On September 22, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) voted to extend its Modified Phase III “Extreme” water shortage through March 31, 2027. It’s the second extension, and the restrictions didn’t change. Lawn watering stays at one day a week, private wells included, after two below-average rainy seasons left a 15.4-inch rainfall deficit.
The order covers all of Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Hardee counties and most of Charlotte County, including Port Charlotte. Lee, Collier and Hendry counties fall under the South Florida Water Management District and aren’t included. Your city or county can also be stricter than the District. Charlotte County Utilities, for example, only allows lawn watering from 12:01 to 4 a.m.
Most of the coverage stops at the watering-day chart. On a project, the order reaches further.
What changes on a site
- New landscaping gets 60 days. New lawns and plants can be watered any day for the first 30 days, then three set days a week through day 60. Keep a written watering schedule and the sod and nursery receipts. The owner has to show proof if asked.
- Spring planting is the hard part. March through May is the driest stretch of the year. If a certificate of occupancy depends on landscaping, plan plant selection and timing early.
- Beds belong on their own zones. Once plants are established, turf drops to one day a week. Beds on micro-irrigation or hand watering can run any day before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m., so an irrigation plan that separates them keeps them off the turf schedule.
- Construction water use is still allowed. Pressure washing to prep for painting or sealing, cleaning concrete as a construction practice and required dust control are all permitted.
- HOAs can’t require more water use. That includes replanting or pressure washing for appearance, and it applies to a developer-controlled HOA’s own covenants.
Enforcement is real. Utilities and local officials are issuing citations without a warning first.
Where the numbers stand
The District’s October 23 aquifer update puts the aquifer under our region back in the normal range, at the 47th percentile. Rainfall is still about 9 inches behind for the year, with the driest months still ahead.
The full rule, including fountains, car washing and variances, is on the District’s water restrictions page. We’ll post here when the District acts on the order again. If you’re laying out a site in Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee or DeSoto County and want to talk through your civil site plan, we’ve been serving Southwest Florida since 2002.
