Quebec Water Restrictions 2026
Published: May 2, 2026
Water restrictions in Quebec are set municipally as demand-management measures, not drought response. Montreal's annual outdoor watering by-law (règlement 13-023) runs May 15 – September 1 with assigned-day sprinkler schedules across the city's 19 boroughs.
ℹ Montreal’s annual outdoor watering by-law (règlement 13-023) takes effect May 15 and runs through September 1. Even-numbered addresses water Tue/Thu/Sat; odd Wed/Fri/Sun. Sprinklers 8:00–11:00 PM only.
Quebec watering restrictions are demand-management measures, not drought response. Each of Montreal’s 19 boroughs may impose additional local rules; verify your specific arrondissement.
Quebec overview
Water restrictions in Quebec are set at the municipal level as permanent demand-management by-laws rather than as drought-response measures. The St. Lawrence River and its tributaries provide the province with abundant supply, but treatment-plant capacity and distribution-system pressure during summer peak demand drive the seasonal schedules that most Quebec cities operate.
Montreal — règlement 13-023 (May 15 – September 1): Montreal’s annual outdoor watering by-law applies city-wide with 19 boroughs (arrondissements) able to impose stricter local rules. Even-numbered addresses water Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays; odd-numbered addresses water Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Automatic and oscillating sprinklers may run only between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM. Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle is unrestricted any day, any time. First-offence fines start at $100; commercial fines can reach $4,000 per occurrence.
Quebec City — règlement R.V.Q. 2660: Quebec City operates a similar May–September schedule with assigned-day watering. Sprinkler hours are slightly different from Montreal’s; verify at ville.quebec.qc.ca.
Laval — règlement L-12431:Laval applies a parallel by-law for the Île Jésus area. Laval’s schedule is closely coordinated with Montreal’s but enforces separately under city of Laval bylaw authority.
Gatineau:Gatineau’s by-law is in effect May to October and coordinates loosely with Ottawa across the Ontario border, but enforces under Quebec municipal authority.
Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières: both operate permanent year-round watering schedules with no summer-only window. Verify at ville.sherbrooke.qc.ca and v3r.net.
Outremont, Westmount, and Mont-Royal:these are independent municipalities on the Island of Montreal and are NOT subject to Montreal’s §13-023. Each operates its own watering by-law.
Syndicate / condo protections: Quebec syndicats de copropriété cannot impose landscape rules that conflict with municipal by-laws. Article 1063 of the Civil Code of Quebec governs the relationship; the Tribunal administratif du logement has consistently sided with owners in disputes where syndicate rules conflict with active watering restrictions.
Cities with active restrictions in Quebec
Frequently asked questions — Quebec
When do Montreal's outdoor watering rules apply?
Does the schedule apply to all of Montreal?
What about Quebec City, Laval, Gatineau, and Sherbrooke?
Why does Quebec restrict watering when the St. Lawrence has so much water?
Can my Quebec syndicate (condo board) fine me for a brown lawn during the schedule?
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