Charlotte Water enforces tiered drought response stages that restrict outdoor irrigation by address, day, and time. Voluntary or mandatory restrictions activate when reservoirs fall or state declares regional drought.
Charlotte Water's Water Shortage Response Plan defines stages from voluntary conservation through mandatory bans on irrigation, car washing, and fountain operation. Under common Stage 2/3 conditions, even-numbered addresses water on certain days, odd on others, and irrigation between 10am-6pm is prohibited to limit evaporation. Hand-held hose use is typically still allowed. The plan is triggered by the NC Drought Management Advisory Council classifications and Catawba-Wateree drought operations protocol. Daily news releases announce stage changes, and customers receive notice on monthly water bills.
Mandatory-stage violations carry escalating fines roughly $100 first offense, $500-$1,000 repeat, and possible service suspension for chronic violators.
See how Charlotte's lawn watering restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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