass

One hour of lawn watering uses as much water as 25 toilet flushes, five loads of laundry and five dishwasher loads combined, so in an effort to reduce drinking water consumption in warmer months, the City of Richmond works with Metro Vancouver every year to enact and enforce sprinkling regulations.

UPDATE: Metro Vancouver is moving from Stage 3 to Stage 2 water restrictions on July 16, following completion of critical infrastructure work on the Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel Project.

Lawn Watering Restrictions

Stage 2 - July 16 to Oct 15

Stage 2 watering restrictions help conserve our drinking water supply during the warmer months. In Stage 2, lawn watering is prohibited unless in compliance with a valid permit, however, watering trees, shrubs, and flowers is permitted with conditions. Edible plants are exempt from these restrictions. 

Icon residential properties Residential Properties

Lawn watering:
  • Lawn watering is prohibited unless in compliance with a valid permit
Watering trees, shrubs, decorative planters and flowers:
  • Permitted from 5:00-9:00am any day using a sprinkler
  • Permitted any time if using a handheld hose, soaker hose, water container, or drip irrigation
  • All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device
Washing impermeable surfaces is prohibited, with the following exceptions:
  • Surface washing required for a health or safety reason
  • Preparing a surface for painting or similar treatment
  • Aesthetic cleaning by a commercial cleaning operation

Topping up or filling aesthetic water features is prohibited.

Icon nonresidential properties Non-Residential Properties

Lawn watering:
  • Lawn watering is prohibited unless in compliance with a valid permit
Watering trees, shrubs, decorative planters and flowers:
  • Permitted from 4:00 to 9:00am any day if using a sprinkler
  • Permitted any time if using a handheld hose, soaker hose, water container, or drip irrigation
  • All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device
Watering golf courses
  • Fairways can be watered on any one day in a seven-day period, except if operating under an approved City of Richmond Water Management Plan
Washing impermeable surfaces is prohibited, with the following exceptions:
  • Surface washing required for a health or safety reason
  • Preparing a surface for painting or similar treatment
  • Aesthetic cleaning by a commercial cleaning operation
Topping up or filling aesthetic water features is prohibited.

Learn more:
Metro Vancouver Water Restrictions Stage 2-3 Summary - Non-residential
Metro Vancouver Water Restrictions Stage 2-3 Summary - Government, schools, parks

Icon additional information Additional Information

  • Edible plants are exempt from watering restrictions.
  • These restrictions do not apply to the use of rainwater, grey water, or recycled water sources that are not part of the municipal drinking water system.

Icon how to apply How do I apply for an exemption?

To apply for a Water Restriction Exemption Permit, fill out an application:
Water Restriction Exemption Permit.

Send the completed application to SaveWater@richmond.ca along with the required documentation.

Applications for water restriction exemption permits are now being accepted under Stage 2 restrictions. Applications issued under Stage 2 restrictions will be valid into Stage 3 restrictions, however no new permits or extensions will be issued under Stage 3 restrictions.


Note that additional watering restrictions may be enforced during summer drought conditions to protect our drinking-water supply.

Additional Resources


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