Odd/Even Lawn Watering Could Become the Annual Standard for New Jersey

Legislation affects residential and commercial landscapes, golf courses and athletic fields.

If legislation in New Jersey is approved, "Odd/Even" lawn watering could become an annual event for residential and commercial landscapes, golf courses and athletic fields across the state. The same bill was proposed last year, but did not make it past the New Jersey Assembly du to opposition from homeowners under Assembly Bill 2202. Violators of the Odd/Even lawn watering restiction would be subject to a penalty of $500 to $1000.

The measure includes exemptions for irrigation following a pesticide or fertilizer application, for revegetation, for establishing newly laid seed or sod during normal business hours and irrigation testing. The bill would also require a stipulation that an automatic rain sensor would be installed anytime property is sold with an automatic irrigation system installed before September 8, 2000.

The entire bill can be viewed at www.njleg.state.nj.us/2004Bills/A2500/2022