Sarasota County is in an extreme drought right now, with new water restriction orders significantly limiting outdoor watering—and even water service at restaurants.

The drought is expected to persist for the next month and there's no rain in the forecast for the next seven days, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS). Its severity led the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWIFTMUD) to declare an "extreme" water shortage this week for Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Sumter counties; portions of Charlotte, Highlands and Lake counties; the City of Dunnellon and The Villages in Marion County; and Gasparilla Island in Charlotte County. The declaration places restrictions on outdoor watering, requires law enforcement to ticket violators instead of simply issuing a warning, and even directs restaurants to serve water to customers only on request.

The new restrictions take effect April 3 and run through July 1. Here's what to know. 

Watering Hours

Watering hours are reduced to two windows of time: 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Properties less than one acre in size can only water during one of these windows. No homeowners association can require an increase in water use—even if it's part of the HOA's deed restrictions or other community standards.

If your house number ends in:

• 0 or 1, water only on Monday
• 2 or 3, water only on Tuesday
• 4 or 5, water only on Wednesday
• 6 or 7, water only on Thursday
• 8, 9 or is a location without a discernible address, water only on Friday

Low-volume watering of plants and shrubs (including the use of micro-irrigation, soaker hoses or hand watering) is allowed on any day, but limited to before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

Restaurants

Restaurants can only serve water to customers upon request.

Residential Vehicle Washing

Car washing at home is only allowed on your designated lawn watering day and must be done with a hose with a shutoff nozzle. 

Rinsing your boats and flushing its engine is allowed after each use, when needed, to remove salt water or to prevent transportation of exotic plant or animal material from the boat to other locations.

Golf Courses

Fairways and driving ranges can only be irrigated once per week; tees, golf course greens and practice greens may be irrigated no more than three times per week. Roughs may not be irrigated.

Fountains

Fountains and other water features may only operate four hours per day. The regular hours of operation can be selected by the owner, but must be posted, according to the order.

For a full list of restrictions, click here.