Arlington Water Restrictions 2026
Arlington County · Virginia
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
Virginia does not have a statewide mandatory watering ordinance. Arlington is served by Washington Aqueduct (Potomac River source) via DC Water, supply is relatively drought-resilient but the region is still in drought. Check arlingtonva.us for 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
Arlington has no active mandatory restrictions as of April 2026.
🏠 HOA Rules During Restrictions
Virginia HOA law limits HOA authority during declared drought emergencies.
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 Arlington County Department of Environmental Services'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
99.95% of Virginia is in drought as of April 2026. Northern Virginia / DC Metro is in moderate to severe drought. Arlington's Potomac River water supply provides some drought resilience compared to smaller localized utilities.
This deficit has accumulated over the current water year and represents a significant departure from historical averages for the Arlington area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are below seasonal targets, prompting regional voluntary conservation guidance.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Arlington Water Restrictions
4 tips tailored for Arlington homeowners during No active mandatory restrictions - voluntary conservation restrictions.
Tall Fescue (dominant Arlington grass) handles summer dormancy, allow browning.
DC Metro labor costs make professional irrigation repairs expensive, DIY leak fixes save significantly.
Check arlingtonva.us weekly for drought updates.
Voluntary 2 days/week, before 10am or after 6pm.
Arlington Water Restriction FAQs
What days can I water my lawn in Arlington?
What hours can I run my sprinklers in Arlington?
What are the fines for water violations in Arlington?
Can I install new sod or seed in Arlington during restrictions?
When will water restrictions end in Arlington?
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