Victoria Water Restrictions 2026
Published: May 1, 2026
Capital Regional District (CRD) · British Columbia
Restrictions Active - Stage 1 — CRD Annual (May 1 – September 30)
3
Days/Week
7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Allowed Hours
Warning, then fines under CRD Water Conservation Bylaw
Fine
Current restrictions
Lawns may be watered on assigned even/odd days, between 7:00–10:00 AM or 7:00–10:00 PM, for a maximum of 2 hours per session. Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle is permitted at any time.
What is still allowed
💧 Hand watering
Any time, any day with a hand-held hose fitted with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
🌿 Drip irrigation & soaker hoses
Permitted any time. Drip is exempt from sprinkler hour windows.
🥬 Vegetable gardens
Watering vegetable gardens by hand or drip is permitted at any time, even during the strictest stages.
🪣 Rain barrels
Rainwater collected on your own property is unrestricted and may be used at any time for any purpose.
Fines & enforcement
Warning, then fines under CRD Water Conservation Bylaw
First offences typically receive a warning under the CRD bylaw, escalating to fines for repeat offenders. The CRD has authority to escalate to Stage 2 (2 days/week with specific assigned days) or Stage 3 (no lawn watering) if drought conditions develop.
Effective: May 1, 2026🏠 Strata rules
BC strata corporations cannot fine residents for brown or dormant lawns during active regional water restrictions. A strata bylaw that requires lawn watering in conflict with the CRD bylaw is unenforceable under the BC Strata Property Act.
Why these restrictions exist in Victoria
The Capital Regional District (CRD) Stage 1 water conservation bylaw is in effect May 1 through September 30 each year for all customers of the Regional Water Supply System receiving water from Sooke Lake Reservoir. In Greater Victoria, summer water use increases by 44%, mostly from lawn and garden watering. The fall and winter rains replenish Sooke Lake Reservoir and must last the entire year for drinking water, watershed fire suppression, droughts, and support for endangered species habitat. Victoria's maritime climate typically avoids the severe drought pressure seen in the Okanagan or Lower Mainland, but Vancouver Island summers can be extremely dry — 6 to 8 weeks without measurable rain is not uncommon. The 2025–26 winter snowpack in the Sooke Hills tracked below normal, raising the possibility of a Stage 2 escalation later in summer. The City of Victoria also offers Rainwater Rewards credits and rebates for efficient rainwater management.
How to keep your Victoria lawn alive
8 tips for Victoria homeowners.
Set your sprinkler to deliver 25 mm in a single 2-hour session on your assigned day rather than spreading lighter waterings — deep infrequent watering builds drought-tolerant roots.
Mow at 75–90 mm during summer to shade the soil and reduce evapotranspiration. Leave clippings on the lawn to recycle moisture.
Hand watering of vegetable gardens, trees, and shrubs is permitted any time with a shut-off nozzle — prioritise mature trees over turf during heat waves.
Install a rain barrel on a downspout — captured rainwater is unrestricted under all CRD stages and is ideal for tomatoes, raised beds, and ornamentals.
Skip your assigned watering day after any 5 mm+ rainfall — Victoria's spring showers can satisfy your lawn for a full week.
Apply 50–75 mm of mulch around landscape beds to retain soil moisture through the dry summer.
Convert parking strips and shaded sections to Microclover, Tall Fescue / Microclover blends, or native sedges — the CRD encourages low-water lawn alternatives.
Monitor crd.bc.ca for current stage updates — Stage 2 (2 days/week) is the next escalation if Sooke Lake levels drop further.
Victoria water restriction FAQs
Can I water my lawn in Victoria right now?
Why does Greater Victoria have annual restrictions every summer?
What happens if Greater Victoria moves to Stage 2 or Stage 3?
Does the schedule apply to all of Greater Victoria?
Can I install new sod during Stage 1?
Can my BC strata fine me for a brown lawn during Stage 1?
Are there rebates available for water-efficient upgrades in Victoria?
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