Rockdale County, GA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Rockdale County, GA, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Rockdale County Code § 98-40
- Maximum fine
- $1,000.00 per violation
- First violation
- written warning only
- Second+ violation
- citation issued
- Two convictions
- service may be terminated
- Covered activities
- lawn watering, car washing, pool filling
Summary
During a declared water shortage, Rockdale County Code § 98-40 lets the water director impose demand management measures on lawn watering, car washing and pool filling once the Board of Commissioners ratifies them. Violators face up to a $1,000 fine, though a first offense gets only a written warning.
Sec. 98-40. - Procedures during periods of water shortage and drought.(a)In order to maintain adequate pressure and supply for customers of the water system, the director may implement demand management measures consistent with demand management measures implemented by either the State of Georgia, Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division, the Atlanta Regional Commission, the water system's water conservation plan, the water system's drought management plan ... (e)For purposes of this section, the term "outdoor water usage" shall be defined as lawn and garden watering, noncommercial washing of motor vehicles and the filling of swimming pools.(f)Any person in violation of this section shall be guilty of an ordinance violation and may be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000.00. However, for any first alleged violation of this section, a written warning will be given. Subsequent violations will result in the issuance of a citation.(g)The director shall have the authority to terminate water service for a water service address upon two convictions under this section 98-40 related to that water service address.
Full Breakdown
Section 98-40 sits in chapter 98's water-system division and lets the director of Rockdale Water Resources implement demand management measures whenever adequate pressure and supply cannot otherwise be maintained, keeping the county consistent with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division, the Atlanta Regional Commission, or the water system's own conservation and drought management plans. Any measure the director adopts must first be presented to the Board of Commissioners, and only takes effect once the board ratifies it; the director may later discontinue the measure once conditions ease or the referenced state or regional agencies authorize discontinuance.
The county notifies the public through the news media, and may add notice by mail with monthly water bills, posted notices at the board of commissioners' office, or the county website. The section defines 'outdoor water usage' as lawn and garden watering, noncommercial washing of motor vehicles, and filling swimming pools, and it is a violation for anyone to engage in a prohibited activity at their own water-service address, or to permit such activity there. Enforcement runs through the water customer of record for that address, who bears final responsibility for ensuring no violation occurs there.
Violations & Fines
A violation of § 98-40 is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.00. The first alleged violation at an address draws only a written warning; every subsequent violation results in an actual citation instead. If a water-service address accumulates two convictions under this section, the director of Rockdale Water Resources is authorized to terminate water service to that address entirely, on top of the fine already imposed for each conviction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides when outdoor watering is restricted in unincorporated Rockdale County?
What counts as restricted 'outdoor water usage' under the county's drought rules?
What happens the first time I'm caught violating a watering restriction?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rockdale County
How Rockdale County compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Rockdale County to another location·View the Georgia landscaping rules overview
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