Sarasota Phase III Water Restrictions

Yes. In written guidance provided to Strong Landscape & Pressure Wash, the Southwest Florida Water Management District stated that commercial pressure-washing companies may operate as usual. The District clarified that the pressure-washing restrictions in the current order apply to homeowners or residents performing the work themselves, not to commercial pressure-washing companies.

Yes. Based on written guidance provided to Strong Landscape & Pressure Wash by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, commercial pressure-washing companies may continue operating during the current Modified Phase III water restrictions.

Commercial property owners and managers should still verify whether any additional city, county, utility, or property-specific water-use requirements apply to their location.

Sometimes. SWFWMD allows certain homeowner pressure washing for necessary maintenance, painting or sealing preparation, construction, health or safety needs, and specific situations such as removing mold, mildew, or potentially hazardous material from hard surfaces when it cannot be removed mechanically. Annual pressure washing purely for aesthetic purposes is prohibited for homeowners under the current Modified Phase III criteria.

Yes. SWFWMD specifically states that pressure washing in preparation for painting and sealing is allowed.

Yes, when the cleaning is considered necessary maintenance. SWFWMD allows pressure washing of driveways, sidewalks, and other hard surfaces to remove mold, mildew, or other potentially hazardous material that cannot be removed by mechanical means such as sweeping or blowing.

No. SWFWMD states that HOA or other aesthetic standards do not qualify as necessary maintenance, and the current order says HOAs and other entities cannot enforce standards that would require increased water use, including pressure washing.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District has extended the Modified Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage through March 31, 2027. Sarasota County remains included in the affected area.

Because water-shortage orders can be extended, modified, or lifted, homeowners should continue checking current SWFWMD and local-government guidance.

Yes. The current Modified Phase III water-shortage restrictions apply to residents within the affected areas regardless of whether they use a public water supply or a private well.

Current water-shortage information and updates are available directly from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Because restrictions can change, homeowners should also check their city or county requirements, which may be stricter than the District’s rules.

Yes. New landscape installation can still be completed during the current Modified Phase III restrictions. SWFWMD allows an establishment-watering period for newly installed plants and lawns.

Newly installed lawns and plants have a 60-day establishment period. During days 1–30, they may be watered any day of the week as needed for establishment.

During days 31–60, watering is limited to three days per week on the current establishment schedule: even-numbered addresses may water Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday; odd-numbered addresses may water Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

A written establishment-watering schedule must be maintained during the establishment period.

Yes. Low-volume micro-irrigation, soaker hoses, and hand watering for plants and shrubs other than lawns are allowed on any day, but only before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m.

Micro-irrigation can help deliver water directly to the root zone with less overspray and runoff than broader irrigation methods.

Yes. We can install new low-volume micro-irrigation systems or convert portions of existing irrigation systems. Depending on the property, systems can often be tied into existing irrigation or operated from an exterior hose faucet using a dedicated timer.

Sarasota County currently limits established lawn irrigation to one day per week based on the last digit of the street address:

0 or 1: Monday
2 or 3: Tuesday
4 or 5: Wednesday
6 or 7: Thursday
8 or 9: Friday
Common areas or locations without a discernible address: Friday

For properties under one acre, watering is limited to either 12:00–4:00 a.m. or 8:00–11:59 p.m. on the assigned watering day.

For properties one acre or larger, irrigation is limited to 8:00 p.m.–4:00 a.m. on the assigned watering day.