Quick answer
Both the Township of Langley and the City of Langley are on Stage 1 water restrictions until October 15, 2026. Homes can water the lawn one morning a week: even-numbered addresses on Saturday, odd-numbered addresses on Sunday. Automatic sprinklers can run 5am to 7am. Manual watering is 6am to 9am. Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle, drip irrigation and vegetable gardens are allowed any time.
"Langley" is two separate municipalities, the Township of Langley and the City of Langley. Each has its own water conservation bylaw, its own fines and its own permit process. In 2026 their Stage 1 lawn watering days and times are the same as each other and match Metro Vancouver's regional schedule. They are not the same as Surrey, which allows automatic lawn watering until 8am.
All details were checked on tol.ca, langleycity.ca and metrovancouver.org on September 25, 2026.
Township or City: which rules apply to you?
Both use "Langley" in mailing addresses. Check your property tax notice or utility bill to see which municipality you are in, or ask your landlord.
- Township of Langley: the large municipality from the Fraser River to the U.S. border, and from 196 Street (the Surrey border) east to 276 Street (the Abbotsford border). It includes Aldergrove, Brookswood, Fort Langley, Murrayville and Walnut Grove. Its rules are in Drinking Water Conservation Bylaw 2018 No. 5321.
- City of Langley: the smaller municipality on the west side, next to Surrey. Its rules are in Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw No. 3037.
What stage is Langley on right now?
The Township says restrictions were revised to Stage 1 effective Tuesday, September 1, and will stay in effect until at least October 15. The City says Stage 1 restrictions end on October 15, 2026. Metro Vancouver also moved the region to Stage 1 on September 1.
Both municipalities say Stages 2, 3 and 4 can be activated by Metro Vancouver or by the municipality, based on reservoir levels and expected rain or snowmelt. The Township says its seasonal restrictions run May 1 to October 15.
Stage 1 lawn watering days and times
These times are the same in the Township and the City.
| Property type | Watering day | Automatic watering | Manual watering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential, even address | Saturday | 5am to 7am | 6am to 9am |
| Residential, odd address | Sunday | 5am to 7am | 6am to 9am |
| Non-residential, even address | Monday | 4am to 6am | 6am to 9am |
| Non-residential, odd address | Tuesday | 4am to 6am | 6am to 9am |
- Even or odd is based on the last number of your street address.
- Mixed-use buildings (homes and businesses together) follow the non-residential days and times, according to the Township.
- No evening lawn watering. Both municipalities say this saves water for evening household use like laundry and showers.
Automatic vs manual watering
The Township defines them this way:
- Automatic watering needs little human involvement. It uses timers, sensors, computers or mechanical devices. Examples: an in-ground irrigation system, or a sprinkler attached to a watering timer.
- Manual watering would not happen unless a person turns it on at the time. Examples: a sprinkler attached to a tap you turn on by hand, or a hand-held hose.
Tip: If you use a hose-end timer, you count as automatic watering and must finish by 7am. The City suggests using a timer to shut your sprinkler off after an hour.
What you can water any time in Stage 1
| What | Hand, soaker hose, container or drip | Sprinkler |
|---|---|---|
| Trees, shrubs and flowers (residential) | Any day, any time | Any day, 5am to 9am |
| Trees, shrubs and flowers (non-residential) | Any day, any time | Any day, 4am to 9am |
| Vegetables, fruits and herbs | Any time | Any time |
In Stage 1, filling pools and fountains and washing cars are allowed, but both municipalities ask you to use only what you need.
Rules that apply in every stage
- Every hose must have an automatic shut-off device, such as a spring-loaded nozzle.
- Water must not run off onto driveways, sidewalks or curbs.
- Hoses and taps must not run unnecessarily.
- Irrigation systems must not be faulty, leaking or pointed the wrong way.
What changes in Stages 2, 3 and 4
| Stage | Lawns | Trees, shrubs, flowers | Vegetable gardens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 | Not allowed. Existing permits stay valid until they expire. | Hand or drip any time; sprinklers 5am to 9am (residential) | Allowed |
| Stage 3 | Not allowed. Permits no longer valid. | Hand-held hose with shut-off, container or drip only | Allowed |
| Stage 4 | Not allowed | Not allowed | City: no restrictions listed. Township: not allowed. |
From Stage 2, filling fountains and ponds is not allowed, and washing driveways and other hard surfaces is limited to exceptions such as health and safety. From Stage 3, residential pools and hot tubs cannot be filled or topped up, and vehicles can only be washed for safety (windows, lights, mirrors, licence plates).
