The Las Vegas Watering Schedule: Days, Hours and Drip Setup

Quick answer

The SNWA requires Las Vegas Valley customers to water landscapes only on assigned days: one day a week from November through February, three days in spring and fall, and in summer no landscape watering from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sprinkler watering on Sunday is never allowed. Run lawns in short four-minute cycles and run drip longer but less often.

Last updated October 22, 2026

In most of the country, a sprinkler schedule is a matter of preference. In the Las Vegas Valley it is a matter of rules. The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) sets mandatory seasonal watering limits for municipal water customers, and water providers enforce them with water-waste fees. The good news is that the same schedule that keeps you within the rules is also close to what desert plants need. This guide covers the rules, how to program a controller, and how to set up drip so trees and shrubs thrive.

The seasonal rules

According to SNWA:

Winter (November 1 through February 28): landscape irrigation is limited to one assigned day per week.
Spring (March 1 through April 30): landscape irrigation is limited to three assigned days per week.
Summer (May 1 through August 31): landscape irrigation is prohibited between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. SNWA advises starting at three days a week and moving to four in May only as needed.
Fall (September 1 through October 31): back to three assigned days per week.
Sundays: sprinkler watering on Sunday is prohibited in every season.

Watering groups are mandatory for all municipal water customers. Your group, which determines your days, is on your monthly water bill and on the SNWA website. Running sprinklers outside your assigned days is water waste.

What counts as water waste

SNWA lists these as water waste:

Any water that sprays or flows off your property, including onto sidewalks, gutters and the street.
Failing to fix a malfunction in your irrigation system or supply line within 48 hours.
Watering on days or at times outside the seasonal rules.

Fees depend on your water provider's rules and local ordinances. SNWA says they can range from $40 up to $5,000, with higher amounts for repeat violations. Your provider may be the Las Vegas Valley Water District, the City of Henderson or the City of North Las Vegas, depending on where you live.

Why short cycles beat long runs

Desert soil is hard to soak. Much of the valley has dense, low-organic soil, and many lots have caliche, a cemented layer that slows water movement. Run sprinklers for 15 minutes straight and much of that water runs off onto the sidewalk, which wastes water and can earn a fee. SNWA recommends a cycle-and-soak approach for lawns:

Set three start times per sprinkler zone.
Keep each cycle to about four minutes or less.
Space the cycles one to two hours apart so each one soaks in.

SNWA notes that changing one minute of a four-minute cycle changes water use by about 25 percent, so small adjustments make a real difference. In fall and winter, SNWA suggests shifting cycles from early morning to mid-morning as weather cools, which helps prevent ice on driveways and walks.

Setting up drip correctly

Drip is the backbone of a desert landscape. It puts water at the roots with little evaporation and no overspray. SNWA's guidance is to run drip longer but less often, and it says running drip too many days a week is the biggest mistake most homeowners make. For summer, its recommendation is no more than three days a week, on assigned days only, with one early-morning cycle lasting roughly 30 to 90 minutes depending on the plants and emitters.

Practical tips:

Separate trees from shrubs. Trees need more water spread over a wider area. A dedicated tree zone lets you water them deeply without drowning nearby shrubs.
Move emitters out as plants grow. SNWA recommends watering under the canopy and out to the drip line. A tree with two emitters at the trunk from the day it was planted is probably underwatered.
Check soil moisture before adding time. If plants look stressed, dig down a few inches. Wet soil means overwatering; dry soil may mean clogged or missing emitters.
Flush filters and lines. Hard water leaves mineral deposits that clog emitters over time.
Walk the system monthly. Look for blown-off emitters, chewed tubing and wet spots that suggest a leak.

Programming your controller by season

Late February: move from one day to your three spring days. Keep lawn cycles short.
May 1: make sure no start times fall between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Add a fourth day only if plants need it.
September 1: drop back to three assigned days. Many lawns and plants need noticeably less water as nights cool.
November 1: go to one assigned day per week.
Every season: confirm that nothing runs on Sunday.

Weather-based smart controllers can adjust run times automatically, and EPA's WaterSense program labels models that meet its efficiency criteria. SNWA has offered an incentive for smart irrigation controllers, so check its rebates page for current terms. Even a smart controller needs your watering days and seasonal limits programmed correctly.

Backflow and freeze protection

Irrigation systems connected to the public water supply need a backflow prevention assembly so irrigation water can't be drawn back into drinking water lines. Requirements for installation and testing come from your water provider, so ask them or your irrigation company what applies to your property. Las Vegas winters are mild, but nights can still drop below freezing. Insulating covers for exposed backflow assemblies and above-ground pipes help prevent cracked fittings.

When to call a professional

Resetting a controller is a do-it-yourself job. Consider an irrigation company when you have:

Spray zones watering shrub beds that should be on drip.
A valve that won't shut off, or a wet spot that keeps coming back.
Trees declining despite watering, which often means the emitters are in the wrong place.
A turf conversion coming, which usually means redesigning zones.

Irrigation installation is part of Nevada's C-10 landscape contractor classification, and work worth $1,000 or more generally requires a licensed contractor. Check the license on the Nevada State Contractors Board website.

What drives the cost of irrigation work

Repairs are often priced by time and parts. Larger projects depend on the number of zones, how much spray irrigation is being converted to drip, valve and controller replacement, trenching through hard soil or caliche, and how much existing landscaping has to be worked around. Ask for an itemized estimate that lists zones, emitter counts per tree and the controller model.

Ready for help? Request an irrigation company, or read about replacing your lawn.

Frequently asked questions

Can I hand water on Sunday in Las Vegas?

SNWA's rule prohibits sprinkler watering on Sunday. For questions about hand watering or other exceptions, check with your water provider, since local service rules apply.

Why does my yard flood the sidewalk even with short cycles?

Heads may be tilted, mismatched or spraying past the lawn edge, or cycles may still be too long for your soil. Adjust heads and shorten cycles, since runoff off your property counts as water waste.

How do I find my watering group?

Your assigned watering group is on your monthly water bill and can be looked up on the SNWA website.

Sources and further reading

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