Kissimmee FL Water Restrictions 2026

Current water restrictions in Kissimmee, Florida

Kissimmee is operating under Modified Phase II Severe Water Shortage issued by the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD). Outdoor irrigation is limited to 1 day per week by address parity, with the standard 10 a.m.–4 p.m. midday blackout.

Kissimmee is the gateway city to Walt Disney World. The Disney complex itself sits across the line in Orange County, but Kissimmee — five miles south of Disney property — is where most of the resort's tourist economy actually lives, eats, and sleeps. U.S. 192 through Kissimmee is one of the most concentrated tourism corridors in the world: thousands of hotel rooms, resort-style timeshare developments, vacation-home subdivisions, and short-term rental properties extend from World Drive east through the city.

Tourism doesn't change the residential watering schedule, but it changes the texture of how Phase II plays out in Kissimmee. Vacation rental properties — increasingly numerous in Osceola County — often have large landscaped pools areas, expansive lawn frontage, and irrigation systems programmed by management companies on default schedules that may not align with Phase II rules. Hotel and resort landscapes consume substantial water and are bound by the commercial Phase II schedule. Short-term tenants may not know about local water restrictions at all. The city and the property-management industry have been working through how to communicate Phase II compliance to a constantly-changing population of guests.

Kissimmee is served by the Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA), the city's municipal electric and water provider. KUA is primarily known for its electric service — Kissimmee was one of the first Florida cities with municipal electric — but the utility also operates water and sewer systems for the city.

The other essential context: Kissimmee sits at the headwaters of the Everglades. Shingle Creek, which originates near Disney World and flows through downtown Kissimmee, is widely considered the northernmost headwater of the Everglades system. Water that drains south from the Kissimmee chain of lakes ultimately flows into Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades. What happens upstream in Kissimmee directly affects South Florida's water supply downstream.

Your assigned watering schedule

Hand watering with a hose fitted with a shut-off nozzle is permitted any day, outside the daytime blackout. Drip and microirrigation for non-turf plantings are exempt from the day-of-week limit.

• Vacation rental properties: 1-day schedule applies. Property managers are responsible for compliance and for communicating restrictions to short-term guests.
• Hotels and resorts: commercial Phase II schedule, also 1-day with the same daytime blackout.
• New sod and seed: 60-day establishment window through SJRWMD.
• Reclaimed water: still subject to the 1-day schedule.

Fines and penalties

Kissimmee enforces Phase II through Code Enforcement and KUA:

• First violation: a written warning.
• Second and subsequent violations: escalating civil fines.
• Persistent violators: service-restriction action.

For vacation rental properties, the citation goes to the property owner of record. Property managers and short-term-rental platforms (Airbnb, VRBO) have been encouraged to remind guests about Phase II compliance during stays.

To report a violation, call KUA at 407-933-7777 or SJRWMD at 386-329-4500.

Other outdoor water rules

• Watering during measurable rain: prohibited. Rain sensors required on automatic systems.
• Excessive runoff: water sheeting onto streets, sidewalks, or storm drains is a violation.
• Pressure washing: permitted only for paint, sealant, repair, or required for health and safety.
• Vehicle washing: permitted with a hand-held hose with shut-off nozzle.

Where Kissimmee's water comes from — and the Everglades headwaters

KUA draws drinking water from the Floridan Aquifer through municipal wells. The Floridan beneath Osceola County is productive but is part of the same regional system that supplies the broader Central Florida market.

The surface-water context is more interesting and more consequential. Kissimmee sits at the top of the Kissimmee chain of lakes:

• Lake Tohopekaliga (Toho) — directly south of downtown Kissimmee, the largest lake in the chain.
• East Lake Tohopekaliga — east of Toho.
• Lake Kissimmee — further south, the chain's southernmost major lake.

From Lake Kissimmee, the Kissimmee River flows south through wetlands and conservation areas into Lake Okeechobee, which is the heart of South Florida's water supply. From Okeechobee, water flows further south through canals and conservation areas into the Everglades. Shingle Creek, which originates near Disney World and flows through Kissimmee into Lake Toho, is widely considered the northernmost natural headwater of the Everglades system.

