City guide · Guelph, ON
Guelph Outdoor Watering Rules and Your Lawn: Level 1, Address Days and the New 2026 By-law
Guelph is on Level 1 watering rules on October 1, 2026. You can water your lawn on your address day. Even addresses water on even dates, and odd addresses on odd dates. You get up to four hours that day, between midnight and 9 a.m. or 5 p.m. and midnight. These rules run until October 31. If the City moves to Level 2, lawn watering stops.
Which days can I water my lawn in Guelph?
Guelph goes by the date on the calendar, not the day of the week. Match your house number to the date.
| Your address | Your lawn watering dates |
|---|---|
| Even number (like 24) | Even dates: October 2, 4, 6 and so on |
| Odd number (like 25) | Odd dates: October 1, 3, 5 and so on |
The rules run from April 1 to October 31 each year. So October 30 is the last even date this season. October 31 is the last odd one. After that, the season's limits end until next April.
What hours are allowed?
On your date, you can water the lawn for up to four hours. Those hours must fall in one of two windows:
- Overnight and morning: midnight to 9 a.m.
- Evening: 5 p.m. to midnight.
- Total: no more than four hours in the day, across both windows.
So you can't run the sprinkler at noon, even on your date. Set a timer if you can. It's easy to forget a hose running overnight.
What can I water any day at Level 1?
The four-hour limit is for lawns. At Level 1, the City lets you water these at any time:
- Flower beds and ornamental gardens.
- Vegetable gardens.
- Trees and shrubs, hedges included.
- A kids' sprinkler, but only while kids are playing in it.
Why are Guelph's watering rules so strict?
Guelph gets almost all its water from the ground. The City says it's the largest community in Canada that does. Groundwater takes much longer to fill back up than a lake or river.
The pipes are the other limit. The City says the system "can only handle a limited amount of water at one time." When the whole city waters on the same summer evening, it strains the system.
That's why the rules split the city into odd and even dates. Half the homes water on any given day.
What happens if Guelph moves to Level 2?
At Level 2, you can't water your lawn at all. Flower beds drop to your address date and allowed hours. Vegetable gardens, trees and shrubs can still be watered any time.
The City can move to Level 2 when any of these happen:
- Rain over one or three months is under 60% of the normal amount.
- Two weeks go by without rain.
- Flow in the Eramosa River drops below the minimum in the City's water permit.
- Water use in the peak week reaches 75% of what the system can supply.
Here's the part people miss. A new level starts the moment the City posts it on its website. It may also share it on social media, local radio, the news and signs. Check the outdoor water use page on guelph.ca before you set a timer.
What's new in Guelph's 2026 water by-law?
Council passed a new Outside Water Use By-law, Number (2026)-21216, on June 23, 2026. It took effect on June 29 and replaced the old rules from 2014.
The new by-law spells out what counts as wasting water. These are all against the rules, at any level:
- Letting sprinkler water run off onto the driveway, sidewalk, curb or road.
- Watering while it's raining.
- Hosing leaves or dirt off your driveway. Sweep it instead.
- Running a fountain or pond on fresh water instead of a pump that recycles it.
The property owner is responsible for what happens on the property. Fines go up on a second conviction. If someone keeps breaking the rules, the City can even shut off water to that home.
See a neighbour's sprinkler running at noon? You can report it by calling 519-837-2529. The City says it responds within two business days.
Can I get a permit for new sod or seed?
Yes. A New Turf Permit covers sod or seed put down in the last 30 days. It lets you water for 30 days, on your address dates and the other dates too. You still water between midnight and 9 a.m. or 5 p.m. and midnight.
The fee goes on your Guelph water bill. To apply, use the City's online form or call 519-822-1260, extension 2153. A permit ends if you sell the house. The City can also suspend permits if low water goes on for a long time.
How much water does a Guelph lawn need?
About 2.5 cm (1 inch) a week, rain included. The City says a weekly soak is better than a daily sprinkle. Deep water pushes roots down, so grass handles dry spells better.
Here's the City's simple test. If it hasn't rained in a week, set a container near the sprinkler. Turn the water off when it holds 2.5 cm (1 inch).
Guelph soil helps and hurts here. The local soil, named the Guelph series, is mostly loam over rolling hills and drumlins. It drains well, so a deep soak sinks in. But on steep yards, water runs downhill fast. Runoff onto the driveway counts as waste. On a slope, try two shorter runs in the same window.
A lawn that goes brown in a dry spell isn't dead. The City says a dormant lawn can usually go 5 to 6 weeks without harm. Stay off it, stop mowing, and it will likely bounce back. Our guide to the best time to water your lawn has more tips.
How should I mow to save water in Guelph?
Mowing is where you save the most water without trying. The City gives clear numbers:
- Set the mower to 7.5 cm (3 inches). Taller grass shades its own roots.
- Mow when the lawn reaches 11 cm (4.5 inches). In a dry spell, that can take a while. Skip a week if it hasn't grown.
- Never cut more than one third of the grass height at once.
- Leave the clippings. The City says grasscycling helps the lawn hold water. Clippings aren't curbside yard waste in Guelph anyway. Our post on leaving grass clippings explains how.
Fall is here, so the last cuts are close. Weather stations near Guelph see the first fall frost around October 2 to 6 on average. Growth slows after that. Our FAQ on how often to mow in Canada helps you pace the last few cuts. Raking leaves too? Our Guelph yard waste guide covers pickup and paper bags.
One note on weeds: our partner crews don't spray, and we don't give pesticide advice.
Want free advice on watering your own yard? The City runs free Healthy Landscape visits from May through September. Book one next spring.
Who can keep my Guelph lawn cut right?
Golden Oak Lawn Care matches you with a vetted, insured local crew in Guelph. They do the work. We stand behind it with the Golden Oak Guarantee.
Your crew handles lawn mowing at a high setting and leaves the clippings. With the Worry-Free Lawn Season, the same crew comes every visit and texts you a photo after every cut. Watering stays with you, on your dates. We also serve other Ontario cities, like nearby Kitchener.
Want it handled? Get your price in 60 minutes, or call 1-866-904-LAWN.
Guelph Watering Restrictions Questions
What level is Guelph on right now?
Guelph is on Level 1 as of October 1, 2026. That means lawn watering is allowed on your address date, for up to four hours. A new level starts as soon as the City posts it on guelph.ca.
Can I water my lawn on any day in Guelph?
Not from April 1 to October 31. Even addresses water on even dates, and odd addresses on odd dates. Use up to four hours between midnight and 9 a.m. or 5 p.m. and midnight.
Can I water my lawn at Level 2?
No. At Level 2, lawn watering is not allowed. You can still water vegetable gardens, trees and shrubs any time. New sod or seed needs a New Turf Permit, and the City can suspend permits in low water.
Do Guelph's rules cover hedges and shrubs?
Trees and shrubs can be watered any time at Level 1 and Level 2. The address date and four-hour limit apply to lawns. At Level 2, they apply to flower beds too.
Rules change, so check with the City before you plan. Sources: Guelph outdoor water use and restrictions, Outside Water Use By-law (2026)-21216, Guelph lawn watering permits, Guelph water smart lawn care, Healthy Landscape visits, Guelph yard waste, Soil Survey of Wellington County, Climate normals, Waterloo Wellington A, Climate normals, Fergus Shand Dam.
