Irrigation guide
Watering Schedule by City
Every city we serve buys water from the North Texas Municipal Water District and limits sprinklers to set days and hours. Here are the rules, city by city.
At a glance
Sprinkler Rules by City
Click a city for its full rules, water provider, and the neighborhoods we serve. Hand watering and drip irrigation are generally allowed any day as long as nothing runs off.
Sprinkler Rules by City
| City | Sprinkler days | Allowed hours |
|---|---|---|
| Allen | Up to 2 days a week by map zone; 1 day Nov to Mar | Before 10 am or after 6 pm, Apr to Oct |
| Fairview | 2 days a week, year-round | Before 10 am or after 6 pm, Apr to Oct |
| Lucas | 2 days a week by city map, Apr to Oct | Before 10 am or after 6 pm, Apr to Oct |
| McKinney | Trash day and 3 days later | Before 10 am or after 6 pm, Apr to Oct |
| Parker | Up to 2 days a week, only if needed | Before 10 am or after 6 pm, May to Oct |
| Prosper | 2 days a week by town zone; 1 day Nov to Mar | Before 10 am or after 6 pm |
- Allen
- Up to 2 days a week by map zone; 1 day Nov to Mar
- Fairview
- 2 days a week, year-round
- Lucas
- 2 days a week by city map, Apr to Oct
- McKinney
- Trash day and 3 days later
- Parker
- Up to 2 days a week, only if needed
- Prosper
- 2 days a week by town zone; 1 day Nov to Mar
Watering Rule Questions
How many days a week can I water in Collin County?
The North Texas Municipal Water District, which supplies all six cities, sets a minimum rule of no more than two days a week from April 1 to October 31, and no more than one day a week from November 1 to March 31. Each city assigns the days: Allen and Prosper by map zone, McKinney by trash day, and Lucas by its city map.
What hours are sprinklers banned?
No sprinkler watering between 10 am and 6 pm from April 1 to October 31 in Allen, Fairview, Lucas, and McKinney. Parker's daytime ban runs May 1 to October 31. Prosper lists its 10 am to 6 pm ban without a season, so plan on it all year.
What are the fines for watering on the wrong day?
It depends on the city. McKinney starts with a warning, then $50, $100, and $150. Lucas sends a certified-letter warning, then fines of $500 and $2,000. Other cities enforce through their ordinances, so check with your city before assuming a warning comes first.
How should I set my controller for clay soil?
Use cycle and soak: split each zone's run time into two or three short cycles about an hour apart on your watering day. Collin County clay takes in water slowly, so one long run mostly runs off.
Can I water new sod more often?
In some cities. Allen, McKinney, and Prosper grant extra watering for up to 30 days after new sod or landscape goes in, and each has its own request process. Fairview, Lucas, and Parker do not publish a new-sod exemption. The daytime ban still applies everywhere. We help with the request on every sod job.
Do the rules change during a drought?
Yes. During drought stages the water district and cities can cut watering to once a week or less. Check your city's website, and we update controllers on care plan visits.
Controller setup