Georgia Outdoor Watering Rules: Complete Guide to Restrictions and Exemptions (2016)

Effective June 1, 2010, Georgia established statewide outdoor watering regulations that remain in force. Understanding these rules helps you maintain your landscape legally while conserving water.

Standard Watering Hours

Outdoor irrigation for planting, growing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, and other plants is permitted only from 4:00 PM to 10:00 AM daily.

Exempted Uses (Allowed Anytime)

The following activities have no time-of-day restrictions:

• (A) Commercial agricultural operations
• (B) Capture and reuse of cooling system condensate or storm water (per local ordinances and state guidelines)
• (C) Reuse of gray water (per local health department regulations)
• (D) Use of reclaimed wastewater from EPD-permitted systems
• (E) Irrigation of personal food gardens
• (F) Irrigation of new/replanted plants, seed, or turf during installation and for 30 days after
• (G) Drip irrigation or soaker hoses
• (H) Hand-watering with automatic cutoff nozzle or handheld container
• (I) Water from private wells or surface water on your property
• (J) Irrigation of horticultural crops held for sale/resale/installation
• (K) Irrigation of athletic fields, golf courses, public recreational turf
• (L) Installation, maintenance, or calibration of irrigation systems
• (M) Hydroseeding

Important: Always verify with your local water provider before assuming you can water. Municipal restrictions may be stricter than state rules.

City and County Water Department Contacts

Georgia EPD Watering Rules