Cary Water Restrictions 2026
Wake County · North Carolina
Published: April 25, 2026Updated:
Restrictions Active - No mandatory restrictions - year-round Alternate Day Watering applies
3
Days/Week
Automated spray irrigation on your assigned days only; no automated irrigation on Mondays
Allowed Hours
$100 first citation / $250 second / $500 third (Alternate Day Watering ordinance)
Max Fine
Find Your Watering Day
Enter the last digit of your street address:
View full address schedule table
| Address Ending | Watering Day |
|---|---|
| Odd addresses | Tuesday & Thursday & Saturday |
| Even addresses | Wednesday & Friday & Sunday |
Allowed Watering Hours
Cary's year-round Alternate Day Watering ordinance always applies, independent of the drought map: odd-numbered addresses may run automated spray irrigation on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; even-numbered addresses on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday; no one uses automated outdoor irrigation on Monday. Drip irrigation and hand watering with a watering can or hand-operated nozzle are allowed any day. Mandatory drought restrictions are NOT in effect for Cary as of July 15, 2026: the Town of Cary draws from Jordan Lake and reports a water-supply surplus. Cary is even lending part of neighbouring Durham's Jordan Lake allocation to Durham during the drought.
Still Allowed
💧 Hand Watering
Allowed with shut-off nozzle. Hours: Any day of the week (watering can or hand-operated spray nozzle).
🌿 Drip Irrigation
Exempt from day-of-week limits. Must follow allowed hours.
Fines & Enforcement
$100 first citation / $250 second / $500 third (Alternate Day Watering ordinance)
The year-round Alternate Day Watering ordinance is enforced. Residential violators receive an oral or written notice; repeat violations carry civil penalties of $100 for the first citation, $250 for the second and $500 for the third. There are no separate mandatory-drought penalties in effect, because mandatory restrictions are not in effect for Cary.
Citations begin Year-round ordinance (always in effect)🏠 HOA Rules During Restrictions
HOAs cannot enforce lawn-appearance standards that would require homeowners to violate the municipal watering ordinance. Document compliance if your HOA sends a violation notice.
If your homeowners association sends a violation notice for a dormant or brown lawn during the current restriction period, respond in writing citing the applicable law and include a copy of the Town of Cary Water System's current restriction order. Most HOAs will rescind the notice once they are made aware of the legal protections in place. If the issue persists, contact your county’s code enforcement division for assistance.
Why These Restrictions Exist
The Town of Cary Water System draws from Jordan Lake, which has a large watershed and lets Cary source water from several points; as a result Cary is in a water-supply surplus. Cary's own news release (carync.gov, July 2026) states that mandatory water restrictions are NOT currently in effect for Cary, Apex or Morrisville, and describes Jordan Lake as a reliable source, while asking customers to use water wisely during the dry spell. Cary supplies Apex, Morrisville, RDU airport and parts of Research Triangle Park, so those areas follow Cary's alternate-day ordinance too. Note: Cary does NOT use Falls Lake; that is Raleigh Water's reservoir.
The watering schedule shown for Cary reflects the utility's year-round ordinance, which applies regardless of the drought map. See the status above for whether any additional drought-stage restriction is in effect.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Cary Water Restrictions
8 tips tailored for Cary homeowners during No mandatory restrictions - year-round Alternate Day Watering applies restrictions.
Cary's alternate-day ordinance is year-round: odd addresses Tue/Thu/Sat, even Wed/Fri/Sun, never Monday for automated irrigation.
Drip irrigation and hand watering are allowed any day, so target trees and shrubs by hand outside your spray days.
Tall fescue dominates Cary lawns; let it go brown in summer heat rather than pushing water, it recovers with fall rain.
Cycle-and-soak: split a run into two short cycles about 30 minutes apart to prevent runoff on assigned days.
Skip a cycle after any rainfall of a quarter inch or more.
New grass qualifies for a 45-day exemption from the alternate-day rule; keep proof of the install date.
Even in surplus, wise use matters during a regional drought; fix leaks within 48 hours.
Check carync.gov/drought for the current supply status and any change in posture.
Cary Water Restriction FAQs
What days can I water my lawn in Cary?
What hours can I run my sprinklers in Cary?
What are the fines for water violations in Cary?
Can I install new sod or seed in Cary during restrictions?
When will water restrictions end in Cary?
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