Yuma, AZ Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Yuma's watering restrictions are not a standing calendar; they activate only when the City Water Division's records show the treatment plant running beyond capacity approved by the State Department of Health Services and the City Council proclaims a water emergency, published once in a local daily paper (§ 193-47, § 193-48). Once in force, § 193-49 declares several categories of water use to be wasting of city water and restricts or prohibits them outright. Sprinkling or irrigating shrubbery, lawns, grass, ground covers, plants, vines, gardens, vegetables or flowers used in landscaping is restricted to the days and times set out in the Council's emergency proclamation itself, so the actual watering-day schedule is fixed proclamation by proclamation rather than printed in the code.

During the same emergency, washing sidewalks, driveways, filling stations, aprons and porches is strictly prohibited, ornamental fountains may not run unless on a recirculating system, and swimming or wading pools without a filter and recirculating system are banned outright. The known escape of water through defective plumbing is also strictly prohibited during the emergency. The subchapter applies to every water user inside or outside city limits, whether or not they hold a contract for service with the city (§ 193-46), and the restrictions stay in effect until the Council proclaims the emergency has abated (§ 193-53).