Water restrictions and lawn sprinkling permits
Water use across the region can increase by 50% in summer and early fall, for swimming pools, growing food, maintaining sports fields, and other social and community-building uses.
But a lot of water is also used to green our lawns, wash our decks or driveways, and for other lower-priority uses. Metro Vancouver's region-wide watering regulations are an effective way to help use our drinking water wisely.
When you can water under Metro's regulations
Metro's Water Conservation Plan is designed to reduce demand for drinking water through specific water restrictions, which are implemented in four stages (the higher the stage, the more restrictive). Summer restrictions take effect on May 1 each year, and remain in place until October 15.
Residential lawn watering hours
| House number | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Stage 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Even (eg. 2330 Smith Ave) |
Wed, 4am-9am Sat, 4am-9am |
Wed, 4am-9am |
None allowed | None allowed |
| Odd (eg. 2331 Smith Ave) |
Thur, 4am-9am Sun, 4am-9am |
Thur, 4am-9am |
None allowed | None allowed |
Non-residential lawn watering hours
| House number | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Stage 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Even (eg. 2330 Smith Ave) |
Mon, 1am-6am Fri, 4am-9am |
Mon, 1am-6am |
None allowed | None allowed |
| Odd (eg. 2331 Smith Ave) |
Tue, 1am-6am Fri, 4am-9am |
Tue, 1am-6am | None allowed | None allowed |
Hours for other residential water uses
| Type of use | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Stage 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowers, trees, shrubs, planters (excluding lawns) | Any time
|
Any time
|
Any time
|
None |
| Vegetable gardens | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Car and boat washing | Spring-loaded shut off nozzles only | Spring-loaded shut off nozzles only | For safety only (Car washes open) |
For safety only (Car washes closed) |
| Surface and power washing | Allowed | For safety or painting only (Commercial businesses exempt) |
For safety or painting only (Commercial business example) | Not allowed (unless ordered by a regulatory authority) |
Learn more about watering rules and restrictions
For complete details of Metro's water stages, and to find out more detail about what you can and can't do during each stage, review their Drinking Water Conservation Plan Summary:
Metro Vancouver's Drinking Water Conservation Plan Summary
Permit to water during summer lawn sprinkling restrictions
You can apply for a lawn sprinkling permit to water your lawn daily for three weeks (between 4am and 9am) during summer restrictions.
You qualify for a permit if you are:
- installing a new lawn
- applying nematodes to your lawn to treat a chafer beetle infestation
- restoring your lawn following District-led street works
Permit fees
The permit costs $51 and is good for 21 days. The fee is waived if:
- you have a receipt to show that you have purchased nematodes
- your lawn is being restored following District-led street works
How to apply online
For your convenience, you can apply for your lawn sprinkling permit online:
| $51 fee (new lawns) | Fee waived (nematodes or DNV restoration) | |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Download the permit application form | Download the permit application form |
| Step 2 | Complete the application form and submit it by email | Complete the application form and submit it by email, attaching an electronic copy of your nematode receipt, if applicable (photo or scan is fine) |
| Step 3 | After receiving your application, we will email you a web link to pay the $51 fee online by credit card. Once we receive your payment, we will email your permit. This step can take 1-3 days. | Within 1-3 days of receiving your application, we will email your permit |
How to apply in person
You can apply for your lawn sprinkling permit in person, at District Hall:
- Download the lawn sprinkling permit application form
- Bring the completed form to District Hall, along with your receipt if you are applying for a nematode waiver
- We will process your application and issue your permit while you wait
