Arcadia Water Restrictions 2026
DeSoto County Β· Florida
Published: Updated:
Restrictions Active - Modified Phase III: Extreme Water Shortage
1
Day/Week
12:01 AM β 4:00 AM
Allowed Hours
$500
Max Fine
Find Your Watering Day
Enter the last digit of your street address:
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| Address Ending | Watering Day |
|---|---|
| 0 or 1 | Monday |
| 2 or 3 | Tuesday |
| 4 or 5 | Wednesday |
| 6 or 7 | Thursday |
| 8 or 9 | Friday |
Allowed Watering Hours
SWFWMD Phase III rules apply. Properties under one acre may use only ONE of the two watering windows (12:01β4:00 AM or 8:00β11:59 PM) per assigned day. Properties one acre or larger may water in both windows. Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle is allowed any day before 8:00 AM or after 6:00 PM.
Still Allowed
π§ Hand Watering
Allowed with shut-off nozzle. Hours: Any day before 8:00 AM or after 6:00 PM.
πΏ Drip Irrigation
Exempt from day-of-week limits. Must follow allowed hours.
Fines & Enforcement
$500
No warnings, citations issued immediately starting April 17, 2026. Up to $500 per violation.
Citations begin April 3, 2026π HOA Rules During Restrictions
HOAs in DeSoto County cannot fine residents for brown lawns during active SWFWMD restrictions (FL Statute 720.3075). Through July 1, 2026, HOA enforcement of deed restrictions requiring water use, including replacement of plant material and pressure washing, is suspended per the SWFWMD water shortage order.
If your homeowners association sends a violation notice for a dormant or brown lawn during the current restriction period, respond in writing citing the applicable law and include a copy of the SWFWMD's current restriction order. Most HOAs will rescind the notice once they are made aware of the legal protections in place. If the issue persists, contact your countyβs code enforcement division for assistance.
Why These Restrictions Exist
Arcadia, the historic βAll-Florida Cityβ and DeSoto County seat, sits on the Peace River, which runs through the city and supplies regional drinking water through the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority. Peace River flows have dropped sharply under the 13.7-inch SWFWMD rainfall deficit, and SWFWMD authorised the Peace River authority for increased emergency withdrawals as part of the Phase III declaration. DeSoto County's cattle ranching and agricultural sector adds significant water demand pressure on top of municipal use. The City of Arcadia issued a public restriction notice on March 12, 2026 reiterating the Phase III rules. Effective April 17, 2026, SWFWMD eliminated warnings for first offenses, citations are now issued immediately with no prior warning.
This deficit has accumulated over the current water year and represents a significant departure from historical averages for the Arcadia area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are well below seasonal targets, necessitating mandatory conservation measures.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Arcadia Water Restrictions
9 tips tailored for Arcadia homeowners during Modified Phase III: Extreme Water Shortage restrictions.
Peace River flows are at the centre of regional supply management; household conservation directly reduces pressure on the river drawdown.
St. Augustine dominates Arcadia lawns and will brown noticeably under Phase III, accept dormancy rather than overwater.
Bahia is the most drought-tolerant warm-season grass for DeSoto County agricultural and rural-residential properties and uses 40% less irrigation than St. Augustine.
Hand-water mature live oak canopy trees in Arcadia's historic downtown with a shut-off nozzle before 8 AM or after 6 PM, replacement cost on lost mature trees runs into thousands of dollars.
Cattle and agricultural operations follow separate SWFWMD allocations through their own permits, household lawn rules do not apply to permitted agricultural irrigation.
Raise your mower blade to 3.5β4 inches; taller grass shades the soil and reduces evaporation by up to 25%.
Apply a thin layer (0.5 in) of compost or mulch around landscape beds to retain soil moisture.
Inspect sprinkler heads weekly and repair broken or misaligned nozzles immediately to avoid wasting your single watering day.
Water in the approved overnight window (12:01β4 AM) when evaporation is lowest and wind is calm.
Arcadia Water Restriction FAQs
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