Ann Arbor MI Water Restrictions 2026

Current water restrictions in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ann Arbor is currently under No Active Restrictions, though the city enforces a year-round seasonal ordinance limiting outdoor irrigation to 2 days per week with a midday watering ban from June through September. Ann Arbor Water Treatment Services, the municipal utility operating under the City of Ann Arbor's public services division, administers these rules and can be reached at a2gov.org/water or by phone at 734-794-6000.

The 2-day-per-week schedule and the prohibition on outdoor irrigation between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM (June through September) function as standing baseline rules, not emergency measures. These are not triggered by a drought declaration but reflect Ann Arbor's proactive water management approach within its service territory, which covers Ann Arbor and several surrounding communities in Washtenaw County.

At the state level, Michigan is currently experiencing normal conditions with no active drought status. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has not issued any statewide water emergency declarations that would affect Ann Arbor's baseline schedule.

In practical terms: a resident with an even-numbered address can water on Wednesday mornings before 10:00 AM — that is allowed under the current rules. Watering on a Wednesday at noon, however, violates the midday restriction in effect June through September. The ordinance period runs through December 31, 2026, so these rules are locked in for the foreseeable future. Contact Ann Arbor Water Treatment Services directly for any updates to the current restriction stage or rainfall deficit data.

Your assigned watering schedule

Your assigned watering days are determined by whether your street address number is odd or even. A home at 415 Maple Ridge Drive (odd) waters on Tuesdays and Saturdays; a home at 820 Packard Street (even) waters on Wednesdays and Sundays. The address used is the physical service address, not a mailing address or parcel number.

Multi-family properties and commercial accounts follow the same odd/even address assignment based on their primary service address. If your property spans multiple address numbers or has a shared meter serving several units, contact Ann Arbor Water Treatment Services at 734-794-6000 to confirm which days apply. Large commercial irrigation systems with separate meters should verify their assignment directly with the utility, as billing account configurations can sometimes differ from the physical street address.

Ann Arbor's urban tree canopy includes species that benefit from deep, infrequent watering during dry stretches — particularly mature red oaks (Quercus rubra), sugar maples (Acer saccharum), and American elms (Ulmus americana) that line many of the city's historic residential streets. These species do better with slow, deep watering at the drip line on your permitted days rather than frequent shallow sprinkler cycles. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses used at tree bases are exempt from the schedule restrictions, making them a practical option for established trees between your permitted watering days.

Fines and penalties

Ann Arbor Water Treatment Services enforces the outdoor watering ordinance through a combination of complaint-based reporting and field patrols, particularly during summer months when irrigation violations are most common. Residents can report suspected violations through the city's 311 service line or through the A2Fix app, which routes complaints directly to the appropriate department. Because Ann Arbor has invested in an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system — smart meters that transmit hourly usage data — the utility can flag accounts with water use patterns inconsistent with permitted watering days and hours, even without a neighbor report.

If you receive a citation you believe was issued in error — for example, if you were using drip irrigation or hand-watering with a shut-off nozzle — you can contest the fine through Ann Arbor Water Treatment Services by calling 734-794-6000 or visiting the utility office. Document your irrigation setup with photos before any enforcement interaction. The utility has discretion to waive or reduce first-offense fines for residents who demonstrate good-faith compliance efforts.

Other outdoor water rules

Beyond the lawn irrigation schedule, Ann Arbor's outdoor water rules cover several other uses. The following apply under the city's standard seasonal ordinance:

• Vehicle washing at home: Allowed, but use of a hose with a shut-off nozzle is required. Letting water run continuously from a hose without a nozzle is prohibited. Commercial car washes, which recycle water, are not restricted.
• Swimming pool filling: Initial fills of new pools and significant top-offs should be discussed with Ann Arbor Water Treatment Services in advance, particularly during dry summers. Routine evaporation top-offs are generally permitted outside the midday restriction window.
• Pressure washing: Residential pressure washing of driveways, siding, and decks is permitted but should be conducted outside the 10:00 AM–5:00 PM window during June through September as a best practice when using significant water volume.
• Decorative fountains and water features: Recirculating fountains are generally exempt. Non-recirculating decorative water features that continuously discharge to a drain are discouraged during the seasonal ordinance period.
• Construction water use: Contractors requiring water for dust control, concrete curing, or site work should coordinate directly with Ann Arbor Water Treatment Services. Temporary construction meters are subject to the utility's standard metered use policies.
• Restaurant outdoor water features: Ornamental misters and patio water features at commercial establishments are subject to the same recirculating exemption that applies to residential fountains.

