Water Restrictions, Variances and Violations

Watering Restrictions

Current restrictions: Lawn watering allowed from April 15th to October 31st.

The Greeley Water and Sewer Board determines watering restrictions each spring at the April Board meeting. Declaring an adequate water year or drought year is based on several factors including snowpack, long-term weather projections, water rights, and water storage.

For all Greeley water customers:

• No watering is allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• There is no lawn watering without a variance between November 1 and April 14 (see below on applying for a variance).
• We recommend stopping regular lawn watering in October. However, watering trees October through March is allowed. These tree-watering recommendations and best practices can help keep your landscape healthy and attractive.
• For new seed or sod, lawn variances are required.

Watering Schedules:

• Residential Customers on a Water Budget can water any day of the week after April 15th.
• Residential Customers not on Water Budget can water up to three days a week.

Even addresses: Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday
Odd addresses: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday

• Commercial, Institutional, Industrial, Businesses, Places of Worship, Non-profits, Multifamily, HOAs, etc.:

Can water up to three days a week on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday.

Reporting a Violation

If you see water being wasted, please let us know. Your information will be confidential.

Watering Recommendations

We recommend the Cycle-and-Soak method outlined below:

Cycle and Soak

The best method for watering a lawn is to “cycle and soak” -- water, rest, water. Greeley’s soil can only absorb so much water at a time. Spacing out watering intervals gives the soil time to soak up water and allows that water to travel further into the root zone. Water, rest for maximum of 60 minutes between, and water again. Download Greeley's watering schedule for an example of the cycle and soak watering method.

Download the Current Watering Schedule

For a personalized watering schedule, request a free sprinkler system assessment:

Schedule residential water assessment

Obtaining a Lawn Variance

If you are installing a new lawn (either seed, sod or overseeding), you will need a Lawn Installation Variance from the City of Greeley. A variance is needed for:

• Installation
• Replacement
• Patching
• Renovation of any lawn area of 250 square feet or more

There is no fee for the variance. Organic soil amendment (compost) is required for a variance if you are installing traditional turf like bluegrass. Soil amendments must be documented with four cubic yards of compost for every 1,000 square feet of sod or seed. The compost must be spread evenly on top of the existing soil (approximately 1.5 to 2 inches deep) and then rototilled into a depth of 6 to 8 inches.

Variance Benefits

If you correctly amend your soil and provide proof of the proper installation, we will issue you a variance to water extra for 30 days. We will increase your water budget to establish your new lawn.

Please note -- you can still exceed your water budget if you:

• Water more than the new lawn needs
• Have a leak or broken irrigation component.
• Water the entire yard the same as the new lawn
• Water while raining.

The homeowner or landscape installer can apply online by uploading the following items.

• An original receipt/invoice for seed or sod.
• An original receipt/invoice for compost (not topsoil, amended topsoil, or fertilizer).
• A photo of rototilling at the site or receipt of tiller purchase/rental.

Apply for Lawn Watering Variance

Best Practices

Installing New Seed or Sod

Watering a New Lawn

Are you looking for a turf replacement alternative? Check out our Life After Lawn program:

Life After Lawn