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PHASE III WATERING RESTRICTIONS  EFFECTIVE APRIL 3, 2026 THROUGH JULY 1, 2026

 

 

Always follow irrigation restrictions, as well. Irrigation may only occur on an allowable water day, before 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 11:59pm, as follows:
 

If your address ends in 0 or 1   your irrigation day is Monday

If your address ends in 2 or 3   your irrigation day is Tuesday

If your address ends in 4 or 5   your irrigation day is Wednesday

If your address ends in 6 or 7   your irrigation day is Thursday

If your address ends in 8 or 9 or if your location has a mix of addresses (such as multi-family units and common areas associated with a subdivision, your irrigation day is Friday

 

  • Properties larger than one acre that cannot accomplish a complete irrigation cycle during one of the allowable times may water both a.m. and p.m.

  • Watering grass with a hose-end sprinkler or by hand is restricted to the same allowable days and hours.

  • Watering plants (not grass) with a hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle or micro-irrigation can be done on any day before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

The goal should be to finish irrigation around sunrise. This will minimize the amount of time grass stays wet and decrease the occurrence of diseases that can occur from extended periods of moisture.

This follows the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners adopted Ordinance 2020-A17, effective June 23, 2020.

 

Fountains, Car Washing, and Pressure Washing (Phase III)

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  • Fountains: Limited to no more than 4 hours per day and must have a schedule posted.

  • Home Car washing: Permitted on the assigned irrigation day. The hose must have a shutoff nozzle.

  • No pressure washing is allowed unless in preparation for painting or sealing.​

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New Plant Material Watering Allowance

 

Replacement of lawn and landscape is allowed; however, it is best to wait until the summer rainy season in June. New plants and sod require a lot of water to establish, and March, April and May are the driest months of the year. All new plant material qualifies for additional watering; however, how watering is applied is restricted.

Zones with greater than 50% new plant material: may use the automatic irrigation system. 

Zones with less than 50% new plant material: must use targeted watering (hand watering, hose-end sprinkler, or other method isolating water to new plants)

To learn if your new plantings qualify for additional watering, please call 352-527-7669 or email waterconservation@citruscounty.gov.


Qualifying New Plant Material Watering Allowance:

 

New lawns and plants have a 30-30 establishment period, which allows any day watering during the first 30 days, before 4 a.m. or after 8 p.m.

First 30 days: Any-day watering allowed.
Second 30 days: Water up to three days per week as needed.
 

  • Even addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and/or Sunday, if needed

  • Odd addresses may water on Monday, Wednesday and/or Saturday, if needed

Over seeding an existing lawn to improve its appearance, does not qualify for the additional watering allowance.
Overseeding includes spreading rye seed or Bahia grass seed over an existing lawn, does not qualify for the additional watering allowance.

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Penalties

Per the Phase III order, violations may result in fines. Unpaid fines are sent to court.

•           No warning or courtesy notices are to be issued during this phase.

•           First violation: $100 civil penalty

•           Second violation: $250 civil penalty

•           Third violation: $500 civil penalty

Each day a violation occurs may constitute a separate offense.

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