Change Your Irrigation Controller For The Seasons

When to Change Your Irrigation Controller for the Seasons in Las Vegas

If you live in the Las Vegas Valley, your irrigation controller needs to be reset four times a year to match the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) mandatory seasonal watering schedule. Setting it wrong is the single most common reason homeowners get hit with water-waste fees, and it is also one of the easiest problems to avoid. This guide walks you through the exact dates to change your controller, how to find your assigned watering group, how long each zone should actually run, and how to stay compliant so you never deal with an unexpected citation on your water bill.

Las Vegas sits in the Mojave Desert, where summer highs routinely climb past 110°F and winters can drop near freezing overnight. That huge temperature swing means a watering schedule that keeps your landscape healthy in July will drown it — and waste hundreds of gallons — in December. Adjusting your controller with the seasons is not just about following the rules; it is about giving your grass, trees, and plants exactly what they need at each time of year.

Las Vegas Seasonal Watering Schedule by Group

Every Las Vegas Valley address is assigned a watering group, labeled A through F. Your group determines which specific days of the week you are allowed to run your sprinklers. Find yours by entering your address on the SNWA watering schedule tool or by checking your monthly water bill, where the group letter is printed on your statement.

SNWA Las Vegas seasonal watering schedule by group A through F
Source: Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA). Sprinkler watering is prohibited on Sundays year-round, valley-wide.

Irrigation Solutions of Las Vegas is here to serve our community, and one way we help is by providing clear information on how to keep your sprinkler system in compliance with the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) watering schedule. By following their schedule, you can avoid paying unwanted and unnecessary fees or dealing with violations — and keep your yard looking its best through every season.

Where to Find Your Watering Group

Every zip code is assigned a watering group. To locate your schedule, enter your home address and zip code on the SNWA water schedule website, or find it on your monthly statement. If you live outside the city of Las Vegas — for example in Henderson, North Las Vegas, or Boulder City — the tool will redirect you to your respective water provider, since each municipality publishes its own version of the schedule. Once you submit your address, the result page shows:

  • Your water group (a letter between A and F)
  • Your approved scheduled days (Monday through Saturday). Watering on Sundays is NOT allowed for anyone, anywhere, anytime of year in the Las Vegas Valley.
  • The current schedule for your sprinkler or drip irrigation system
  • More details — including flow rates and how long each system should run

It only takes a minute, and it is worth doing even if you think you already know your days, because group assignments can change when boundaries or accounts are updated.

Exact Dates to Change Your Irrigation Controller

In Las Vegas the seasons blend into each other, so it is hard to know when to change your controller based on the weather alone. A warm week in February does not mean summer has arrived. Instead of guessing, use these fixed start dates — and set a calendar reminder for each one so you never miss a transition:

  • Spring — March 1 to April 30: Water 3 assigned days per week.
  • Summer — May 1 to August 31: Water on your assigned days; no watering is allowed between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
  • Fall — September 1 to October 31: Water 3 assigned days per week.
  • Winter — November 1 to February 28/29: Water 1 assigned day per week.

Tip: also reset your controller’s clock when Daylight Saving Time starts in March and ends in November. This keeps your start times in the cool early-morning window, when evaporation is lowest and your landscape absorbs the most water. A controller that drifts an hour off can end up running during the hottest part of the day, wasting water and risking a violation.

How Long Should Each Zone Run?

Changing the days is only half the job — run times matter just as much. Watering too long causes runoff onto sidewalks and driveways, while watering too little leaves shallow roots that cannot survive the summer heat. Here is how to think about each system type:

Spray and pop-up sprinklers (lawns): Use the cycle-and-soak method. Instead of one long run, water in three short cycles of about 4 minutes each, spaced roughly an hour apart, on each assigned day. The breaks let water soak into the soil rather than sheeting off onto hard surfaces. This single change can dramatically cut runoff and give you a greener lawn on less water.

Drip irrigation (trees, shrubs, and plants): Drip systems need water far less often than spray. As a general rule, run drip once every 7 to 14 days for 30 to 90 minutes, depending on your emitter size, the type of plants, and your soil. Deeper, less frequent watering encourages strong root systems. Drip can run on any allowed day except Sunday.

As the weather warms in May, while nights are still cool, step your lawn watering up gradually rather than jumping straight to maximum frequency. Most desert landscapes need less water than homeowners assume, and a slow ramp-up prevents both waste and stress on the plants. Monitor how your yard responds and adjust from there.

Avoid Water-Waste Fees and Violations

Running your system outside your assigned days, or during the summer mid-day cutoff, can trigger a water-waste citation from your water authority. Households can also face an excessive-use charge if they exceed seasonal usage thresholds, which add up quickly during the hottest months. These fees are entirely avoidable with a properly programmed controller.

