Outdoor Watering Regulations
The City of Bend’s irrigation regulations promote efficient water use by specifying watering hours, odd/even day watering schedules and regulations to prevent runoff.
The City of Bend’s irrigation regulations help make sure our community has enough water for essential needs, fire protection and healthy landscapes — especially during the warmest months when demand is highest. Watering during cooler hours and preventing runoff supports our water sources, reduces waste and helps keep Bend waterwise all year.
To protect Bend’s valuable water resources, we created a set of regulations that outline the efficient use of water, including rules on water waste and outdoor watering.
Outdoor Watering Hours/Days
The following regulations are in effect all year long:
- Irrigation Hours: 5 p.m. to 9 a.m.
The best time to water is between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. - No Irrigation: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This is due to higher heat, wind, evaporation rate and high system demand. - Even house numbers: may water on even numbered days of the month.
- Odd house numbers: may water on odd numbered days of the month.
- Watering is allowed for all addresses on day 31 of the month.
- These regulations apply to hoses or hose-end devices left unattended.
- These regulations do not apply to watering by hand-held hose while being manually controlled.
- Unresolved violations will lead to a fine.
- Temporary variances for some watering regulations can be obtained (for new sod, seed, or plantings) by calling 541-317-3000, ext. 2.
Water Waste: What to Avoid
Most people don’t intend to waste water, but irrigation systems require regular maintenance to operate without waste. Regular seasonal maintenance will help prevent a possible code violation from the following:
- Water or irrigation runoff flows into the street, down the sidewalk or onto a neighbor’s property.
- Sprinklers are hitting hard surfaces like roads, driveways or patios instead of plants.
- Water pools or flows into gutters, storm drains or alleys.
- Irrigation components or plumbing fixtures are leaking, broken and not repaired within 10 business days of receiving notice.
- Vehicles or hardscapes are washed without a hose shutoff nozzle.
If you hear from us about your irrigation hours or are notified of water waste, we encourage you to take action right away to avoid unnecessary fines.
Reporting Water Waste
If you feel someone is in violation of City Code concerning water waste, you can submit a complaint to our Code Enforcement Division through our Online Permit Center Portal. Once you access the Online Permit Center Portal, create an account if you don’t already have one, and then look for the Code Enforcement service area near the bottom of the Online Permit Center Portal home page.
Frequently Asked Questions
This rule was first put in place to reduce the demand on our water system. It helped ensure there was enough water in storage reservoirs to fight fires during times of high demand, like hot summer months. Today, we keep these rules not just for fire protection, but also to balance the demand on the water system. This helps keep operating costs down and delays the need for expensive infrastructure additions like wells, storage, and transmission lines.
A good rule of thumb is to water your lawn with 1 inch of water every four days (or 1/2 inch every other day). If water runs off, try a “cycle and soak” method. Water for shorter periods, allowing time between runs for the water to soak in. Good soil acts like a reservoir for your grass. Top dress your soil, and if you’re installing a new lawn, invest in good topsoil—it pays off in the long run.
Yes, you do. Every water service connection has been fully metered since December 2004. To get water service, all customers must follow the rules set by the City of Bend. These rules protect public health, improve water quality, ensure adequate water pressure, meet the needs of all customers, and provide required fire flows at all times.
Some parks and schools get water from private wells or have irrigation water rights from a pond, the Deschutes River, or another provider, so our rules don’t apply to them. Because of evening events and varying use of fields (like football games or festivals), watering must happen at irregular times. Sometimes, exceptions to the irrigation rules are granted for new landscape installation, rehabilitation work, using smart irrigation systems, re-seeding, and other necessary reasons.
Yes, you do. Some manufacturers make timers that allow for even or odd days and can be set to water or not water on day 31. These units are sold by many landscape professionals and cost a bit more, but they make watering easy and save water and money over time. The updated irrigation rules now allow everyone to water on day 31 of the month. Remember, the goal is to water efficiently when plants need it, not just on a preset schedule. The rules help encourage efficient water use and balance the demand on the water system.
Most irrigation runoff is caused by setting run times too long, poorly adjusted sprinkler heads, compacted or sloped soil, or watering on windy afternoons. The revised rules encourage efficiency by not allowing watering between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. To stop runoff, try watering at night, adjust sprinklers regularly, and know your soil conditions. Buy a smart controller or timer with a “cycle and soak” feature that can split up your run time to fit your site conditions. Concrete and asphalt won’t grow no matter how much you water them!