Lawn by Season
Modified Phase III: Extreme Water Shortage
Through July 1, 2026

Venice 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 EndingWatering Day
0 or 1Monday
2 or 3Tuesday
4 or 5Wednesday
6 or 7Thursday
8 or 9Friday
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Reset Your Sprinkler Timer
  1. Press and hold the left arrow button for 2 seconds to enter programming mode
  2. Set current day and time first
  3. Set start time to your allowed hour (e.g. 8:00 PM)
  4. Set run time per zone (15–25 minutes for most lawns)
  5. Set watering days to your assigned day ONLY - deselect all others

Allowed Watering Hours

12:01 AM – 4:00 AM8:00 PM – 11:59 PM

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).

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

Venice shares Sarasota County’s water supply infrastructure, and the city’s coastal location makes saltwater intrusion an acute concern as aquifer levels drop. The Myakka River, a key regional water source, is at record-low flows for April. Many Venice neighborhoods feature mature landscaping with high irrigation demand, making compliance especially important. Sarasota County’s water enforcement team has increased patrols in the Venice area.

Rainfall Deficit: 13.7 inches below average

This deficit has accumulated over the current water year and represents a significant departure from historical averages for the Venice area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are well below seasonal targets, necessitating mandatory conservation measures.

How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Venice Water Restrictions

11 tips tailored for Venice homeowners during Modified Phase III: Extreme Water Shortage restrictions.

Venice’s sandy coastal soil benefits greatly from a 2–3 inch mulch layer to prevent rapid moisture loss.

Salt-tolerant grasses like Seashore Paspalum may be worth considering for Venice properties near the coast where saltwater intrusion affects well water quality.

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.

Venice Water Restriction FAQs

What days can I water my lawn in Venice?
Your watering day in Venice depends on your street address. Addresses ending in 0 or 1 can water on Monday. Addresses ending in 2 or 3 can water on Tuesday. Addresses ending in 4 or 5 can water on Wednesday. Addresses ending in 6 or 7 can water on Thursday. Addresses ending in 8 or 9 can water on Friday. You are limited to 1 day per week during the current Modified Phase III: Extreme Water Shortage restrictions.
What hours can I run my sprinklers in Venice?
Under the current restrictions, sprinkler irrigation in Venice is only allowed during the following hours: 12:01 AM – 4:00 AM, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM. Properties under 1 acre may use only ONE of the two watering windows per scheduled day. Watering outside these hours, even on your scheduled day, is a violation and may result in a citation.
What are the fines for water violations in Venice?
No warnings, citations issued immediately starting April 17, 2026. Up to $500 per violation. The SWFWMD and local Sarasota County enforcement officers conduct patrols and respond to complaints. Keep your irrigation timer set to your assigned day and hours to avoid citations.
Can I install new sod or seed in Venice during restrictions?
New lawn installations are prohibited during Phase III unless a variance is obtained from SWFWMD.
When will water restrictions end in Venice?
The current Modified Phase III: Extreme Water Shortage restrictions in Venice are effective from April 3, 2026 through July 1, 2026. However, the restrictions may be extended if drought conditions persist or eased if significant rainfall improves water supply levels. Monitor the SWFWMD website for updates.

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