Raleigh Water Restrictions 2026
Wake · North Carolina
Published: Updated:
Restrictions Active - Stage 1 - Mandatory Water Conservation Restrictions
1
Day/Week
Midnight – 10:00 a.m. (in-ground sprinkler systems only, on your assigned day)
Allowed Hours
Violation notices and escalating penalties
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
Mandatory Stage 1 restrictions took effect April 20, 2026. Stage 1 permits in-ground sprinkler irrigation only 1 day per week, odd-numbered addresses Tuesday, even-numbered addresses Wednesday, with watering allowed only between midnight and 10 a.m. on the assigned day. Hose-end sprinklers are restricted under Stage 1; see raleighnc.gov/water-and-sewer/services/water-conservation-stages for the authoritative permitted-equipment list. Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle, drip irrigation, soaker hoses, and bucket watering remain permitted any day. Raleigh Water serves Raleigh, Garner, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon, the same Stage 1 schedule applies to all wholesale customer towns. Restaurants may only serve tap water if customers request it. Hotels are asked to offer guests towel and bedsheet reuse.
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
Violation notices and escalating penalties
Penalties apply for noncompliance effective April 20, 2026, Raleigh Water monitors usage and responds to complaints. Violation notices issued for off-schedule irrigation; repeated violations escalate to fines.
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. HOAs cannot require increased water use.
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 Raleigh Water'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
Raleigh's water supply comes from Falls Lake Reservoir at 84% capacity (April 13, 2026). This was the driest October–March period on record at Raleigh-Durham International Airport since 1895. USGS reports many NC streams at all-time low levels. 82 of North Carolina's 100 counties have been declared federal natural disaster areas. A statewide wildfire burn ban has been in effect since March 28, 2026. Stage 1 activates based on Falls Lake's percentage of remaining capacity, mandatory restrictions locked in starting April 20, 2026 and will remain until seasonal recovery.
Since Stage 1 mandatory restrictions began April 20, 2026, Raleigh water customers have already reduced consumption by 35 million gallons, a significant conservation success. 100% of NC is now in D3 Extreme Drought with rainfall deficits exceeding 12 inches across almost the entire state.
April 30 update: NC DEQ escalated drought classification to D4 Exceptional on April 30, the most severe US Drought Monitor category. Duke Energy's Drought Management Advisory Group meets May 1 to decide on Stage 2 mandatory restrictions for the Catawba-Wateree basin. If declared, mandatory restrictions would be the first in NC since the 2007–2008 drought.
This deficit has accumulated over the current water year and represents a significant departure from historical averages for the Raleigh area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are well below seasonal targets, necessitating mandatory conservation measures.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Raleigh Water Restrictions
6 tips tailored for Raleigh homeowners during Stage 1 - Mandatory Water Conservation Restrictions restrictions.
Check raleighnc.gov for current stage status, Falls Lake levels and stage are updated weekly.
Odd addresses: Tuesday only, midnight–10am. Even: Wednesday only, midnight–10am. Stage 1 permits in-ground irrigation 1 day per week.
Tall Fescue is the dominant Raleigh grass, it handles summer dormancy well and recovers with autumn rain.
Raleigh offers free water conservation kits including faucet aerators and leak detection tablets.
Raleigh reuse water program, free non-potable water available at Neuse River and Little Creek stations for landscape use.
Citations begin April 20, 2026, set sprinkler timers to your assigned day and window immediately.
Raleigh Water Restriction FAQs
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What hours can I run my sprinklers in Raleigh?
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Can I install new sod or seed in Raleigh during restrictions?
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