Inverness Water Restrictions 2026
Citrus County · Florida
Published:
Modified Phase III: Extreme Water Shortage
We have not independently verified this city’s watering schedule. Rules change with drought stage and can be updated at short notice. Confirm your assigned watering days on the SWFWMD official page before watering. Following the wrong schedule can result in a municipal fine.
Verification needed
Check with utility
12:01 AM – 4:00 AM
Allowed Hours
Verification needed
Check with utility
Check Your Watering Day With Inverness
We have not verified Inverness’s current watering schedule against an official source. Watering rules are set by your city and change with drought stage.
Confirm your assigned days on Inverness’s official water page: SWFWMD.
Allowed Watering Hours
SWFWMD Phase III rules apply. Properties under one acre may use only ONE of the two watering windows (12:01–4:00 AM or 8:00–11:59 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
💧 Hand Watering
Allowed with shut-off nozzle. Hours: Any day before 8:00 AM or after 6:00 PM.
🌿 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.
🏠 HOA Rules During Restrictions
HOAs in Citrus 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 county’s code enforcement division for assistance.
Why These Restrictions Exist
Inverness, the Citrus County seat known locally as the “Cooter Festival City”, sits on the chain of spring-fed lakes (Tsala Apopka Chain) west of the Withlacoochee State Forest, all of which are running materially below seasonal averages under the 13.7-inch SWFWMD rainfall deficit. The Withlacoochee River and connected lakes are stressed by reduced spring discharge, and the surrounding forest fire risk is elevated. The City of Inverness issued a public restriction notice on February 6, 2026, ahead of the district-wide Phase III order. 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 Inverness area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are well below seasonal targets, necessitating mandatory conservation measures.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Inverness Water Restrictions
9 tips tailored for Inverness homeowners during Modified Phase III: Extreme Water Shortage restrictions.
Inverness is on the chain of spring-fed lakes, landscape damage from saltwater intrusion is not a concern here, but spring discharge is below normal; conserve to protect aquifer recharge.
St. Augustine dominates Inverness lawns and will brown noticeably under one-day-per-week watering, accept survival dormancy rather than overwatering.
Bahia is the most drought-tolerant warm-season grass for Citrus County and qualifies for partial replacement of turf in xeriscape conversions.
Hand-water mature live oak and cypress with a shut-off nozzle before 8 AM or after 6 PM, these are the highest-value landscape assets in Inverness and the most expensive to replace.
Withlacoochee State Forest fire danger is elevated, keep landscape mulch at least 5 feet from structures and avoid fresh-cut grass piles in fire-prone yards.
Raise your mower blade to 3.5–4 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 (12:01–4 AM) when evaporation is lowest and wind is calm.
Inverness Water Restriction FAQs
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