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Manatee County Water Restrictions & Pressure Washing
Manatee County is under the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Modified Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage, extended through March 31, 2027. Annual pressure washing for appearance alone isn’t allowed. Pressure washing as necessary maintenance, or in preparation for painting or sealing, is allowed. HOAs can’t make you pressure wash during the shortage.
Last updated: October 24, 2026
Rules at a glance
What’s allowed and not allowed right now
Last verified October 24, 2026, against published SWFWMD and Manatee County notices.
| Situation | Status (per district guidance) |
|---|---|
| Annual pressure washing for aesthetic purposes | Not allowed |
| Driveways, sidewalks and other hard surfaces: necessary maintenance, such as maintaining a warranty or removing mold, mildew or other potentially hazardous material that a broom or blower can’t remove | Allowed |
| Cleaning a surface before painting or sealing (construction practice) | Allowed |
| Pressure washing buildings or structures in preparation for painting, sealing or other necessary maintenance | Allowed |
| An HOA or similar entity requiring pressure washing for appearance | Not enforceable during the shortage |
Wording varies between documents. Manatee County’s earlier notice summarized the rule as pressure washing “once per year or when preparing surfaces for painting or sealing”, while the district’s current page describes the annual-aesthetic prohibition and the maintenance exceptions above. When documents differ, call Manatee County Utilities.
In practice
What this means for your property
Slippery algae or mold on a walkway or pool deck can qualify as necessary maintenance, because it’s a slip hazard that a broom can’t remove.
A repaint or sealing project can include cleaning beforehand.
Purely cosmetic washing isn’t currently allowed, so we won’t schedule it as routine appearance cleaning.
Soft washing roofs and siding: the order speaks to “pressure washing”. We confirm how it applies to low-pressure soft washing before scheduling.
Enforcement
Penalties and why the order exists
Manatee County Utilities and Code Enforcement enforce the order. The published penalty structure is a warning for a first violation, then $100, $250 and $500 for later violations.
The district extended the order on September 22, 2026, citing below-average rainfall in both the 2025 and 2026 summer wet seasons, with a 12-month rainfall deficit of 15.4 inches through August 2026.
Check yourself
Where to confirm the current rules
The SWFWMD District Water Restrictions page and Manatee County Utilities’ water-restrictions page are the official sources. The district can change or extend the order at any time.
FAQ
Water restriction questions
Can my HOA make me pressure wash right now?
No. The order says HOAs and similar entities can’t enforce rules that require more water use, including pressure washing for appearance.
Is pressure washing before painting or sealing allowed?
Yes. District guidance specifically allows it.
Is mold or mildew removal allowed?
The district allows pressure washing of hard surfaces to remove mold, mildew or other potentially hazardous material that can’t be removed mechanically. We assess each property.
Will I get fined if I hire a company?
Enforcement targets the water use. Ask any company how it complies, and we’ll tell you what we can and can’t do for your property.
When will the restrictions end?
The order currently runs through March 31, 2027, and the district can change it earlier or extend it again.
Where can I check the current rules?
The SWFWMD District Water Restrictions page and Manatee County Utilities’ water-restrictions page.
Sources: SWFWMD District Water Restrictions page; SWFWMD “District Extends Modified Phase III Water Shortage” (WaterMatters.org); Manatee County Utilities Modified Phase III notice; Pulse of Manatee (Oct 14, 2026).
Free written quote
Need to know what applies to your property?
Send your address and a few photos. We’ll reply with a written quote that lists each surface, the method and the price, and tell you if any water rules affect your job.
- A written quote, not a pushy sales call
- Method matched to every surface
- Water-order check before we book