Lawn Watering
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.
Lawn Watering Restrictions – Stage 1 (May 1 to Oct 15)
Stage 1 watering restrictions help conserve our drinking water supply during the warmer months. Lawn watering is only permitted on specific days based on your property type and address number.
Residential Properties
- Even-numbered addresses: Saturdays
Automatic watering: 5:00 – 7:00am
Manual watering (sprinklers, hoses): 6:00 – 9:00am - Odd-numbered addresses: Sundays
Automatic watering: 5:00 – 7:00am
Manual watering: 6:00 – 9:00am
- May be watered with a sprinkler any day from 5:00 – 9:00am
- May be watered any time by hand or with drip irrigation
Non-Residential Properties
- Even-numbered addresses: Mondays
Automatic watering: 4:00 – 6:00 am
Manual watering: 6:00 – 9:00am - Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesdays
Automatic watering: 4:00 – 6:00am
Manual watering: 6:00 – 9:00 am
- May be watered with a sprinkler any day from 4:00 – 9:00 am
- May be watered any time by hand or with drip irrigation
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.
How do I apply for an exemption?
To apply for a Water Restriction Exemption Permit, please fill out an application:
Water Restriction Exemption Permit
Send the completed form to savewater@richmond.ca along with the required documentation.
Note that additional watering restrictions may be enforced during summer drought conditions to protect our drinking-water supply.
Additional Resources
- Learn about Metro Vancouver’s Water Conservation Initiatives.
- Review Metro Vancouver’s Lawn Watering Restrictions.
- Refer to the City’s Water Use Restriction Bylaw No. 7784 for regulated watering practices enforced by the City of Richmond.
