Harnett County, NC Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Harnett County, 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
- Stage II odd addresses
- Water only Sunday and Thursday
- Stage II even addresses
- Water only Saturday and Wednesday
- Civil penalty range
- $100 to $500 per day
- Appeal deadline
- 72 hours to request a hearing
- Service cutoff
- After 30 days unpaid penalty
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Public Utilities Director
Summary
Once the Harnett County Department of Public Utilities Director declares a Stage II water shortage warning, irrigation is cut to two fixed days a week by address digit, vehicle and pavement washing outside a commercial car wash is banned, and refilling drained pools is unlawful, backed by civil penalties up to $500 per day.
For addresses that end in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9, watering of lawns, grass, shrubbery, trees, flowers, and vegetable gardens shall only be done on Sunday and Thursday. For addresses that end in the number 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8, watering shall only be done on Saturday and Wednesday. Provided, however, that a person regularly engaged in the sale of plants shall be permitted to use water for such purposes at any time or any day.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-7: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through 11-18-2024; and State Legislation current through 2024 Legislative Service #2).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 54 sets four escalating conservation stages. 05(A), addresses ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 are asked to water only Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, while even-ending addresses water Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday. 06(A) narrows those same address groups to two days each: Sunday and Thursday for odd addresses, Saturday and Wednesday for even addresses, with a carve-out letting plant nurseries water any day. Stage II also makes it unlawful to wash vehicles outside a commercial car wash, hose down driveways or parking lots, introduce water into ornamental ponds or fountains, use hydrant water for non-emergency purposes, or fill or refill a swimming pool.
10: HCDPU first issues a written warning, and a continued violation triggers a notice of violation naming the specific civil penalty. 99, the Director may assess a civil penalty of $100 to $500 per day, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense. 11 to request an adjudicatory hearing, which must be held within 10 business days, with a written decision due 10 calendar days later and judicial review available within 30 days. If a penalty goes unpaid for 30 days, HCDPU may terminate or restrict water service until all penalties and reconnection fees are paid. Water-use variance applications are available at the County Public Utilities Business Center and online, decided within one week of submittal.
Violations & Fines
HCDPU issues a written warning first; a continuing violation escalates to a notice of violation and a civil penalty of $100 to $500 per day, each day counted separately under § 54.99. The user has 72 hours to demand an adjudicatory hearing under § 54.11 or the penalty becomes final. Unpaid penalties after 30 days allow the Director to terminate or restrict water service until fees are settled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What days can I water my lawn during a Stage II water shortage warning?
Can I still wash my car at home during a shortage warning?
How much is the fine for violating the watering schedule?
What happens if I don't pay the civil penalty?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Harnett County
How Harnett County compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Harnett County to another location·View the North Carolina landscaping rules overview
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