LEGISLATION - FEBRUARY 2026
Update on Florida Senate Bill 508
Senate Bill 508, titled the Landscape Irrigation Standards and Watering Restrictions Act, was introduced in the 2026 Florida legislative session by Senator Keith Truenow. The bill seeks to establish a statewide framework for landscape irrigation standards and watering restrictions, with a strong focus on water conservation and professional oversight.
Current Status
- The bill was filed on November 14, 2025 and introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026.
- It currently remains in the Senate referral process, having been referred to the Regulated Industries Committee, the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government, and Rules.
- No committee or floor votes have been recorded yet as of this update.
Key Provisions Relevant to Irrigation Professionals
SB 508 would create statewide standards that impact design, installation, and operation of landscape irrigation systems:
- Licensing Requirements: Only a licensed irrigation contractor (or property owner) may install, connect, modify, or maintain an irrigation system.
- Design and Watering Standards: The bill includes detailed irrigation design criteria (e.g., flow rates, spacing and zoning), and establishes a uniform watering schedule tied to address numbers and time-of-day restrictions.
- Water Conservation Measures: Emphasis on smart controllers, micro-irrigation for plant beds, and irrigation plans tailored to soil, plant type, and water source to reduce waste.
- Enforcement and Penalties: Local governments would have authority to enforce the standards, with outlined fines for violations after initial warnings.
For irrigation professionals and contractors, these provisions could significantly influence licensing compliance, system design and installation/repair practices.
If enacted, this legislation would take effect July 1, 2026, aligning with other water and environmental policy changes expected this session.
Full bill text and status: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/508
Five Pipeline readers can win a Florida Lottery Ticket if you can correctly answer the following question:
In what year was the Florida Irrigation Contractor License approved?
Send your answer to administration@fisstate.org.