Not just for looks. As of October 28, 2026, the Southwest Florida Water Management District's water shortage restrictions run through March 31, 2027. Its page says annual pressure washing for aesthetic purposes is not allowed, but pressure washing is allowed for necessary maintenance, such as removing mold or mildew from driveways and sidewalks, and before painting or sealing. HOA or aesthetic standards don't count. Your city or county may be stricter, so check with your utility.
What the District's order says about pressure washing
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (the District) declared a Modified Phase III 'Extreme' water shortage that took effect April 3, 2026. In late September 2026 it extended the order, and its restrictions page now says the one-day-per-week limits run through March 31, 2027. On pressure washing, that page says:
- Not allowed: annual pressure washing for aesthetic purposes.
- Allowed for necessary maintenance: pressure washing driveways, sidewalks, and other hard surfaces, for example to maintain a warranty or to remove mold, mildew, and other potentially hazardous material.
- Allowed before painting or sealing: pressure washing buildings and other structures in preparation for painting, sealing, or other necessary maintenance, and cleaning a concrete surface before painting or sealing as a construction practice.
- HOA and aesthetic standards don't count: complying with homeowner association or other aesthetic standards does not constitute necessary maintenance.
The page also says local enforcement officials are to issue citations first, without a warning, and that violations should be reported to the local utility. Local governments can add stricter rules, so check with your own utility too.
Where it applies
The order covers some counties entirely and others only in part. This table matches the District's list to the cities we serve.
| Where | Under the District's order? | Cities we serve there |
|---|---|---|
| Manatee County | Yes, the whole county | Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch |
| Sarasota County | Yes, the whole county | Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Nokomis, Osprey, and the Sarasota County side of Englewood |
| DeSoto and Hardee counties | Yes, the whole counties | Arcadia, Wauchula |
| Charlotte County | Part of the county. Check your address with the District. | Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Rotonda West, and the Charlotte County side of Englewood |
| Highlands County | Part of the county. Check your address with the District. | Sebring |
| Lee County | No. Lee County is in the South Florida Water Management District. | Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs |
The South Florida Water Management District's June 4, 2026 notice says it rescinded the countywide Water Shortage Warning for Lee and Collier counties, though a separate order on private irrigation wells in part of northeastern Cape Coral remained. That page doesn't mention pressure washing, so ask your city or utility if you aren't sure.
What counts as necessary maintenance
The District doesn't publish a list of every case, so this table sticks to the examples in its wording. If your situation isn't on it, ask your utility before you book.
| Situation | What the District's wording says |
|---|---|
| A yearly wash because the driveway looks dingy | Not allowed. Annual pressure washing for aesthetic purposes is not allowed. |
| Mold or mildew on a driveway, sidewalk, or other hard surface | Allowed as necessary maintenance. Manatee County's page (updated September 22, 2026) describes removing mold or algae growth. |
| Cleaning a surface before painting or sealing | Allowed. The District lists buildings and other structures, and concrete as a construction practice. |
| Cleaning to maintain a warranty | Listed as an example of necessary maintenance. |
| An HOA letter asking you to clean up | Not enough on its own. Complying with HOA or other aesthetic standards is not necessary maintenance. |
| Window cleaning, or low-pressure soft washing of a roof or house | The wording we reviewed talks only about pressure washing and doesn't mention them. Ask your utility how it treats them. |
Does it apply if you hire a company?
The wording we reviewed doesn't mention an exception for contractors or professional cleaners. The limits are on the water use itself, so plan as if the same rules apply whether you do the job or hire it out.
If your HOA sends a letter
The District's FAQ answers this directly. No HOA or other entity may enforce deed restrictions or community standards that require an increase in potable or well water use, and the FAQ names pressure washing driveways. The restrictions page adds that this includes requiring a homeowner to pressure wash a home or driveway to meet aesthetic standards.
- Read the notice closely. Note what it cites, who sent it, and the deadline.
- Keep copies of the District's restrictions page and its HOA FAQ. Both are linked at the bottom of this guide.
