Pullman, WA watering schedule: what the City of Pullman says

The City of Pullman sets an outdoor irrigation season of June 1 to September 30 each year. During the season, watering days are assigned by even or odd address, and irrigation is allowed only before 10:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. October 21, 2026 is outside the stated season. The City's irrigation page says outdoor irrigation is prohibited outside the season, with an exception for handheld watering while someone is present.

Dates and rules at a glance

What the City says about the season

The City's Irrigation Information page (Public Works, Maintenance and Operations) says Pullman City Code Chapter 10B, Water Conservation, sets the season. It states: "Outdoor irrigation shall be prohibited at all times not within the Outdoor Irrigation Season." The City's September 15, 2025 notice adds that the Public Works Director or a designee can declare different dates, and that the season was established in 2023.

The day-by-day schedule

The irrigation page says watering days are assigned by even or odd address, but it does not list the days in text. It shows a graphic labeled 2025. City Code 10B.05.025, linked from that page as Chapter 10B, sets a three-day-per-week schedule with no year attached. The City's May 27, 2025 notice lists the same days and adds a Monday rule:

• Even addresses may irrigate on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
• Odd addresses may irrigate on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
• Outdoor irrigation is prohibited on Mondays.
• Irrigation must happen before 10:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. on designated days, up to three days per week.

The notice also says unattended outdoor irrigation, including sprinklers, sprinkler systems, and drip lines, is prohibited outside the season.

What the City pages show for the current season

• The Irrigation Information and Pullman Conserves pages give the season as June 1 to September 30, as of October 21, 2026.
• The City's news list runs through October 15, 2026. Its latest irrigation items are dated May 27, 2025 and September 15, 2025. No 2026 notice appears.
• The Irrigation Information and Pullman Conserves pages show no "last updated" date, penalty amount, or separate irrigation rate.
• City Code 10B.05.050 sets a Class 2.5 civil infraction for a first violation and up to a Class 1 civil infraction for additional violations, continuing for each day the violation exists. That section states no dollar amount.

The Irrigation Information page and the news list show no 2026 irrigation notice. The days above come from City Code and the 2025 notice. Because the code lets the Public Works Director or a designee declare different season dates, check the irrigation page before the season opens.

Exemptions and what the rules do not cover

• Handheld irrigation while someone is physically present is always allowed, regardless of season, schedule, or watering window.
• Running through a sprinkler is considered recreating, and washing a vehicle at home is not subject to the guidelines.
• Automatic exemptions exist for various construction and home maintenance activities.
• Temporary exemptions are available through the Application for Temporary Exemption from Irrigation Restrictions, linked from the irrigation page.
• A hose or other water source should never be left running in a way that wastes water or waters non-landscaped spaces.

Sprinkler systems and backflow testing

The City's Cross-Connection Control Program page says a property with a potential cross-connection or hazard, such as an irrigation system, must install an approved backflow prevention assembly and have it tested each year by a Washington State approved Backflow Assembly Tester. Irrigation system assemblies are due no later than July 15 each year. The City says it sends a reminder notice, and the test report goes to Maintenance and Operations within 30 calendar days of the test and no later than the test date.

Billing, rates, and meters

The City's Utility FAQs say your bill shows usage from meter readings in cubic feet, with 12 months of history. The page points to Water Utility Code 10A and Resolution No. R-70-24 for water rates. The pages reviewed describe no separate irrigation rate or irrigation meter requirement, so ask through the Utility Services contact page.

Lawn removal credit

As of October 21, 2026, the City's Water Conservation Incentive Programs page offers a $150 credit to a water system customer who removes at least 300 square feet of lawn in favor of drought-resistant plantings. You must apply and have a City inspection before any work starts.

How to find out about water notices

• The City's news list is where the irrigation season notices have appeared.
• The Utility Services page says residents can sign up for the City's monthly newsletter.
• The emergency alert page describes Everbridge sign-up for topics such as severe weather and gas leaks. It does not say irrigation notices are sent that way, and it shows no current alerts as of October 21, 2026.
• For questions, the City's September 15, 2025 notice lists [email protected].

