Watering Rules, Permits and Sprinkler Systems in the Houston Area

Quick answer

There is no single watering schedule for Greater Houston. The City of Houston, suburban cities, MUDs and agencies like the Woodlands Water Agency each set their own rules, and drought plans can limit days and hours. Irrigation work for hire needs a TCEQ Landscape Irrigator license, backflow testing needs a TCEQ tester license, and the City of Houston requires a permit for lawn irrigation systems.

Last updated October 22, 2026

Houston is a wet place, yet summer watering limits are a regular part of life here. The region relies on rivers, reservoirs and, in some areas, groundwater, and heavy summer demand from lawn sprinklers strains the system during heat waves and dry spells. Groundwater pumping has also historically been tied to land subsidence in the region, which is why subsidence districts promote water conservation. If you are installing sod, planting, or replacing a sprinkler system, it helps to know who sets the rules for your address, what drought stages mean, and what licensing and permits apply.

Who sets the watering rules for your address

This is the first thing to sort out, and it is not always obvious. Depending on where you live, your water may come from:

The City of Houston, through Houston Public Works.
A suburban city, such as Sugar Land, Pearland, League City or Katy.
A municipal utility district (MUD). Much of unincorporated Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, including large parts of Cypress, Spring and Katy-area subdivisions, is served by MUDs, each with its own drought plan.
A regional agency or manager, such as the Woodlands Water Agency, which oversees the MUDs that serve most of The Woodlands.

Your water bill names your provider. Its website or customer service line will have the current rules. Your HOA may also have its own requirements, but it cannot override your water provider's restrictions.

How drought stages work

Texas water providers maintain drought contingency plans with several stages. Early stages typically ask for voluntary conservation. Later stages make limits mandatory and can bring warnings and fines. Common features include:

Limiting sprinklers to one or two days a week, often assigned by whether your address is odd or even.
Limiting sprinklers to night or early morning hours, when less water evaporates.
Exceptions for hand watering, drip irrigation and soaker hoses, and sometimes for new landscapes for a limited time.

As examples of how this has worked, the City of Houston has, in past drought stages, asked residents to water no more than twice a week at night on days set by address, and has at times made those limits mandatory. The Woodlands Water Agency uses a defined irrigation plan that limits outdoor watering to specific days and times based on address. Pearland has asked customers in early drought stages to water on their trash days. Rules change with conditions, so always check the current stage before planning a project that depends on irrigation.

Watering smarter, not just less

Many Houston lawns get more water than they need. Overwatering in humid weather encourages fungal disease in St. Augustine and keeps clay soggy. A few practical steps:

Use WaterMyYard. This free website and app, supported by the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, Fort Bend Subsidence District and Texas A&M AgriLife, sends weekly watering recommendations based on local weather station data, rainfall and your sprinkler type.
Water deeply and less often. The Woodlands Township suggests roughly an inch of water a week in summer, half an inch in spring and fall, and none in winter, counting rainfall.
Cycle and soak. Clay absorbs water slowly. Running each zone in shorter cycles with a pause between lets water soak in instead of running into the street. The City of Sugar Land recommends this method, citing Texas A&M AgriLife.
Fix the system. Broken, tilted and sunken heads waste water. Houston Public Works notes that water running onto the street or sidewalk can mean misaligned sprinklers, overwatering or already saturated soil.
Use drip in beds. Drip lines and soaker hoses put water at the roots and are often exempt from day-of-week limits.
Add a rain sensor or smart controller. EPA's WaterSense program labels controllers that meet its efficiency criteria.

Free checks and rebates

Programs come and go, and they vary by provider. The City of Sugar Land offers residents a free irrigation system evaluation by a licensed irrigator. Houston Public Works lists programs such as an irrigation efficiency check and a smart irrigation controller program on its conservation pages. Some MUDs and the subsidence districts have funded conservation programs too. We could not confirm a current, region-wide rebate for turf replacement or sprinkler upgrades, so ask your provider what is available before you buy equipment.

Licensing: who can work on your sprinkler system

Texas regulates irrigation work closely. Under TCEQ rules:

A person may not sell, design, install, maintain, alter, repair or service an irrigation system for hire without a Landscape Irrigator license.
Irrigation Technicians can connect systems to a water supply and do maintenance and repairs under the supervision of a licensed irrigator.
Testing or repairing a backflow prevention assembly requires a Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester license.

TCEQ rules list some exemptions, and exempt people still must follow the state's irrigation standards. You can look up a contractor's license on the TCEQ website.

Permits

The City of Houston requires a plumbing permit for lawn irrigation systems, and the permit must be obtained by a master plumber or a licensed irrigator registered with the City. Other cities in the region have their own permit and inspection rules, and in unincorporated areas requirements may come from the county or MUD. Ask any installer who pulls the permit and when the inspection happens.

Backflow prevention

A sprinkler system connected to the public water supply needs a backflow prevention device so lawn water, fertilizer and soil cannot be drawn back into drinking water. Many providers require testing at installation and periodically after that, with results submitted by a licensed tester. Requirements and deadlines vary, so check with your provider.

HOAs and water-saving landscapes

Texas Property Code section 202.007 generally prevents HOAs from prohibiting drought-resistant landscaping or water-conserving natural turf, though an HOA can still require you to submit plans, regulate turf type for new installs, and regulate gravel, rock and yard maintenance. If you want to replace thirsty lawn with beds or drip-irrigated plantings, submit plans through your HOA first.

Putting it together

Before you plant or install sod in summer, check your provider's current drought stage and any new-landscape exception. Before you buy a new sprinkler system, ask about free evaluations, confirm the installer's TCEQ license, and make sure a permit is pulled where required. If you would like help, a licensed Houston-area irrigation company can audit your system, and a lawn care company can tune your watering to your grass.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find my watering days in Houston?

Find your water provider on your bill, then check its website for the current drought stage and schedule. City of Houston customers can check Houston Public Works. MUD customers should check their district's site.

Does my HOA's watering rule override the city's?

No. Your water provider's restrictions apply regardless of HOA rules. Texas law also limits how far an HOA can restrict water-conserving landscaping.

Do I need a permit to replace a few sprinkler heads?

Simple repairs usually do not need the same permit as a new system, but rules vary by city. Repairs for hire still require a TCEQ-licensed irrigator or technician working under one.

Sources and further reading

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