Rain Sensor Installation Florida Code Compliant
Florida law requires rain sensors on all automatic irrigation. We install and calibrate wireless and wired sensors that pause your system after rainfall — and keep you compliant.
Rain Sensor Installation in Miami
Florida Statute 373.62 requires every automatic irrigation system installed since 1991 to have a working rain sensor or other automatic shutoff. The reason is simple: irrigating during or right after rain is the single biggest source of water waste in residential systems.
A properly installed rain sensor pays for itself many times over. It pauses your sprinklers when it has rained enough to skip a cycle and resumes when the soil has dried out. On a typical Miami summer, that's dozens of cycles skipped each season.
We install both wired (Hunter Mini-Clik, Rain Bird RSD) and wireless (Hunter WR-Clik, Rain Bird WR2) rain sensors. Wireless is easier on retrofit installs because there's no wire to run from the eaves to the controller. Either way, we mount the sensor in a clear sky-facing location, wire it correctly, and verify the controller actually pauses when the sensor is wet.
What's Included
- Wireless & wired rain sensor options
- Florida code compliant install
- Works with all major controller brands
- Sky-facing mount on eaves or post
- Sensor calibrated to local rainfall thresholds
- Verified shutoff after install
Common Problems We Solve
Sound familiar? Here's what we usually find — and how we fix it.
Sprinklers run during/right after rain
Either no sensor installed, sensor bypassed at the controller, or sensor failed. We test, replace, or install whichever applies.
Sensor is mounted under eaves or trees
If rain can't reach the sensor disk, it never trips. We re-locate the sensor to a clear sky-facing position.
Old sensor disk is calcified or stuck
Hunter Mini-Clik and Rain Bird RSD sensors use a hygroscopic disk that swells with rain. After 5–10 years they get sluggish. Replacement is fast and inexpensive.
Our Process
Same approach on every job — diagnosis first, then fix.
Pick wired vs wireless
Wireless is easier for retrofits with no wire run; wired is rock-solid and a bit cheaper for new installs.
Mount in a clear spot
Sensor mounts to an eave, gutter, or post with clear sky access — never under cover.
Wire to the controller
Connect to the rain sensor terminals, then enable the sensor at the controller (we always verify this — it's the most common installer mistake).
Test the shutoff
We wet the sensor manually and confirm the controller pauses the cycle. Confirmed compliant before we leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
About rain sensor installation in Miami-Dade & Broward.
Is a rain sensor really required by law in Florida?
Yes. Florida Statute 373.62 requires a working rain shutoff device on every automatic irrigation system installed since 1991. Most counties also have local restrictions tied to rain sensor compliance.
How much does rain sensor installation cost?
Wired sensor installation runs $95–$145. Wireless sensor installation runs $125–$185. Both include the sensor, mounting hardware, controller programming, and a tested shutoff before we leave.
How long does a rain sensor last?
5–10 years for the hygroscopic disk type. Wireless models with batteries also need a battery change every 2–3 years. We can swap a worn-out sensor in under an hour.
Will a rain sensor work with my old controller?
Almost always yes. Every controller made in the last 25 years has rain sensor terminals. If yours doesn't, we'll let you know and can pair the sensor install with a controller upgrade.
Helpful Guides for Rain Sensor Installation
Practical reads to help you understand the problem and what to expect.
Rain Sensor Installation Near You
Top cities we serve for this service.
Ready to Schedule Rain Sensor Installation?
Free estimate, no service call fee, 1-year labor warranty.