Due to unreasonably hot and dry weather, we are under Stage 3 Water Restrictions under Metro Vancouver's Water Shortage Response Plan. The following restrictions are in place:
Not Allowed
- Lawn sprinkling;
- Municipal exemption permits for new‐lawns or nematode application are prohibited;
- Watering of trees, shrubs, flowers, decorative planters and vegetable gardens by sprinklers or soaker hoses is prohibited;
- Private pressure washing is prohibited;
- Washing of driveways, sidewalks and parkades for aesthetic purposes is prohibited;
- Washing of all cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats and other recreational and vehicles is prohibited;
- Golf course fairway watering is prohibited;
- Cemetery lawns – all forms of watering are prohibited;
- Municipal parks ‐ all forms of watering are prohibited;
- Operation of ornamental fountains is prohibited;
- Filling or refilling of private swimming pools, hot tubs and garden ponds is prohibited.
- Hand watering of trees, shrubs, flowers, decorative planters and vegetable gardens using a spring-loaded shutoff nozzle, containers or a drip irrigation system is permitted;
- Watering of turf at turf farms or flowers and vegetables at commercial gardens is permitted.
- Hosing of outdoor surfaces (e.g. driveways, sidewalks, roofs) if required to avoid public health and safety concerns or to prepare a surface for painting/sealing or similar treatment is permitted;
- Commercial pressure washing for health and safety purposes or to prepare as surface for painting or similar purposes is permitted;
- Commercial car wash operations are permitted;
- Golf course watering of greens and tee areas at minimum levels required to maintain areas in useable condition is permitted;
- Sports playing field (including sand-based) and school yard watering at minimum levels as required to maintain areas in useable condition is permitted;
- Artificial turf requiring wetting and outdoor tracks if required for dust control or safety reasons is permitted.
- Note: The City will NOT be issuing permits new lawns and nematodes application as they are prohibited during Stage 3 restrictions. Permits previously issued are no longer valid.
What else can you do?
- Work with nature and let your lawn go dormant (brown) over the summer. It’ll ‘green up’ again when it starts raining in the fall.
- Leave grass clippings on your lawn. They’ll help trap moisture to reduce evaporation and break down to feed your lawn naturally.
Residents and businesses found to be violating Stage 3 water restrictions will be issued one verbal warning prior to receiving a $200 fine from the City's Bylaw Services Division .