The headwaters connection means Kissimmee's water management has direct downstream consequences. When the Kissimmee chain of lakes is full and flowing freely, water continues south to recharge Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades. When upstream demand pulls water out of the system, downstream flows reduce, with cumulative effects on Lake Okeechobee storage and Everglades restoration goals. SJRWMD coordinates with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) on these basin-scale issues.

KUA's reclaimed-water system distributes treated wastewater for parks, common-area irrigation, and tourism-corridor commercial properties. Reclaimed water is part of the city's strategy for stretching potable supply during Phase II.

HOA rules during water restrictions

Florida Statute § 720.3075 prohibits HOAs from enforcing covenants requiring irrigation inconsistent with declared water-shortage measures. The statute applies in Kissimmee's many master-planned developments and resort-style subdivisions.

Sample HOA response:

"Dear [HOA Board], SJRWMD has declared Modified Phase II Severe Water Shortage. My lawn reflects compliance with that order. Under Florida Statute § 720.3075, the Association may not enforce a covenant inconsistent with the District's water-conservation measures. Please withdraw the violation. Sincerely, [Your name]"

Lawn care during Phase II

Kissimmee lies in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. Common turf options:

Mow on the high end. St. Augustine retains moisture better at 3.5–4 inches.

Mulch beds heavily. Pine straw is widely available in Osceola County.

Brown is not dead. St. Augustine recovers quickly with rainfall.

Frequently asked questions

Do vacation rental properties follow the same schedule?

Yes. All properties in Kissimmee — including short-term rentals (Airbnb, VRBO, hotel-managed vacation homes) — must follow SJRWMD Phase II restrictions. The property owner of record is responsible for compliance. Property managers and short-term rental platforms have been encouraged to communicate Phase II rules to guests; some include a mention in check-in materials.

What days can I water in Kissimmee?

One day per week, by address. Odd addresses water Wednesday. Even addresses water Thursday. No watering between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Does Disney follow the same restrictions?

Walt Disney World is in Orange County and operates under separate SJRWMD Consumptive Use Permits. The resort's landscape irrigation, water features, and operational water use are governed by its own permit terms, with drought-related caps under Phase II conditions.

What does the Everglades headwaters connection mean for Kissimmee?

Water that drains south from the Kissimmee chain of lakes ultimately flows into Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades. Conservation in Kissimmee has cumulative downstream benefits for South Florida's water supply and Everglades restoration goals. The District-level coordination between SJRWMD (which covers Kissimmee) and SFWMD (which covers the Everglades) is part of how Florida manages basin-scale water issues.

Can hotels still keep their landscape green?

Hotels follow the commercial Phase II schedule, also 1 day per week. Many resort properties are choosing to let some turf areas brown rather than risk citations or excessive water bills, while focusing irrigation on high-visibility front-entry areas.

Is reclaimed water exempt?

No. Phase II applies to all water sources including reclaimed water.

How long will Phase II last?

Until SJRWMD rescinds the order. A wet 2026 tropical season could end Phase II by late summer; a dry one could extend it into 2027.

What time can I water in Kissimmee?

Watering is allowed Not 10am-4pm. Watering outside these hours is a violation even on your assigned day.

What are the fines for watering violations in Kissimmee?

First offense: Warning first offense. Repeat violations: Escalating fines. Contact SJRWMD / Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) for the full enforcement schedule.

When will water restrictions end in Kissimmee?

Current Modified Phase II Severe Water Shortage restrictions are in effect through Until SJRWMD rescinds. Monitor https://www.kua.com for the latest status.

Can I hand water during Kissimmee water restrictions?

Yes. Hand watering with a hose fitted with a shut-off nozzle is generally allowed on any day during permitted hours. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses are also typically exempt from the day-of-week schedule. Confirm specifics with SJRWMD / Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA).

How do I report a water waste violation in Kissimmee?

Contact SJRWMD / Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) at 407-933-7777 or visit https://www.kua.com. Most utilities accept online reports and respond within 48 hours.