Inverness water restrictions explained: SWFWMD Modified Phase III rules

SWFWMD’s Modified Phase III “Extreme” water shortage restrictions are in effect for Inverness residents through October 1, 2026, starting April 3, 2026. The rules use a one-day-per-week lawn watering schedule (by your address ending) plus strict “approved” watering-hour windows—even if you’re on a private well.

When the Modified Phase III “Extreme” rules apply

The City of Inverness says the restrictions begin April 3, 2026 and remain in place through October 1, 2026. SWFWMD’s district-wide “standard” restrictions are extended through the same end date, with local utilities handling compliance and enforcement.

Find your watering day (based on your address ending)

Under the standard schedule, outdoor lawn and landscape watering is limited to one day per week. Use the last digit(s) of your house number:

• 0 or 1 → Monday
• 2 or 3 → Tuesday
• 4 or 5 → Wednesday
• 6 or 7 → Thursday
• 8 or 9 → Friday
• No discernible address → Friday

For Inverness residents, the City’s posted guidance uses this same one-day-per-week system and says it applies even for people using private wells.

Allowed watering hours (and how property size can affect them)

Inverness’s posted reminder repeats SWFWMD’s two daily watering-hour windows:

• 12:01 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.
• 8:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

SWFWMD’s district guidance adds a property-size note (unless your city or county has stricter rules):

• Properties less than one acre may only use one of the two windows.
• Properties one acre or larger may only water before 4 a.m. and after 8 p.m.

If you’re unsure whether you fall under a stricter local schedule, check with your local utility.

What’s still allowed on other days: low-volume hand/micro irrigation

Even when your lawn watering day is different, SWFWMD allows low-volume watering of plants and shrubs—such as micro-irrigation, soaker hoses, and hand watering—any day, but limited to:

• before 8:00 a.m. or
• after 6:00 p.m.

Exceptions and limits that can affect homeowners, HOAs, and businesses

These are the places where residents often notice changes:

• HOA enforcement limits: No HOA (or similar entity) can enforce rules that increase potable or domestic well water use—such as requirements for aesthetic turf/plant replacement or pressure washing.
• Pressure washing: Allowed when preparing surfaces for painting or sealing (and also framed as permitted annually in Inverness guidance).
• Car washing at home: Non-commercial car washing is limited to your assigned lawn watering day, and SWFWMD notes residents must use a hose with a shutoff nozzle.
• Aesthetic fountains: Limited to four hours per day. The regular hours of operation must be posted.
• Restaurants: Restaurants are required to only serve water upon request.

New lawns and plant material: the 60-day establishment period

If you’re establishing new landscaping, SWFWMD and the City both emphasize that it’s not unlimited. City guidance adds a key qualification: new plant material may qualify for additional watering allowances only if it makes up at least 50% of an irrigated zone.

The City of Inverness describes a 60-day establishment period split into two parts:

• Days 1–30: Watering is allowed any day, but only before 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m.
• Days 31–60: Watering is allowed three days per week based on odd/even addresses: even addresses (Tuesday, Thursday, and/or Sunday) and odd addresses (Monday, Wednesday, and/or Saturday).

Also note: Inverness’s guidance says over-seeding to improve appearance doesn’t qualify for extra watering allowances—including spreading rye seed or similar seasonal grasses.

Enforcement and reporting: what to expect

SWFWMD requires local utilities and local enforcement officials to increase conservation efforts and enforcement activity, including responding to citizen complaints and monitoring water use through patrols or customer records.

SWFWMD also says that starting 14 days after the effective date of the order, utilities and other local enforcement officials are to issue citations first without issuing a warning. Since the effective date is April 3, 2026, that enforcement shift begins two weeks after April 3.

If you believe a violation is happening, SWFWMD advises that any violations should be reported to the appropriate local utility. For questions about the restrictions, the District points residents to its public water-restrictions contact options.

Bottom line for Inverness residents: Use the address-ending schedule to plan lawn irrigation, stay inside the approved watering-hour windows, remember that low-volume hand/micro watering has its own time limits, and confirm any HOA rules with SWFWMD’s limits on increased water use.

Sources

• City of Inverness CivicAlert: SWFWMD Modified Phase III Water Shortage Order
• SWFWMD District Water Restrictions page (Modified Phase III “Extreme”)

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