City Issues Voluntary Water Restrictions and Burn Ban Due to Drought

Published on April 16, 2026

A body of water on a clear, sunny day. The foliage around it appears dry and brown.

Due to ongoing drought conditions throughout the region, the City of Charlotte has issued both voluntary water restrictions and a citywide burn ban. See below for more information.

Charlotte Water Moves to Voluntary Water Restrictions

In alignment with regional partners, Charlotte Water will implement Voluntary Water Restrictions (Low Inflow Protocol Stage 1) beginning Monday, April 20, 2026, due to ongoing dry conditions. Customers are asked to reduce non-essential water use to help protect the region’s water supply. While there are no mandatory restrictions at this time, voluntary conservation now can help avoid stricter measures later.

Charlotte Water asks all customers to take the following voluntary conservation actions:

  • Limit outdoor watering to no more than two days per week
  • odd-numbered addresses: Tuesday and Saturday
  • even-numbered addresses: Wednesday and Sunday
  • Avoid watering lawns during the peak heat of the day
  • Limit watering to one inch per week, including rainfall
  • Avoid washing hard surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, and streets
  • Use commercial car washes that recycle water, or minimize vehicle washing at home
  • Repair leaks promptly in irrigation systems, outdoor spigots, and indoor plumbing

Charlotte Water continuously monitors drought conditions and coordinates regionally through the Drought Management Advisory Group (DMAG), which includes local governments, water utilities, and resource managers working collaboratively to protect shared water resources, including the Catawba River and its connected lakes.

The last time Charlotte Water implemented voluntary water restrictions was in 2023. Taking early voluntary action helps reduce the likelihood of more stringent mandatory restrictions if dry conditions persist. Charlotte Water will continue to monitor conditions and coordinate with regional partners. If drought conditions worsen, additional response measures may be considered in alignment with regional protocols.

For more information, drought updates, and water conservation tips, visit charlottewater.org, as well as additional information about regional coordination through the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group.

Charlotte Fire Marshal Issues Burn Ban to Include Fires within 100 Feet of Dwellings

In response to the statewide burn ban issued by the North Carolina Forest Service, the Charlotte Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office is implementing additional local restrictions to enhance public safety and reduce the risk of wildfire within city limits.

Effective immediately, open burning is prohibited in the City of Charlotte, including within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. This local action, in coordination with the statewide burn ban, is intended to prevent fires from starting and spreading due to current dry and windy conditions.

“While the state’s burn ban restricts open burning across all 100 counties, it does not cover fires within 100 feet of occupied dwellings,” said Charlotte Fire Marshal Kevin Miller. “Given the increased risk of fire, we are extending those restrictions locally to ensure consistency and safety across our community.”

Under the local burn ban:

  • All open burning is prohibited, including recreational fires, bonfires, fire pits, and warming fires.
  • Only cooking fires are permitted, and they must be:
    • Contained within a grill or outdoor cooking device.
    • Attended at all times.
    • Accompanied by a readily available means of extinguishment (e.g., fire extinguisher, hose, or bucket of water).

This burn ban remains in effect until further notice and applies to all areas within the City of Charlotte. Violations of the burn ban may result in a $100 fine and $183 in court costs. Individuals found responsible for a fire may also be held liable for the cost of firefighting efforts.

The Charlotte Fire Marshal’s Office urges all residents to exercise extreme caution and help prevent wildfire risk. Local fire investigators and inspectors will be actively monitoring for compliance and have enforcement authority.

Residents with questions are encouraged to contact the Charlotte Fire Marshal’s Office at 704-336-2101.

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