Memphis Water Restrictions 2026
Shelby County · Tennessee
Published:
No active mandatory restrictions - voluntary conservation
No assigned schedule
Voluntary conservation
Before 10:00 a.m.
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) | 2 days per week recommended |
Allowed Watering Hours
Tennessee does not have a statewide mandatory watering ordinance. Memphis Light, Gas & Water urges voluntary conservation given regional severe drought. Check mlgw.com for current status.
Still Allowed
💧 Hand Watering
Allowed with shut-off nozzle. Hours: Any time.
🌿 Drip Irrigation
Exempt from day-of-week limits. Must follow allowed hours.
Fines & Enforcement
No mandatory fines, voluntary conservation
Memphis has no active mandatory restrictions as of April 2026. MLGW urges conservation.
🏠 HOA Rules During Restrictions
TN law does not have specific HOA protections during drought, check CC&Rs.
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 Memphis Light, Gas and Water'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
West Tennessee in severe drought. Memphis draws from the Memphis Sand Aquifer, one of the deepest and most reliable aquifers in the Southeast, providing more drought resilience than surface-water-dependent cities. Still, voluntary conservation is urged given regional conditions.
This deficit has accumulated over the current water year and represents a significant departure from historical averages for the Memphis area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are below seasonal targets, prompting regional voluntary conservation guidance.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Memphis Water Restrictions
4 tips tailored for Memphis homeowners during No active mandatory restrictions - voluntary conservation restrictions.
Memphis is Zone 7b–8a, Bermuda and Zoysia dominant, both drought-tolerant.
Sand Aquifer supply is more drought-resilient than most Southern cities.
Voluntary 2 days/week, before 10am or after 6pm.
Check mlgw.com for current drought advisory.
Memphis Water Restriction FAQs
What days can I water my lawn in Memphis?
What hours can I run my sprinklers in Memphis?
What are the fines for water violations in Memphis?
Can I install new sod or seed in Memphis during restrictions?
When will water restrictions end in Memphis?
Get alerts for Memphis, Tennessee
We will email you when Memphis restrictions change – escalations, new stages, or lifted restrictions.
No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.
Other Tennessee Cities with Water Restrictions
Community Reports & Questions
Share an update, ask a question, or report a change in your local restrictions.
No community reports yet
Be the first to share a local update, ask a question, or report a change in your area's restrictions.