Glendale, AZ Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Glendale, AZ, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Policy basis
- Curtailment required during declared drought
- Governing document
- City-adopted Drought Management Plan
- First violation
- Written notice plus education, no fine
- Repeat violations
- Fine doubles each subsequent violation
- Exemptions
- Written request, city manager approval
Summary
Glendale requires all water customers to curtail usage during declared droughts under a City-adopted Drought Management Plan. A first violation brings a written warning and conservation materials, but a second violation adds a fine tied to the drought stage, and a third or later violation doubles the previous fine.
Sec. 33-81. - Declaration of policy. It is the policy of the City of Glendale that water usage of all City users and Customers shall be curtailed during times of drought. ... Sec. 33-84. - Enforcement. (a)For a first violation of any provision of this division, the City shall issue a written notice of first violation and provide educational materials on water conservation, including a copy of the relevant provisions of this chapter, to the Customer violating the provisions of this division.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 115).
Full Breakdown
Section 33-81 sets the underlying policy: water usage of all city users and customers must be curtailed during times of drought. Section 33-82 requires the city to adopt a Drought Management Plan, posted on the city's website, that identifies conditions triggering a drought declaration, defines drought severity levels, authorizes the city manager to implement the plan and take enforcement action, sets termination conditions, and lays out rules to reduce water use during the drought; once adopted, every city department, employee, contractor and customer must comply unless exempted.
Section 33-83 allows the city manager to grant a written exemption if the applicant can show it protects public health and welfare. Enforcement escalates under Section 33-84: a first violation gets a written notice plus educational conservation materials and a reasonable correction period; a second violation gets a written notice and a fine set according to the drought stage in effect, added to the customer's account; a third or subsequent violation doubles the prior fine. Unpaid fines can lead to water service termination, and Section 33-84(e) guarantees a hearing before the city manager or a designee under Section 33-11 before that happens.
Violations & Fines
A first drought-plan violation brings only a written warning and conservation materials under Section 33-84(a). A second violation adds a fine scaled to the drought stage, and a third or later violation doubles the amount of the previous fine; failing to pay any fine can result in termination of water service, though the customer is entitled to a hearing first under Section 33-84(e).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Glendale restrict my landscape watering during a drought?
What happens the first time I violate Glendale's drought watering rules?
Can I get an exemption from Glendale's drought watering restrictions?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Glendale
How Glendale compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Glendale to another location·View the Arizona landscaping rules overview
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Water Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Maricopa County handle water restrictions.