Good news for Metro Vancouver property owners: Metro Vancouver announced on July 13, 2026 that the region is moving back from Stage 3 to Stage 2 water restrictions, effective July 16. It’s a welcome shift after a long, dry stretch that put a hold on a lot of outdoor projects across the city.
We’re covering what actually changes, what’s still restricted, and what it means if you’ve been waiting to book pressure washing, gutter cleaning, window cleaning, or other exterior work in Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, or New Westminster.
Why Vancouver Was Under Stage 3 in the First Place
Metro Vancouver moved to Stage 3 restrictions on June 8, 2026, driven by a combination of low snowpack, a hot and dry forecast, and construction work on the Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel. That project took the First Narrows Crossing, one of two main pipes carrying drinking water from the North Shore mountains into the regional system, temporarily offline. With less flexibility in the system, Metro Vancouver tightened outdoor water use to protect the region’s supply for drinking, firefighting, and emergency needs.
For property owners, that meant no lawn watering, no topping up pools or hot tubs, and no aesthetic pressure washing or exterior cleaning for over a month.
What Changes Under Stage 2 (Starting July 16)
The First Narrows Crossing is back in service, giving the system more stability. With that piece of infrastructure restored, Metro Vancouver is easing restrictions region-wide. Stage 2 still bans lawn watering, but it reopens several outdoor uses that were off-limits under Stage 3, including:
- Commercial pressure washing for aesthetic purposes: not just health, safety, or paint-prep cleaning
- Topping up or filling pools and hot tubs
- Washing vehicles and boats at home with a hand-held hose and shut-off nozzle
- Trees, shrubs, and gardens watered by hand, drip irrigation, or (new under Stage 2) sprinkler and soaker hose between 5-9 a.m.
Full-service exterior cleaning is back on the table, within Stage 2 rules and your municipality’s bylaws.
What This Means for Exterior Cleaning in Metro Vancouver
Starting July 16, 2026, we’re able to fully resume our core services, including:
- Pressure washing for driveways, walkways, patios, decks, and parkades
- House and building washing (aesthetic exterior cleaning)
- Roof cleaning and moss control
- Gutter cleaning
- Window cleaning; both traditional squeegee and pure-water pole systems
- Pressure washing for painting and sealing prep
- Health and safety pressure washing (slippery steps, mold and mildew, access areas)
- Lighting services, including soffit lights, patio lighting, and Christmas light installs and repairs
We’ll still be conserving water and following Stage 2 rules and local bylaws; that hasn’t changed. But practically speaking, our full service menu is open again.
Book Now: We Have a Backlog
Stage 3 pushed a lot of scheduled work down the calendar. Over the past several weeks, customers postponed bookings, asked us to “call when restrictions ease,” or requested quotes we couldn’t act on yet. We’re working through that list first, along with deficiencies and follow-ups we owe existing customers, as we open up July and August availability.
If you had work delayed because of Stage 3, or you’ve been holding off on booking exterior cleaning until restrictions eased, now is the time to get in the queue. Capacity is limited heading into peak summer season, and demand is expected to pick up quickly now that the news is out.
Request Stage 2 exterior work starting July 16
Water Conservation Still Matters
Even with more services back on the table, Metro Vancouver has been clear that conservation remains important; the region is still watching reservoir levels and forecasting a dry summer ahead. We’ll continue to use water responsibly, follow local bylaws, and prioritize work that protects your property and keeps it safe. If you’re not sure whether your project is allowed under Stage 2, reach out and we’ll clarify before booking anything.
Have questions about what’s allowed on your property under Stage 2, or want to get ahead of the summer rush? Contact Umbrella Property Services and we’ll help you sort out timing and pricing.