7 March 2022
New lawn water restrictions in Sarasota and Manatee Counties
What the county rules say about watering a newly installed lawn in the first 60 days — and where the two counties differ.
Often, we are asked what the restrictions on watering new lawns in Sarasota County are. This is what the county websites said when we wrote this post — restrictions do change, so please check the current rules with the county, or ask us.
Sarasota County
- Watering may occur on the first day of installation at any time of any day of the week.
- After the first day, new lawns may be irrigated any day for another 29 days, before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
- On days 31 through 60, new lawns may be irrigated up to three times a week, before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
Manatee County
In Manatee County it is a little more complicated.
- On days 1–30, beginning on the day of installation, new lawns and plants may be watered any day of the week, before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
- On days 31–60: even-numbered addresses may only water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday; odd-numbered addresses on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; common areas, mixed even/odd addresses and locations with no address on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday.
- Call the County Extension Office on (941) 722-4524 for additional information on plant establishment periods.
The 50% rule
All new plant material — new or replacement sod, or new plants and shrubs — must cover at least 50% of an irrigation zone in order to water with an in-ground sprinkler system during the establishment period. If not, the new plant material must be hand watered, following the same time of day and day of week restrictions. For example, if you buy one flat of grass plugs to fill in bare spots throughout your front yard, that would not cover 50% of an irrigation zone, so hand watering would be required.
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