Park City UT Water Restrictions 2026

Current water restrictions in Park City, Utah

Park City is under Year-Round Mandatory Odd/Even restrictions, in place continuously since the 1980s, limiting outdoor watering to 3 days per week based on your street address number.

These restrictions are enforced by Park City Municipal Corporation and apply to all residential and commercial properties within city limits. Unlike many Utah communities that escalate to mandatory schedules only during drought emergencies, Park City has maintained this program as a permanent baseline since the 1980s — making it one of the longest-running mandatory conservation programs in the state.

The 2025–2026 ski season delivered record-low snowpack across Summit County, peaking at roughly 30% of normal — the lowest on record for this elevation — and that snowpack peaked three weeks early, cutting off the spring melt recharge that Park City's mountain reservoirs and wells depend on. The Weber River and its tributaries, which supply much of Summit County's water supply, are running at historically low flows. With 98% of Utah currently in drought, the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District has announced a 20% allocation reduction for 2025, compounding pressure on the city's already stressed supply.

The current restrictions are authorized through December 31, 2026. You can reach Park City Municipal Corporation at (435) 615-5000 or at parkcity.org.

Practically speaking: if you live on an odd-numbered address, you can water your garden on a Wednesday morning — but only before 10:00 AM or after 7:00 PM. Watering between 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM on any day is prohibited regardless of your address assignment.

Your assigned watering schedule

Your assigned watering days are determined by the last digit of your street address number. If your home address ends in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9, you are an odd address and water on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. If your address ends in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8, you are an even address and water on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Sunday is a no-watering day for all properties.

Multi-family residential properties and commercial accounts follow the same odd/even framework based on the primary street address number of the parcel. If a commercial or multi-family property has multiple address numbers or irrigates across address boundaries, the owner should contact Park City Municipal Corporation directly at (435) 615-5000 to confirm the correct day assignment before the irrigation season begins.

At 7,000 feet elevation, Park City's trees face both heat stress and cold stress within the same growing season — established trees should receive priority during watering windows. Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), a native species common throughout Summit County neighborhoods, needs deep, infrequent watering rather than daily surface irrigation. Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum), widely planted in Park City landscaping, is drought-tolerant once established but suffers under sustained water deficits during multi-year droughts. Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens), frequently used as a residential screen tree in the area, is particularly vulnerable to drought-induced spider mite infestations when soil moisture is chronically low — direct drip irrigation to the root zone on your assigned days is the most efficient approach.

Fines and penalties

Park City Municipal Corporation enforces the odd/even schedule through a combination of patrol inspections and neighbor or passerby complaints submitted through the city's service request system. Inspectors from the Public Utilities division can issue citations on-site when they observe a violation in progress. The city has also expanded its use of automated meter infrastructure (AMI) — smart meters that flag unusual consumption patterns inconsistent with a property's assigned watering days, allowing utility staff to identify potential violations without requiring a physical sighting.

If you believe a citation was issued in error — for example, you were using drip irrigation (which is exempt) or hand-watering with a shut-off nozzle — you can contest the violation through Park City Municipal Corporation's administrative process. Contact the Public Utilities department at (435) 615-5000 promptly; the city generally expects appeals to be filed within a short window of the citation date. Documented proof such as irrigation controller logs, photos of drip system installation, or meter records can support an appeal.

Other outdoor water rules

Beyond lawn and landscape irrigation, Park City Municipal Corporation restricts or regulates several other outdoor water uses. Given the city's mountain resort environment, construction site water use, decorative water features, and vehicle washing are the categories most relevant to local property owners.

• Vehicle washing: Residential vehicle washing is permitted on your assigned watering days only, and must use a hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle. Commercial car washes that recirculate water are not subject to day restrictions.
• Pressure washing: Pressure washing of driveways, decks, and exterior surfaces should be conducted with recirculating or minimal-flow equipment where possible. Unrestricted runoff washing onto paved surfaces is discouraged and may draw a complaint-based notice.
• Pool and hot tub filling: Initial fills of new pools or spas require notification to Park City Municipal Corporation. Topping off an existing pool to compensate for evaporation is permitted but should be done at night to minimize evaporative losses — at 7,000 feet elevation, evaporation rates are elevated due to lower atmospheric pressure and intense UV exposure.
• Decorative fountains: Ornamental fountains on private property must use recirculating pump systems. Single-pass fountains that discharge water to drain are prohibited under current conservation rules.
• Construction water: Contractors using municipal water for dust suppression or site work must comply with city permit conditions; water waste from construction runoff is subject to enforcement.
• Restaurant and food service: Serving water to diners only upon request has been recommended by the city as a conservation measure during elevated drought conditions.

