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Water conservation Stage 2 restrictions begin May 1.
Photo courtesy City of Richmond
Richmond urges water conservation as Stage 2 restrictions begin May 1
Published 3:58 PDT, Thu April 30, 2026
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The long-range forecast predicts a hot, dry summer. In response, the City of Richmond, along with other municipalities in the region, will implement Stage 2 lawn watering restrictions from May 1 to October 15. These stricter measures are needed to conserve drinking water and ensure a reliable supply throughout the summer.
Watering of edible plants is exempt from these regulations.
Stage 2 restrictions
Residential
- Lawn watering is prohibited
- Watering trees, shrubs, decorative planters and flowers
- Permitted from 5 to 9 a.m. any day using a sprinkler
- Permitted any time if hand watering or using drip irrigation
- All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device
- Washing impermeable surfaces is prohibited, with the following exceptions:
- Surface washing required for a health or safety reason
- Preparing a surface for painting or similar treatment
- Aesthetic cleaning by a commercial cleaning operation
- Topping up or filling aesthetic water features is prohibited
Non-residential
- Lawn watering is prohibited
- Watering trees, shrubs, decorative planters and flowers
- Permitted from 4 to 9 a.m. any day if using a sprinkler
- Permitted any time if hand watering or using drip irrigation
- All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device
- Watering golf courses
- Fairways can be watered on any one day in a seven-day period, except if operating under an approved City of Richmond Water Management Plan
- Washing impermeable surfaces is prohibited, with the following exceptions:
- Surface washing required for a health or safety reason
- Preparing a surface for painting or similar treatment
- Aesthetic cleaning by a commercial cleaning operation
- Topping up or filling aesthetic water features is prohibited
The restrictions only apply to the use of treated drinking/tap water. They do not apply to the use of rainwater, grey water (from baths, sinks and appliances), recycled water or other non-municipal water sources.
The City of Richmond supports and enforces these measures under Water Use Restriction Bylaw No. 7784, helping ensure a consistent and sustainable water supply for the community throughout the summer.
Exemptions for European Chafer Beetles and new lawns
During Stage 2 restrictions, no new exemption permits or renewals will be issued.
Supporting water conservation
Stage 2 watering restrictions help reduce peak demand and avoid the need for stricter measures. They remain in place under the City’s Water Use Restriction Bylaw No. 7784 and Metro Vancouver’s Lawn Watering Regulations regardless of weather conditions or reservoir level. If drought conditions persist, additional restrictions beyond Stage 2 may be implemented.
More information
For information on Metro Vancouver’s lawn watering regulations, visit metrovancouver.org/lawns or richmond.ca/LawnWatering.
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