Cary Water Restrictions 2026
Wake County · North Carolina
Published:
Restrictions Active - Stage 1 Drought Watch - Voluntary
3
Days/Week
Before 10:00 AM
Allowed Hours
No fines at Stage 1
Max Fine
Find Your Watering Day
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| Address Ending | Watering Day |
|---|---|
| Odd | Monday & Wednesday & Friday |
| Even | Tuesday & Thursday & Saturday |
Allowed Watering Hours
Voluntary odd/even guidance during active Stage 1 Drought Watch. Mandatory restrictions could activate at any weekly Thursday update.
Still Allowed
💧 Hand Watering
Allowed with shut-off nozzle. Hours: Any day with a shut-off nozzle.
🌿 Drip Irrigation
Exempt from day-of-week limits. Must follow allowed hours.
Fines & Enforcement
No fines at Stage 1
Cary is served by the Town of Cary Water System and follows Wake County drought monitor conditions. With Wake County at D3 (Extreme Drought) in April 2026 and Falls Lake approaching the 85% trigger, mandatory restrictions could activate at any weekly Thursday update at ncdrought.org.
Citations begin April 2026🏠 HOA Rules During Restrictions
HOAs cannot enforce lawn-appearance standards that would require homeowners to violate active municipal water ordinances. 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 Resources'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
Cary is served by the Town of Cary Water System and follows Wake County drought monitor conditions. With Wake County at D3 (Extreme Drought) in April 2026 and Falls Lake approaching the 85% trigger, mandatory restrictions could activate at any weekly Thursday update at ncdrought.org.
This deficit has accumulated over the current water year and represents a significant departure from historical averages for the Cary area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are well below seasonal targets, necessitating mandatory conservation measures.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Cary Water Restrictions
11 tips tailored for Cary homeowners during Stage 1 Drought Watch - Voluntary restrictions.
Tall fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass dominate Cary lawns.
Mow at the upper end of the recommended range to shade soil and reduce evaporation.
Cycle-and-soak: split irrigation runs into 2 short cycles 30 minutes apart to prevent runoff.
Skip cycles after any 0.25 inch or greater rainfall.
Convert overhead spray to rotary nozzles, saves 30% water.
Drip-irrigate vegetable beds and fruit trees.
Replace parkway strips with region-appropriate natives.
Fix leaks within 48 hours.
Group plants by hydrozone to match irrigation to need.
Audit your sprinkler system annually, broken heads waste 20% of usage.
Track monthly use at www.carync.gov/services-publications/services/water-resources.
Cary Water Restriction FAQs
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