Lawn and landscaping watering schedule
What is the lawn and landscape watering schedule?
Calgary’s Lawn and landscape watering schedule is a year‑round schedule that sets regular days and times for outdoor watering across Calgary.
It helps:
- Spread water use evenly across the week to manage peak day demand for water
- Reduce pressure on our water system during hot weather
- Encourage watering when less water is lost to evaporation
- Protect our water infrastructure capacity to help keep costs down
- Supports a reliable water supply for our growing city on two small rivers
- Reduce the likelihood of water restrictions to manage peak demand in the future
The schedule is part of Calgary's Water Efficiency Plan and applies under the Water Utility Bylaw.
The City’s Bylaw team will be taking an education-first approach, so that people learn the new schedule and make it a habit in their yards. Bylaw could enforce a $200 fine for infractions, however education comes first.
Know your three watering days
Odd and even addresses have different watering days. Let's take turns to protect Calgary's water supply.
| Last digit of address | Watering days |
|---|---|
|
Even street address (ending in 0,2,4,6,8) |
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday |
|
Odd street address (ending in 1,3,5,7,9) |
Wednesday, Friday, Sunday |
Apartments, condos, townhomes, office buildings and other properties with multiple addresses should use their building's street address, not their unit number.
Complexes where each building has a unique street address but shares an irrigation system should select their watering days based on the lowest number in the complex
What outdoor watering is always allowed?
-
Letting your kids run through a sprinkler
-
Washing your windows and pressure washing your deck, fence and siding
-
Filling your pools, hot tubs and fountains
-
Hand watering gardens
Water your plants with a watering can or with a hose and spring-loaded nozzle.
-
Watering the food you are growing in your garden
-
Watering new trees, shrubs, sod and seed during establishment periods
Trees & shrubs – 5 years
Sod – 21 days
Seed – 45 days
Any other water use is allowed any day, any time.
Some properties with approved, highly efficient irrigation systems may also qualify as Water Managed Sites. Certified Water Managed Sites do not need to follow the lawn and landscape watering schedule.
City parks use non-potable water (stormwater and water directly from the river for example) for watering in many cases. When these sources are not used, City operations will follow the Lawn and landscape watering schedule. All cemeteries in Calgary are exempt from the lawn and landscape watering schedule
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my watering days?
You can find your assigned watering days by:
- Checking the schedule on this page based on your house or building street address.
- Call 311 for help
Once you know your days:
- Set irrigation timers ahead of time
- Program systems to run during the 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. watering window
- Adjust watering for weather conditions
It's important to remember you can water with a watering can or spring-loaded nozzle any day and any time, with the exception of lawns and turfgrass.
Is this the same as outdoor water restrictions?
No. The Lawn and landscape watering schedule is a year‑round schedule for efficient watering and allows for up to 45 hours of watering per week.
- Are temporary
- Are more restrictive
- Are used during droughts or emergencies
When restrictions are in effect, they override the Lawn and landscape watering schedule.
If I am using my rain barrel or cistern, do I need to follow the schedule?
You need to follow the schedule if you are using a sprinkler or automatic irrigation system that is tied into the City's water system.
If you are not connecting to The City's water system with a sprinkler or automatic irrigation system, you do not need to follow the schedule.
Does the lawn and landscape watering schedule apply to business properties?
Yes. The schedule applies citywide to residences, businesses and City operations under the Water Utility Bylaw.
How can shift workers comply with the schedule?
The proposed Lawn and landscape watering schedule was designed with flexibility in mind, including for people who work non‑traditional hours.
Watering is allowed during cooler morning and evening hours on assigned days, which gives people a wide window to water before or after work rather than at a specific time of day.
Additionally, the schedule provides two weekday and one weekend watering day.
Will tickets be given to home and business owners for not following the schedule?
The City will take an education-first approach to the Lawn and landscape watering schedule. As this is a significant habit change, Calgarians will need support to understand how the schedule helps maintain healthy landscapes.