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Abbotsford residential watering rules: stages 1-4 and lawn days
Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
Abbotsford and Mission share staged drinking-water restrictions. At Stage 1, even-address lawns are watered Saturday mornings and odd-address lawns Sunday mornings.
Key information
Abbotsford and Mission share staged drinking-water restrictions. At Stage 1, even-address lawns are watered Saturday mornings and odd-address lawns Sunday mornings. Lawn watering is prohibited at Stages 2 and 3; Stage 4 prohibits non-essential water use.
On this page
Plan your next step
| Task or feature | What to know |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 lawns | One morning weekly; address-based day |
| Stage 2 lawns | No lawn watering; existing permit exception |
| Stage 3 lawns | No lawn watering; permits invalid |
| Stage 4 | Non-essential water use prohibited |
Identify the stage before setting a timer
The normal restriction period is May 1-September 30, but the authority can extend staged restrictions beyond September 30 for drought or supply conditions. This reference describes the rules; it does not declare which stage is active today.
Restrictions apply to treated drinking water, not rainwater, private-well water or recycled water. Even at Stage 1, hoses need automatic shut-off devices and automatic systems must not leak or spray onto impermeable surfaces.
Stage 1 lawn and garden schedule
Even residential addresses use Saturday; odd addresses use Sunday. Automatic lawn watering is 5-7 a.m. and manual lawn watering 6-9 a.m. on the permitted day. Automatic watering of non-edible trees, shrubs and flowers is 5-9 a.m. on any day.
Manual garden and tree watering can occur any time with a shut-off hose, container or the listed drip/micro-spray methods. A new-lawn permit at Stage 1 can allow 14 consecutive days of automatic watering 5-7 a.m.
What changes at higher stages
Stage 2 bans lawn watering and new lawn permits, while existing permits are honoured until expiry. Stage 3 invalidates existing lawn permits, prohibits sprinkler/soaker watering of non-edible gardens and restricts vehicle washing and pool filling. Manual garden watering remains described separately.
At Stage 4, non-essential use is prohibited under the General Manager’s authority. Residential surface-washing exceptions vary by stage; the full official page should be used for a specific paint-preparation or safety task. Commercial and institutional schedules are different and outside this household guide.
Useful questions and answers
Do the rules apply to private-well water?
The published restrictions apply to treated drinking water, not private wells, rainwater or recycled water.
Which day is a Stage 1 even-address lawn day?
Saturday morning.
Which day is a Stage 1 odd-address lawn day?
Sunday morning.
What hours apply to automatic lawn watering?
5-7 a.m. on the permitted residential lawn day at Stage 1.
What hours apply to manual lawn watering?
6-9 a.m. on the permitted residential lawn day at Stage 1.
Can I water trees manually at Stage 1?
Yes, any day and time using the listed controlled methods, such as a shut-off hose or container.
Does Stage 2 allow normal lawn watering?
No. Lawn watering is prohibited. No new lawn permits are issued, but existing permits are honoured until expiry.
What happens to lawn permits at Stage 3?
Existing lawn-watering permits are invalidated.
What is the Stage 4 rule?
All non-essential water use is prohibited.
Can restrictions continue after September 30?
Yes. The staged period can be extended based on water-supply, drought and other relevant conditions.
Official information and next steps
Facts checked on October 14, 2026. Seasonal conditions and available appointments can change.