Water restrictions in Tucson, AZ — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Tucson Water enforces year-round xeric landscape and water waste rules plus a four-stage drought response. New commercial and multifamily landscapes must use drought-tolerant plants and efficient irrigation under Tucson UDC Landscape and Screening standards. Watering of impervious surfaces and daytime sprinkler runoff onto streets is always prohibited.
Turf is limited to 10 percent of landscaped area for new commercial sites. Residential lawns are not banned but strongly discouraged through rate structure. Rebates are available for rainwater harvesting cisterns, active gray water systems, and turf conversion. During Stage 2 or higher drought, sprinkler watering may be limited to specific days based on address. Tucson Water also funds the Water Conservation Landscape Check-Up program. Violations of the waste ordinance include runoff, broken sprinklers, and watering during rain.
First violation written warning. Second 100 dollars. Third 250 dollars. Continued violations can result in water service curtailment after hearing.
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