Water Use Rules in Cheyenne, WY: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Cheyenne or are thinking about moving there, water use rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Cheyenne has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of water use rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Leak Reporting Duty

BOPU customers can report water main breaks, hydrant leaks, or service line losses 24/7. Customers may request a one-time bill adjustment for hidden leaks once repaired, supporting High Plains water conservation goals.

Key details: Hotline: BOPU 24-hour dispatch. Adjustment: Once per property typical. Customer side: Behind the meter. Supply: High Plains pumped.

Failing to repair a known customer-side leak after notice can lead to BOPU shutoff, recovery of wasted water charges, and ineligibility for future adjustment credits on the property.

Cheyenne is more permissive than most cities when it comes to leak reporting duty. That said, there are still limits.

Lawn Watering Restrictions

Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities (BOPU) enforces seasonal outdoor watering schedules. Even/odd address day rotations apply during summer, with no watering between 10am and 6pm to limit High Plains evaporation losses.

Key details: Utility: BOPU (Cheyenne). Peak hours blocked: 10am to 6pm. Schedule basis: Even/odd address. Drought tool: Stage tightening.

Watering during prohibited hours, on the wrong day, or causing visible runoff can trigger BOPU warnings, fines escalating per offense, and potential service flow restriction during drought stages.

Turf Replacement Rebates

Cheyenne does not mandate turf removal but supports xeriscaping with native High Plains species. BOPU and city planning encourage low-water lawns to reduce summer demand on the Crow Creek and Little Snake systems.

Key details: Mandate: None (voluntary). Climate zone: USDA 5a/5b. Code: UDC 2017. Resource: UW Extension.

Stripping landscape without replanting can violate UDC landscape coverage minimums for residential lots, triggering planning notices and potential weed-ordinance enforcement on bare ground.

Cheyenne is more permissive than most cities when it comes to turf replacement rebates. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Cheyenne gives residents more room on water use rules. 2 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

All of the above reflects Cheyenne's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.