Clermont Water Restrictions 2026
Lake County · Florida
Published: Updated:
Restrictions Active - SJRWMD Phase III Extreme Water Shortage - Effective May 13, 2026
1
Day/Week
Before 8:00 a.m.
Allowed Hours
$50-$250 per violation
Max Fine
Find Your Watering Day
Enter the last digit of your street address:
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| Address Ending | Watering Day |
|---|---|
| Odd addresses | Wednesday |
| Even addresses | Thursday |
Allowed Watering Hours
Clermont is in Lake County, one of Florida's fastest-growing exurban areas roughly 25 miles west of Orlando. Lake County is entirely within SJRWMD. Phase III Extreme rules apply: 1 day per week by address parity, no watering 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. any day, 3/4 inch per zone, 1 hour per zone max. The Clermont Chain of Lakes (Lake Minneola, Lake Minnehaha, Lake Louisa) are lakefront features but cannot be used for irrigation without an SJRWMD permit.
Still Allowed
💧 Hand Watering
Allowed with shut-off nozzle. Hours: Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle is permitted any day, any time..
🌿 Drip Irrigation
Exempt from day-of-week limits. Must follow allowed hours.
Fines & Enforcement
$50-$250 per violation
City of Clermont code enforcement issues warnings on first offence. SJRWMD compliance officers patrol the rapidly-growing area.
Citations begin May 13, 2026🏠 HOA Rules During Restrictions
Florida Statute 720.3075 protects homeowners from HOA fines for brown lawns during SJRWMD restrictions. Clermont's master-planned communities have dense HOA networks.
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 City of Clermont Utilities + SJRWMD'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 county’s code enforcement division for assistance.
Why These Restrictions Exist
Clermont (population ~50,000) is one of Florida's fastest-growing cities, a Lake County exurban community roughly 25 miles west of Orlando. The city sits on the Clermont Chain of Lakes (Lake Minneola, Lake Minnehaha, Lake Louisa, Lake Apopka downstream). Lake County is entirely within SJRWMD, which declared Phase III Extreme Water Shortage on May 13, 2026.
Clermont's economy is anchored by suburban residential development, the National Training Center (an Olympic-level training facility for triathletes, runners, and cyclists), and the legacy Florida citrus industry. The South Lake Hospital and ELITE swim training facility are major institutional water consumers.
The Chain of Lakes (Lake Minneola is the principal lake at Clermont) provides scenic and recreational value but cannot be used as a residential irrigation source without an SJRWMD permit. Lake levels are seasonal and reflect basin-wide drought conditions. The National Training Center pool and recreational facilities operate under separate commercial water accounts with their own Phase III obligations.
Distinguishing context: the city of Mascotte (just west of Clermont, also in Lake County) is entirely SJRWMD and follows the same Phase III rules. Parts of southern Lake County and adjacent Polk County may be SWFWMD; verify your district on your water bill. Florida Statute 720.3075 protects homeowners from HOA fines for brown lawns under SJRWMD restrictions.
This deficit has accumulated over the current water year and represents a significant departure from historical averages for the Clermont area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are well below seasonal targets, necessitating mandatory conservation measures.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Clermont Water Restrictions
10 tips tailored for Clermont homeowners during SJRWMD Phase III Extreme Water Shortage - Effective May 13, 2026 restrictions.
Phase III limits irrigation to 1 day per week: odd Wednesday, even Thursday. Never irrigate 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Lake Minneola levels are a visible drought indicator. Check the Waterfront Park boat ramp area for the current waterline.
St. Augustine grass dominates Clermont lawns; deep weekly irrigation (3/4 inch) is essential under Phase III.
Bahia is more drought-tolerant; consider partial conversion in less-formal lots. Bahia is well-adapted to Clermont's sandy soils.
Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle is permitted any day. Prioritise mature live oaks and palm trees.
Lake-front residents: drawing irrigation from Lake Minneola or other Chain of Lakes requires SJRWMD permit. Phase III does not exempt lake-water draws.
Master-planned community HOAs in Clermont have dense oversight. Florida Statute 720.3075 protects you from fines for brown lawns - document the May 13 SJRWMD declaration.
National Training Center facilities operate under commercial water accounts with their own Phase III obligations. Public lap-swim pool hours are not restricted but pool maintenance water (refilling) is.
Install a rain barrel: captured rainwater is unrestricted at every SJRWMD phase.
Monitor sjrwmd.com and clermontfl.gov weekly. Groveland, Minneola, Mascotte (other Lake County communities) follow the same SJRWMD Phase III rules.
Clermont Water Restriction FAQs
What days can I water my lawn in Clermont?
What hours can I run my sprinklers in Clermont?
What are the fines for water violations in Clermont?
Can I install new sod or seed in Clermont during restrictions?
When will water restrictions end in Clermont?
I live on Lake Minneola - can I use lake water for irrigation?
National Training Center pool / Olympic facility - exempt from Phase III?
I commute to Orlando - which restrictions apply on the road?
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