Garner Water Restrictions 2026
Wake County · North Carolina
Published: April 27, 2026Updated:
Restrictions Active - Mandatory Stage 1 - Raleigh Water Customer
1
Day/Week
In-ground sprinklers: Midnight to 10:00 a.m. on your assigned day (odd Tuesday, even Wednesday)
Allowed Hours
$200 first offense / $400 repeat
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 |
| Even addresses | Wednesday |
Allowed Watering Hours
Garner is billed by Raleigh Water, so the schedule shown here is Raleigh's Stage 1, in force since April 20, 2026. Raleigh's supply contracts require merger and municipal customers to be at least as restrictive as the City. Homes in the Johnston County portion of Garner may instead follow Johnston County Public Utilities, so check which utility appears on your bill.
Still Allowed
💧 Hand Watering
Allowed with shut-off nozzle. Hours: Any time, any day.
🌿 Drip Irrigation
Exempt from day-of-week limits. Must follow allowed hours.
Fines & Enforcement
$200 first offense / $400 repeat
Same fine schedule as Raleigh: $200 first, $400 repeat. Raleigh Water monitors usage and issues citations.
Citations begin April 20, 2026🏠 HOA Rules During Restrictions
NC law (G.S. 143-355.2) prohibits HOAs from fining residents for dormant or brown lawns during active mandatory drought restrictions.
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 current restriction order from City of Raleigh Public Utilities. 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
Garner is supplied by Raleigh Water and follows Raleigh's mandatory Stage 1 restrictions, in force since April 20, 2026. Raleigh's supply is Falls Lake, at about 62 percent of capacity in mid-July 2026. All 100 North Carolina counties are in drought (NC DEQ, July 9, 2026), the first time on record. Johnston County portions of Garner may follow Johnston County Public Utilities rules instead.
This deficit has accumulated over the current water year and represents a significant departure from historical averages for the Garner area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are well below seasonal targets, necessitating mandatory conservation measures.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Garner Water Restrictions
6 tips tailored for Garner homeowners during Mandatory Stage 1 - Raleigh Water Customer restrictions.
Verify your water provider on your most recent bill, Raleigh vs Johnston County PU.
Raleigh customers: odd Tuesday only midnight–10am, even Wednesday only midnight–10am. Stage 1 permits in-ground irrigation only 1 day per week.
Tall Fescue is the dominant Garner lawn grass, let it go dormant and accept summer browning.
Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle is allowed any day, any time.
Set smart irrigation controllers to your assigned schedule before the next billing cycle.
Monitor raleighnc.gov/water for weekly stage updates.
Garner Water Restriction FAQs
What days can I water my lawn in Garner?
What hours can I run my sprinklers in Garner?
What are the fines for water violations in Garner?
Can I install new sod or seed in Garner during restrictions?
When will water restrictions end in Garner?
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