How-to
DFW watering rules by city for commercial properties
Updated · Glossary
Most Dallas–Fort Worth cities let you run automatic irrigation twice a week at most, and none of it between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., at least from April through October. Which days depends on the city. In several of them, commercial properties, HOAs and common areas get their own days, separate from homes. As of October 2026 none of the cities below has declared a drought stage, so these are the standing rules.
Rules by city
| City | Days for commercial and HOA properties | No watering | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | Up to 2 a week, by address: even or no number Sun and Thu, odd Sat and Wed | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Apr 1 to Oct 31 | Properties with several addresses use the lowest number. Variances for new landscape |
| Fort Worth | Non-residential: Tue and Fri. No watering on Mon | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., all year | Commercial systems need rain and freeze sensors, inspected every year. Fines start at $25 |
| Carrollton | Non-residential: Tue and Fri (voluntary) | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Apr 1 to Oct 31 (required) | No watering during rain or snow |
| Plano | HOAs and common areas: Mon and Thu, Apr 1 to Oct 31 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Hand watering up to 2 hours any day. Variance up to 30 days for new landscape |
| Frisco | Set by trash zone. 1 day in spring and fall, 2 in summer | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Apr 1 to Oct 31 | No spray or rotor watering of turf Nov to Mar. No watering below 40°F. Commercial fines start at $200 |
| McKinney | Trash day, plus an optional second day 3 days later | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Apr 1 to Oct 31 | Registered ET controllers are exempt from watering days, not hours |
| Allen | Up to 2 days by neighborhood map. Primary day only Nov to Mar | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Apr to Oct | Watering in rain or freezing weather is a violation |
| Addison | Check with the city | Businesses, apartments and condos: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Stricter hours than most cities |
| Richardson | By address: even Tue and Sat, odd Wed and Sun | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Apr 1 to Oct 31 | Drip and soaker hoses any time |
| Irving | By address, Apr 1 to Oct 31: odd Sun and Wed, even Tue and Sat | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Apr 1 to Oct 31 | Every system needs a working rain and freeze sensor |
| Lewisville | Commercial, multifamily and HOA: Mon and Thu | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 1 to Sep 30 | Check the city page for current stage |
| Coppell | Businesses: Fri and Mon. Required May 1 to Sep 30 | 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., all year | Fines up to $2,000 |
| Denton | Commercial and multifamily: Mon and Thu | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Jun 1 to Sep 30 | Briefly in Stage 1 in August 2026, since lifted |
| Southlake | By address: even Wed and Sat, odd Thu and Sun | Automatic systems only 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. | Hand watering any time |
| Forney | Schools, parks, worship, medians and open space: Wed, plus Sat or Sun Apr to Oct | 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., all year | 1 day a week Nov to Mar |
| Farmers Branch | Check with the city | Check with the city |
These change with drought stages. Check the city’s page before you touch a controller, and expect fewer days once a stage is declared.
Rules that apply almost everywhere
- Hand watering, drip and soaker hoses are allowed outside the schedule in most cities, often with a time limit.
- New sod, seed and plantings can usually get a short variance, often 30 days. Apply before you install, not after.
- Texas rules require a rain or moisture shut-off on systems installed since 2009. Fort Worth and Irving go further and require rain and freeze sensors. In a lot of cities, running sprinklers in rain or freezing weather is a violation by itself.
- Water running into the street is a violation, even on your day.
How we set a commercial controller
- Look up the property’s days. Commercial and HOA sites often have their own, so don’t copy the schedule from the house next door.
- Run zones early, before 10 a.m. That’s legal in every city above, and you lose less water to heat and wind.
- Break long run times into two or three short cycles so the water soaks in instead of running off.
- Give drip zones for beds and color their own schedule where the city allows it.
- Test the rain and freeze sensor before summer and again before winter.
- Go back to the schedule whenever the city changes stages or seasons.
Common questions
What days can I water in Dallas?
Dallas allows up to two days a week, set by the last digit of the address: even or no number on Sunday and Thursday, odd on Saturday and Wednesday. No watering from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. between April 1 and October 31.
What days can commercial properties water in Fort Worth?
Non-residential properties, including businesses, parks, apartments and common areas, water on Tuesday and Friday. No watering from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. any time of year, and no watering on Monday.
Do HOAs follow the same watering days as homes?
Not always. In Fort Worth, Plano, Lewisville, Coppell, Denton and Forney, common areas and commercial properties have their own days or a set schedule, so look up your city’s rules for non-residential properties.
Can I water new sod outside my watering days?
Usually yes, with a variance. Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, McKinney, Irving and Coppell all offer one for new landscape, often for about 30 days, and you should apply before the sod goes down.
Sources
City and water supplier pages, checked October 15, 2026: Dallas Water Utilities, Fort Worth, Carrollton, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Addison, Richardson, Irving, Lewisville, Coppell, Denton, Southlake, Forney and NTMWD.
We have a Licensed Irrigator on staff, and setting controllers to each city’s rules is part of our irrigation service. If you want us to look at your property, request a proposal.