North Port residents urged to follow water shortage restrictions

North Port residents urged to follow water shortage restrictions

Published on March 30, 2026

NORTH PORT, FL - The City of North Port is urging residents to observe the Southwest Florida Water Management District's modified phase III "extreme" water shortage restrictions that go into effect for our region April 3.

The district - which includes all of Sarasota County, portions of Charlotte County and other counties in southwest Florida - received below average rainfall during its summer rainy season and currently has a 13.7-inch regional rainfall deficit compared to the average 12-month total.

These unusually dry weather conditions have led to declining water levels in local resources, including aquifers, rivers, and lakes, resulting in water levels that are extremely low for this time of year.

To help ensure sustainable water supply for our community and essential services during the ongoing dry conditions, additional temporary water use restrictions have been implemented for both City of North Port water customers and private well users. These restrictions will be in place until July 1. They do not apply to the use of reclaimed water.

"Water levels are lower than we have seen in more than a decade due to the dry conditions," said North Port Utilities Director Tricia Wisner. "We are asking all of our customers and residents to take these restrictions seriously and help do their part to conserve water resources for everyone in the region."

Starting April 17, North Port Code Enforcement is authorized to issue citations with associated fines, without warnings, for violations of the following phase III restrictions:

Lawn Watering Days and Times

• Lawn and landscape watering remains limited to a once-per-week schedule.
• Watering hours are reduced to 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
• 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)

Handwatering and Microirrigation

• Residents may still handwater plants or use microirrigation on to water flower beds, shrubs, or other plant material (other than lawns) on any day, however under the Modified Phase III restrictions it is limited to the hours of before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

New Lawns and Plants

• New lawns and plants have a 60-day establishment period. On days 1-30, new lawns and plants may be watered any day of the week.
• During days 31-60, new lawns and plants may be watered three days during the week. The user must maintain a written schedule of establishment period watering. Even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Odd-numbered addresses may be watered on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

Pressure Washing

• Pressure washing in preparation for painting and sealing is allowed.

HOAs

• No HOA or other entity shall enforce deed restrictions or other community standards requiring an increase in water use, including replacement of plant material to meet aesthetic standards or pressure washing.

Mobile Equipment Washing

• Car washing at home (non-commercial) is only allowed on your lawn watering day and you must use a hose with a shutoff nozzle.
• Car washing of fire trucks and other emergency vehicles is allowed.
• Car wash fundraisers held on behalf of non-profit organizations are prohibited, except for one-day events that were scheduled prior to April 3.
• Rinsing of boats and flushing of boat engines is allowed after each use when needed to remove salt water or to prevent the transportation of exotic plant or animal material.
• Cleaning of agricultural vehicles is allowed as necessary.

Fountains

• Aesthetic fountains and other water features may only operate four hours per day. The regular hours of operation can be selected by the owner but must be posted.

Restaurants

• Restaurants are required to only serve water upon request.

Medical and Health

• The use of water for medical purposes or the protection of public health, safety and welfare is not restricted.

Golf Courses

• Fairways and driving ranges may be irrigated no more than once per week.
• Tees, golf course greens and practice greens may be irrigated no more than three times per week.
• Roughs shall not be irrigated.

For more information on district water restrictions, visit WaterMatters.org.

• Media Releases