As drought conditions impact the Bay Area, Tampa tightens its water restrictions.
TAMPA, Fla. — Some Tampa residents are checking their sprinklers — and even their house numbers — before turning on the hose as new water restrictions take effect across the city.
The City of Tampa, like much of the region, is operating under Phase II water restrictions, tightening outdoor water use as drought conditions worsen across West Central Florida.
The restrictions went into effect Feb. 8 and will remain in place through at least July.
Despite the changes, city officials say many residents are still unaware of the new rules.
“No, I did not know about that,” said Tampa worker resident, Jose, who was power washing a driveway in South Tampa. Power washing is allowed once a year under the phase two guidelines.
City leaders say education remains a challenge.
“It’s always an uphill battle to make sure that we all understand where we are at and what time of year it is and what the condition of our water resources is today,” said Julia Palaschak with the Tampa Water Department.
How watering days work
Under Phase II, most homeowners in Tampa Bay can water their lawns and wash their cars just once a week, based on the last digit of their street address. Power washing is limited to once a year.
For most Tampa Bay residents:
Addresses ending in 0 or 1 water on Monday2 or 3 on Tuesday4 or 5 on Wednesday6 or 7 on Thursday8 or 9 on Friday
City officials remind residents to check with their local government, as some cities and counties may have stricter schedules or limited watering hours.
Car washing must also follow the assigned irrigation day.
“Car washing needs to be done only on your irrigation day,” Palaschak said. “We would recommend that you go ahead and wash your car on your lawn and make that water work twice for you.”
Why restrictions are in place
The tighter rules follow months of well-below-normal rainfall, prompting officials to extend restrictions through the summer months. Irrigation accounts for the largest share of residential water use, but city leaders say everyday conservation still matters.
“Don’t use excessive water,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said. “Turn it off when you’re brushing your teeth. Take shorter showers. Whatever you can do to conserve water is of benefit to the entire region.”
Tampa residents have already been under once-a-week watering restrictions since December 2023, a move city officials say has saved an estimated 4 billion gallons of water.
Limits on HOAs
One of the more significant aspects of the restrictions also applies to HOA’s – and keeping homeowners associations in check.
HOAs are prohibited from threatening or fining residents for brown lawns, dry landscaping, or dirty driveways — anything that would require extra water to correct.
“We specifically state in our ordinance that you can’t compel people to irrigate such that they are breaking the law,” Palaschak said.
Enforcement and fines
Outdoor fountains are now limited to eight hours per day. Commercial car washes are not affected, but residents washing vehicles on their own property must follow their assigned watering day.
The city is actively enforcing the rules with code enforcement on the job 24/7. A first violation carries a $100 fine, with penalties increasing to $500 for repeat offenses.
City officials urge residents to familiarize themselves with the restrictions to avoid fines and help protect the region’s water supply.