Water Restrictions

Remember! Mandatory Modified Phase II Water Restrictions are in Effect

The City of Fort Lauderdale is currently under Modified Phase II Water Restrictions, as mandated by the South Florida Water Management District. These restrictions apply to all individuals who use City of Fort Lauderdale water, as well as water from private wells, lakes, canals, or other sources.

Lawn Watering Restrictions

Residents and businesses are currently limited to a two-day-per-week landscape irrigation schedule with two "watering windows,” which are 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. and/or from 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Irrigation is never allowed on any day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. or on a Friday.

• Odd numbered addresses (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) may water on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. and/or from 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
• Even numbered addresses (0, 2, 4, 6, 8), properties with no address, or properties that irrigate both even and odd addresses within the same zones, including multi-family units and homeowners/civic associations, may water on Thursdays and Sundays from 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. and/or from 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Please note: Residents should avoid watering during both time periods on the same day. The SFWMD recommends the efficient use of water, which includes placing a maximum of about three-quarters of an inch to an inch of water once per week on lawns and watering during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest to reduce evaporation losses.

• Landscape irrigation using reclaimed water is not restricted.
• Hand watering with a hose that has an adjustable automatic shut-off, trigger style nozzle attached is permitted anytime.
• Car, boat, and other vehicle washing is allowed. Always attach an adjustable spray or trigger nozzle to the hose and wash vehicles over a non-paved, grassy or porous area.

New Landscaping, Sod or Other Plantings

New landscaping should be installed within a reasonable time from the date of purchase and verified with a receipt or invoice.

In place on first day:

• New landscaping can be watered without regard to restrictions on the first day it is installed.

In place from 2 days to 30 days:

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday AND/OR Sunday (any days except Friday): 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. AND/OR 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

In place from 31 days to 90 days:

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, AND Saturday: 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. AND/OR 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Additional watering days can only be used to benefit new landscaping, and an entire irrigation system zone may only be watered if it contains at least 50% new landscaping.

Drip, bubble and micro-jet systems that apply water directly to root plant zones may be used anytime. Any low-volume system should not produce water runoff.

Landscape irrigation systems may be operated once a week during restricted days and/or times for cleaning, maintenance and repair if someone is on site in the area being tested. Testing should not exceed 10 minutes per zone.

Applying Lawn Maintenance Products

Landscape irrigation for watering-in fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides is allowed for one application unless the need for more than one application is stated in the directions specified by the product manufacturer.

Watering-in is allowed only during established watering days and times unless a professional licensed applicator has posted a temporary sign with the date of the application and the date of needed watering-in.

Enforcement of Water Restrictions

As per Fort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances, the City will strictly enforce the water use restrictions set forth by the South Florida Water Management District when a water shortage has been declared.

The City will be closely monitoring all warnings and citations issued. Water use violations may result in a citation with a civil penalty of $50, or $125 if contested. Each repeat violation will result in a civil penalty, which will be doubled for each occurrence up to a maximum of $500. Violations may also require an appearance before a special magistrate.

More Information

For additional information, residents are encouraged to call the SFWMD’s toll-free Water Shortage Hotline at 1-800-662-8876 or contact their regional SFWMD service center. Helpful water conservation tips and specific information on current water use restrictions are available at www.savewaterfl.com.