Nanaimo Watering Restrictions: What Each Stage Means for Your Lawn

On October 1, 2026, Nanaimo is still at Stage 3. The City asks you to water your lawn one day a week. Odd addresses water Monday. Even addresses water Thursday. Water from 7 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m., for up to two hours. Stage 3 is voluntary, but strongly encouraged. In a normal October, the City is at Stage 1, so check the City's page before you turn on the sprinkler.

What are Nanaimo's four watering stages?

The City of Nanaimo runs its own water system. It sets the stage based on its reservoirs and how much water people use. That's different from the B.C. drought levels you hear about on the news.

Here's what the City's 2026 guide says about lawns at each stage.

Stage	When	Lawn watering days	Hours
Stage 1	April and October	Any day	7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Stage 2	May to September	Every other day by address	7 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m., 2 hours max
Stage 3	As needed	One day a week: odd Monday, even Thursday	7 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m., 2 hours max
Stage 4	As needed	No lawn watering	None

In Stage 2, even addresses water on even dates. Odd addresses water on odd dates. So if you live at 412, you water on the 2nd, 4th, 6th and so on.

Why is Nanaimo still at Stage 3 in October?

The City's guide puts October in Stage 1. But the stage can change at any time of year. The City posted Stage 3 and last updated its page on September 21, 2026. On October 1, that page still says Stage 3 is in effect.

The City hasn't posted a date for moving back to Stage 1. So don't go by the calendar. Go by the City's watering page.

Summer here is drier than most people think. The Regional District of Nanaimo says the area gets only about 100 mm of rain in June, July and August combined. That's less than parts of the Okanagan over the same months. Environment Canada's normals for Nanaimo Airport show about 25 mm in July and 28 mm in August. The RDN also says water use in the region doubles to triples in summer.

Does Stage 3 cover more than lawns?

Yes. Under Stage 3, these jobs also belong on your one watering day, inside the same hours:

• Washing your car or boat
• Washing your house siding
• Lawn sprinklers of any kind

The City also asks you to cut back on hand watering, drip lines, filling pools and hot tubs, and pressure washing. The goal is to avoid Stage 4, a full ban on lawn watering.

Some things are exempt at every stage. Vegetable gardens and fruit trees can be watered any time. New trees and shrubs can be watered in the first 24 hours after you plant them.

Can I get a permit for a new lawn?

Sometimes. New seed or sod may qualify for a 14-day permit to water outside your days. You apply through the City's Public Works. But the City says permits may not be issued during Stage 3 or 4. So if you planned fall seeding, call the City first and ask.

How much water does a Nanaimo lawn really need?

Less than most people give it. The RDN's lawn guide says a lawn needs at most 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water a week. That counts rain too.

The same guide says overwatering is one of the top causes of lawn problems. Too much water starves the soil of air and invites disease. The RDN also says up to 65 percent of lawn and garden water is lost to runoff, evaporation or leaks.

So one good soak a week fits Stage 3 well. Here's how to make that one day count:

• Water in the 7 to 10 a.m. window if you can. The RDN says early morning water loses less to evaporation.
• Water deep and not often. The RDN says this builds a healthy root system.
• Set a tin can on the lawn. When it holds about 2.5 cm (1 inch), you're done for the week.
• Watch for water running onto the driveway or sidewalk. Move the sprinkler or stop early.
• Skip the week if it rained a good amount.

Is a golden lawn in Nanaimo a dead lawn?

Usually not. The RDN tells residents to let lawns go dormant, or golden, in summer. Grass does this on its own in warm, dry weather. The RDN says it turns green again with the fall rain.

That fall rain is coming. Environment Canada's normals for Nanaimo Airport show about 102 mm in October and 197 mm in November. Most lawns here green up without any help from the hose.

Weeds can move into thin spots in a dry year. Nanaimo bans pesticides on residential lawns, and our partner crews don't spray.

How should I mow when water is limited?

Mowing matters more than you'd think in a dry spell. The RDN's lawn guide gives three tips that save water:

• Mow high. Keep grass around 6 to 7.5 cm (2.5 to 3 inches). Taller grass shades the soil, so less water dries off.
• Cut only the top third. Taking off more stresses the grass. In a fast week, that means mowing more often, not lower.
• Leave the clippings. The RDN says they can give your lawn up to 30% of the nitrogen it needs each summer, plus some moisture.

Keep the mower blade sharp too. The RDN says dull blades rip grass instead of cutting it, which leads to disease and brown tips. Our post on sharp mower blades shows what a clean cut looks like.

How often should you mow? It depends on how fast the grass grows. Our FAQ on how often to mow in Canada covers it. A dormant lawn in August grows slowly. A wet October lawn grows much faster.

What should a Nanaimo lawn get this fall?

Once the rain comes back, the lawn starts to grow again. Environment Canada's normals put Nanaimo's average first fall frost around October 26. That leaves time for a few more cuts.

Leaves come down at the same time. Wet leaves left in piles can smother grass that just woke up. Nanaimo's green cart takes leaves, grass and light trimmings. Put them in loosely, because wet yard waste sticks to the cart.

A fall cleanup clears leaves and gives the lawn its last cuts before winter. Regular lawn mowing keeps the grass at the right height the whole time.

Who can keep my lawn on track all season?

Golden Oak Lawn Care matches you with a vetted, insured local crew in Nanaimo. They do the work. We stand behind it with the Golden Oak Guarantee.

With the Worry-Free Lawn Season, the same crew comes every visit. They text you a photo after every cut. If they miss your scheduled window, that cut is free. Your crew mows and trims. Watering on your stage day stays with you. See our other B.C. cities too.

Want it handled? Get your price in 60 minutes, or call 1-866-904-LAWN.

Nanaimo Watering Restrictions Questions

Rules change, so check with the City before you plan. Sources: Nanaimo watering restrictions, Nanaimo watering guide 2026, RDN outdoor water use, RDN Healthy Lawn Care, Climate normals, Nanaimo A, Nanaimo green cart, Nanaimo pesticide bylaw.