Houston Watering Restrictions: Current Rules & Sprinkler Schedules

Houston-area watering rules depend on who supplies your water. The City of Houston, suburban cities, and many utility districts each set their own rules. This guide covers the City of Houston’s rules, then shows how the major suburbs differ.

Current Status in the City of Houston

When we checked in October 2026, Houston Public Works listed no watering restrictions in effect. Its last drought stage, Stage 1, was lifted effective May 29, 2024 (Houston Public Works). Even with no restrictions, the City encourages voluntary conservation (Houston Public Works).

How Houston’s Drought Watering Days Work

The City’s Drought Contingency Plan is in Chapter 47, Article VII of the City Code (Houston Public Works). When a stage that limits outdoor watering is active, days are assigned like this:

Single-family homes with odd-numbered addresses: Sunday and Thursday
Single-family homes with even-numbered addresses: Saturday and Wednesday
All other customers: Tuesday and Friday

Check the Houston Public Works restrictions page for the hours and any other limits that apply in the current stage.

Two-story house with a wide green front lawn

Setting Your Controller for Restrictions

Set the controller’s date and time, and check them after any power outage.
Turn off any extra programs or start times so zones don’t run more often than allowed. See sprinklers running twice.
On clay soil, split long run times into short cycles with soak time in between. That reduces runoff and pooling.
Make sure a rain or freeze sensor, if you have one, is connected and working.
Fix leaks first. A leaking valve or broken head wastes water on every allowed day.

How Rules Differ Around Houston

Follow the rules of whoever bills you for water. Your mailing address may name a city that doesn’t actually supply your water.

Kingwood: Annexed by the City of Houston at the end of 1996, so Houston’s rules apply.
Katy: City of Katy four-stage plan. Stage 1 asks customers to water only from midnight to 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Later stages add set days. MUDs set their own rules.
The Woodlands: Woodlands Water’s permanent Defined Irrigation Schedule: two overnight windows a week by address, with surcharges for repeat violations.
Sugar Land: City drought plan: when active, even addresses water Monday and Thursday, odd addresses Tuesday and Friday.
Pearland: In drought stages, watering days match your trash service days.
Missouri City: Five-stage plan, with Stages 3 to 5 mandatory. Rain sensors are required. MUDs have their own plans.
League City: City Code Chapter 114, Article VI. The City announces stages online and through alerts.
Friendswood: Ordinance No. 2024-14, with three stages.
Humble: The City of Humble water system covers about ten square miles. Outside it, follow your district’s rules.
Cypress: Unincorporated. Rules come from your utility district, and many follow NHCRWA drought stages.
Spring: Unincorporated. Rules come from your utility district, and many follow NHCRWA drought stages.

Need Help?

If your system won’t follow its schedule or is wasting water, start with the sprinkler diagnosis tool, check typical repair costs, or find local help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there watering restrictions in Houston right now?

When we checked in October 2026, Houston Public Works listed none in effect. Stage 1 was lifted effective May 29, 2024.

What are Houston’s drought watering days?

When a drought stage limits watering: single-family homes with odd addresses water Sunday and Thursday, even addresses Saturday and Wednesday, and all other customers Tuesday and Friday.

My address says Houston, but a MUD bills me. Whose rules apply?

Your MUD’s. Follow the drought plan from whoever bills you for water.

Sources

Checked October 2026. Rules change with drought stages, so always confirm with your water provider.