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Martin County passed a new landscape watering ordinance implementing the South Florida Water Management District's (SFWMD) mandatory year-round Landscape Irrigation Conservation measures. The ordinance is effective June 12, 2022. | Download Informational Flyer

The South Florida Water Management District’s year-round Landscape Irrigation Conservation measures (Chapter 40E-24, Florida Administrative Code) are designed to ensure the efficient use of water in landscape irrigation to conserve water resources.

The  year-round ordinance applies to landscape irrigation within the unincorporated portion of Martin County, which includes Hobe Sound, the portion of Hutchinson Island within Martin County, Jensen Beach, North River Shores, Palm City, Port Salerno and Rio. The ordinance does not apply to our municipalities, so if you reside or are located in a municipality, such as Indiantown, Jupiter Island, Ocean Breeze, Sewall’s Point or Stuart, check with your local authority for any landscape irrigation restrictions.

Users in unincorporated Martin County with existing landscaping shall follow the irrigation provisions below:

  • ODD number addresses ending in the numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or the letters N-Z are permitted to water on Wednesdays and/or Saturdays only
  • EVEN number addresses ending in the numbers 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, or the letters A-M are permitted to water on Thursdays and/or Sundays only
  • Installations with irrigation systems that water both even and odd addresses within the same zones such as multi-family units, homeowners' associations, rights-of-way or other locations with no address are permitted to water on Thursdays and/or Sundays only 

Landscape irrigation and lawn watering are NOT permitted between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. as evaporation is highest during that time period.

Hand watering plants, as well as other select outdoor activities such as car and boat washing, is permitted at any time with a self-canceling nozzle.

More than 50 percent of the water used by South Florida residents in urban settings is for landscape irrigation. With billions of gallons of water used every day, Martin County joined other counties and municipalities within the South Florida Water Management District to ensure we do our part by protecting water resources and ecosystems for future generations.

 

Yes, there are some exceptions. 

  • The use of reclaimed water, also known as Irrigation Quality (IQ) Water, that does not include more than 10 percent from secondary sources
  • Irrigation at athletic play areas, including but not limited to golf courses, such as fairways, greens, roughs, tee boxes, putting greens and golf driving ranges, as well as fields used for baseball, cricket, croquet, football, frisbee, golf, lacrosse, lawn bowling, pickleball, polo, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball and equestrian, livestock or rodeo arenas
  • Irrigation at agricultural and nursery operations

Please note that unless your water use falls within the exceptions listed above, the ordinance applies, regardless of source or ownership, including well water. 

Yes. An administrative variance from the specific day or days identified in this ordinance may be granted if the following requirements are met. Please see the forms below for more information and the form to apply for a variance. 

  • Hardship, that is, a substantial economic, health or other hardship
  • Advanced or smart irrigation system
  • Contiguous properties
  • Farmers market or flea market
  • Place of worship

For more information about provisions for NEW landscaping, additional exclusions, to apply for a variance or to read the ordinance in entirety, residents are encouraged to view the documents by clicking on the appropriate buttons below.

*For additional information about water conservation, residents may also visit the South Florida Water Management District's website.