City of St. Petersburg Enforces Restrictions with Drought Alert for Water Shortage Effective April 3

City of St. Petersburg Enforces Stricter Restrictions with Updated Drought Alert for Water Shortage Effective April 3

April 3, 2026 - Due to current conditions, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has voted to declare a Modified Phase III "Extreme" Water Shortage, effective April 3 through July 1, 2026, due to persistent regional drought and declining water resource levels. This order applies to all St. Petersburg water customers, including residents using private wells.

New Enforcement Requirements

To comply with SWFWMD's Phase III order, the City will begin:

• Hand watering of non-lawn landscape is allowed, but is limited to before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

• Nighttime enforcement patrols at least once per week to identify extra watering.

• Citations issued without warnings beginning April 17, per District requirements.

Other Restrictions

• Restaurants may only serve water upon request.

• Car washing at home is allowed only on your watering day and must be done with a hose with a shutoff nozzle.

• Aesthetic fountains are limited to four hours per day.

• HOAs and property managers may not enforce standards requiring increased water use, such as mandatory pressure washing or replacement of landscaping.

  • Pressure washing is limited to commercial use only, residential use is not allowed.

Current and ongoing watering schedule and rules remain in place, including designated hours and days. More information can be found at https://www.stpete.org/WaterRestrictions. Please note that St. Pete's watering schedule may differ from Pinellas County's. Residents and businesses located outside of city limits or who do not receive their water from the City should verify their watering days and restrictions with their water supplier.

Please remember that "wasteful and unnecessary" water use is prohibited, including allowing water to be dispersed without any practical purpose, using water in a grossly inefficient manner, and using water for a purpose that can be readily accomplished by other means.

For more information about water restrictions and water conservation tips, programs, and rebates, visit www.stpete.org/WaterConservation. Please continue to check back regularly for updated information.