Santa Fe, NM Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

during the peak growing season of May 1 through October 31. The code separately recommends, but does not mandate, capping irrigation at three days a week. Three narrow exemptions exist under Subsection B: nursery stock grown for retail or wholesale sale, manual watering performed by landscape maintenance and contracting companies licensed with the New Mexico Construction Industries Division and registered with the city's business registration unit, and irrigation drawn from acequias. window. The same section layers on related outdoor water rules: outdoor swimming pools must be covered when not in use (kiddie pools under 12 inches deep and 5 feet across are exempt), manual car washing is capped at once per vehicle per month for residences and for commercial car lots and other entities with on-site washing facilities, and using a hose or power washer to clean hard surfaces like sidewalks, driveways, and parking areas is prohibited except to abate a health or safety hazard. 4(F)(4). The water division director holds discretionary authority under Subsection H to grant exceptions where the conservation objective is not compromised.