Wilmington Water Restrictions 2026
New Hanover County · North Carolina
Published:
Advisory - Monitor Weekly
No assigned schedule
Voluntary conservation
Unrestricted
Allowed Hours
No fines
Voluntary, no penalties
Find Your Watering Day
This city assigns watering days by property location, not by address digit. Find your assigned days in the table below.
Watering schedule by property location
| Property Location | Watering Day |
|---|---|
| ALL addresses | Unrestricted, monitor weekly |
Allowed Watering Hours
No mandatory restrictions as of April 2026. Coastal communities with sandy soils should monitor cfpua.org for updates as summer demand increases.
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, no active restrictions
Wilmington and the Cape Fear coast have received more normal rainfall than inland North Carolina in the 2025-2026 drought period. CFPUA has not issued restrictions as of 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 Cape Fear Public Utility Authority'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
Wilmington and the Cape Fear coast have received more normal rainfall than inland North Carolina in the 2025-2026 drought period. CFPUA has not issued restrictions as of April 2026.
This deficit has accumulated over the current water year and represents a significant departure from historical averages for the Wilmington area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are below seasonal targets, prompting regional voluntary conservation guidance.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Wilmington Water Restrictions
11 tips tailored for Wilmington homeowners during Advisory - Monitor Weekly restrictions.
Centipede and St. Augustine dominate Wilmington 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.cfpua.org.
Wilmington Water Restriction FAQs
What days can I water my lawn in Wilmington?
What hours can I run my sprinklers in Wilmington?
What are the fines for water violations in Wilmington?
Can I install new sod or seed in Wilmington during restrictions?
When will water restrictions end in Wilmington?
Get alerts for Wilmington, North Carolina
We will email you when Wilmington restrictions change – escalations, new stages, or lifted restrictions.
No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.
Other North Carolina Cities with Water Restrictions
Community Reports & Questions
Share an update, ask a question, or report a change in your local restrictions.
No community reports yet
Be the first to share a local update, ask a question, or report a change in your area's restrictions.