- Reply in writing and stay polite. Point to the District's wording, give the end date of the order (March 31, 2027), and ask the board to confirm in writing that it will hold the violation until the order ends.
- If it's a safety problem, such as a slick, algae-covered walkway or steps, ask your utility whether cleaning it counts as necessary maintenance before you schedule a wash.
- Don't ignore the letter. If the association keeps pressing, talk to an attorney who handles community association law.
Keeping surfaces cleaner while the order lasts
- Sweep instead of spraying. The District's Saving Water Outdoors brochure says not to hose down your driveway or sidewalk and to use a broom for leaves and debris.
- Keep sprinklers off pavement and walls. The same brochure says to adjust sprinklers to water just the grass or shrubs, not paved areas, and to check for broken or misdirected sprinklers monthly. Overspray feeds algae and leaves mineral stains. See sprinkler stains on Florida homes.
- Let in sun and air. Trim branches and shrubs that shade a driveway or walkway so it dries faster. Our guide to green and black driveway stains has more.
- Keep gutters and downspouts working so roof runoff doesn't spill onto the driveway or down the walls. See how often to clean gutters in Florida.
What about windows and soft washing?
We clean windows by hand with a squeegee and cleaning solution, and we never pressure wash glass. Our home soft wash uses low pressure. The District's wording talks about pressure washing and doesn't mention either method, and it is the District and your utility, not us, who decide how a method is treated. If you aren't sure whether a job qualifies, call or text (425) 977-5156 and ask before you book. For how the methods differ, read soft washing vs. pressure washing.
Check before you plan a job
Water shortage orders can be extended, eased, or lifted. Everything here is current as of October 28, 2026. Before you plan a driveway, patio, or house wash, check the District's restrictions page and your own utility's notices for changes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pressure wash my driveway right now in Sarasota or Manatee County?
Only for necessary maintenance. The District's page says annual pressure washing for aesthetic purposes is not allowed, but removing mold, mildew, or other potentially hazardous material from driveways and sidewalks, or preparing a surface for painting or sealing, is allowed. Manatee County's page, updated September 22, 2026, describes removing mold or algae growth. Check your own utility's rules before you book.
When does the water shortage order end?
The District's restrictions page says the Modified Phase III one-day-per-week restrictions run through March 31, 2027. The District can extend, ease, or end the order sooner, so check its page for updates.
Does the order apply if I hire a pressure washing company?
The wording we reviewed doesn't mention an exception for contractors, so plan as if the same limits apply. If you're unsure, ask your utility.
Can my HOA make me pressure wash my driveway during the water shortage?
The District says no HOA or other entity may enforce deed restrictions or community standards that require more water use, and its FAQ names pressure washing driveways. It also says HOA or aesthetic standards are not necessary maintenance. Reply to the notice in writing, and if the association keeps pressing, talk to an attorney.
Does the order cover Lee County, Cape Coral, or Fort Myers?
Not under the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Lee County is in the South Florida Water Management District, whose June 2026 notice rescinded the countywide warning for Lee and Collier counties. Your city or utility may still have its own rules.
Sources & further reading
- Southwest Florida Water Management District: District Water Restrictions
- Southwest Florida Water Management District: Modified Phase III Water Shortage FAQs
- Southwest Florida Water Management District: Saving Water Outdoors
- Manatee County: Manatee County to follow Modified Phase III water shortage restrictions (updated September 22, 2026)
- Charlotte County: New watering restrictions for portion of Charlotte County
- South Florida Water Management District: Water Shortage
This guide summarizes public notices as of October 28, 2026. Water restrictions can change, local rules may be stricter, and this is not legal advice. Check with your utility or the District before you schedule exterior cleaning.
About Shine Otter
Shine Otter is a family owned and operated exterior cleaning company serving Southwest Florida, from Englewood and Venice to Cape Coral and Fort Myers. We handle window cleaning, roof and gutter cleaning, soft washing, driveway and patio cleaning, window screen cleaning, storm debris cleanup, and solar panel cleaning. Call or text (425) 977-5156 for a free quote. Meet the owners.