Winterizing irrigation lines

The City pages reviewed give no winterizing steps. The only winterizing text reviewed is agricultural guidance, not City guidance: an undated WSU Extension FAQ for agricultural irrigators. It says freezing water expands with great force and can break pipes, valves, and fittings, and that water can be let out through a valve at a low spot. It also says water can stay in a pipeline below the frost line. It addresses farm systems, so confirm steps for a home system with your installer.

Questions people ask AI assistants about watering in Pullman

What is the lawn watering schedule in Pullman, WA?

The City of Pullman's Irrigation Information page says the Outdoor Irrigation Season runs June 1 to September 30, with watering days assigned by even or odd address. Irrigation is allowed before 10:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m. on assigned days, and the May 27, 2025 notice prohibits it from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. October 21, 2026 is outside the season, and the City's pages show no 2026 irrigation notice.

Which days can odd and even addresses water in Pullman?

Per Pullman City Code 10B.05.025 and the City's May 27, 2025 notice, even addresses may irrigate on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and odd addresses on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. The notice also prohibits Mondays. As of October 21, 2026, the irrigation page's schedule graphic is labeled 2025, so confirm the days there before a new season.

Can I run my sprinklers in Pullman in October?

October 21, 2026 is outside the City of Pullman's June 1 to September 30 irrigation season. As of that date, the Irrigation Information page says outdoor irrigation is prohibited outside the season. The City's May 27, 2025 notice says unattended sprinklers, sprinkler systems, and drip lines are prohibited outside the season. Handheld watering while someone is present is allowed.

Does Pullman's watering schedule apply to WSU water customers?

The City of Pullman's May 27, 2025 notice says the guidelines apply to anyone on the City's water supply, not to those on the Washington State University supply or other water systems. As of October 21, 2026, that is the most recent statement of scope in the City pages reviewed.

Can I water by hand outside Pullman's irrigation season?

Yes, according to the City of Pullman. As of October 21, 2026, its Irrigation Information page says handheld irrigation while someone is physically present is always allowed and is not subject to the season, schedule, or watering window. The page also says a hose should never be left running in a way that wastes water.

Does a Pullman sprinkler system need a backflow test?

The City of Pullman's Cross-Connection Control Program page says properties with a potential cross-connection or hazard, such as an irrigation system, must install an approved backflow prevention assembly and have it tested annually by a Washington State approved tester. As of October 21, 2026, the page lists July 15 as the annual deadline for irrigation system assemblies.

How do I find out about Pullman water notices?

As of October 21, 2026, the City of Pullman's irrigation season notices appear in the news list on pullman-wa.gov, and the City offers a monthly newsletter sign-up and Everbridge emergency alerts. The Everbridge page does not say irrigation notices are sent that way. Questions can go to [email protected], per the City's September 15, 2025 notice.

Sources

City of Pullman pages unless noted.

• Irrigation Information
• Pullman City Code Chapter 10B.05, Water Conservation (the code linked from the Irrigation Information page)
• Pullman Conserves
• 2025 Outdoor Irrigation Season Begins June 1 (May 27, 2025)
• Outdoor Irrigation Seasons Ends September 30 (September 15, 2025)
• News list
• Cross-Connection Control Program
• Utility FAQs
• Water Conservation Incentive Programs
• Emergency Alerts through Everbridge
• Utility, Water and Sewer Services
• Utility Services contact page
• WSU Extension: FAQs for Agricultural Irrigators (agricultural guidance, not City guidance)

Next step

Moving to the area? Start with the relocation resource or contact Jordan. These Jordan posts may also help:

• Who provides electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, garbage, and internet in Pullman and Moscow
• Seasonal home maintenance tips for Pullman homeowners
• Backyard ideas for all 4 seasons in the Palouse

A note on scope

Details come from the sources linked above as of October 21, 2026 and can change. Jordan does not endorse or rate any business listed. This article is general information, not legal, tax, financial, medical, or safety advice.

About the author

Jordan Vorderbrueggen writes about buying and selling homes in Pullman, Moscow, and across the Palouse with Woodbridge Real Estate. Hard to Spell, Tough to Beat.