Charleston Water Restrictions 2026
Charleston County · South Carolina
Published:
No active mandatory restrictions - voluntary conservation
No assigned schedule
Voluntary conservation
Before 10:00 a.m.
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 (voluntary) | 2 days per week recommended |
Allowed Watering Hours
South Carolina does not have a statewide mandatory watering ordinance. SCDNR manages drought through the SC Drought Response Act. Charleston Water officials are monitoring conditions as demand increases with rising temperatures. Check charlestonwaterworks.com for updates.
Still Allowed
💧 Hand Watering
Allowed with shut-off nozzle. Hours: Any time.
🌿 Drip Irrigation
Exempt from day-of-week limits. Must follow allowed hours.
Fines & Enforcement
No mandatory fines, voluntary conservation
Charleston has no active mandatory restrictions as of April 2026. Voluntary conservation strongly recommended.
🏠 HOA Rules During Restrictions
SC law limits HOA authority to require actions conflicting with state or local drought emergency orders.
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 Charleston 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
97% of South Carolina is in drought as of April 2026; 93% in severe or extreme drought. The Lowcountry is in severe to extreme drought. Lowcountry wetlands and Berkeley County reservoir levels are declining. Record dry Sep 2025–March 2026 (records since 1895).
This deficit has accumulated over the current water year and represents a significant departure from historical averages for the Charleston area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are below seasonal targets, prompting regional voluntary conservation guidance.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Charleston Water Restrictions
5 tips tailored for Charleston homeowners during No active mandatory restrictions - voluntary conservation restrictions.
St. Augustine dominates coastal Charleston, needs ½–¾ inch every 7 days for survival in drought.
Centipede is common inland, very sensitive to over-fertilizing during drought stress.
Voluntary conservation: 2 days/week, before 10am or after 6pm.
Check charlestonwaterworks.com weekly for any escalation.
Hand watering unrestricted, use for newly-planted trees and shrubs.
Charleston Water Restriction FAQs
What days can I water my lawn in Charleston?
What hours can I run my sprinklers in Charleston?
What are the fines for water violations in Charleston?
Can I install new sod or seed in Charleston during restrictions?
When will water restrictions end in Charleston?
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