Florida counties restrict irrigation to specific days and times to conserve water. In Tampa Bay, most addresses are limited to one or two days per week, before 8 AM or after 6 PM.
The Short Answer
Florida counties restrict landscape irrigation to specific days and times to conserve water and protect the aquifer. In the Tampa Bay area, most residential addresses are limited to one or two days per week, and watering is only allowed before 8:00 AM or after 6:00 PM. The exact schedule depends on your county, your address (even or odd number), and your water source (potable, well, or reclaimed).
Violating these restrictions can result in warnings and fines that increase with repeat offenses. Your irrigation controller should be programmed to match your county’s schedule — and a smart controller can handle this automatically.
Why Restrictions Exist
Florida’s water supply comes from the Floridan aquifer, and demand spikes during the dry season (October through May). Over-pumping degrades water quality, harms natural springs, and can lead to saltwater intrusion in coastal areas. The water management districts — Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) for Tampa Bay — set mandatory restrictions to balance demand with supply and ensure enough water for drinking, agriculture, and natural systems.
Hillsborough County (Tampa)
Hillsborough County follows SWFWMD restrictions. Most properties with addresses ending in an even number may water on Tuesday and/or Saturday. Properties with addresses ending in an odd number may water on Wednesday and/or Sunday. Watering is allowed only before 8:00 AM or after 6:00 PM. Reclaimed water customers may have different rules — check with Hillsborough County Utilities.
Pinellas County
Pinellas County follows similar SWFWMD rules. Even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday and Saturday. Odd-numbered addresses may water on Wednesday and Sunday. Watering is restricted to before 8:00 AM or after 6:00 PM. Properties on reclaimed water are exempt from day-of-week restrictions but should still water efficiently.
Pasco County
Pasco County follows SWFWMD restrictions. Even-numbered addresses water on Tuesday and/or Saturday. Odd-numbered addresses water on Wednesday and/or Sunday. Hours are before 8:00 AM and after 6:00 PM only. New lawns and plants have a 30-60 day establishment period with more flexible watering.
Polk County
Polk County follows Southwest Florida Water Management District rules. The schedule mirrors the Tampa Bay area: even addresses on Tuesday and/or Saturday, odd addresses on Wednesday and/or Sunday, before 8:00 AM or after 6:00 PM. Check with Polk County Utilities for reclaimed water rules and any local variances.
Common Rules Across Counties
- Time of day — No irrigation between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, when evaporation is highest.
- Days per week — One or two days, depending on the season and water source. During severe drought, restrictions may tighten to one day.
- Address-based schedule — Even-numbered addresses water on specific days, odd-numbered on others, to spread demand across the week.
- New lawn exception — Newly installed sod, seed, or plants have an establishment period (typically 30–60 days) with more flexible watering rules.
- Reclaimed water — Properties using reclaimed water are often exempt from day-of-week limits but should still avoid midday watering.
- Hand watering — Hand-watering with a hose is usually allowed any day for spot treatment, but not for whole-lawns.
How to Set Your Controller
Your irrigation controller should be programmed to start your zones on your assigned days, before 8:00 AM. Early morning watering is ideal — it minimizes evaporation, reduces fungal disease, and gives the lawn moisture before the heat of the day. If you have a smart controller (Rachio, Hunter Hydrawise, Rain Bird ESP-Me), it can automatically adjust for rain, skip watering when the soil is already moist, and comply with local restrictions without manual programming.
Your irrigation controller should be programmed to match your county’s schedule. We set this up for every new installation and can reprogram your existing controller to comply with current restrictions.
For the full county-by-county schedule with official links, see our water restrictions guide. If your controller needs reprogramming, we can help with that too.
