Irrigation Law

water sprinkler

Homeowner's Irrigation Application

The Homeowner's Irrigation Application must be filled out annually and include a check for $350 for irrigation systems without a cistern and a $100 check for irrigation systems with a cistern. Checks payable to Town of Shelter Island.

New Turf Irrigation Systems

First time permit is $350 every year to renew is $100 and please include the previous years water receipts. Checks payable to Town of Shelter Island.

Certified Licensed Irrigation Contractors

The following businesses are Certified Licensed Irrigation Contractors:

  • Sound Shore Irrigation - 631-298-8163
  • Briarcliff Sprinklers - 631-734-6395. Only servicing existing customers on SI and Not accepting new customers at this time!
  • James H. Lynch Irrigation Services, Inc. - 631-283-0820
  • Gorman Irrigation - 631-334-0382
  • E.C. Irrigation, Inc. - 631-335-6738
  • Precision Irrigation, Co. - 631-287-9085
  • East End Irrigation Systems - 631-298-7360
  • Professional Irrigation - CDR Services -631-789-0500
  • Stewart Senter, Inc. - 516-486-7500
  • Hampton Irrigation - 631-823-3876
  • JR Irrigation - 631-208-0414
  • Precision Lawn Irrigation, Inc - 631-445-0893
  • Steve's Irrigation-631-929-1463

What You Need to Know Shelter Island Irrigation Law

All Irrigation Systems Need an Annual Permit

All irrigation systems, new or old, need an annual permit if you want to use them. You get the permit from the building department. The permit process requires you to have up-to-date technology to make sure your irrigation system is working at peak efficiency. You will need a peak efficiency certification from a licensed irrigation contractor for your permit. You must show proof that your cistern was filled with trucked-in water.

Grandfathered Irrigation Systems

All legal grandfathered systems have to get an annual irrigation permit from the building department. It needs to be renewed every year. Only grandfathered systems can use groundwater for automatic irrigation. You will need to submit a chloride test of the irrigation system water to ensure that irrigation is not impairing the quality of the water for you and your neighbors. You will need to keep your system updated to use the most efficient technology. Your irrigation permit must be obtained by August 1st of each year. If you fail to get an irrigation permit for two years, you will lose your grandfathered status and will only be able to irrigate with a cistern.

New Irrigation Systems

New irrigation systems are allowed on Shelter Island only if the homeowner installs a water cistern for the irrigation system to use. These large cisterns are filled with trucked-in water, or water captured from a limited amount of hard surfaces on the property. That means that irrigation will not use groundwater - we are saving that for you to drink and wash with!

Other Tips:

  • You can get names of licensed irrigation contractors from the Building Department
  • Irrigation should occur only between 5 pm and 9 am.
  • You can use drip irrigation systems if you follow certain rules
  • You can water by hand from your hose
  • You can water your vegetable garden
  • The Irrigation Law and related information and applications are on this website