Outdoor Water-Use Bylaws
Check your local municipality's Outdoor Water-Use Bylaw before using water for lawns and gardens.
All local municipalities state that houses with odd numbers may only use municipal water outdoors on odd numbered days of the month and even house numbers may only use water outdoors on even numbered days of the month. For example, if your house number is 24, you can water on even days (2, 4, 6, etc.).
Time of day for watering varies between municipalities. Please refer to your municipality's website for your local Outdoor Water-Use Bylaw.
Newly planted trees and shrubs can be watered for a period of 24 hours after planting. Sod and seed watering details vary between municipalities.
Unless otherwise stated, the Outdoor Water-Use Bylaws are in effect from May 15 to September 30 every year.
Visit york.ca/SaveWater for tips to keep your lawn and garden healthy while saving water at the same time.
Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina and Whitchurch-Stouffville
- Outdoor water-use is allowed between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on odd/even days
- One-month grace period for new sod and seed
King
- Premises assigned even numbered street numbers or where street numbers have not been assigned, premises on the north side or west side of the road, may use water on the even days of the calendar month between the hours 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Premises assigned odd numbered street numbers or where the street numbers have not been assigned, premises on the south side or east side of a road, may use water on the odd days of the calendar month between the hours of 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Markham
- Outdoor water-use is allowed between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. or 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on odd/even days, but not both
- Industrial, commercial and institutional properties follow odd/even, permitted for three hours only between midnight and 6 a.m.
- Two-month grace period for new sod and seed
- Water-use bylaw is in effect from June 1 to September 30
Newmarket
- Outdoor water-use is allowed between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on odd/even days
- One-month grace period for new sod and seed
- Water-use bylaw is in effect all year round
Richmond Hill
- Outdoor water-use is allowed between midnight and 6 a.m. and between 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. for a maximum of four hours on odd/even days
- Industrial, commercial and institutional properties follow odd/even, permitted for 4 hours only from midnight to 6 a.m
- One-month grace period for new sod and seed
- Water-use bylaw is in effect from June 15 to September 30
Vaughan
- Outdoor water-use on residential properties is allowed between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on odd/even days
- Industrial, commercial and institutional properties follow odd/even, permitted for 3 hours only from midnight to 7 p.m.
- One-month grace period for new sod and seed
- Water-use bylaw is in effect from May 15 to September 30
