The Phoenix Active Management Area, administered by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, sets groundwater rules across most of Maricopa County. Outdoor watering schedules are imposed by individual cities and water providers, not by county-wide ordinance, though AMA conservation requirements still apply.
Arizona Groundwater Management Act of 1980 created Active Management Areas (AMAs); the Phoenix AMA covers most of Maricopa County. The Arizona Department of Water Resources enforces ARS title 45 chapter 2 management plans, which set per-capita gallons-per-day targets, turf-area limits for new non-residential developments, and best management practices for golf courses, agriculture, and large municipal providers. There is no countywide residential lawn-watering day-of-week schedule. Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, and other cities issue their own outdoor irrigation rules, drought stages, and stage-three restrictions. Unincorporated residents on private wells must still comply with AMA grandfathered-rights rules and may need to register exempt wells under fifteen hundred gallons per minute.
Violating ADWR Phoenix AMA conservation rules or unregistered well operation triggers civil penalties up to ten thousand dollars per day under ARS section 45-635, plus orders to install meters, file reports, or cease excessive groundwater pumping.
Peoria, AZ
Arizona's Protected Native Plant Law (ARS 3-901) protects saguaro, palo verde, ironwood, and other species. Removal requires a state permit. Peoria encourage...
Peoria, AZ
Peoria encourages water conservation in the desert climate. The city follows Arizona water conservation guidelines and may impose watering restrictions durin...
Peoria, AZ
Peoria permits artificial turf on residential properties. Arizona law (ARS 33-1817) limits HOA restrictions on water-efficient landscaping. Synthetic turf is...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Maricopa County.
See how other cities in Maricopa County handle lawn watering restrictions.
See how Peoria's lawn watering restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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