Park City's water supply and source

Park City's municipal water supply comes primarily from two sources: surface water collected from the Wasatch Range mountains above the city, and groundwater wells drawing from Summit County aquifers. The surface water component depends almost entirely on winter snowpack melting into local collection reservoirs and streams during spring and early summer.

The city's primary surface water infrastructure includes collection from Parleys Canyon and the broader Weber River watershed, which drains a large portion of Summit County before flowing northwest into the Wasatch Front. Park City Municipal Corporation operates its own water treatment facilities and storage reservoirs, including infrastructure along Snyderville Basin and upper Park City Mountain drainages. Treated water is stored in city-owned tanks and reservoirs positioned at various elevations to maintain pressure throughout the 7,000-foot terrain.

The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District is the regional wholesale water authority that governs Summit County's share of the Weber River system, including storage in Rockport Reservoir on the Weber River near Wanship — just a few miles from Park City. Rockport is one of the primary regional surface storage facilities that buffers the area through dry summers. In 2025, with snowpack at 30% of normal and the Weber River at historically low flows, Rockport and other Weber Basin storage facilities entered the irrigation season critically below average, triggering the District's 20% allocation cut.

Park City also maintains several municipal wells that tap into local bedrock and alluvial aquifers in the Snyderville Basin area. These groundwater sources provide a supplemental buffer when surface water is restricted, but they recharge slowly and cannot compensate for a multi-year surface water deficit. The combination of record-low snowpack, early melt-off, and reduced Weber Basin allocations is why the city is actively enforcing its long-standing mandatory conservation schedule with heightened urgency through 2026.

HOA rules during water restrictions

Utah law protects Park City homeowners from HOA fines or penalties related to lawn browning or reduced irrigation during mandatory restrictions. Utah Code § 57-8a-218 prohibits homeowners associations governed under the Community Association Act from imposing fines or taking adverse action against a property owner for allowing turf or landscaping to go dormant or brown when the owner is complying with a government-mandated watering schedule. Park City's year-round mandatory odd/even restrictions qualify as such a schedule, meaning your HOA cannot penalize you for a brown lawn that results from following the city's 3-day-per-week limit.

If your HOA sends a violation notice or threatens a fine for drought-dormant turf, respond in writing immediately and cite the statute and the city's active restrictions. Keep a copy of any Park City Municipal Corporation communications about current restrictions as supporting documentation.

Template response to HOA:

Dear [HOA Board / Property Manager], I am writing in response to your notice dated [date] regarding the condition of my lawn at [address]. My property is currently subject to mandatory outdoor watering restrictions enforced by Park City Municipal Corporation under the city's Year-Round Mandatory Odd/Even program. Under Utah Code § 57-8a-218, a homeowners association may not impose fines or take adverse action against a lot owner for allowing landscaping to become dormant or brown when the owner is complying with a government-mandated water conservation measure. I am in compliance with the current 3-day-per-week watering schedule. Please confirm in writing that this violation notice has been withdrawn. For questions about the city's restrictions, contact Park City Municipal Corporation at (435) 615-5000 or parkcity.org.

Lawn survival guide for Park City

At 7,000 feet in Summit County, Park City's climate supports cool-season grasses exclusively. Warm-season turf varieties cannot survive the city's hard winters. The grasses most commonly found in Park City lawns are Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, and to a lesser extent drought-adapted fine fescues.

At 7,000 feet, mow Kentucky Bluegrass at 3 to 3.5 inches — taller than lower-elevation recommendations — to shade roots and reduce moisture loss from the intense high-altitude sun. UV radiation at this elevation is significantly stronger than at Salt Lake City's 4,300 feet, which accelerates soil surface drying. Apply water deeply and infrequently on your assigned days rather than shallowly every day; this encourages root systems to extend downward into cooler, moister soil layers, which is the single most effective adaptation for surviving 3-day schedules during a drought year.

