Irrigation is one of the largest recurring line items in many HOA and condo landscape budgets. Entry medians, retention pond banks, clubhouse grounds, pool decks and common turf are all watered from systems the association owns, and those systems need wet checks, repairs, controller upgrades and, eventually, replacement. In Florida and Texas, the work is also shaped by state water conservation rules and by local watering restrictions. This page explains what associations buy, which state rules apply, who makes the decision, and how many boards can be reached.
What Associations Buy
- Monthly or quarterly wet checks of each zone, with broken heads, leaks and coverage gaps repaired
- Controller upgrades to weather-based (ET) or soil moisture sensor controllers, often with remote access for the manager
- Rain shutoff devices installed, tested and replaced
- Mainline and valve repairs, including leak detection on older systems
- Drip conversions for shrub beds and medians
- Water audits that compare usage to budgets and identify zones that can be cut back
- Reclaimed water and well systems, including pumps and filtration, where a community uses them
Irrigation is often bundled into the landscape maintenance contract. Many boards, however, contract it separately or bid out a single project such as a controller retrofit, which gives irrigation specialists a direct way in.
Florida: Fla. Stat. 373.62
Under Fla. Stat. 373.62, any person who purchases and installs an automatic landscape irrigation system must properly install, maintain and operate technology that inhibits or interrupts the system during periods of sufficient moisture. A licensed contractor who installs or works on such a system must test each of those devices or switches, and must repair or replace any that are missing or not working before the other work is completed. Routine repairs made within a reasonable time are not treated as violations.
The statute also sets up a variance for soil moisture sensor control systems. When the system meets the monitoring, certification and signage conditions in the statute, the water management district must grant a variance from day-of-the-week watering restrictions. The variance covers only day-of-the-week limits; time-of-day limits and water shortage orders still apply. For associations with large common irrigation systems, that provision is one reason soil moisture sensor retrofits are discussed at board meetings.
Texas: Property Code 202.007 and 202.008
Under Tex. Prop. Code 202.007, a property owners’ association may not include or enforce a dedicatory instrument provision that prohibits or restricts an owner from implementing efficient irrigation systems, including underground drip or other drip systems, or from using drought-resistant landscaping or water-conserving natural turf. The association may still regulate how efficient irrigation systems are installed, including visibility limits for aesthetic purposes. The section does not apply to certain associations described in subsection (e).
Section 202.008, added effective September 1, 2025, bars an association from fining an owner under a green-lawn or turf covenant while the property is under a residential watering restriction that could reasonably cause brown or discolored turf, and until the 60th day after that restriction is lifted. Residential watering restrictions are defined there as temporary drought restrictions mandated by a municipality, water utility or other water supplier.
These Texas sections address owner lots rather than common areas, but they tend to bring water conservation onto the board’s agenda, and the same boards approve the association’s own irrigation contracts. For both states, local watering schedules and utility rules also apply. This summary is not legal advice.
Who Makes the Decision
The board approves irrigation contracts and capital projects such as controller replacements. At a managed community, the manager or a landscape committee usually gathers bids and reports problems, and the board votes. Some management companies also maintain a preferred vendor list, so reaching both the manager and the board is useful. At a self-managed community, board members handle the process directly. Self-managed associations are listed by county on the Florida and Texas self-managed pages.
How Many Boards Can Be Reached?
The figures below were taken from the HOA Contact Lists database on October 7, 2026. Only associations with at least one current, verified board member contact are counted.
| Associations | Board contacts | 50+ units | 100+ units | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida HOAs | 27,424 | 112,491 | 15,266 | 10,208 |
| Florida condo associations | 22,638 | 91,035 | 8,961 | 4,984 |
| Texas HOAs and POAs | 16,482 | 44,541 | 6,610 | 4,672 |
| Texas condo associations | 7,428 | 15,412 | 1,040 | 602 |
Larger communities tend to have more common turf, more zones and bigger water bills. Across both states, 31,877 associations with 50 or more units carry 131,424 current board contacts.
Where the Larger Florida Associations Are
| County | Associations (50+ units) | Board contacts |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | 2,621 | 11,032 |
| Palm Beach | 2,418 | 11,928 |
| Broward | 2,291 | 10,734 |
| Orange | 1,583 | 6,440 |
| Hillsborough | 1,311 | 5,572 |
| Lee | 1,201 | 5,636 |
| Pinellas | 1,169 | 5,547 |
| Collier | 919 | 4,409 |
| Sarasota | 876 | 4,397 |
| Polk | 833 | 3,555 |
| Brevard | 705 | 3,199 |
| Duval | 703 | 2,714 |
Where the Larger Texas Associations Are
| County | Associations (50+ units) | Board contacts |
|---|---|---|
| Harris | 1,358 | 3,793 |
| Dallas | 1,143 | 3,548 |
| Travis | 1,017 | 3,066 |
| Collin | 954 | 2,957 |
| Bexar | 762 | 2,262 |
| Tarrant | 306 | 903 |
| Hidalgo | 245 | 636 |
| Williamson | 199 | 526 |
| Montgomery | 159 | 460 |
| Denton | 148 | 427 |
How Lists Are Built for Irrigation Companies
- Association type. HOAs first, since single-family communities usually carry the most common turf and median irrigation, with condo associations added for grounds and amenity work.
- Unit floor. 50 or 100 units and up, where systems have enough zones to justify a maintenance contract or retrofit.
- Service area. Counties, cities or ZIP codes a crew can reach for routine wet checks and emergency repairs.
- Board roles. Presidents first, with treasurers added for budget and water-bill conversations.
What a signed association contract could be worth, once connect and win rates are factored in, can be estimated with the free HOA Vendor Revenue Calculator.
Counts are free to run in the HOA Contact Lists search, and new accounts receive 5 free credits. Custom counts can be requested at support@hoacontactlists.com.
Related Resources
- How landscaping companies win HOA and condo contracts in Florida
- How landscaping companies win HOA and condo contracts in Texas
- Lake, pond and stormwater management companies: Florida and Texas HOA board contacts
- Florida HOA database and Texas HOA database
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Florida irrigation systems need a rain shutoff device?
Under Fla. Stat. 373.62, a person who purchases and installs an automatic landscape irrigation system must install, maintain and operate technology that inhibits or interrupts operation during periods of sufficient moisture. Licensed contractors who work on a system must test those devices and repair or replace any that are missing or not working.
Can a soil moisture sensor system get around Florida watering days?
Fla. Stat. 373.62 requires the water management district to grant a variance from day-of-the-week watering restrictions for soil moisture sensor control systems that meet the statute’s conditions. Time-of-day limits and water shortage orders still apply.
Can a Texas HOA ban drip irrigation?
Generally, no. Tex. Prop. Code 202.007 bars a property owners’ association from prohibiting or restricting efficient irrigation systems, including underground drip or other drip systems, although the association may regulate their installation, including visibility limits. Some associations are excluded under subsection (e).
Who approves an irrigation contract at an HOA or condo?
The board approves the contract or project. At managed communities, the manager or a landscape committee usually gathers bids and brings them to the board.
How many Florida and Texas associations with 50 or more units can be reached?
As of October 7, 2026, 31,877 associations with 50 or more units have a verified board contact in the HOA Contact Lists database, with 131,424 board contacts between them.