Sahuarita, AZ Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Sahuarita lies within the Tucson Active Management Area, one of five AMAs in Arizona where groundwater use is actively regulated by the Arizona Department of Water Resources. The Town water system serves the community with a combination of renewable water sources and groundwater. Outdoor watering is the largest residential water use in the Sonoran Desert, and the Town encourages water-wise irrigation practices. While Sahuarita does not currently have mandatory watering-day restrictions like some western cities, voluntary conservation measures include watering during early morning or late evening to minimize evaporation, using drip irrigation rather than spray systems, and adhering to seasonal watering schedules. Turf grass is discouraged in favor of xeriscaped desert landscapes using native and adapted plants. Many Rancho Sahuarita neighborhoods were designed with minimal turf areas and desert-adapted common-area landscaping. The Town may implement mandatory restrictions during drought emergencies or water supply disruptions. Arizona HB 2675 encourages rainwater harvesting, and Sahuarita residents are encouraged to capture rainwater for landscape irrigation using rain barrels and cisterns.