Schertz Water Restrictions 2026
Guadalupe / Comal / Bexar Counties · Texas
Published:
Restrictions Active - Stage 4 Drought - SSLGC Most Severe
0.5
Days/Week
6:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Allowed Hours
$500 first violation; $2,000 + service disconnect possible
Max Fine
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 |
|---|---|
| Schertz A/B group bi-weekly rotation | Once every 14 days, check schertz.com for your group |
Allowed Watering Hours
SSLGC Stage 4 (most restrictive in Texas): outdoor irrigation is limited to ONCE every 14 days. SSLGC uses an A/B group bi-weekly rotation, check your city's website for your assigned group and day. Watering is permitted only 6:00–10:00 AM and 8:00–10:00 PM on your assigned day. Commercial car washes must use water-recycle systems. No new landscape installations. Pool refilling is prohibited without variance. Drip irrigation: assigned day only. Hand watering with a shut-off hose is still permitted any day.
Still Allowed
💧 Hand Watering
Allowed with shut-off nozzle. Hours: Hand watering with a shut-off hose is permitted any day, any time.
🌿 Drip Irrigation
Exempt from day-of-week limits. Must follow allowed hours.
Fines & Enforcement
$500 first violation; $2,000 + service disconnect possible
SSLGC Stage 4 enforcement: $500 first-violation fine; $2,000 plus possible service disconnect for repeat offences. Patrols active throughout Schertz, Cibolo, and Universal City service areas.
Citations begin Stage 4 active 2026🏠 HOA Rules During Restrictions
Texas Property Code § 202.007 prohibits HOAs from fining homeowners for brown or dormant lawns caused by complying with mandatory water restrictions. HOAs also cannot prohibit drought-tolerant xeriscaping. Document the city's drought ordinance if your HOA challenges a brown lawn.
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 Schertz Seguin Local Government Corporation'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
Schertz spans three counties (Guadalupe, Comal, and Bexar) and is served by the Schertz Seguin Local Government Corporation (SSLGC), which operates wells on the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer in addition to Edwards Aquifer-tied supply. SSLGC declared Stage 4, the most severe drought stage in its contingency plan, making Schertz one of the most restricted communities in Texas.
Stage 4 critical rules
- Outdoor irrigation: ONCE every 14 days only
- Hours: 6–10 AM or 8–10 PM only on assigned day
- All commercial car washes must use recycle systems
- No new landscape installations
- Pool refilling prohibited without variance
- Drip irrigation: assigned day only
- Hand watering: still permitted with shut-off hose
Schertz's neighbor Cibolo follows nearly identical SSLGC rules. Texas Property Code § 202.007 protects HOA brown-lawn fines.
Monitor schertz.com/214/Water-Restrictions for stage updates.
This deficit has accumulated over the current water year and represents a significant departure from historical averages for the Schertz area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are well below seasonal targets, necessitating mandatory conservation measures.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Schertz Water Restrictions
10 tips tailored for Schertz homeowners during Stage 4 Drought - SSLGC Most Severe restrictions.
Schertz is on a strict aquifer-driven schedule, programme your controller to your assigned day immediately and pad the start time so the cycle ends within the allowed window.
Bermuda and Buffalo Grass tolerate 4–6 weeks of summer dormancy on Hill Country soils, let the lawn brown rather than stress-watering on off days.
Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle is unrestricted at every aquifer stage, prioritise mature trees and high-value shrubs over turf.
Cycle-and-soak (e.g. 5 min run, 30 min rest, repeat) is required on Hill Country thin-soil-over-limestone sites to prevent runoff during the brief watering windows.
Drip irrigation and soaker hoses for vegetable beds are typically allowed on assigned days only, read your local stage rules carefully (Hill Country drip rules are stricter than SAWS).
Mow Bermuda at 2–3 inches and St. Augustine at 3.5–4 inches through summer to shade the soil and reduce evapotranspiration.
Texas law (since 2009) requires rain/freeze sensors on all new automatic irrigation systems, verify yours functions to avoid wasted cycles.
Skip nitrogen fertiliser June–September, nitrogen forces growth the lawn cannot support during peak heat with restricted watering.
Convert ornamental turf to native Hill Country plants: Cedar Sage, Texas Sage, Mountain Laurel, and Lantana, water utilities offer rebates.
Monitor edwardsaquifer.org for J-17 well levels and schertz.com/214/Water-Restrictions for your city's current stage. Stage 5 (44% pumping cut) becomes possible if J-17 drops below 625 ft.
Schertz Water Restriction FAQs
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When will water restrictions end in Schertz?
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