Franklin County, NC Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Franklin County Code § 34-128(b) sets mandatory restrictions on outdoor water use countywide. Automatic and nonautomatic spray irrigation systems may run only between 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m., while hose-end sprinklers and handheld hose watering are permitted from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and again 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Every watering method follows the same address-based schedule: odd-numbered addresses may water lawns and landscapes on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and even-numbered addresses on Wednesdays and Sundays. Irrigation water must be applied slowly to achieve deep penetration and prevent runoff, and direct watering of impervious surfaces such as streets, parking lots, driveways and sidewalks is prohibited outright.

The same section, § 34-128(d) and (e), restricts vehicle washing and washing of sidewalks, patios, decks, driveways, parking lots, streets and exterior building surfaces to Saturdays and Sundays, though washing soiled areas for public health or sanitation and commercial power-washing are not restricted. Pool and wading-pool water levels may be topped off at any time under § 34-128(c). Exemptions exist for reuse-water irrigation, resale plant stock and a 45-day new-landscaping permit under § 34-128(g). Violations of the watering schedule are enforced under § 34-128(h): a written warning for a first offense, then $200.00 for a second, $500.00 for a third, and water service interruption for a fourth, with each day of a continuing violation counted separately and unpaid fines themselves triggering a cutoff after 30 days.