New sod needs water every day for its first couple of weeks, but from May 31 to September 30 the Region of Waterloo only lets you water a lawn once a week. The fix is the Region's temporary permit for new sod and seed: request it for your planting date, then follow a set 14-day schedule. Lay your sod between October 1 and May 30 and you don't need a permit at all.
Key takeaways
- The Region's water by-law runs from May 31 to September 30 and limits lawn watering to one day a week, set by the last digit of your address.
- A temporary sod and seed permit allows extra watering for 14 days after planting. Each property can get one per calendar year, and your landscaping company can apply for you.
- Spring and fall installs need no permit and less water, which is why the Region recommends them.
- Check the soil under the sod before you water. Lift a corner: it should feel damp.
Check your dates before the sod arrives
The Region of Waterloo's Water Conservation By-law (07-069, amended by 10-020) is in effect every year from May 31 to September 30. While it's on, you can water your lawn once a week, on the day set by the last digit of your address, between 5:30 and 10 a.m. and/or 7 and 11 p.m.
| Address ends in | Lawn watering day |
|---|---|
| 0 or 1 | Monday |
| 2 or 3 | Tuesday |
| 4 or 5 | Wednesday |
| 6 or 7 | Thursday |
| 8 or 9 | Friday |
Once a week is plenty for an established lawn. New sod has no roots in the ground yet, so a summer install needs the permit.
From October 1 to May 30, no permit is needed. The Region encourages everyone to lay sod in spring and fall, "when temperatures are cooler and less watering is required."
The by-law applies to properties on Region of Waterloo municipal water, which includes Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo. Guelph isn't part of Waterloo Region and sets its own outdoor water rules, so check with the City of Guelph if that's where you live.
How to get the Region's sod permit
- Pick your planting date. The permit is tied to the day the sod goes down, so book the installation first.
- Have your details ready: name, address, postal code, phone number, email address and planting date.
- Apply through the Region's outdoor water use page, or ask your landscaper to. The Region allows landscaping businesses to apply on a property owner's behalf.
- Keep the confirmation. Permits are stored electronically, and you can request a printed copy.
- Tell the Region if the date moves. Sod deliveries shift with the weather, and the permit only helps if it matches the day the sod actually goes down.
Each property can request one seed or sod permit per calendar year. Nematodes for grub control need a separate permit, also limited to one per year. Applications for 2027 open in May.
The 14-day watering schedule
| Days after planting | When you can water | What to aim for |
|---|---|---|
| First 24 hours | Any time | Soak it. Keep going until the soil under the sod is wet too. |
| Days 2 to 6 | 5:30–10 a.m. and/or 7–11 p.m., every day | Keep the sod and the soil underneath damp. Check the corners and seams, which dry out first. |
| Days 7 to 14 | Same hours, on odd or even dates matching your address | Water longer and less often so the roots reach down. |
| After day 14 | Once a week, on your assigned lawn day | A deep weekly soak. The Region's guideline is about one inch (2.5 cm) of water a week. |
Odd and even dates follow the last digit of your address. Addresses ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 water on odd-numbered dates (the 1st, 3rd, 5th and so on), and addresses ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 water on even-numbered dates.
To measure an inch, the Region suggests leaving an empty tuna can on the lawn while you water. When it's full, the lawn has had enough for the week.
How to tell if new sod is getting enough water
Slide a few fingers under the corner of a roll and lift it gently. The soil underneath should feel damp, like a wrung-out sponge. If it's dry, the new roots have nothing to grow into. If water pools on the surface or the ground squelches when you walk on it, ease off. The Region warns that overwatering "can rot grass roots and creates the perfect environment for disease."
Seams and edges dry first. Strips beside driveways and walkways dry fastest of all, because the hard surface heats up in the sun. Give them an extra pass by hand if the sprinkler doesn't reach them evenly.
Morning watering goes furthest. In the Region's words, "Midday wind and hot sun will evaporate the water meant for your plants." During the permit period, the 5:30 to 10 a.m. window does most of the work.
At about two weeks, tug gently on a corner. If it holds, the roots are taking, and you can start stretching the time between waterings.
Common mistakes with new sod in Waterloo Region
Booking a July install without a permit. The sod looks fine for a day or two, then the once-a-week rule catches up with it. Apply for the permit when you book.
Watering by the clock. Twenty minutes on heavy clay is very different from twenty minutes on sandy soil, and a cool May morning is different from a heat wave. Check under the sod instead.
Missing the edges. Most sprinklers leave corners and the strip along the driveway short. Move the sprinkler or water those spots by hand.
Counting on a light rain. A quick shower wets the grass blades and not much else. Lift a corner before you skip a watering.
Mowing too soon. Wait until the sod stays down when you tug a corner, usually two to three weeks, and set the mower high for the first few cuts.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to water new sod in October?
No. The by-law and the permit only apply from May 31 to September 30. Outside those dates, water new sod as often as it needs.
Can my landscaper apply for the sod permit for me?
Yes. The Region allows landscaping businesses to apply on a property owner's behalf. You'll still want the planting date and the schedule, since you're the one doing the watering.
Can I use a watering can on days I'm not allowed to water?
Yes. Watering cans and buckets can be used any time, filled from the tap or a rain barrel. The limits apply when a hose or irrigation system is connected to municipal water.
Does the sod permit also cover nematodes?
No. Nematodes for grub control have their own permit, also one per property per calendar year.
What happens when the 14 days are up?
You go back to watering once a week on your assigned day. By then the roots should be down far enough to make the most of a deeper weekly soak.
Planning a new lawn?
Lay Landscaping installs sod across Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and Guelph. We take out the old lawn, fix the grade, add topsoil where it's thin and lay fresh sod tight. If you're booking a summer installation, ask us about the Region's sod permit. See how we install sod or request a free quote.
Sources
- Region of Waterloo: Outdoor Water Use and Restrictions (checked November 8, 2026)
