Orlando’s year-round watering restrictions can make lawn care stressful here, but we’ll detail when and how to water your grass and how to save money on sprinkler updates.
Our guide includes Orlando’s watering days by address and season, amount and time restrictions, all the important exemptions, and tips on how to make the most of the water you have access to — all you need to avoid the $25 to $1,000 fines per violation and keep a healthy lawn in Orlando.
Orlando Watering Restrictions
Most of the Greater Orlando area follows the St. John’s River Water Management District (SJRWMD) restrictions with 1 to 2 days of irrigation a week.
How Often Can You Water Your Grass in Orlando
Homeowners in Orlando can turn their sprinkler systems on:
- 2 days per week during Daylight Saving Time
- 1 day per week during Eastern Standard Time
Each house has been allocated specific watering days by address number. Here’s the Orlando watering schedule at the time of writing:
| Address Type | March 9 – November 1, 2025 (2 days a week) | November 2 – March 7, 2026 (1 day a week) |
| Odd addresses (1,3,5,7,9) or no address | Wednesday & Saturday | Saturday |
| Even addresses (2,4,6,8,0) | Thursday & Sunday | Sunday |
| Nonresidential properties | Tuesday & Friday | Tuesday |
| Time restrictions: Watering is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Maximum duration: 1 hour per sprinkler zone per watering day Maximum amount: No more than 3/4 inch of water per zone per irrigation day | ||
These restrictions apply to all water sources, including:
- Private wells and pumps
- Ground and surface water (including ponds)
- Water from public or private utilities
| If you fail to follow these water restrictions, you may be subject to a fine of $25 to $1,000 per violation. Check the SJRWMD website periodically for the most recent information. |
Exemptions to the Watering Restrictions
Several situations allow for additional watering outside the standard schedule:
- New landscaping: You can water newly planted grass daily for the first 30 days and then every other day for an additional 30 days, for a total of 60 days of exemption.
- Chemical treatments: Watering in fertilizers and other chemicals is allowed within 24 hours of application, with a limit of 1/4 inch of water.
- Sprinkler system repairs: Allowed anytime, but no more than 20 minutes per zone.
Plants can be watered at any time on any day if using:
- Hand-held hose with an automatic shut-off trigger
- Drip, bubbler, micro-spray or micro-jet irrigation
- Discharge from air-conditioning units
- Reclaimed water (varies by city, check local restrictions)
Local Differences Across the Orlando Area
Water restrictions and fines can vary across the Orlando Metropolitan area among counties, but also in:
- Lake County: Fines for subsequent violations can reach $1,000 (standard SJRWMD fine is $25 per violation).
- Seminole County: Watering restrictions also apply to reclaimed water.
- Winter Park: The exemption for newly planted grass and landscaping is limited to 30 days instead of 60.
- Winter Garden: Watering restrictions also apply to reclaimed water.
Essential Watering Tips for Orlando Lawns
1. Avoid Overwatering
About 3/4 inch of water per session is enough to keep local lawns thriving, but many homeowners tend to overwater, according to the University of Florida (UF)
The highest users in Orange County spend 72% of their drinking water on lawn irrigation, a 2021 study published by UF shows. Overwatering reduces drought tolerance and exposes lawns to fungal diseases, pests, and weeds.
2. Measure Your Water Output
To save water outdoors, figure out how long you should water to achieve 1/2 to 3/4 inch of water.
Put empty tuna cans around the yard within range of your sprinkler. Turn on the sprinkler for 30 minutes, then gauge the amount of water in each can:
- If it’s 3/4 inch of water, then you need to water the lawn for 30 minutes.
- If it’s more or less than 3/4 inch of water, do the math to reach the 3/4 target.
For a detailed guide on the tuna can test (also called a catch can test), follow the steps here to calculate how long to water your lawn.
3. Mow at the Right Height
“One of the biggest lawn mowing mistakes I see Orlando homeowners make is mowing the grass way too low and pairing that with over-watering”, says Orlando LawnStarter Pro Vincente Vazquez of Cutting Edge Professional Landscaping.
Mow your Orlando lawn close to the highest recommended height. Grass with deeper roots is more drought-resistant and needs less water.
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4. Water Early in the Morning
Watering in the early morning, between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m., minimizes evaporation and allows foliage to dry before heat sets in, reducing disease risk, lawn care pro Vazquez says.
Mornings are cooler and less windy, so more water will reach the soil and the grass roots. Avoid watering during midday heat, as more than 30% of the water is lost to evaporation.
See Related: Best Time to Water Your Lawn
5. Adjust Watering Systems by Season
In Orlando’s climate, turfgrass water needs shift with the season, so adjust the irrigation timer accordingly:
- Summer: Water twice a week during dry spells
- Fall and spring: Reduce to once weekly
- Winter: Water once every other week while warm-season grasses are dormant
6. Check Your Rain Sensor
By law, all automatic sprinkler systems in Florida must have working rain sensors – otherwise, you’re watering during storms and wasting water and money.
