Is keeping your Fort Lauderdale lawn green without risking a citation on your mind? You are not alone. New and longtime residents often find local watering rules confusing, especially when drought advisories pop up. In this guide, you will learn how to translate the rules into a simple weekly routine, program your controller with confidence, and understand exceptions that protect new plantings. Let’s dive in.
Know your permitted schedule
Local landscape irrigation in Fort Lauderdale and across Broward County follows a defined schedule that limits watering to certain days and hours. These rules keep demand manageable and reduce waste during peak times. Because the city, county, or regional water managers can update requirements, always confirm the current schedule with Broward County Water and Wastewater Services, the City of Fort Lauderdale, and the South Florida Water Management District.
Find your watering days
Most South Florida communities use one of two formats:
- Address-based odd/even schedule tied to your street number.
- Fixed weekday assignments by the last digit of your address.
If you see an odd/even system, think of it as two set days per week matched to whether your address ends in an odd or even number. If you see a weekday matrix, you will have one or two specific days based on your last digit. Check the official page before you set your timer so your days match the latest rules.
Know your allowed hours
Permitted hours are typically early morning and sometimes evening. These windows reduce evaporation and keep pressure on the system stable. Keep your controller within those hours, and avoid midday watering unless a specific exception applies to you.
Exceptions you should know
Certain activities are often allowed outside the standard schedule. Confirm the details locally, then use these as a quick checklist:
- New lawns or newly planted sod/seed. Many jurisdictions allow daily watering for a short establishment period, often 14 to 30 days. Some require a permit or notification.
- Hand watering and microirrigation. Watering by hand or using low-volume drip lines is often allowed any day if done efficiently.
- Reclaimed water customers. Reclaimed systems may have different or fewer restrictions. Check your utility’s reclaimed water guidance.
- Repairs and system startup. Brief testing or flushing may be allowed. Document what you did and when.
- Commercial and multifamily properties. Some properties follow different schedules or need permits. Property managers should verify their category.
Drought and emergency changes
During dry periods, the South Florida Water Management District and local governments can tighten rules. This can reduce irrigation to once per week or temporarily pause landscape watering. These changes are time-limited and can shift quickly. Subscribe to city or county utility alerts and check the official page during the dry season so you can adjust your controller right away.
A simple weekly routine
Save water, keep your landscape healthy, and avoid fines with these habits:
- Check the local watering restrictions page monthly or after any drought news.
- Set your controller to the permitted days and hours only. Use rain and weather skip features if you have them.
- After measurable rain, confirm your controller skipped the next run. Test your rain sensor monthly.
- For new plantings, follow the establishment schedule and keep any required permit handy.
- If you manage properties, keep a 30-day log of irrigation events, controller screenshots, and repair receipts.
- If you use reclaimed water, confirm whether different rules apply to your service area.
Printable schedule templates
Use these templates to create a fridge-ready schedule. Fill in the days and hours from the current Fort Lauderdale or Broward County rules.
Template A: Odd/even address
- Odd-numbered addresses: [Day 1] and [Day 2]
- Even-numbered addresses: [Day 3] and [Day 4]
- Allowed hours: [Insert official hours]
- Notes: Hand watering may be allowed any day in many areas. New sod may be allowed daily for [X] days. Verify before watering.
Template B: Day-of-week matrix
- Monday: Addresses ending in 1 or 6
- Tuesday: Addresses ending in 2 or 7
- Wednesday: Addresses ending in 3 or 8
- Thursday: Addresses ending in 4 or 9
- Friday: Addresses ending in 0 or 5
- Saturday/Sunday: No irrigation or reserved for specific customers. Confirm locally.
- Allowed hours: [Insert official hours]. Drought stages override this schedule.
Quick reference to print on top: “Find your days by address: _______.” Add a bold reminder: Always confirm Broward County or City of Fort Lauderdale rules for updates.
Smart-controller settings that work here
Smart controllers help you comply with the schedule and keep plants healthy. Look for these features and set them once, then fine-tune seasonally.
- Weather or ET adjustments. Let the controller reduce watering after rain or cool, humid periods.
- Rain sensor and soil moisture input. A rain shutoff or soil probe prevents unnecessary cycles.
- Seasonal programs. Save one program for the dry season and one for the rainy season.
- Cycle and soak. Short, repeated cycles with soak intervals reduce runoff on local sandy or compacted soils.
- Remote access. Wi-Fi control makes quick edits when rules change.
Set it up in 10 minutes
- Assign separate programs for turf, shrubs, and drip. Turf usually needs more runtime than shrubs.
- Enter your permitted days and limit start times to the allowed hours.
- Turn on rain skip or weather intelligence and set a conservative rainfall threshold.
- Reduce runtimes 20 to 50 percent during the rainy season. Increase gradually in the dry months.
- Use cycle and soak instead of long, continuous runs.
Cycle and soak made easy
Instead of running 20 to 30 minutes straight, try 2 to 3 cycles of 6 to 12 minutes each with 30 to 60 minutes of soak time between cycles. This gives water time to infiltrate and reduces runoff onto sidewalks and streets.
When rules change
- Update permitted days and hours in your controller right away.
- Before reducing days, trim per-zone runtimes to minimize plant stress.
- Use manual rain skips rather than reprogramming during short wet spells.
Set run times with a quick test
Want to avoid overwatering and still meet plant needs? Try this simple measurement.
Catch-can test
- Place 4 to 8 straight-sided cans, like tuna cans, across one sprinkler zone.
- Run your normal cycle for that zone.
- Measure water in each can and average the depth.
- Plan weekly watering: if one cycle delivers 0.25 inches and your target is 1 inch per week for high-use turf, schedule four equivalent cycles per week. Split them into cycle and soak intervals to reduce runoff and always stay within permitted days and hours.
Adjust for soil and plants
- Sandy soils drain fast, so shorter, more frequent cycles during your allowed windows work best.
- Compacted or clay-heavy spots may need longer soak intervals.
- Mulch and drought-tolerant plants reduce how much water you need each week.
Avoid fines and show compliance
Enforcement usually starts with education and warnings, then moves to citations for repeat violations. During drought stages, enforcement becomes stricter. Protect yourself with a few simple steps:
- Keep your system within the permitted days and hours.
- Fix leaks or broken heads quickly.
- Save controller screenshots, service receipts, and irrigation logs for at least 30 days after any complaint.
- If you receive a notice, respond promptly and document your corrective steps.
- For property managers, train your landscaping vendor on the current rules and verify controller settings after any service visit.
Need a hand with your next move?
Dialing in your irrigation routine is one part of protecting your home’s value. If you are planning to buy or sell in Broward or Palm Beach, we can help you prepare your property, connect you with reliable local vendors, and navigate every step. Reach out to The Tanner Group to get your free home valuation and consult.
FAQs
How do I find my watering days in Fort Lauderdale?
- Check your address-based assignment on the official City of Fort Lauderdale or Broward County watering restrictions page. Rules can change, especially during drought.
Are new lawns allowed extra watering in Broward County?
- Many areas permit daily watering for a short establishment period for new sod or seed. Confirm the exact timeframe and whether a permit or notification is required.
Do hand watering and drip systems follow the same schedule?
- Automatic systems generally must follow permitted days and hours. Hand watering and microirrigation often have different allowances. Verify the specifics before you water.
Will a smart controller keep me from getting fined?
- A smart controller helps by skipping after rain and keeping you within set hours, but you must program it to match current permitted days and hours.
What should I do if I get an irrigation citation?
- Read the notice, adjust your controller to comply, fix any leaks, document your changes, and contact the utility if you need clarification or to appeal.
