Phoenix, AZ Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Phoenix, 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
- Code Section
- Phoenix City Code sec. 37-126 to 37-130; Drought Management Plan (Ch. 37, sec. 121-130.2)
- Stage 1
- Voluntary conservation, public education only
- Stage 2+
- Watering limits and surcharges may become mandatory
- Turf in right-of-way
- Prohibited (Arizona state law)
Summary
Phoenix has no fixed day-of-week outdoor watering schedule; instead, Phoenix City Code Chapter 37 (sections 37-126 through 37-130, the Drought Management Plan) authorizes the Water Services Director to declare progressive drought stages, and watering restrictions become mandatory only at Stage 2 (Water Warning) or higher. Turf in the public right-of-way is banned under Arizona state law.
37-126 Stage 1-Water alert. A. The Director may declare a Stage 1 Water Alert when an insufficient water supply appears likely due to water system or supply limitations or structural failure, or when a catastrophic incident threatens the existing water supply or water delivery system. The declaration may designate the entire City service area or a portion of the service area, if the shortage is not system-wide. B. On publication of a declaration by the Director of a Stage 1 Water Alert, the Department will implement the drought management plan. The water alert will trigger an intensive public education and information program to assist all customers impacted by the shortage to understand the state of the emergency and the need for voluntary compliance. City personnel will direct resources to enforce all existing City codes that impact water use. C. The Director may terminate the Stage 1 Water Alert when the Director determines that the conditions on which the Director declared the Stage 1 Water Alert no longer exist. (Ord. No. G-6741, sec. 2 (Exh. A), 2020)
Full Breakdown
Phoenix adopted its Drought Management Plan in 1990 under City Code Chapter 37, Sections 121 through 130.2, and re-codified the stages in 2020 (Ord. No. G-6741). A Stage 1 Water Alert relies on voluntary conservation and intensified public education; restrictions only become mandatory and enforceable at a Stage 2 Water Warning, when the Director may impose watering-day limits, water-feature bans, and surcharges. As of mid-2025 Phoenix has operated under elevated drought response tied to the Colorado River Tier shortage. Separately, the City's landscape standards prohibit turf in the public right-of-way (a state-law requirement) and limit turf and high-water-use plants to 50% of the landscaped area (see landscape-requirements). Single-family homeowners generally face no enforced calendar watering schedule outside a declared mandatory drought stage.
Violations & Fines
Voluntary at Stage 1; at Stage 2 (Water Warning) or higher the Director may make restrictions mandatory and enforce them, including water-service surcharges authorized by Chapter 37. Water-waste violations are enforced under existing City codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Phoenix have set days I can water my lawn?
Can I put grass in the strip between the sidewalk and street?
What happens during a Stage 1 Water Alert?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Phoenix
How Phoenix compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Phoenix 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.