Changes coming to Manatee County watering rules as drought worsens

Manatee County will soon enforce once-per-week outdoor watering restrictions after state officials declared a severe water shortage across Southwest Florida.

According to a news release from the county, the restrictions will go into effect on Feb. 8 and last until at least July 1, and they include residents with systems running on private wells.

The county rules follow regional restrictions put in place by the Southwest Florida Water Management District in over a dozen counties. The district reported less rainfall than average during summer 2025, resulting in a regional shortfall of about 13 inches compared to the yearly average, according to the release.

2025 was Manatee County’s 10th driest year on record, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, and 100% of the county is currently in a severe drought.

Outdoor irrigation can account for over 50% of the average households water usage, according to the release.

How will Manatee County watering schedule change?

To mitigate the growing deficit in water, Manatee County will enforce a new outdoor watering schedule based on residents’ address numbers:

• Addresses ending in zero or one may water their outdoor spaces on Monday.
• Addresses ending in two or three may water on Tuesday.
• Addresses ending in four or five may water on Wednesday.
• Addresses ending in six or seven have an outdoor watering day of Thursday.
• Addresses ending in eight or nine and locations without a discernible address may water on Fridays.

The county also notes that properties under two acres may only water before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Properties that are two acres or larger may only water their outdoor areas before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

Residents can continue to use low-volume irrigation methods, such as hand watering or soaker hoses, on any day at any time.

These restrictions are in place “unless stricter local hours are in effect,” according to the county’s release.

What about car washing?

Homeowners associations and alike are not allowed to increase water use for “landscape appearance, plant replacement, or pressure washing,” the release said.

Furthermore, residential car washing is only allowed on the watering day assigned to one’s home address, and decorative fountains are limited to operating only eight hours a day.

Pressure washing is allowed once per year, or in the case of surface preparation for painting or sealing.

Violators face fines, Manatee County says

The Manatee County Utilities division will enforce penalties if these watering restrictions are violated.

The first violation will result only in a warning. However, the second violation will result in a $100 fine. The third violation results in a $250 fine, and any fourth or subsequent violation will result in a $500 fine, county officials said.

The county urges residents to follow these restrictions to avoid paying violation fees and to help conserve water during the shortage.