Outdoor Water Restrictions
Miami-Dade County's precious water supply is vital to preserving South Florida's ecosystems and, as such, must be protected and sustainably managed.
Water Restrictions
To conserve water, the County implements and enforces year-round restrictions that apply to any water source, including public utilities, private wells, and any surface water body, including canals and lakes.
When can I water my lawn?
Residential and business lawns can be watered two days a week using the following rotating schedule:
ODD-numbered home address (those that end in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9) are permitted to irrigate on Wednesdays and Saturdays, before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
EVEN-numbered addresses (those ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8) are allowed to irrigate on Thursdays and Sundays, before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
You can choose one of the two “watering windows” — either morning or evening. It's not necessary to water your lawn twice a day – it’s not only wasteful but can be detrimental to your landscape.
Restrictions don't apply for car and boat washing, pressure cleaning of paved surfaces, decorative fountains and water-based recreation (e.g. swimming pools, water slides).
Users of 100 percent reclaimed water are exempt from restrictions, but encouraged to conserve water.
Low-volume irrigation, including the use of drop and micro jet systems that apply water directly to plant root zones, is not restricted but is encouraged to be reduced.
Year-round Landscape Water Restrictions are in effect for the entire South Florida Water Management District
The South Florida Water Management District’s year-round landscape watering restrictions (Chapter 40E-24, Florida Administrative Code) are designed to ensure the efficient use of water landscape (includes lawns) irrigation.
The restrictions allow enough water to maintain healthy landscapes year-round. These mandatory restrictions specify the time and the days of the week when watering is permitted for residential and nonresidential locations.
These days depend on whether the address ends in an odd or even number. A healthy landscape only needs 1-inch to 1.5 inches of water per week during summer growing season and only as needed to supplement rainfall. During the winter season, when a lawn goes dormant, it requires even less. Click HERE to see recommended zone run times (minutes) to set on your timer.
The YRR applies to all landscape irrigation from all water sources, including public or privately-owned water utility systems, private wells or private connections to surface water bodies (ponds, lakes, canals, etc.), with the following exceptions:
Use of reclaimed water
Athletic play areas (including golf courses, football, baseball, soccer, polo, tennis, and lawn bowling fields, and rodeo, equestrian, and livestock arenas)
Agricultural operations (including nurseries) with District issued consumptive use permits
Hand watering is allowed at any time provided the hose has a self-cancelling nozzle.
In short, the YRR prohibits landscape irrigation between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and limits watering to two or three days per week depending on the area. The District has complied this a list of local restrictions (see the drop-down menu below) with the best available information, based on local ordinances, and the District’s authority. Property owners should refer to their local or county ordinance. However, many local governments are in the process of updating their local ordinances to be consistent with the District’s YRR. If your local government’s ordinance allows irrigation more than three days per week, it likely has not completed its local adoption process. In such cases, property owners should refer to the District’s YRR and continue to check with their local government for updates.
