TAMPA, Fla. \u2014 New water restrictions are now in effect in Tampa, and while residents won\u2019t see changes to how often they can water their lawns, homeowners associations are facing significant new limits on how they regulate their communities.<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
The city of Tampa is directing HOAs to pause fines for any violations that require water to cure, specifically brown lawns and pressure washing Tampa residents have been under\u00a0once-a-week watering restrictions since December 2023, and that policy will remain in place under the new restrictions.<\/p>\n However, as of\u00a0Feb. 8, the city has rolled out new rules aimed squarely at HOAs that preventing them from enforcing penalties that would require additional water use to fix.<\/p>\n Under the new Phase 2 water restrictions, HOAs are\u00a0no longer allowed to enforce deed restrictions or fine residents for conditions that would require water to correct \u2014 which includes brown or dry lawns, the replacement of plants to meet community aesthetic standards, and dirty driveways or homes that would require pressure washing.<\/p>\n City officials said the goal is to avoid putting residents in a position where they feel forced to violate water restrictions just to avoid HOA penalties.<\/p>\n \u201cThese new restrictions are really about tightening the screws on water use even more,\u201d said Tampa Water Department spokeswoman Liz Hall.<\/p>\n Hall noted that the city\u2019s conservation efforts are already making a difference.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the two-year period that we started our once-a-week watering restrictions, we\u2019ve saved about\u00a04 billion gallons of water,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s a lot of water.”<\/p>\n “It all comes down to all of us coming together and doing our part,” she added.<\/p>\n The city will also limit personal car washing to one day a week, and any homeowner with an outdoor fountain can only run it for up to eight hours per day.<\/p>\n The city has not announced a timeline for lifting the Phase 2 restrictions, though officials say they are likely to remain in place\u00a0until at least mid-May, when the rainy season typically begins.<\/p>\n In the meantime, Tampa is actively enforcing the rules.\u00a0<\/p>\n City crews are patrolling neighborhoods for violations, and penalties can add up quickly: The cost of a first violation is $100, with subsequent fines becoming more expensive.<\/p>\n City leaders said they understand the challenges homeowners face and are offering guidance on how to maintain lawns while staying compliant.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Homeowners are only allowed to wash their cars on their individually secheduled water day, which is based on their street address
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Outdoor fountains has also been restricted to eight hours per day
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For more information on new water restrictions, water schedule and conservation tips, visit the city of Tampa’s water conservation website<\/a><\/p>\n