Background

Tampa's Water Enforcement Program was created in 1993 to ensure compliance with the Water Use Restriction Ordinance passed by Tampa's City Council and to help educate and inform residents about efficient outdoor water use practices.

The city of Tampa's current Water Use Restrictions allow twice per week watering and are enforced through Tampa's Water Enforcement Program on a year-round basis, 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.

Violating Tampa's water use restrictions is a civil infraction, and, as a result, all water use Citations issued by the City are handled by the Hillsborough County Circuit Court.

Enforcement Office

If you receive a City of Tampa water use Citation and believe that the water use for which you were cited is one of the permitted uses defined in the applicable water use restrictions, please call (813) 349-5014 or e-mail within five (5) calendar days after receiving the Citation.

Tampa's Water Enforcement Office is open Monday to Friday, 8 am. to 5 p.m. to answer questions about the issuance of Citations and Warnings, and to provide general guidance about the ordinance and responding to citations.

Please direct all questions to (813) 349-5014 or send an E-mail to Due to high call volume, please allow up to 24-hours for a representative to return your call.

Restriction and Enforcement Jurisdiction

Tampa's Water Use Restrictions apply to all Tampa Water Department customers, both residential and commercial, inside and outside Tampa city limits.

The current Water Use Restrictions are available 24 hours-a day, 7 days-a-week by calling the Water Conservation Hotline at (813) 274-8036.

To report a Water Use Violation inside Tampa's city limits call the Water Use Violation Hotline at (813) 274-8036 or report a violation online.

Schedule of Penalties

Violating Tampa's Water Use Restrictions may result in fines ranging from $100 to $450. The fine assessment per violation observed inside Tampa's city limits is as follows:

If the total penalty assessed on the citation is not paid within 30-days following the date on the citation, your case will be placed on the docket for the hearing date listed on the bottom of your Citation. Failure to appear in court typically results in a judgment against the defendant. Failure to settle any fines assessed by the Court may result in increased penalties up to and including property liens.

Citation Handling

If a Citation is issued to your residence or business, you have two options in handling the Citation:

The payment of all fines and fees associated with the Citation must be made through the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court, as noted on the face of the Citation. Specific information for making payment by mail or in person is located on the reverse of the Citation.

The City of Tampa cannot process citation payments sent directly to the Tampa Water Department or to Tampa's Utility Accounting Division.  Any payment attempted in this manner will be returned to the citation recipient for proper handling and may cause delays in payment that result in additional court fees.

To ensure timely processing of your payment, please indicate the defendant's name, address, and Citation number on the front of the check.

If the water use for which you were cited does not meet one of the permitted uses defined in the applicable water use restrictions and you wish to contest the Citation, you may elect to appear in court on the date noted on the Citation to present your information to the judge for a decision.  We recommend that you refer to the correspondence included with the Citation packet for additional information about contesting a Citation.

To request a continuation of a court date or discuss options for paying a City of Tampa water use citation, please contact the Clerk of Court at (813) 276-2029, ext. 4325.