Current Austin watering restrictions
Austin Water runs on a Conservation Stage framework that sets how often — and when — irrigation is allowed. Automatic and manual irrigation systems typically get a limited number of designated watering days per week, restricted to an evening-to-morning window. Hose-end sprinklers and drip irrigation usually get a bit more flexibility in that same window. Hand-held watering and tree bubblers are generally allowed any time. [Verify current Austin Water restrictions — these change seasonally with the conservation stage.]
How HOA common areas are classified
Here's the detail that trips up a lot of boards: HOA common areas aren't scheduled the same way as residential addresses. Austin Water places common areas — alongside public schools and golf course fairways — in a separate property category, which means the community's designated watering day can differ from the day right next door. Boards should confirm their specific day using Austin Water's watering-day lookup tool each season rather than assuming it matches residential schedules.
Getting irrigation vendors ready
Before peak season hits, have vendors confirm a short list of items: controllers are programmed to the current window, rain and freeze sensors are actually interrupting cycles, and there's a defined turnaround for logging and fixing broken heads, leaks, overspray, and runoff. Zone scheduling should reflect what plants actually need rather than one uniform run time — trees, slope areas, and entry beds get priority, since these are the spots that show stress first and draw resident attention fastest.
Enforcing landscaping standards during drought
This is where boards need to slow down. During watering restrictions, the difference between drought stress and actual neglect matters enormously. Brown turf on its own is not a valid enforcement trigger during summer restrictions. What still is: weeds taking over beds, trash and debris accumulation, dead plant material left in place, or areas that are clearly unmaintained because of indifference rather than drought.
What HB 517 changed for boards
Texas law now backs this distinction with a hard rule. Under HB 517 (Texas Property Code §202.008), HOAs cannot fine homeowners for brown or discolored vegetation during mandatory residential watering restrictions — and that protection extends for a period after the restrictions are lifted. Boards should update fining policies and violation letter templates so nobody issues a notice that's no longer enforceable. [Verify current statute effective date and exact post-restriction protection window.]
Heading off complaints before they start
Most watering complaints aren't really about water — they're about a resident noticing something looks off with no context for why. A short communication before summer heat sets in heads most of this off: the current conservation stage, the community's designated watering day, how residents can look up their own day, and what the board expects landscaping to look like during extreme heat.
MUDs and other utilities
Not every Central Texas community is on Austin Water. Communities in Round Rock and other Austin-area suburbs are often served by Municipal Utility Districts or other water districts that set their own restriction stages and designated days. If a community isn't on Austin Water service, the board should confirm current rules directly with its utility provider.
Brown grass isn't a violation during watering restrictions — it's the law. Under HB 517, boards can't fine for turf color during mandatory restrictions or for a period after they lift. Save enforcement energy for actual neglect: weeds, debris, and dead plant material.
Frequently asked questions
Automatic and manual irrigation systems currently get a limited number of designated watering days per week within a set evening-to-morning window; hose-end sprinklers and drip irrigation typically get slightly more. Hand watering and tree bubblers are usually unrestricted. Confirm current Austin Water restrictions, since these change seasonally.
No. Under Texas HB 517, HOAs cannot fine owners for brown or discolored vegetation during mandatory residential watering restrictions, and that protection continues for a period after restrictions are lifted.
Not necessarily. HOA common areas are classified separately from residential addresses by Austin Water, alongside schools and golf courses, so the community’s designated day can differ from the surrounding neighborhood.
Not always. Many Austin-area suburbs are served by Municipal Utility Districts or other water districts that set their own restriction stages and schedules. Confirm directly with the local utility.
Weeds overtaking beds, accumulated trash or debris, dead plant material left in place, and areas that are clearly unmaintained due to neglect rather than drought remain fair game.