![\"Lawn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/e5a761fb27d8f00f37c444129ab8f8c8.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Lawn Sprinkler (File)<\/p>\n
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. \u2013 St. Petersburg residents are facing a significant tightening of water rules starting Friday, April 3, as local officials scramble to manage a deepening regional drought.<\/p>\n
The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently voted to elevate the area to a Modified Phase III \u201cExtreme\u201d Water Shortage, a designation that triggers stricter enforcement and immediate changes for households and businesses alike.<\/p>\n
This updated order, which remains in effect through July 1, covers all city water customers, including those who rely on private wells for their landscaping.<\/p>\n
Under the new guidelines, hand-watering of non-lawn plants is still permitted, but it must be done either before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. to minimize evaporation.<\/p>\n
The City is also shifting its enforcement strategy. Starting April 17, code enforcement officers will issue citations without warnings for violations, as required by the district. To ensure compliance, nighttime patrols will hit the streets at least once a week to spot unauthorized irrigation.<\/p>\n
READ: St. Petersburg Traffic Alert: Midnight Detours Coming To I-275 This Week<\/a><\/p>\n Beyond lawn care, the restrictions reach into daily commerce and home maintenance. Restaurants are now barred from serving water unless a customer specifically asks for it, and aesthetic fountains are limited to just four hours of operation per day.<\/p>\n At home, car washing is only allowed on a resident\u2019s designated watering day and requires a hose equipped with a shutoff nozzle.<\/p>\n Homeowners\u2019 associations and property managers are also being reined in; they are currently prohibited from requiring residents to increase water use, such as through mandatory pressure washing or landscaping replacements. In fact, residential pressure washing is banned entirely under the order, with the practice limited strictly to commercial needs.<\/p>\n City officials are reminding the public that \u201cwasteful and unnecessary\u201d water use\u2014such as letting a hose run without purpose\u2014is prohibited. Residents are encouraged to verify their specific watering days at the city\u2019s website, as St. Petersburg\u2019s schedule may differ from those in other parts of Pinellas County.<\/p>\n Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism<\/a>. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.<\/p>\n Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter<\/a> for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox<\/p>\n