Orange County lawn watering drops to one day a week on Sunday, Nov. 1

From Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, lawns in Orange County may be watered one day a week instead of two. The county's schedule runs from Nov. 1, 2026 to March 13, 2027. WFTV reported the change on October 20.

What changed

• One day a week, not two. The county's rule: "Outdoor irrigation is limited to one day a week during Eastern Standard Time (from the first Sunday in November until the second Sunday in March) and two days a week during Daylight Saving Time (from the second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November)."
• Your day depends on your address:
• odd-numbered addresses, or addresses with no number: Saturday;
• even-numbered addresses: Sunday;
• non-residential properties: Tuesday.
• Until then, the two-day schedule stands: Wednesday and Saturday for odd or unnumbered addresses, Thursday and Sunday for even, Tuesday and Friday for non-residential, through Oct. 31, 2026.
• Hours and length: "Water only if necessary and not between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Water for no more than one hour per zone."
• The amount, a district rule: "Irrigation is limited to no more than ¾ inch of water per zone per irrigation day."

When

• Starts Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, the first Sunday in November, when Eastern Standard Time begins.
• Runs through March 13, 2027. Two days a week returns with Daylight Saving Time.
• It happens every year. In 2025 one-day-a-week watering began Nov. 2, 2025, and the county said "This schedule will remain in effect until Daylight Saving Time returns March 8, 2026."

Where

• All of Orange County, with one exception. The St. Johns River Water Management District says: "All of Orange County is to follow the St. Johns restrictions. The only exception is Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, which will follow the South Florida Water Management District's restrictions." The district's days for Eastern Standard Time are the same Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday.
• The county rule covers every water source. It applies "regardless of whether the water comes from groundwater or surface water, from a private well or pump, or from a public or private utility".
• Not part of this change: the drought order. The district says: "A Phase III Extreme Water Shortage has been declared due to ongoing drought conditions across portions of the District." Its list of areas does not name Orange County, but it does name portions of Lake County. Where it applies, watering is limited to one day a week and "prohibited between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m."

What it means if you live here

• Reset your irrigation timer before Nov. 1. Orange County's Water Watch program will reset it for free: "A Water Watch technician will come to your property at no charge and reset your irrigation timer in accordance with the watering restrictions. Please call 407-254-9845 for an appointment."
• Hand watering and drip are not limited: "Irrigation using a hand-held hose, micro-spray, micro-jet, drip, or bubbler irrigation system is allowed anytime."
• Reclaimed water is exempt: "Reclaimed water is exempt from watering restrictions."
• What a violation costs (Orange County's enforcement): "First time violators will receive a warning through a door hanger notice and by letter. Repeat violators will be subject to a fine of $25 per violation." WFTV reports this for unincorporated Orange County.
• Inside a city: the same watering days apply under the district's rule, but the warning and $25 fine above are the county's. This post does not cover a city's own enforcement.