Sarasota Water Restrictions 2026
Sarasota County · Florida
Published:
Restrictions Active - Modified Phase III: Extreme Water Shortage
1
Day/Week
12:01 AM – 4:00 AM
Allowed Hours
$500
Max Fine
Find Your Watering Day
Enter the last digit of your street address:
View full address schedule table
| 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
Properties under 1 acre may use only ONE of the two watering windows per scheduled day.
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.
Citations begin April 3, 2026🏠 HOA Rules During Restrictions
HOAs in Sarasota 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 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
Sarasota County declared a local water emergency in mid-March 2026, ahead of SWFWMD’s district-wide Phase III order. The county’s primary water source, the Myakka River watershed, has seen flows drop to historic lows. Saltwater intrusion monitoring wells along the coast are showing elevated chloride levels, threatening long-term aquifer health. Water use enforcement patrols began two weeks ahead of the district schedule. 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 Sarasota area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are well below seasonal targets, necessitating mandatory conservation measures.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Sarasota Water Restrictions
11 tips tailored for Sarasota homeowners during Modified Phase III: Extreme Water Shortage restrictions.
Sarasota County offers free irrigation audits – schedule one to identify waste before your single watering day.
Sarasota’s microsprinkler rebate program covers up to $200 for upgrading spray heads to low-volume emitters.
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.
Let your lawn go semi-dormant – St. Augustine and Bahia grasses can survive 4–6 weeks without irrigation and green up after rain.
Use a rain gauge to track natural rainfall; skip your scheduled watering day if you received 0.5 inches or more in the prior 48 hours.
Switch container plants and flower beds to drip irrigation, which is exempt from day-of-week limits under SWFWMD rules.
Avoid fertilizing during Phase III; nitrogen stimulates growth that demands more water the lawn cannot receive.
If you have a pool, use a cover to reduce evaporation – an uncovered pool can lose 1 inch of water per week in Florida’s heat.
Sarasota Water Restriction FAQs
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