Irrigation

Community Irrigation Information

Effective February 8, 2026, Manatee County has implemented Modified Phase II water shortage restrictions. Homeowners are allowed to irrigate their properties once weekly based on the address of their home as copied below from the County website:

Because outdoor irrigation can account for more than 50 percent of household water use, residents should carefully follow their local watering schedules. In Manatee County, the standard one-day-per-week schedule is based on street address: 

• Addresses ending in 0 or 1: Monday 

• Addresses ending in 2 or 3: Tuesday 

• Addresses ending in 4 or 5: Wednesday 

• Addresses ending in 6 or 7: Thursday 

• Addresses ending in 8 or 9 and locations without a discernible address: Friday 

Unless stricter local hours are in effect: 

• Properties under two acres may water only before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. 

• Properties two acres or larger may water only before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. 

• Low-volume irrigation (micro-irrigation, soaker hoses, and hand watering) is allowed any day and time. 

Additional provisions of the Modified Phase II Order include: 

• Homeowners associations and similar entities may not require increased water use for landscape appearance, plant replacement or pressure washing. 

• Residential car washing is allowed only on the assigned watering day. 

• Aesthetic fountains are limited to eight hours of operation per day. 

• Pressure washing is allowed once per year or when preparing surfaces for painting or sealing. 

Manatee County Utilities, in coordination with Code Enforcement, will enforce the water shortage restrictions. The following penalty structure will apply: 

• 1st violation – Warning 

• 2nd violation – $100 fine 

• 3rd violation – $250 fine 

• 4th and subsequent violations – $500 fine 

The County is coordinating with Code Enforcement staff to ensure consistent enforcement of the Modified Phase II provisions. 

The order also directs local utilities to report enforcement activity to the Southwest Florida Water Management District and continue coordination with regional water supply partners, including Tampa Bay Water and the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority. 

Full Watering Restriction Details

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