Why Do We Have Restrictions?
Water used for landscape irrigation poses a significant demand on Sarasota County’s water supply. In fact, up to 50% of a household’s water use can be attributed to the home’s landscape irrigation system. In order to ensure the long-term supply of our water resources, water restrictions are in place year-round throughout Sarasota County. Sarasota County’s water restrictions allow for the application of sufficient water to maintain a beautiful landscape, while conserving this precious resource for future generations. Some ordinance details may vary among municipalities, so it is important to follow the guidelines set forth for your specific community. This blog outlines water restrictions for unincorporated Sarasota County and municipalities within the county boundary.
Find Your Water Restrictions
Sarasota County
These year-round restrictions apply to sources of water including well, pond, or utility system used for manual and automated irrigation systems except for low-volume irrigation, spot treatment, residential drip lines, soaker hoses, and reclaimed water.
Starting Jan. 2023…
Assigned day
- If your address ends in the numbers 0 or 1
- Only irrigate on Monday
- If your address ends in the numbers 2 or 3
- Only irrigate on Tuesday
- If your address ends in the numbers 4 or 5
- Only irrigate on Wednesday
- If your address ends in the numbers 6 or 7
- Only irrigate on Thursday
- If your address ends in the numbers 8 or 9
- Only irrigate on Friday
- If your address ends in the letters A through Z or is common area landscaping with no address assigned (i.e., entranceways to developments, median and roadside plantings, around clubhouses, and recreational elements)
- Only irrigate on Saturday
When to water
- Before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
- Note: Hand watering and micro-irrigation of plants (other than lawns) can be done anytime.
Other restrictions
- The maximum amount of water applied is limited to 3/4 inch in each irrigation zone, on each assigned watering day.
- Fountains and waterfalls may operate only eight hours per day.
- No special watering allowances will be granted for verticutting or over-seeding.
New or replacement lawns
- Watering may occur on the first day of installation any time of any day of the week.
- After the first day, new lawns may be irrigated any day for another 29 days, before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
- On days 31 through 60, new lawns may be irrigated up to three times a week, before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
Rain shut-off devices
- Rain sensor shut-off devices are required for automated irrigation systems.
- It is important to check timers for proper settings after daylight savings and power outages and that rain sensor shut-off devices are still intact and properly functioning after a storm event.
- Learn how to test your sensor here.
City of Sarasota
The following restrictions apply to all sources of water except for reclaimed.
Assigned days
- If your address ends in an even number:
- Only irrigate on Thursday and/or Sunday
- If your address ends in an odd number:
- Only irrigate on Wednesday and/or Saturday
- If your address ends in the letters A through Z or is common area landscaping with no address assigned (i.e., entranceways to developments, median and roadside plantings, around clubhouses, and recreational elements)
- Only irrigate on Tuesday and/or Friday
When to water
- Before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
- Note: Hand watering and micro-irrigation of plants (other than lawns) can be done anytime.
New or replacement lawns
- On the day of installation, watering is permissible anytime that day.
- For the next 30 days, watering can be performed on any day before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
- For the next 30 days, watering can be performed as follows:
- Even-numbered addresses on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
- Odd-numbered addresses on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
- Common areas on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
Rain shut-off devices
- Rain sensor shut-off devices are required for automated irrigation systems.
- It is important to check timers for proper settings after daylight savings and power outages and that rain sensor shut-off devices are still intact and properly functioning after a storm event.
- Learn how to test your sensor here.
City of Venice
The following restrictions apply to all sources of water except for reclaimed.
Assigned day
- If your address ends in an even number:
- Only irrigate on Tuesday
- If your address ends in an odd number:
- Only irrigate on Thursday
When to water
- Before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
- Note: Hand watering and micro-irrigation of plants (other than lawns) can be done anytime.
Other restrictions
- Car washing on residential property is limited to once per
week.- Addresses ending in even numbers: Tuesday OR Saturday
- Addresses ending in odd numbers: Thursday OR Sunday
New or replacement lawns
- New lawns or landscape may be watered any day at anytime the day of installation.
- During the first 60 days, they can be watered any day during the restricted hours.
