Orange County restricts lawn watering to one day a week
One day restriction in effect from November 5, 2023 to March 9, 2024
Posted
From the Orange County Newsroom
Mandatory lawn watering restrictions specify the days when you may water. These days depend on whether you have an odd- or even-numbered address, and the time of year. Per County ordinance, the following restrictions apply to landscape irrigation regardless of whether the water comes from groundwater or surface water, from a private well or pump, or from a public or private utility:
Outdoor irrigation is limited to one day a week during Eastern Standard Time (from the first Sunday in November until the second Sunday in March) and two days a week during Daylight Saving Time (from the second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November).
Water only if necessary and not between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Water for no more than one hour per zone.
Time of year
Homes with odd-numbered or no addresses
Homes with even-numbered addresses
Nonresidential properties
March 12 to November 4, 2023
Wednesday Saturday
Thursday Sunday
Tuesday Friday
November 5, 2023 to March 9, 2024
Saturday
Sunday
Tuesday
Watering violation process
First time violators will receive a warning through a door hanger notice and by letter.
Repeat violators will be subject to a fine of $25 per violation. A violator can appeal to a Hearing Officer after a written request is submitted and a $25 filing fee is made. Failure to pay the fine or to contest the violation within 30 days will be considered an admission of liability and fines may be collected by any available legal means, including adding the fine to the water bill of the account holder. If you have questions regarding the mandatory watering restrictions, or need assistance resetting your irrigation controller, call the Water Division at (407) 254-9850.
Watering exception for new sod/landscaping
Per County ordinance:
Residents are allowed to water new sod or landscaping on any day at any time for the initial 30 days after installation, and then every other day for the next 30 days.
Watering is limited to the amount necessary for the sod or landscape to become established.
This exception applies only on those specific areas where the new sod/landscaping is located.
Residents must provide Orange County Utilities with their name, phone number, address, and any receipts for sod and/or landscape purchases to avoid getting a watering violation during sod/landscape establishment.
Although exempt from watering restrictions during this time, residents are not exempt from the applicable water rates. Please keep in mind that an increase in watering will result in higher water bills, which could be hundreds of dollars more than usual. Please note, however, that effective May 8, 2012, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution No. 2012-M-11 titled, “Billing Adjustments For Excessive Water Consumption.” It states in part that all customers with 5/8 x 3/4 inch meters and all residential customers, regardless of meter size, who experience unusually high water usage with a corresponding spike in their monthly water bill may be considered for a billing adjustment. To request a billing adjustment after replacing your sod or landscaping, please complete the Residential Lawn Replacement Adjustment Request Form and submit it (along with requested documentation) to Orange County Utilities within 60 days of the date of the unusually high consumption. Orange County Utilities staff will investigate and verify the information submitted.
Contact Us:
Water Watch Orange County Utilities 9150 Curry Ford Road, 3rd Floor Orlando, FL 32825
Editor's Note: The headline for this article was updated, with an added subhead, on December 12, 2023 for readers' easier grasp of and clarity on Orange County's shift from two to one day watering schedule.
Keywords
Orange County,
Orange County Utilities,
Water Watch,
Daylight Savings Time,
Irrigation,
Lawn Watering