Ann Arbor's water supply and source

Ann Arbor draws its drinking water from the Huron River, making it one of the larger Michigan municipalities still primarily reliant on a surface water river source rather than Great Lakes intakes or groundwater wells. The river intake is located upstream of the city, and raw water is conveyed to the Ann Arbor Water Treatment Plant on Sunset Road, which has served the city since the early 20th century and has a treatment capacity sufficient for the city's current population of approximately 125,000 residents plus the surrounding service area.

The Huron River watershed spans roughly 900 square miles, stretching from Oakland County in the northeast down through Washtenaw County. The river's flow and water quality are influenced heavily by stormwater runoff, agricultural land use in the upper watershed, and seasonal precipitation patterns across the region. In dry summers, reduced Huron River flows concentrate pollutants and raise treatment costs, which is one reason the city's seasonal midday irrigation ban exists — reducing peak demand protects the treatment plant's capacity to handle lower-quality raw water during August low-flow periods.

Ann Arbor Water Treatment Services also manages water storage through the city's elevated storage tanks and ground-level reservoirs distributed across the service territory. These provide hydraulic pressure and emergency buffer capacity but do not represent independent water sources — they are filled entirely from Huron River-sourced treated water.

The city participates in regional water quality monitoring through agreements with the Huron River Watershed Council, a nonprofit that tracks water quality throughout the basin and publishes annual reports relevant to long-term water supply planning. Residents can check current Huron River conditions and Ann Arbor's supply status at a2gov.org/water.

HOA rules during water restrictions

Michigan does not have a specific statute equivalent to Florida's FS § 720.3075 or Colorado's CRS § 37-60-126 that explicitly prohibits HOAs from fining homeowners for brown lawns during government-mandated water restrictions. However, Michigan's general HOA governance framework under the Michigan Condominium Act (MCL 559.101 et seq.) and common law principles for homeowner associations do support a reasonableness standard in rule enforcement. An HOA that fines a homeowner for a brown lawn caused by compliance with Ann Arbor Water Treatment Services' mandatory schedule would likely face a successful challenge under that reasonableness standard, particularly if the homeowner can document city-imposed restrictions.

If your HOA issues a violation notice for lawn appearance during the seasonal ordinance period, document the restriction in writing before responding. Ann Arbor Water Treatment Services can provide written confirmation of the current restriction stage and applicable schedule, which you can attach to your response.

Below is a template response you can adapt:

"Dear [HOA Board/Management Company]: I am writing in response to your notice dated [date] regarding the condition of my lawn. My property is served by Ann Arbor Water Treatment Services, which currently enforces a seasonal outdoor irrigation ordinance limiting outdoor watering to 2 designated days per week with a midday restriction from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM during June through September. My watering practices are in full compliance with this ordinance. Any reduction in lawn appearance is a direct result of compliance with this municipal requirement, not neglect. I respectfully request that this violation notice be rescinded. Documentation of the current restriction is available at a2gov.org/water or by calling 734-794-6000."

Lawn survival guide for Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor sits in the cool-humid upper Midwest climate zone, where the dominant lawn grasses are cool-season species that thrive in spring and fall and naturally slow or go partially dormant during July and August heat. Managing these grasses correctly during the 2-day watering window reduces the stress from restricted irrigation.

Ann Arbor's summer temperatures regularly reach the upper 80s°F with humidity that can push heat index values higher, creating conditions where Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass struggle even with adequate water. On your two permitted watering days, water deeply — aim for 1 inch of total application per session rather than light daily wetting — to encourage roots to grow below the top inch of soil where surface drying is most rapid. Mow Kentucky Bluegrass at 3 to 3.5 inches during summer stress periods; never remove more than one-third of the blade in a single mow. Taller grass shades the soil, reduces evaporation, and keeps roots cooler between your permitted watering days.

