Apex, NC Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Apex, NC, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Odd addresses
- Water Tue, Thu, Sat only
- Even addresses
- Water Wed, Fri, Sun only
- Monday
- No lawn watering allowed
- Hand-watering
- Permitted every day
- Civil penalty
- Up to $1,000/violation/day
Summary
Apex requires odd-numbered addresses to water lawns Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and even-numbered addresses Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, every week, year-round: no shortage declaration needed. Monday watering is banned outright; hand-watering is allowed any day.
(1)Mandatory year-round odd/even watering schedule. Properties with odd-numbered addresses may water lawns and/or landscapes only on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Properties with even numbered addresses may water lawns and/or landscapes only on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. No lawns and/or landscapes shall be watered on Monday. Hand-watering is permitted every day. Exemption: Property owners may obtain a 45-day new landscape permit from the water resources department for the purpose of establishing new plantings. New plantings for the purpose of this permit are defined as large commercial plantings or the installation of new sod or seed to a bare area of more than 50 percent of the grassed or proposed grassed area of a residential yard. Such a permit may not be granted for over-seeding of established grass. The permit will become effective at the requested start date and expire 45 days later.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 3).
Full Breakdown
Under Apex Town Code § 12-101, the odd/even lawn and landscape watering schedule applies to every town water customer at all times, whether or not a water shortage exists: it is a permanent rule, not a drought measure. Spray, drip and installed irrigation systems must follow the address-based schedule; hand-watering is exempt and permitted daily. Homeowners establishing new sod, seed or large plantings can get a 45-day new-landscape permit from the water resources department to water outside the schedule. Violations carry civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation per day (§ 12-103), and the town may discontinue water service to repeat violators after written notice.
Violations & Fines
Watering on Monday, watering on a day outside your address's Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday or Wednesday/Friday/Sunday window, or letting irrigation runoff hit streets or neighboring property; civil penalty up to $1,000 per violation per day, plus possible service discontinuance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I water my lawn in Apex on Monday?
How do I water new sod without breaking the schedule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Apex
How Apex compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Apex to another location·View the North Carolina landscaping rules overview
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Water Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wake County handle water restrictions.