Test your rain sensor once a year. Broken sensor? Orange County Utilities Water Division gives you a replacement rain sensor at no charge.
7. Audit Your Irrigation System
Leaks and damaged sprinkler heads can fill your Orlando lawn with brown patches and fungal diseases. To ensure water goes where it’s needed, check your irrigation system every spring:
- Look for leaks, clogged, or broken sprinkler heads
- Adjust sprinkler heads to water the grass uniformly
- Adjust the irrigation timer to the season
Sprinkler repairs cost $130 to $360 on average, but will save you thousands in the long run.
8. Use Rebates to Upgrade Your Watering System
Here are some opportunities available at the time of the writing:
- Orange County Utilities Water Division: Free high-efficiency water nozzles to replace standard models
- Orlando Utilities Commission Programs: $200 back for buying a cistern to collect rainwater and 100% back (up to $200) for a smart irrigation controller
9. Understand Your Soil Type
Like most of Central Florida, Orlando has sandy soils that absorb water quickly but lose it just as fast, testing your grass’s drought tolerance.
“Keep the grass hydrated; even with the rain, the heat dries the grass pretty quickly,” says Orlando LawnStarter Pro Andres Vera of Vera Lawns. Brief rain showers are less effective on sandy soils than on clay-rich soils, which retain moisture longer. Monitor your lawn for signs of drought stress and water if you see discoloration, wilting, or footprints that don’t bounce back.
To improve its water retention, amend sandy soil with organic compost or biochar, and leave grass clippings as mulch on the lawn.
10. Consider Drought-Tolerant Alternatives
Save water by converting some of your Orlando lawn into low-maintenance landscaping with beautiful drought-tolerant ground covers and resilient Florida native plants.
St. Augustine is a water-thirsty grass. If you must replant the lawn due to extended chinch bug or root rot damage, consider replacing it with a more drought-tolerant alternative such as Bermuda, Zoysia, or bahia.
See Related: 5 Best Grass Types in Orlando
FAQ: Watering Your Orlando Lawn
Applying 1/2 to 3/4 inch of water each time you irrigate is sufficient for most lawns in Florida. It is important to soak the root zone and allow the soil to dry to promote strong, healthy grass.
The average is two days a week, but this depends on the type of grass, shade, time of year, soil type, and your location within the state.
UF recommends homeowners wait until they see that their lawn needs watering. Watch for these indications: bluish-gray turf, bent grass blades, or visible footprints left on your lawn.
Hire a Pro to Care For Your Orlando Lawn
Your Orlando lawn can look fantastic even with the mandatory water restrictions. All you need is to take care of your grass, know your soil, and get a handle on your sprinkler system’s ins and outs.
If this still sounds complicated, don’t sweat it. Hire one of LawnStarter’s Orlando lawn care pros to keep your grass green and healthy. All you’ll have to do then is keep your grass watered or set your smart sprinkler to take care of that for you.
LawnStarter has lawn care pros all over the Orlando metro area. If you live in Winter Park, Kissimmee, or Apopka, our local lawn care pros will keep your yard looking great.
Oh, and LawnStarter’s lawn mowing pros do more than just cut grass. Some of our Orlando lawn care pros also install sprinkler systems and repair sprinklers. It’s easy to book additional services in our app, by logging into your online account, or by calling Customer Service.
Read Next:
- Spring Lawn Care Tips for Orlando
- Winter Lawn Care in Orlando, FL
- 10 Basic Secrets to Lawn Care in Orlando, FL
- 8 Reasons to Care for Your Orlando Lawn
Sources:
- “High-Efficiency Nozzle Program.” Orange County Utilities Water Division.
- “Memorandum.” City of Winter Park Water & Wastewater Utilities.
- “Rain Sensor Replacement Program.” Orange County Utilities Water Division.
- “Rebates for Efficiency Upgrades.” Orlando Utilities Commission.
- “Water Conservation.” City of Winter Garden.
- “Water Conservation Starts With Irrigation, Report Finds”. By Tory Moore, public relations specialist. University of Florida.
- “Water Restrictions.” Lake County.
- “Watering Restrictions.” Seminole County.
- “Watering Restrictions.” St. John’s River Water Management District.
- “Watering Your Florida Lawn.” By Laurie Trenholm, professor of horticulture (retired), Bryan Unruh, professor and turf extension specialist, and John Cisar, professor and turfgrass specialist (retired). University of Florida.
Main Image: Lawn sprinkler sprays water on a Central Florida yard. Photo Credit: Whitney Lehnecker / LawnStarter
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