Current rule: once a week through March 2027
Polk County is under a Southwest Florida Water Management District water shortage order. Polk County Utilities customers may water once a week, on a day set by the last digit of the street address, during limited overnight hours, and the county has said the restrictions continue through March 2027. Use our watering-day lookup to find your day, then confirm it with the county.
Customers of cities and other utilities should check their own provider, because days and hours can be stricter. The county no longer sends a courtesy letter for a first violation.
When there is no shortage order
Outside a shortage order, most of Polk County follows the district's year-round rule: up to two days per week, only before 10am or after 4pm, with days set by your address. Orders like the current one replace that rule while they last.
New sod and plantings
New landscaping gets special allowances, but they are tighter during a shortage order. Ask your utility what applies before you water a new lawn more often, and keep your receipt in case an officer asks.
Controller settings
Rotors: 45–60 minutes per zone. Spray heads: 20–30 minutes per zone. Install a rain sensor — it's required by Florida law on automatic systems. With one day a week, a sprinkler check for dry zones matters more than longer run times.
