Denton 2025 Water Restrictions

Water is tight across North Texas, and Denton is taking clear steps to stretch every drop. For 2025, residents face a mix of standing rules and seasonal limits designed to cut waste without sacrificing landscape health. This guide breaks down Denton’s annual watering ordinance, the city’s twice-a-week irrigation schedule, and the Stage 2 drought restrictions in the Paloma Creek Districts effective June 23, 2025. You’ll also find practical tips to stay compliant, keep your yard alive, and lower your bill.

Key takeaways:

No lawn watering with sprinklers between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. from June 1 to Sept. 30.
Denton’s standard irrigation schedule allows twice-a-week sprinkler use year-round unless stricter stages apply.
Paloma Creek Districts are under Stage 2 drought restrictions (effective June 23, 2025), which further limit irrigation.
Smart irrigation practices, leak checks, and drought-tough landscaping can cut outdoor use by 30–50%.

Why these restrictions matter

Outdoor watering can account for up to 50–70% of a home’s summer water use in Texas. Midday watering loses a large share to evaporation and wind drift, which means you pay for water that never reaches the roots. Coordinated watering schedules smooth out demand spikes that stress the system. Stage-based drought rules help cities react faster when supplies drop or when high demand outpaces treatment and delivery capacity. Together, these measures protect the water supply, reduce infrastructure strain, and keep costs in check for everyone.

The 2025 rules at a glance

Annual watering ordinance (June 1–Sept. 30)

No lawn watering with sprinklers from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Purpose: Reduce evaporation during the hottest hours and improve irrigation efficiency.
Applies citywide, every summer.

Twice-a-week irrigation schedule (year-round baseline)

Denton maintains a twice-per-week sprinkler schedule to limit overwatering and reduce demand spikes.
Hand-watering with a hose and shutoff nozzle and using drip irrigation are typically allowed on any day, but keep an eye on stage updates for added limits.
Note: Always confirm your assigned watering days and any seasonal updates on the city’s official channels or your water utility bill insert.

Stage 2 drought restrictions for Paloma Creek Districts (effective June 23, 2025)

Paloma Creek Districts within Denton County moved to Stage 2, which tightens watering beyond the standard twice-a-week schedule.
Typical Stage 2 measures may include:

- Once-per-week sprinkler irrigation on assigned days only.
- No irrigation between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. (this stacks with the annual ordinance).
- No water waste, including runoff into streets and gutters.
- Limits or temporary pauses on new turf establishment watering.
- Reduced operation of decorative fountains and restricted washing of paved surfaces.

If you live in Paloma Creek, check your district’s site and mailed notices for your exact watering day, exceptions, and enforcement details.

How to comply without sacrificing your landscape

Water at the right time

Water early morning: Aim for 4–8 a.m. Wind is calmer, temperatures are lower, and soil absorption is better.
Skip watering after rainfall: Use a simple rain gauge. If you get an inch of rain this week, you can usually skip all irrigation.

Dial in your irrigation system

Follow the “Cycle and Soak” method: For clay soils common in North Texas, break watering into two or three shorter cycles (e.g., 2 x 8 minutes instead of 16 straight). This reduces runoff and pushes moisture deeper.
Run-time targets:

- Rotary heads: 30–45 minutes per zone, split into cycles.
- Spray heads: 10–15 minutes per zone, split into cycles.
- Drip zones: 45–60 minutes, as needed, depending on emitter rate and plant needs.

Fix the basics:

- Replace broken or tilted heads.
- Adjust nozzles to avoid spraying streets and sidewalks.
- Check for leaks at valves and lateral lines.
- Install pressure-regulating heads or a system regulator to cut misting.

Use smart controls

Install a WaterSense-labeled smart controller: These adjust schedules based on weather and evapotranspiration, often cutting outdoor use by 15% or more.
Add a rain and freeze sensor: These inexpensive devices stop wasteful watering during rain or near-freezing conditions.
Update your controller’s watering days to match Denton’s schedule and any Stage 2 limits in Paloma Creek.