Resetting your controller each season — and inspecting your system for broken, clogged, or misaligned sprinkler heads while you are at it — keeps you compliant and protects your landscape investment. A single cracked head can spray water onto a wall or sidewalk for months before you notice it on your bill. A quick seasonal walk-through of every zone catches these problems early.

Need Help With Your Irrigation Controller?

Irrigation Solutions of Las Vegas installs, repairs, and tunes irrigation controllers across the entire Las Vegas Valley, including Henderson, Summerlin, and North Las Vegas. Whether you want a seasonal programming check, a leak repair, or a full upgrade to a water-saving smart controller, we can help you stay compliant and keep your landscape thriving. Contact us or give us a call to get your system dialed in for the season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I water on Sunday in Las Vegas?

No. Sprinkler watering is prohibited on Sundays everywhere in the Las Vegas Valley, every season of the year, for both residential and commercial properties.

How do I find my watering group?

Enter your home address and zip code on the SNWA watering schedule website, or check your monthly water statement. Your group is a letter from A to F.

What time can I water in summer?

From May 1 to August 31, watering is prohibited between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Water in the early morning or evening on your assigned days to minimize evaporation.

How often should I change my irrigation controller?

Four times a year — at the start of spring, summer, fall, and winter. Set calendar reminders for March 1, May 1, September 1, and November 1.

Does the schedule apply to drip irrigation too?

Yes. Watering restrictions apply to drip systems as well, including the Sunday prohibition. Drip simply needs to run far less frequently than spray sprinklers.

Shower Your Plants

Scorching Hot Sun

Every year in Las Vegas the sun is scorching hot during the summer months and the air is dry. So, your outdoor plants will need an extra care and more water.

Raining in Las Vegas

It's been raining in Las Vegas this summer; more than last year. That is good for your garden, trees and outdoor plants. However, the rain is not enough and you may need to change your irrigation clock for additional watering or use a hose to give your plants additional water every day. Remember to check your watering schedule to see how often you are allowed to water during the summer.

Additional care for your plants

If you notice that your plants and trees, especially young trees, lose their leaf elasticity or seem to be "less happy 🙁", check your irrigation system. You can do it by running a manual test for each irrigation zone to make sure they get enough water. Additionally, you can also give them a quick shower after the sun goes down. To do that, use a garden hose with an adjustable head. Set the head to the shower setting and run water over the plants and young trees. Make them feel like it is raining on them. You will notice, even in the morning, that they start looking better and seem to be reinvigorated.

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Cover your pipes and hose spigots

Freezing

Temperatures can get very low in Las Vegas during the winter and the exposed pipes and hose spigots, outside faucets, can freeze. It is important to cover them. Once they freeze, they will crack, leak and will have to be replaced.

How to cover hose bibbs?

Insulated covers for outdoor faucets, hose bibbs or hose spigots can be bought at Home Depot or Lowes. They are easy to install and prevent the faucets from freezing.

How to cover exposed pipes and hose spigots?

Pipes should be buried in the ground. However, if you have any exposed irrigation pipes and hose spi, irrigation lines, you should make sure they are covered and protected against freezing. Once they freeze, the water inside expands and makes them crack. When thawed, they will start leaking and will have to be replaced. Insulation options for pipes are available to buy. However, if you cannot get them, cover them with blankets and that will add a layer of protection to prevent the pipes and lines from freezing.

Is it expensive to fix frozen pipes and hose spigots, outside faucets?

It is more expensive than what it costs to cover and prevent them from freezing.

For all your irrigation needs

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Check Your Watering Clock

Lawn irrigation smart in Las Vegas

Mandatory watering schedule

September 1 to October 31

It is that time of the year again to check your watering clock. Every Fall the Southern Nevada Water Authority tells us to reduce the number of watering days from 6 to 3 per week. Reducing watering days in the Fall helps with the water preservation. "It's a desert out there!" The water resources are limited and we have to use them responsibly.

Changing the irrigation timers

It should be easy to change the irrigation timer. However, the many options on the dial or the electronic screen can make it confusing. You may have to read the manual every time you need to change the timer settings. And changing the watering clock must be done 4 times a year in Las Vegas.

We can set the irrigation timers for you. Call us.

Irrigation Systems

We install and maintain them

Heat and Watering

Lawn irrigation smart in Las Vegas

How many times should I water plants when the temperatures are 100(+)F?

Heat and watering plants are common subjects during summer days in Las Vegas.

