Broward County - Water Resources Division

Water Use Restrictions

Irrigation During Normal Conditions - Section 36-55 Broward County Code of Ordinances restricts landscape irrigation to the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., seven days per week during normal conditions. This ordinance applies countywide and enforcement is provided by both County and municipal code enforcement officers. For more information on water use restrictions, click here.

Local municipal irrigation ordinances may be stricter than this ordinance. Nine of Broward’s thirty-one municipalities have permanent irrigation restrictions in place which are similar to or more restrictive than the County’s ordinance. Of those nine, three (Coconut Creek, Dania Beach, and Hollywood) have more restrictive irrigation requirements than the county and as such, prevail over the county’s ordinance. In Coconut Creek, irrigation is restricted to the hours of 5:00 p.m. through 8:00 a.m., which is one hour less of irrigation time than allowed by the county ordinance. In Dania Beach, irrigation is also limited to between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. but is only allowed every other day rather than seven days per week, as allowed by the county. In Hollywood, watering is allowed only between 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m., three days per week.

Irrigation During Water Shortages - During periods of water shortage, the South Florida Water Management District imposes water use restrictions in phases, depending on the severity of the water shortage. The type of water shortage and the corresponding phases of restrictions are summarized below.

Phase I Water Shortage (Moderate Shortage) and Restrictions - Low rainfall, low groundwater elevations or low levels in Lake Okeechobee may trigger a water shortage. During Phase I (moderate) shortage conditions, the SFWMD imposes water use restrictions designed to achieve up to 15% reduction in overall demand. The restrictions apply to all users.

Phase II Water Shortage (Severe Shortage) and Restrictions - During Phase II (severe) shortage conditions, the SFWMD imposes water use restrictions designed to achieve up to 30% reduction in overall demand. The restrictions apply to all users.

Phase III Water Shortage (Extreme Shortage) and Restrictions - During Phase III (extreme) shortage conditions, the SFWMD imposes water use restrictions designed to achieve up to 45% reduction in overall demand. The restrictions apply to all users.

Phase IV Water Shortage (Critical Shortage) and Restrictions - During Phase IV (critical) shortage conditions, the SFWMD imposes water use restrictions designed to achieve up to 60% reduction in overall demand. The restrictions apply to all users.

Xeriscape - Section 39-80 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances (Landscape and Xeriscape Ordinance 93-43) promotes water conservation by providing for the re-establishment of native plant communities, use of site-specific plant materials, and implementation of xeriscape principles.

Ultra-low Volume Plumbing Fixtures - Broward County has incorporated the South Florida Building Code into its ordinances. The South Florida Building Code specifies ultra-low volume plumbing fixtures on all new construction.

Rain Sensor Devices - Section 39-361 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances requires new irrigation systems to install a rain sensor device.

Water Conservation Rate Structure - The County utility adopted a three-tier progressive rate structure for potable water and imposes an additional surcharge during water shortages declared by the South Florida Water Management District.