Water Restrictions

The City of Bartow follows the regulations and restrictions placed by Southwest Florida Water Management District. The following has been Click here to be directed to S.W.F.W.M.D. for more information.

NEW Modified Phase II Water Shortage RestrictionsNEW


Effective Date and Areas

The District’s Modified Phase II one-day-per-week water shortage restrictions are in effect Feb. 8 through July 1, 2026.

Because our area received below average rainfall during the summer rainy season and, as of December, has a 13-inch rainfall deficit compared to the historical average 12-month total, water levels in the region’s aquifers, rivers and lakes are declining. Public water supplies in the Tampa Bay area are lower than expected at this time of year.

The District addresses dry conditions through water shortage actions, which are temporary measures that restrict water use among the various types of permit holders during extended dry conditions.

The restrictions apply to all of Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Sumter counties; portions of Charlotte, Highlands and Lake counties; the City of Dunnellon and The Villages in Marion County; and the portion of Gasparilla Island in Charlotte County.

Lawn Watering Days and Times

The Modified Phase II Water Shortage Order reduces lawn watering to one day per week Districtwide, including residents on private wells, through July 1, 2026.

 Below is the standard watering days schedule based on addresses ending in:

  • 0 or 1 shall only water on Monday
  • 2 or 3, on Tuesday
  • 4 or 5, on Wednesday
  • 6 or 7, on Thursday
  • 8 or 9, on Friday along with locations with a mix of addresses or for which an address cannot be determined (such as common areas associated with a subdivision)

Watering hours are reduced to 12:01 am to 8 am or 6 pm to 11:59 pm; properties less than one acre in size may only use one of these windows.

Low-volume watering (micro-irrigation, soaker hoses, hand watering) of plants and shrubs (not lawns) is allowed any day and any time.

HOW VIOLATIONS ARE HANDLED

Code Compliance and the Bartow Police Department monitor compliance. Each day a violation occurs is a separate offense. In limited situations, a one-time written warning may be issued.

FINES FOR WATERING VIOLATIONS

  • First Violation - $50 fine
  • Second Violation - $75 fine
  • Third Violation - $100 fine
  • Fourth Violation - $150 fine
  • Fifth Violation - $200 fine
  • Sixth and additional violations - $300 fine

NOTICE, PAYMENT & APPEALS

A written notice is mailed to the property owner if a violation occurs. Property owners have 10 days from receipt to:

  • Pay the fine or
  • Request a hearing in writing before the City’s Special Magistrate

Unpaid fines may become a lien on the property and be collected through legal action.

VARIANCES

Residents granted a variance must register it with the City’s Office of Code Compliance & Neighborhood Services within 10 working days of the variance start date.

To get complete details on the requirements of the new order, visit WaterMatters.org/Restrictions.

Twice-Per-Week Lawn Watering Days and Times

  • Lawn watering is limited to no more than twice per week.
  • Lawn watering days and times are as follows:
    • Even addresses may water on Thursday and/or Sunday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
    • Odd addresses may water on Wednesday and/or Saturday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
    • Locations without a discernible address, such as rights-of-way and common areas inside a subdivision, may water on Tuesday and/or Friday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
  • Hand watering and micro-irrigation of plants (other than lawns) can be done on any day and any time.

New Lawns and Plants

  • New lawns and plants have a "30-30" establishment period.
  • On the day of installation, watering is allowed on any day at any time. 
  • During the first 30 days, watering is allowed on any day during the allowable hours. 
  • During the second 30 days, watering is allowed three days per week: even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday; odd-numbered addresses may water Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; and locations without a discernable address may water on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

Fountains, Car Washing and Pressure Washing

  • There are no specific restrictions on fountains, car washing and pressure washing.
  • These and other water uses should be conducted as efficiently as possible, such as using a shutoff nozzle on each hose to adhere to the general restriction prohibiting wasteful water use.

Other Requirements

In addition, the following activities should be executed:

  • Test irrigation systems for leaks and efficiencies.
  • Agricultural users should comply with all permit conditions and Best Management Practices. 
  • Golf courses should comply with all water use permit conditions and Best Management Practices; fairways/driving ranges should be irrigated twice per week; tees and green areas three times a week; non-play areas should follow lawn and landscape irrigation days and times.
  • All wasteful water use such as hosing down driveways and impervious surfaces, allowing water to flow unattended and using water in a grossly inefficient manner, is prohibited.