Water restrictions in Albuquerque, NM — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Albuquerque ROA §6-1-1-8 — water budgets and planting restrictions enforced by ABCWUA. No more than 10% of required landscape can be cool-season grass. Irrigated grass prohibited on slopes exceeding 1:4. Xeriscape rebate program available. HOAs cannot prohibit xeriscaping.
The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA) enforces water budgets and irrigation schedules. Under ROA §6-1-1-8, no more than 10% of required landscape areas may be cool-season grass species. Irrigated grass cannot be planted on slopes exceeding 1:4 rise/run or in narrow or irregularly shaped areas (10 feet or less in any dimension). Only low-water-use, drought-tolerant, or xeric species from the Official Albuquerque Plant Palette count toward landscaping requirements. The ABCWUA offers a xeriscape rebate program for replacing turf with xeriscaping (pre-approval required, 50% of area must be planted from xeriscape guide, 3 inches of mulch required). By state law, HOAs cannot prohibit xeriscaping or rain barrels.
Watering violation: warning first, then $20 to $200 per offense. Chronic waste: water meter restrictor installation.
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