Northeast Florida Guide

    Jacksonville Watering Days & Restrictions

    A plain-English breakdown of the 2026 watering schedule for Duval, St. Johns, Clay, and Nassau counties — plus the allowed hours, exemptions, and how to program your irrigation controller to stay compliant.

    Rules set by the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD)

    At a Glance

    Two schedules per year across the region.

    Northeast Florida shifts between a 2-day-per-week schedule during Daylight Saving Time (roughly March through early November) and a 1-day-per-week schedule during Eastern Standard Time (November through March). Your watering days are set by the last digit of your street address.

    Duval County (Jacksonville, Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Oceanway)

    Daylight Saving Time

    • Odd addresses (ending 1, 3, 5, 7, 9): Wednesday & Saturday
    • Even addresses (ending 0, 2, 4, 6, 8): Thursday & Sunday
    • Non-residential: Tuesday & Friday

    Daylight Saving Time (2nd Sunday March – 1st Sunday November): 2 days per week.

    Eastern Standard Time

    • Odd addresses: Saturday only
    • Even addresses: Sunday only
    • Non-residential: Tuesday only

    Eastern Standard Time (November – March): 1 day per week.

    No watering between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM year-round.

    Irrigation service in this area →

    St. Johns County (Nocatee, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine)

    Daylight Saving Time

    • Odd addresses: Wednesday & Saturday
    • Even addresses: Thursday & Sunday

    Daylight Saving Time: 2 days per week (St. Johns River Water Management District rule).

    Eastern Standard Time

    • Odd addresses: Saturday
    • Even addresses: Sunday

    Eastern Standard Time: 1 day per week.

    No watering 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Limit to ¾-inch per zone per application.

    Irrigation service in this area →

    Clay County (Fleming Island, Orange Park)

    Daylight Saving Time

    • Odd addresses: Wednesday & Saturday
    • Even addresses: Thursday & Sunday

    Follows St. Johns River Water Management District: 2 days per week during DST.

    Eastern Standard Time

    • Odd addresses: Saturday
    • Even addresses: Sunday

    Eastern Standard Time: 1 day per week.

    No watering 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

    Irrigation service in this area →

    Nassau County (Fernandina Beach, Yulee, Nassau Village-Ratliff)

    Daylight Saving Time

    • Odd addresses: Wednesday & Saturday
    • Even addresses: Thursday & Sunday

    Follows St. Johns River Water Management District: 2 days per week during DST.

    Eastern Standard Time

    • Odd addresses: Saturday
    • Even addresses: Sunday

    Eastern Standard Time: 1 day per week.

    No watering 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

    Irrigation service in this area →

    Compliance Tips

    How to stay on the right side of the rules.

    • Program your controller to run in early morning (4–8 AM) to avoid the 10 AM–4 PM blackout and reduce evaporation.
    • Limit each zone to no more than ¾-inch of water per application — the SJRWMD standard.
    • Install a working rain sensor. Florida statute 373.62 requires one on every automatic irrigation system.
    • Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle, drip irrigation, and new sod (first 30 days) are typically exempt.
    • Reclaimed water and well water customers still follow the day/time schedule in most of the district.

    FAQs

    Common questions about Jacksonville watering restrictions.

    How do I know if my address is odd or even?

    Use the last digit of your street number. 100 Main St is even (0), 123 Main St is odd (3). Corner lots follow the address used for mail delivery.

    Why can't I water between 10 AM and 4 PM?

    Midday watering wastes 30% or more to evaporation and wind drift. The St. Johns River Water Management District bans watering during these hours to conserve the Floridan aquifer, which supplies most of Northeast Florida's drinking water.

    What are the fines for violating Jacksonville watering restrictions?

    First offense in Duval County is typically a written warning. Repeat violations can be $50 to $500 depending on the municipality, and JEA (Jacksonville's utility) can issue civil citations.

    Do the restrictions apply to reclaimed water and private wells?

    Private wells and reclaimed water customers are still subject to the day and time restrictions in most of the St. Johns River Water Management District. Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle and drip irrigation are usually exempt.

    Can a smart controller help me stay compliant?

    Yes. Rachio, Hunter Hydrawise, and Rain Bird smart controllers can be programmed to your address-based schedule and will automatically skip watering when rainfall is detected. We install and configure smart controllers throughout the Jacksonville area.

    Need help programming your controller?

    We install and configure smart irrigation controllers across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida so your system stays compliant automatically.

    (904) 909-1996Book Online

    This guide summarizes SJRWMD and local ordinances for informational use. Always confirm current rules with SJRWMD or your local utility.