Choose drought-tough landscaping

Prioritize native and adapted plants: These need less water once established. Think buffalo grass, blue grama, salvia, lantana, Texas sage, and yaupon holly.
Mulch 2–4 inches deep: Mulch lowers evaporation, suppresses weeds, and moderates soil temperature.
Group plants by water need (hydrozoning): Put high-need plants on drip and keep turf areas compact.
Shrink thirsty turf: Convert little-used strips or slopes to beds with drip irrigation and native groundcovers.

Water only what needs it

Spot-water with a hose and shutoff nozzle for stressed plants instead of running full zones.
Focus on roots, not leaves: Deep, infrequent watering grows deeper roots and improves drought tolerance.
Inspect soil moisture: A screwdriver test works—if it slides in easily a few inches, hold off on watering.

Stop water waste

Avoid runoff: If water pools or flows to the curb, shorten run times and cycle and soak.
Sweep, don’t spray: Use a broom or blower to clean driveways and sidewalks.
Check for silent leaks indoors: A running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons a day. Add dye tablets or food coloring to the tank—if color shows up in the bowl, replace the flapper.

Special guidance for Paloma Creek residents under Stage 2

Know your assigned day: Stage 2 often limits sprinkler use to one day per week. Mark it on your calendar and set your controller accordingly.
Drip and hand-watering: These may be allowed on additional days for trees and beds, but verify the exact rules to avoid violations.
New landscapes: Stage 2 typically restricts watering for new sod or seed. If you must plant, check for permits or temporary variances.
Enforcement and fines: Stage 2 usually includes active enforcement. Document your controller settings and keep any variance approvals handy.

What about trees and foundations?

Trees: They’re long-term, high-value assets. Use a soaker hose or drip line at the dripline (where the canopy ends) for deep watering once every 2–4 weeks in summer, depending on rainfall and species.
Foundations: North Texas clay soils shrink when dry. To reduce movement, maintain consistent moisture around the foundation with drip lines or soaker hoses on low flow. Water slowly to avoid runoff and comply with allowed methods and times.

Sample weekly schedule that fits the rules

Lawn (sprinklers): Water on your assigned days only, outside 10 a.m.–6 p.m. During Stage 2 in Paloma Creek, expect one assigned day.
Beds (drip): Run one or two longer cycles early morning on permitted days. Drip is often more flexible than spray under restrictions.
Trees: Use deep drip/soaker watering every 2–4 weeks, early morning. Adjust after significant rainfall.
Rain check: If rainfall exceeds 1 inch in a week, skip all irrigation.

Common mistakes to avoid

Midday watering: Violates the summer ordinance and wastes water.
Overwatering: Turf needs roughly 1 inch of water per week in peak summer, including rainfall. More than that leads to shallow roots and disease.
Ignoring wind: Strong winds blow spray away from your lawn. If gusts are high, delay your run.
Watering new sod like old turf: New sod needs careful, short, frequent watering for the first two weeks, but Stage 2 may restrict it—secure guidance before installation.

How these measures help Denton

Cuts evaporation: Avoiding 10 a.m.–6 p.m. watering reduces losses and improves efficiency.
Balances demand: Two-day schedules and Stage 2 limits prevent system overload, which lowers risk of main breaks and service interruptions.
Protects supply: Lower peak demand stretches reservoir levels and buys time during hot, dry spells.
Saves money: Efficient use can shave utility bills and delay costly infrastructure expansions.

Working Together for a Sustainable Future

Every drop truly counts. By following Denton’s water restrictions, adopting smart irrigation habits, and choosing resilient landscaping, residents can make a big impact on the city’s water supply and resilience. These collective efforts not only safeguard resources for today, but also protect generations to come. Stay informed, use water wisely, and let’s ensure a thriving, sustainable Denton for the future.