See Charlotte area water restrictions, punishments according to where you live
As drought tightens its grip on North Carolina, cities and towns are imposing mandatory water restrictions with fines that vary widely by community. Most rely on resident complaints and staff observations to catch violators.
FULL STORY: NC cities are imposing water limits. How will they know if you break them?
Here are the main things to know about drought restrictions, according to where you live:
Charlotte: Stage 2 restrictions took effect May 1, with enforcement starting Friday. First violations bring $100 fines, with increases for repeat offenses. Residents can report violations via 311 or an online form.
Concord: Residential violators face $100 for a first offense and $300 for repeats. Commercial and industrial customers face $500 and $1,500 penalties. Fees go directly on utility bills. Reports accepted via the Customer Care line or “Click-2-Fix” portal.
Kannapolis: Code enforcement handles violations — $100 residential, $300 commercial. Officials say education comes first. “Enforcement of any fees (or) fines are a last resort,” Communications Director Annette Privette Keller said.
Gastonia and Two Rivers Utilities: Stage 2 restrictions began May 1. Violators get a warning, then fines of $100, $250 and $500 for repeated offenses. Home car washing is banned, but commercial car washes remain open because they recycle water.
York County, S.C.: Residential fines start at $50, rise to $100, then $150 plus water shutoff for a third offense. Commercial violators face steeper penalties and possible shutoffs.
Harrisburg: Outdoor watering limited to overnight windows twice weekly. Pressure washing and decorative water features are banned, and permits are required to refill pools.
Monroe: Still under voluntary stage 1 measures after projecting 180 days of supply in January.
This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists. To learn more about how The Charlotte Observer is using AI in our newsroom, see our policy here.