What Metro Vancouver Stage 2 water rules allow now

Metro Vancouver is back under **Stage 2 water restrictions**, and the useful detail is not the label. The practical change is what residents can still water, wash, or top up after July 16. Metro Vancouver says Stage 2 is in effect across the region. All residential and non-residential lawn watering is banned, but vegetable gardens can be watered any time, and trees, shrubs, and flowers still have allowed watering windows. ## What changed on July 16 The regional Stage 2 page says existing lawns cannot be watered and no new permits are being issued or renewed for new lawns or lawns treated for chafer beetle. The same page says decorative water features such as fountains and ponds cannot be filled or topped up. For residential properties, trees, shrubs, and flowers can be watered by hand any day and any time with a soaker hose, water container, drip irrigation, or hose with a spring-loaded nozzle. Sprinklers are allowed any day from **5 a.m. to 9 a.m.** For non-residential properties, trees, shrubs, and flowers can also be watered by hand any time. Sprinklers are allowed from **4 a.m. to 9 a.m.** Vegetable gardens are exempt and can be watered at any time. ## What is allowed now Delta's July 16 notice says the region moved back to Stage 2 because the First Narrows Crossing is back in service. Delta also says several uses are permitted again under Stage 2, including topping up pools and hot tubs, washing vehicles and boats at home, and commercial pressure washing for aesthetic purposes. Metro Vancouver's current page says home vehicle and boat washing is allowed with a spring-loaded hose nozzle, while commercial car washes are allowed. For surfaces, personal pressure washers and garden hoses are limited to health or safety cleaning, while hired commercial cleaners may perform aesthetic cleaning. Richmond's Stage 2 page adds two useful household reminders: edible plants are exempt from watering restrictions, and Stage 2 rules do not apply to rainwater, grey water, recycled water, or other water sources outside the municipal drinking-water system. ## Check your city before assuming the fine Metro Vancouver sets the regional restrictions, but local governments enforce them. That means residents should check their own municipality for ticket amounts, reporting tools, and permit details before relying on a neighbour's rules. Vancouver says Stage 2 restrictions will stay in place until **October 15, 2026**, unless otherwise stated, and says watering infractions could result in a **$500 fine**. Delta's notice says non-compliance fines are **$250** under Stage 2 and points residents to DeltaConnect for reporting. The simple rule for this week: do not water lawns, keep sprinklers to the allowed morning windows for trees and flowers, water vegetable gardens when needed, and check the official city page before using an exemption or reporting a violation. ## Sources - [Metro Vancouver water restrictions](https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/water-restrictions) - [City of Vancouver water restrictions explained](https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/understanding-watering-restrictions.aspx) - [City of Richmond lawn watering information](https://www.richmond.ca/services/water-sewer-flood/water-services/savewater/lawn.htm) - [City of Delta Stage 2 notice](https://www.delta.ca/community-culture/happening-delta/news/stage-2-water-restrictions-activated-metro-vancouver-0)