Fines
The two municipalities have different fine amounts for unauthorized water use.
| Stage | Township of Langley | City of Langley |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | $150 | $100 |
| Stage 2 | $250 | $200 |
| Stage 3 | $350 | $500 |
| Stage 4 | $500 | $1,000 |
Township amounts are from its Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw. City amounts are from its Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw (consolidated December 4, 2023). The Township bylaw also says each day an offence continues can be fined separately.
How to report a water restriction violation
Both municipalities suggest a friendly chat first if you know the neighbour. To report:
- Township: use the online Report a Water Restriction Violation form, call Engineering at 604-532-7300, or email opsinfo@tol.ca.
- City: submit a Request For Service at rfs.langleycity.ca.
Include your name and contact details, the address, the date and time, where the watering was (front lawn, back garden) and how (irrigation system, hose and sprinkler). Photos or video help. Both say reports missing this information may not be responded to.
Water Exemption Permits for new lawns and chafer beetles
| Township of Langley | City of Langley | |
|---|---|---|
| New lawn (sod or seed) | $50 single-family home; $200 multi-family common property or non-residential; 2.2% card fee | $50 plus taxes; proof of sod or seed purchase needed |
| Nematodes for European chafer beetle | Free with proof of purchase or professional application; July and August only | Free with proof of purchase or professional treatment |
| Length | 21 days | 21 days |
| Renewal | New lawns: one renewal, call 604-533-6006 before expiry. Nematodes: no extension. | New lawns: renew once in Stage 1. Nematodes: no extension, apply again. |
| How to apply | Online through the Township's water restrictions page | Email engineering@langleycity.ca or call 604-514-2997 |
Permits are not available for overseeding an existing lawn, and must be displayed at the property. They are only issued in Stage 1. In Stage 2, existing permits last until they expire but are not renewed.
Private wells and Township groundwater
The Township's water mostly comes from Metro Vancouver's regional supply (the Greater Vancouver Water District). According to its 2025 water quality report, eight Township groundwater wells add to the supply for Aldergrove and Acadia. Homes connected to municipal water follow the bylaw either way.
If your home is not connected to municipal water and uses a private well, both municipalities say the bylaw does not apply to you. Private well water is under provincial rules. Both still encourage well owners to follow the restrictions and save water. Township well owners can join the Township's Private Well Network for discounted water testing.
Live in Surrey? Its times are different. See our Surrey water restrictions guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What day can I water my lawn in Langley?
In Stage 1, residential even-numbered addresses water on Saturday and odd-numbered addresses on Sunday. This is the same in the Township and the City.
What time can I water my lawn in Langley?
Automatic sprinklers 5am to 7am, and manual watering 6am to 9am, on your one watering day.
Are Langley's watering times the same as Surrey's?
No. Surrey allows residential automatic lawn watering until 8am. The Township and City of Langley both list 5am to 7am, matching Metro Vancouver.
When do Langley water restrictions end?
The City says Stage 1 ends October 15, 2026. The Township says Stage 1 stays in effect until at least October 15.
What is the fine for watering on the wrong day in Langley?
In Stage 1, $150 in the Township and $100 in the City. Fines are higher in later stages.
Do water restrictions apply if I have a well?
No, not if your property is on a private well and not connected to municipal water. Both municipalities still ask well owners to conserve.
Official sources
- Water Restrictions — Township of Langley
- Drinking Water Conservation Bylaw 2018 No. 5321 (PDF) — Township of Langley
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2008 No. 4703 (PDF) — Township of Langley
- Water Quality Report — Township of Langley
- Private Well Network — Township of Langley
- Water Restrictions — City of Langley
- Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw No. 3037 — City of Langley
- Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 2846 (PDF) — City of Langley
- Lawn watering restrictions — Metro Vancouver
General information only, not professional advice. Rules and prices change, so check the official sources above before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.