Watering Schedule and Rules

Year-Round Conservation Measures (Effective August 2, 2017)

When Can I Water?

Pinellas County has set days and times you can water plants in your lawn to help save water and reduce strain on the watering system. Select your water source below to see when to water your yard and plants.

• Drinking, Well, Lake and Pond Water
• Reclaimed Water, North County
• Reclaimed Water, South County

Basic Rules

Wasteful and Unnecessary Use of Water Is Prohibited

This includes:

• Leaving a hose on unattended;
• Hand-watering a lawn on a restricted day or more than once a day;
• Hosing down a driveway, solid surface or structure when another method could be used; and/or,
• Not fixing an irrigation or plumbing issue, like broken sprinkler heads or outdoor faucets, after receiving a verbal or written notice.

Violations

The Year-Round Conservation Measures and Seasonal Reclaimed Water Restrictions allow the first violation of these restrictions to be issued as a “warning” Notice of Violation. In accordance with Sixth Judicial Circuit Administrative Order No. 2018-068 PI-CTY, Local Ordinance Violations and Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Violations Uniform Fine Schedule, Attachment A, Miscellaneous Ordinance, Marine Patrol, Fish and Wildlife Conservation commission, and Natural Resources Violation fines start at $193, and may be doubled for a second offense; and for each subsequent offense thereafter. Contested citations may result in the cost of the fine plus additional court costs. For more information after receiving a citation, please contact Business & Customer Services at (727)464-4000.

Potable Water

Irrigation using county drinking water or well, lake, and pond water:

For unincorporated Pinellas County residents (Pinellas County Code 82-2 FAC 40D-22).

Watering Hours (regardless of property size):

Two days a week, once a day

Potable Water Rules

• Lawn irrigation is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Properties with at least 2 acres of irrigated land may water half their allotted time on Thursday and/or Sunday and may water the remaining half on Wednesday and/or Saturday. A diagram with the irrigation schedule for each zone must be submitted to Business & Customer Services.
• Watering new lawns and plants must follow the 60-day establishment period exemption schedule for. Find information about the establishment period, car washing, chemical applications, wasteful and unnecessary water use, and more on the Basic Rules and Water Restrictions pages.

Irrigation Using City Water

• Follow restrictions for non-city properties if you are using well, lake and pond water. Your drinking water supplier may have additional restrictions or a different watering schedule. If you are unsure who provides your water, check your water bill or call Pinellas County Utilities Business & Customer Services at (727) 464-4000.

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Reclaimed Water

For unincorporated Pinellas County Residents (Pinellas County Code 82-2 FAC 40D-22).

North County Reclaimed Watering Schedule

Due to increased demand and limited rainfall, the North County has implemented a two day per week watering schedule. The North County reclaimed system will be off between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on watering days, as well as on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Watering Hours (regardless of property size):

North County 60–Day Establishment Period Guidelines

• Day 1 to Day 30: New plants may be watered on the days reclaimed water is available. Otherwise, drinking water may be used by a hose with a sprinkler head.
• Day 31 to Day 60: New plants may be watered on your two authorized days. Reclaimed water can be used on one of the remaining days it is available if you need an additional day of watering.
• You may only water during authorized hours and only in the new lawn or plant area. New trees, shrubs and plants must be hand-watered.
• You can use an entire irrigation system zone if it waters an area with at least 50 percent new plant material.
• Partial zone and dispersed plantings like trees, plants, and shrubs must be watered by another irrigation method.
• Proof of new lawn material should be faxed to (727) 464-3717 before or immediately after installation. It should include the date and location of installation and the amount of material.

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South County Reclaimed Watering Schedule

Watering Hours (regardless of property size):

Seasonal Restrictions: October 1 – November 30 and April 1 – June 30

South County 60-Day Establishment Period Guidelines

• Day 1 to Day 30: New plants may be watered any day of the week.
• Day 31 to Day 60: New plants may be watered on the three authorized days for your address.
• Exemption begins on the day of installation. New turf grass or plants can be watered one time outside of watering times on installation day.
• You may only water during authorized hours and only in the new lawn or plant area. New trees, shrubs and plants must be hand-watered.
• You can use an entire irrigation system zone if it waters an area with at least 50 percent new plant material.
• Partial zone and dispersed plantings like trees, plants, and shrubs must be watered by another irrigation method.
• Proof of new lawn material should be faxed to (727) 464-3717 before or immediately after installation. It should include the date and location of installation and the amount of material.

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Additional Information:

• Contact Business & Customer Services at (727) 464-4000, or visit the Pinellas County Water Conservation website. Map of reclaimed water areas.
• Visit this page for tips on irrigating with reclaimed water and fertilizer use

Fines for Reclaimed Water Noncompliance

• What happens when you don’t comply with the reclaimed water ordinance? You will first be issued a notice of violation. If you receive more than three violations in 12 months, you may have your reclaimed water service terminated.

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Reclaimed Water Provided by a City

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New Lawns and Plants – Establishment Period

• New lawns and plants have a 60-day total establishment period. From day 1 to day 30, new plants may be watered any day of the week. From day 31 to day 60, new plants may be watered three days a week
• Even addresses only on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday
• Odd addresses only on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
• Watering is only allowed during the authorized hours and applies to the new lawn or plant
• Exemption begins on the day of installation
• On the day of installation, new lawns and plants may be irrigated once without regard to the allowable watering times
• An entire zone of an irrigation system may be used if the zone waters an area that contains at least 50% new plant material
• Partial zone or dispersed plantings shall be watered by some other, more targeted means of supplemental irrigation
• The property owner or manager shall, upon request, provide proof of installation date and call (727) 464-4000 to report the installation of new material to have an exception placed on the account and avoid receiving a violation Irrigation Exemption Proof of new plant material may be faxed to (727) 464-3717.
• Irrigation Exemption Proof of new plant material may be faxed to (727) 464-3717

Chemical Applications

• Irrigation to water-in necessary lawn chemicals is not restricted when required by the manufacturer or when required by law
• Chemical applications shall be watered during authorized watering hours
• Watering-in shall be limited to one application of one-quarter inches within 24 hours of the application
  • The property owner or manager shall, upon request, provide proof of application date and call (727) 464-4000 prior to, or immediately following, the application of chemicals
    

Irrigation System Testing and Repair

• May be operated for testing and repair purposes
• Testing may be done as often as once a week
• The run-time for any one test may not exceed 10 minutes
• An attendant must be on-site in the area being tested

Additional Restrictions

• Additional Restrictions that apply to all water sources.