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

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Water restrictions in Rockingham 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

Governing division
Ch. 26, Art. IV, Div. 2
Trigger
Supplier (Reidsville/Madison) declares shortage
Max fine
$500 per violation
Ultimate penalty
Water service disconnection
Variance requests
Decided within 2 weeks by utilities dept

Summary

Rockingham County enforces tiered water-shortage restrictions on lawn watering and other uses whenever a supplying utility declares a shortage.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Rockingham County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

The provisions of the water shortage response plan will be enforced by the county utility services department and law enforcement personnel. Violators may be reported to the county's dedicated water conservation hotline. The county will enforce the following schedule to the extent possible in accordance with the water suppliers to the county public water system as stipulated in sections 26-276 through 26-278...

Full Breakdown

The county doesn't set its own watering-day calendar. Instead it adopts whatever conservation stage the water supplier, City of Reidsville, Town of Madison, or another connected system, has declared, and applies that supplier's restrictions to county customers on that line. Violations escalate from a warning to $250, then $500 fines, then service shutoff.

Violations & Fines

First mandatory-stage violation: warning. Second: $250 fine. Emergency/rationing stages: $250-$500 fines, then discontinuation of water service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Rockingham County set its own watering-day schedule?
No. It incorporates the water-shortage stage already declared by whichever utility supplies that area. Reidsville, Madison, or another connected system.
What happens if I violate a mandatory watering restriction?
First offense is a warning; repeat violations bring a $250-$500 fine and can lead to your water service being shut off.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Rockingham County

All Rockingham County rules

How Rockingham County compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Rockingham County to another location·View the North Carolina landscaping rules overview

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