 

The SNWA restricts the outdoor water irrigation to 6 days a week, 7PM to 11AM during the summer months. The irrigation watering is prohibited on Sundays.

 

  • What should I do if I have plants that require a wet soil to survive?

You can set the irrigation clock to water twice a day in the evening, after 7pm, and morning, before 11am. If needed, you can also manually water sprinkle the soil during the day to keep it wet, without wasting water.

 

Desert landscapes are an excellent option in Las Vegas. Plants and green elements can be added to your desert landscape. There are many plants that thrive in the desert with just little watering every day. You can have the irrigation system installed to provide the right amount of water to each plant without wasting water on rocks.

Irrigation Systems

We install and maintain them

Keeping your lawn green

Lawn irrigation smart in Las Vegas

Maintain a correct irrigation system that will protect your yard

Hot weather kills beautiful green grass unless it is hydrated properly. The mandatory watering restrictions imposed by the Southern Nevada Water Authority allows sprinkler watering in the summer (May to August) any day of the week, except Sunday, and according to watering group schedule. Additionally, no watering is permitted between 11AM and 7AM during summer. The watering days are posted on water bills or they can be found on the SNWA website. That being said, it is also important not to waste water while running the sprinklers. So, adjusting sprinklers is important, as well as it is important what type of irrigation system is installed in the yard.

Be sure to properly care for your outdoor oasis by developing and maintaining a watering and irrigation system that will protect your yard even during the hot days of summer.

Materials needed for a drip irrigation system

What is drip irrigation?

Drip irrigation is an efficient watering system that works by applying water slowly and directly to the plant and soil. Drip irrigation works great on desert landscapes in Las Vegas. The water is directed to each plant, in controllable amounts, without spraying rocks and other landscaping elements that don't need watering.

In order for drip irrigation to be implemented, specific materials are required, including garden hose, drip irrigation tubing, micro bubblers, back-flow valve, tees & wyes, elbows.

Garden hose ________

Drip irrigation system: Garden hose

Drip irrigation tubing

Drip irrigation tubing

Micro Bubblers

Drip irrigation: Micro Bubblers

Back-Flow Valve

Drip irrigation: hose bib Back-Flow Valve

Tees and Wyes

drip irrigation: tees and wyes

Elbows ________

Drip irrigation Elbow

Irrigation Systems Installation and Repair

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Do I Need A Licensed Contractor?

I need irrigation work. Who should I hire?

Do you need to hire a licensed contractor for the irrigation work you need to have done? The Nevada State Contractors Board requires that contractors must have landscape licenses in the state of Nevada, if a job is $1,000 or more or if the job requires a building permit.

Irrigation or drainage systems installation and service require that the work be performed by a licensed contractor.

You can verify if the service provider is licensed and in good standing on the Nevada State Contractors Board website. Additional information related to landscaping contractors can also be found on the NSCB website at: https://www.nscb.nv.gov/landscaping_guide.html

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Cover Your Pipes

Don't wait for the freezing temperatures

Weather started cooling and, every year, we have few days of freezing temperatures that could do a lot of damage to your exposed pipes and outside faucets. Don't wait, take action now then you don't have to worry about freezing irrigation lines or hose bibs. You can use blankets or different insulation materials, or for few bucks, you can buy the pipe insulation and Standard or Hard Faucet Covers from Home Depot. Don't forget about your backflow preventer. If it is located in your front yard, throwing a blanket over it may not look too good... So you could place a Resin Landscape Rock on top, available at the home improvement stores.

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How To Maintain A Healthy Lawn

Core aeration, spike and liquid aeration are the most common methods used on lawns nowadays. The first one, core aeration, is the most famous ones, being used for heavily compacted earth.

For treatments, spike aeration method is used as it guarantees an optimal absorption. Finally, the best method to cover the entire lawn, liquid aeration method is most common.

Aeration is one of the most important processes you must take into consideration when looking for lawn improvement as it guarantees the health of your lawn.

See below a checklist of how to maintain your lawn healthy:

Sow new seed over diminished regions, or pick other ground covers for predicaments.
Water your grass profoundly to advance the development of deep roots. Apply about 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) of water, just when required (generally close to one time per week). Spot a little pet food or fish can on the yard to help you measure how much water has been applied. Quit watering when the can is full. An excess of water keeps the dirt from oxygen and welcomes infection.
Check your grass frequently to distinguish bothers and different issues early.
Aerate compacted soil, preferably in the fall. This aides water, air, and supplements arrive at plant roots all the more without any problem.
Feed your yard with fertilizer. Let grass clippings stay on your yard to give nutrients
Replace grass with clearing stones or mulch in hefty rush hour gridlock regions.

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