Rain shut-off devices
- Rain sensor shut-off devices are required for automated irrigation systems.
- It is important to check timers for proper settings after daylight savings and power outages and that rain sensor shut-off devices are still intact and properly functioning after a storm event.
- Learn how to test your sensor here.
North Port
The following restrictions apply to the use of wells and surface sources such as ponds, rivers and canals, in addition to City supplied water.
Assigned days
- If your address ends in an even number:
- Only irrigate on Thursday and/or Sunday
- If your address ends in an odd number:
- Only irrigate on Wednesday and/or Saturday
- If your address ends in the letters A through Z or is common area landscaping with no address assigned (i.e., entranceways to developments, median and roadside plantings, around clubhouses, and recreational elements)
- Only irrigate on Tuesday and/or Friday
When to water
- Before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
- Note: Hand watering and micro-irrigation of plants (other than lawns) can be done anytime.
Other restrictions
- Reclaimed water remains subject to voluntary watering hours, but the City encourages customers to use reclaimed water
- There are no specific restrictions on fountains, car washing and pressure washing.
- These and other water uses should be conducted as efficiently as possible, such as using a shutoff nozzle on each hose to adhere to the general restriction prohibiting wasteful water use.
New or replacement lawns
- New lawns and plants have a “30-30” establishment period.
- On the day of installation, watering is allowed on any day at any time.
- During the first 30 days, watering is allowed on any day during the allowable hours.
- During the second 30 days, watering is allowed three days per week: even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday; odd-numbered addresses may water Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; and locations without a discernable address may water on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
Rain shut-off devices
- Rain sensor shut-off devices are required for automated irrigation systems.
- It is important to check timers for proper settings after daylight savings and power outages and that rain sensor shut-off devices are still intact and properly functioning after a storm event.
- Learn how to test your sensor here.
Longboat Key
The following restrictions apply to all sources of water except for reclaimed.
Assigned day
- If your address ends in an odd number or letters A-M
- Only irrigate on Sunday
- If your address ends in an even number or letters N-Z
- Only irrigate on Tuesday
When to water
- Before 10:00 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m.
- Note: Hand watering and micro-irrigation of plants (other than lawns) can be done anytime.
Rain shut-off devices
- Rain sensor shut-off devices are required for automated irrigation systems.
- It is important to check timers for proper settings after daylight savings and power outages and that rain sensor shut-off devices are still intact and properly functioning after a storm event.
- Learn how to test your sensor here.
Englewood
These year-round restrictions apply to sources of water including well, pond, or utility system used for manual and automated irrigation systems except for low-volume irrigation, spot treatment, residential drip lines, soaker hoses, and reclaimed water.
Starting Jan. 2023…
Assigned day
- If your address ends in the numbers 0 or 1
- Only irrigate on Monday
- If your address ends in the numbers 2 or 3
- Only irrigate on Tuesday
- If your address ends in the numbers 4 or 5
- Only irrigate on Wednesday
- If your address ends in the numbers 6 or 7
- Only irrigate on Thursday
- If your address ends in the numbers 8 or 9
- Only irrigate on Friday
- If your address ends in the letters A through Z or is common area landscaping with no address assigned (i.e., entranceways to developments, median and roadside plantings, around clubhouses, and recreational elements)
- Only irrigate on Saturday
When to water
- Before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
- Note: Hand watering and micro-irrigation of plants (other than lawns) can be done anytime.
Other restrictions
- The maximum amount of water applied is limited to 3/4 inch in each irrigation zone, on each assigned watering day.
- Fountains and waterfalls may operate only eight hours per day.
- No special watering allowances will be granted for verticutting or over-seeding.
New or replacement lawns
- Watering may occur on the first day of installation any time of any day of the week.
- After the first day, new lawns may be irrigated any day for another 29 days, before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
- On days 31 through 60, new lawns may be irrigated up to three times a week, before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
Rain shut-off devices
- Rain sensor shut-off devices are required for automated irrigation systems.
- It is important to check timers for proper settings after daylight savings and power outages and that rain sensor shut-off devices are still intact and properly functioning after a storm event.
- Learn how to test your sensor here.
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