Water restrictions in Anchorage, AK — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility rarely imposes outdoor watering restrictions. The Eklutna-fed system has abundant supply. AWWU asks voluntary conservation during rare turbidity events.
AWWU serves most of the Anchorage Bowl and Eagle River from surface water at Eklutna Lake plus well fields. Unlike arid Western cities, Anchorage does not impose calendar-day or time-of-day watering schedules. The utility's 2021 water master plan projects ample supply through 2050. AWWU may issue voluntary conservation advisories during rare events such as glacial-flour turbidity spikes or main-break repairs, but these are short-lived. Well-water users in Chugiak and the outer Hillside follow Alaska DEC well standards (18 AAC 80) but face no municipal watering rules. Customers should still practice common-sense conservation — the short growing season means established lawns rarely need more than supplemental watering. Backflow prevention is required on any irrigation system under AWWU cross-connection rules.
Mandatory conservation orders (rare) carry escalating fines starting at 100 dollars. Backflow non-compliance can result in service shutoff.
Anchorage, AK
Anchorage has no specific ordinance regulating decorative lawn ornaments (statues, garden gnomes, flamingos, seasonal yard decor) at residential properties. ...
Anchorage, AK
Anchorage has no specific ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays (giant Santas, pumpkins, etc.) at single-family or two-family homes. T...
Anchorage, AK
Anchorage has no specific ordinance limiting residential holiday-light displays at single-family or two-family homes. Decorative lights generally fall outsid...
Anchorage, AK
Permanent outdoor kitchens in Anchorage are regulated under Title 23 (Anchorage Building Code, AK-amended 2018 IBC/IRC) and Title 21.05 accessory structure s...
Anchorage, AK
Pellet smokers, offset smokers, kamado-style (Big Green Egg), and any charcoal- or wood-fired smoker are treated as open-flame cooking devices under IFC §308...
Anchorage, AK
The Anchorage Fire Code (AMC Title 15, adopting the 2018 International Fire Code) enforces IFC §308.1.4 prohibiting open-flame cooking devices, charcoal burn...
See how Anchorage's water restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.