Water restrictions in Maricopa County, AZ — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Maricopa County falls within the Phoenix Active Management Area (AMA) regulated by the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). Water conservation is critical in this desert region. While the county does not impose specific watering schedules for unincorporated areas, water providers (such as EPCOR, Arizona Water Company) may enforce conservation rules. Landscape watering guidelines recommend irrigating before 8 AM or after 6 PM to minimize evaporation.
Unincorporated Maricopa County lies within the Phoenix Active Management Area (AMA), one of five AMAs regulated by the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) under the 1980 Groundwater Management Act. While the county itself does not impose landscape watering schedules, individual water providers serving unincorporated communities may enforce conservation measures during drought conditions. The ADWR's Fourth Management Plan requires municipal water providers to implement conservation programs. Residents in Sun City, Cave Creek, Gold Canyon, and New River should check with their specific water provider (EPCOR, Arizona Water Company, or local water districts) for any seasonal restrictions. Best practices in the desert climate include irrigating between 4 AM and 8 AM to minimize evaporative loss, using drip irrigation for desert-adapted plantings, and avoiding turf grass in favor of xeriscape.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Maricopa County code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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See how Maricopa County's water restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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