Fine Fescues — particularly Creeping Red Fescue — are increasingly common in Ann Arbor lawn mixes and are the most restriction-tolerant option available locally. If you are overseeding or reestablishing a lawn section, adding fine fescue to the seed mix reduces your long-term irrigation demand within the 2-day schedule. Remember that new sod or seed installations typically receive a 21-day establishment variance from Ann Arbor Water Treatment Services — confirm this with the utility at 734-794-6000 before laying sod, so you are on record and can water daily during establishment without risking a citation.

Frequently asked questions

What days can I water if my Ann Arbor address is odd-numbered?

Odd-numbered addresses in Ann Arbor are assigned Tuesday and Saturday as permitted irrigation days. For example, a home at 317 N. Division Street would water on those two days, before 10:00 AM or after 5:00 PM during the June through September midday restriction period. If you are unsure whether your address qualifies as odd or even, use the last digit of your physical street number — 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 are odd; 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 are even.

What is the fine for watering on the wrong day in Ann Arbor?

The first-offense fine under Ann Arbor's seasonal outdoor watering ordinance is $75. Subsequent violations during the same active ordinance period are also $75 per citation. Fines are issued by Ann Arbor Water Treatment Services and can be appealed by contacting the utility at 734-794-6000. The ordinance period currently runs through December 31, 2026.

Is there a new sod or seed exemption in Ann Arbor?

Yes. New sod and seed installations typically receive a 21-day establishment variance that allows more frequent watering than the standard 2-day schedule. This variance is not automatic — you need to confirm it with Ann Arbor Water Treatment Services before you install. Call 734-794-6000 or visit a2gov.org/water to register your installation and get written confirmation of your establishment period dates.

Can I wash my car at home in Ann Arbor right now?

Yes, residential vehicle washing is permitted, but you must use a hose with a shut-off nozzle — a free-running hose left on while you soap the car is prohibited. This rule applies year-round, not just during active restriction stages. If you prefer, commercial car washes that recycle water are always unrestricted and are generally more water-efficient for the volume used.

Does Ann Arbor Water Treatment Services use smart meters to catch violations?

Ann Arbor has deployed an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system that records hourly water usage and transmits data back to the utility. This means the utility can identify accounts showing significant water use during prohibited midday hours (10:00 AM–5:00 PM) without relying solely on neighbor complaints. Field patrols are also conducted during summer months. The combination of smart meter data and patrol-based enforcement means violations are not difficult to detect, particularly with automated irrigation systems that run on timers.

Are drip irrigation and soaker hoses exempt from the schedule?

Yes. Drip irrigation systems and soaker hoses are exempt from the 2-day-per-week schedule and from the midday hour restriction. This exemption applies because these systems deliver water directly to root zones with minimal evaporation loss, which aligns with the ordinance's conservation intent. Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle is also exempt. If you use a combination of drip and spray heads on the same controller, be aware that the spray zones are still subject to the schedule restrictions — consider using separate controller programs or valves.

Where can I report a neighbor violating Ann Arbor's watering rules?

Violations can be reported through the city's A2Fix app (available for iOS and Android), through the 311 phone line, or by contacting Ann Arbor Water Treatment Services directly at 734-794-6000. When reporting, note the address, the date and time, and the nature of the violation (wrong day, midday watering, etc.). Reports are routed to the utility's enforcement staff, who typically follow up within a few business days depending on current complaint volume.

Does Ann Arbor offer rebates for water-efficient irrigation equipment?

Ann Arbor Water Treatment Services periodically offers conservation incentives, including rebates for high-efficiency irrigation controllers (such as weather-based or soil moisture sensor systems) and turf conversion programs. Availability and amounts vary by program year. Check the current offerings at a2gov.org/water or call 734-794-6000 to ask about active rebate programs before purchasing equipment — some programs require pre-approval before installation to qualify for reimbursement.

What time can I water in Ann Arbor?

Watering is allowed Before 10:00 AM and After 5:00 PM. Watering outside these hours is a violation even on your assigned day.

When will water restrictions end in Ann Arbor?

Current No Active Restrictions restrictions are in effect through December 31, 2026. Monitor https://a2gov.org/water for the latest status.