Park City Municipal Corporation actively encourages conversion from traditional bluegrass lawns to drought-tolerant and native plant landscaping suited to the 7,000-foot elevation. Native species such as blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis), Rocky Mountain penstemon, and silver sage thrive in Summit County's thin soils and cold-dry climate with minimal supplemental irrigation once established. Turf replacement with low-water native plantings is one of the most durable long-term adaptations available to Park City homeowners facing ongoing drought conditions and Weber Basin allocation constraints.

Frequently asked questions

What days can I water if I live on an odd-numbered street address in Park City?

If the last digit of your street address is 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9, your assigned watering days are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You may water only before 10:00 AM or after 7:00 PM on those days. Sunday is a no-watering day for all Park City addresses.

Can I water at noon on my assigned day if I missed my morning window?

No. The midday watering ban runs from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM every day, including on your assigned watering days. If you miss the morning window, you must wait until after 7:00 PM that evening. There are no exceptions for assigned days — the time restriction is absolute under Park City's current mandatory schedule.

What is the fine if I water on the wrong day in Park City?

Park City Municipal Corporation issues fines ranging from $50 for a first violation up to $500 for repeat violations. Each incident is treated as a separate violation, so watering on the wrong day multiple times in a week can result in multiple fines. Fines are issued per violation, not per day.

Does Park City use smart meters to catch watering violations?

Yes, in part. Park City Municipal Corporation has deployed automated meter infrastructure (AMI) — smart water meters that transmit consumption data at regular intervals. Utility staff can flag accounts showing water use on days outside their assigned schedule, or during prohibited midday hours, without needing to physically observe a violation. Traditional patrol inspections and neighbor complaints remain the primary enforcement tools, but AMI data can supplement or confirm a citation.

Does Rockport Reservoir affect my Park City water supply this year?

Yes, directly. Rockport Reservoir, located on the Weber River near Wanship just south of Park City, is one of the primary surface storage facilities for Summit County water. The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, which manages Rockport and other Weber River system storage, announced a 20% allocation reduction for 2025 in response to record-low snowpack and early runoff. That reduction flows downstream to Park City Municipal Corporation's supply agreements and is a primary driver of the city's conservation urgency this year.

Is drip irrigation exempt from the odd/even schedule in Park City?

Yes. Drip irrigation systems are exempt from the day restrictions under Park City's conservation rules because they deliver water directly to root zones with minimal evaporative loss. However, running drip systems during early morning hours — before 10:00 AM — remains best practice at 7,000 feet elevation to reduce evaporation and fungal risk. Hand watering with a positive shut-off nozzle is also exempt from day restrictions.

Can I get a watering variance for newly installed sod or seed?

Yes. Park City Municipal Corporation typically allows a 30-day establishment watering window for newly laid sod or seeded areas, which may permit more frequent watering than the standard odd/even schedule. You must register with the city before beginning the establishment period — contact Public Utilities at (435) 615-5000 to confirm current variance procedures and paperwork. Unregistered establishment watering that violates the standard schedule is subject to normal fines.

Does Park City offer rebates for replacing turf with drought-tolerant landscaping?

Park City Municipal Corporation encourages conversion to drought-tolerant and native plant landscaping suited to the 7,000-foot Summit County climate, and the city has promoted xeriscape programs as part of its long-running conservation effort. For current rebate availability, specific program names, and per-square-foot incentive amounts, contact Park City Municipal Corporation directly at (435) 615-5000 or visit parkcity.org, as program funding and terms are updated seasonally. The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District also periodically offers regional turf-replacement incentives for Summit County residents worth checking independently.

What time can I water in Park City?

Watering is allowed Before 10:00 AM and After 7:00 PM. Watering outside these hours is a violation even on your assigned day.

What are the fines for watering violations in Park City?

First offense: $50–$500 per violation. Repeat violations: Park City enforces fines ranging from $50 for a first offense to $500 for repeat violations of the watering schedule.. Contact Park City Municipal Corporation for the full enforcement schedule.

When will water restrictions end in Park City?

Current Year-Round Mandatory Odd/Even (since 1980s) restrictions are in effect through December 31, 2026. Monitor https://www.parkcity.org/ for the latest status.

How do I report a water waste violation in Park City?

Contact Park City Municipal Corporation at (435) 615-5000 or visit https://www.parkcity.org/. Most utilities accept online reports and respond within 48 hours.