Can you still water your lawn or garden during Raleigh area water restrictions?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Raleigh will implement Stage 1 water restrictions starting Monday, April 20.
- Odd addresses may water on Tuesdays and even addresses may water on Wednesdays.
- Sprinkler use limited to 6–10 a.m. and 6–10 p.m., with handheld hoses allowed anytime.
Starting on Monday, April 20, the City of Raleigh will implement water restrictions for residents and businesses due to an ongoing statewide drought.
All Raleigh Water customers, which includes 650,000 residents in Raleigh, Garner, Wake Forest, Rolesville, Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulon. These restrictions trump homeowner association rules, Raleigh Water Assistant Director Ed Buchan said.
Here’s when you can water your plants or lawn during the restrictions:
- People with odd-numbered addresses may only water their lawns on Tuesdays.
- People with even-numbered addresses may only water their lawns on Wednesdays.
- Watering impervious surfaces, like streets, driveways or other paved surfaces is prohibited.
- Handheld hose watering and drip irrigation are allowed at any time.
- Sprinklers can only be used between 6-10 a.m. or 6-10 p.m.
Also, leaks in water services or plumbing must be repaired within 48 hours after being notified.
You can find more details in the city’s Water Shortage Response Plan on the city’s website, raleighnc.gov.
What are you still allowed to do during Raleigh’s water restrictions?
Filling up pools, irrigating athletic fields, pressure washing and car washing are all allowed under the stage 1 restriction.
Do Cary, Durham or Chapel Hill have water restrictions?
As of Friday, April 17, the cities of Cary, Durham and Chapel Hill/Carrboro do not have any water restrictions.
Portions of this story were previously published in The News & Observer.
This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 10:26 AM.
