Rock Hill, SC Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Rock Hill, SC, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Stage 2 mandatory drought declaration
- Watering days
- 2 days/week, odd/even addresses
- Allowed hours
- 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
- New sod/seed
- Up to 2x/day for first 2 weeks
- Stage 4
- All sprinkler/irrigation use prohibited
Summary
Once Rock Hill, South Carolina declares a Stage 2 drought, sprinklers and irrigation systems are cut to two days a week on an odd-even address schedule, and only between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Newly seeded or sodded lawns get a short grace period before the same schedule applies to them too.
Limit the use of sprinklers, irrigation systems or other remote landscape watering devices to two days per week, staggering days based on odd and even addresses, between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Designated days will be recommended by the city's drought response representative and approved by the city manager.
Full Breakdown
Rock Hill's mandatory conservation restrictions kick in once the city manager declares a Stage 2 drought based on a severe water supply shortage. ; the drought response representative recommends the specific designated days and the city manager approves them. 2). Runoff from landscape irrigation is strictly prohibited in all cases. 1). At Stage 4 emergency conservation, the use of sprinklers, irrigation systems, or other remote watering devices is strictly prohibited, and planting new ornamental plants or seeding/sodding lawns is barred outright (§ 29-277(3)c, d). Customers who believe compliance is impossible may file a written variance petition with city management within ten working days of the proclamation, addressing the purpose of water use, economic value, and steps being taken toward compliance (§ 29-281).
Violations & Fines
Failure to comply with the mandatory watering-day schedule draws a written notice under City Code § 29-280, followed by surcharges: $50 for a residential customer's first violation, $100 for a second, and termination of service on a third until a $150 surcharge (plus prior charges) is paid; commercial and industrial customers face $100, $200, and a $300 reinstatement charge. Designated law enforcement and city-authorized agencies enforce the schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What days can I water my lawn in Rock Hill during a drought?
Are watering restrictions in Rock Hill in effect year-round?
Can I get an exception to Rock Hill's watering schedule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rock Hill
How Rock Hill compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Rock Hill to another location·View the South Carolina landscaping rules overview
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