York Water Restrictions 2026
York / Adams / Franklin Counties · Pennsylvania
Published:
Voluntary Conservation - Drought Vigilance
No assigned schedule
Voluntary conservation
Before 10:00 AM (recommended)
Allowed Hours
No fines
Voluntary, no penalties
Find Your Watering Day
This city assigns watering days by property location, not by address digit. Find your assigned days in the table below.
Watering schedule by property location
| Property Location | Watering Day |
|---|---|
| All addresses (voluntary) | 3 days/week recommended |
Allowed Watering Hours
York Water Company is at voluntary conservation status as of May 2026. Pennsylvania DEP has not declared a regional drought watch for the Susquehanna basin. The company actively monitors Codorus Creek watershed conditions. If mandatory restrictions are imposed (as they were in 2023), York Water Company prohibits lawn/athletic field/garden irrigation, golf course irrigation, vehicle washing at home, pool filling/topping, hydrant use except firefighting, and serves restaurant water on request only. Hand watering with a shut-off hose remains permitted year-round.
Still Allowed
💧 Hand Watering
Allowed with shut-off nozzle. Hours: Any time, any day (during voluntary stage).
🌿 Drip Irrigation
Exempt from day-of-week limits. Must follow allowed hours.
Fines & Enforcement
Voluntary stage: no fines. Mandatory stage: warning + corrective notice; $100+ + service action for repeat offences.
York Water Company enforces mandatory restrictions through service-action authority granted by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PA PUC). The company has imposed mandatory non-essential water-use bans during recent droughts (most recently in 2023 when the watershed deficit exceeded 12 inches). Customers can email drought.questions@yorkwater.com for stage clarification.
🏠 HOA Rules During Restrictions
Pennsylvania does not have a statewide HOA brown-lawn protection statute equivalent to Texas Property Code § 202.007 or Colorado HB 21-1229. However, most municipal codes in York, Adams, and Franklin counties prohibit HOA enforcement actions that conflict with declared water emergencies. Document compliance with York Water Company's restriction notices if your HOA contests dormant lawns; reference the PA PUC-approved drought-response plan in any written response.
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 The York Water Company'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
York Water Company (NASDAQ: YORW) is the oldest investor-owned water utility in the United States, founded in 1816 and continuously operating in York County, Pennsylvania for over 200 years. The company serves more than 75,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers, over 210,000 people total, across 54 communities in York, Adams, and Franklin counties.
Water supply: Lake Redman Reservoir (primary), Lake Williams (secondary), and Susquehanna River pumping (backup, up to 11 million gallons per day). York Water Company has imposed mandatory non-essential water use bans during recent droughts (most recently in 2023 when the watershed deficit exceeded 12 inches).
Mandatory restriction triggers (when imposed): • Prohibited: lawn/athletic field/garden irrigation • Prohibited: golf course irrigation • Prohibited: vehicle washing at home • Prohibited: pool filling/topping • Prohibited: hydrant use except firefighting • Restaurants: water on request only • All non-essential water use banned Drought Q&A email: drought.questions@yorkwater.com
As of May 2026, York Water Company is at voluntary conservation status, Pennsylvania DEP has not declared a regional drought watch for the Susquehanna basin. The company actively monitors Codorus Creek watershed conditions and updates customers via yorkwater.com.
Pennsylvania does not have a statewide HOA brown-lawn protection statute, but most municipal codes prohibit HOA enforcement during declared water emergencies. Document compliance with York Water Company's restriction notices if your HOA contests dormant lawns.
Note: Searches for 'York County water restrictions' may also refer to York County, South Carolina (Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Tega Cay), those communities are under Stage 2 LIP mandatory restrictions in effect since May 15, 2026. See our York County, SC index for that information.
Monitor yorkwater.com for stage updates and drought-questions email for resident inquiries.
This deficit has accumulated over the current water year and represents a significant departure from historical averages for the York area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are below seasonal targets, prompting regional voluntary conservation guidance.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During York Water Restrictions
10 tips tailored for York homeowners during Voluntary Conservation - Drought Vigilance restrictions.
York County PA is in USDA Zone 6b, Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass dominate. Both go semi-dormant in summer heat and recover with autumn rain.
Mow Tall Fescue at 3.5–4 inches through summer to shade the soil and reduce evapotranspiration during the voluntary conservation period.
Cycle-and-soak (e.g. 5 min run, 30 min rest, repeat) prevents runoff on Pennsylvania piedmont clay soils.
Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle is unrestricted at all stages, prioritise mature trees and high-value shrubs over turf.
Apply 2–3 inches of wood chip mulch around trees and shrubs, reduces soil temperature and retains moisture in the mid-Atlantic summer.
If York Water Company imposes mandatory restrictions (as in 2023), all sprinkler irrigation is banned, let Tall Fescue go fully dormant and recover naturally.
Skip summer fertiliser June–August, nitrogen forces growth that demands more water during peak heat.
Use a rain gauge to track natural rainfall; mid-Atlantic thunderstorms can deliver 0.5+ inches in a single event and skip your scheduled watering.
Sign up for drought-stage emails via yorkwater.com, stage changes are typically announced 24–48 hours before they take effect.
Monitor drought.questions@yorkwater.com for resident clarification and yorkwater.com for current stage and restrictions.
York Water Restriction FAQs
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