Tucson Water Restrictions 2026
Pima County · Arizona
Published:
Conservation Stage 2 - CAP Tier 2 Cuts Active
We have not independently verified this city’s watering schedule. Rules change with drought stage and can be updated at short notice. Confirm your assigned watering days on the Tucson Water official page before watering. Following the wrong schedule can result in a municipal fine.
Verification needed
Check with utility
Before 10:00 AM
Allowed Hours
Verification needed
Check with utility
Check Your Watering Day With Tucson
We have not verified Tucson’s current watering schedule against an official source. Watering rules are set by your city and change with drought stage.
Confirm your assigned days on Tucson’s official water page: Tucson Water.
Allowed Watering Hours
Permanent baseline: summer (Apr–Oct) 3 days/week, winter (Nov–Mar) 1 day/week. Under Stage 2, summer allocation cut to 1 day/week. No irrigation between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM year-round.
Still Allowed
💧 Hand Watering
Allowed with shut-off nozzle. Hours: Any day with a shut-off nozzle; drip and rainwater harvesting exempt.
🌿 Drip Irrigation
Exempt from day-of-week limits. Must follow allowed hours.
Fines & Enforcement
$150 first · $300 second · $500+ repeat
Tucson Water issues progressive citations: $150 first offense, $300 second, $500+ for repeat violations within 24 months. Commercial and HOA properties face up to $2,500. Tucson uses its Zanjero program (water-waste inspectors named after the historical canal-water dividers) for active neighborhood patrols.
🏠 HOA Rules During Restrictions
Arizona Revised Statute §33-1902 prohibits HOAs from fining residents for brown or dormant lawns during a declared water shortage. ARS §33-1808 guarantees the right to install desert-adapted xeriscape regardless of CC&R restrictions. Tucson's permanent xeriscape ordinance supersedes any HOA covenant that conflicts.
If your homeowners association sends a violation notice for a dormant or brown lawn during the current restriction period, respond in writing citing the applicable law and include a copy of the Tucson Water's current restriction order. Most HOAs will rescind the notice once they are made aware of the legal protections in place. If the issue persists, contact your county’s code enforcement division for assistance.
Why These Restrictions Exist
Tucson Water serves 730,000 customers and sources 90% of its supply from the Central Arizona Project (CAP) Colorado River allocation and local groundwater recharge. The 2023 Colorado River Tier 2 Shortage cut Arizona's CAP allocation by 21% (~512,000 acre-feet). Tucson responded by activating Stage 2 within its 5-tier conservation plan. The city's recycled-water system supplies roughly 30% of outdoor demand, but groundwater withdrawals still exceed basin recharge. Rainfall 3.8 inches below 20-year average has compounded supply pressure.
This deficit has accumulated over the current water year and represents a significant departure from historical averages for the Tucson area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are well below seasonal targets, necessitating mandatory conservation measures.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Tucson Water Restrictions
11 tips tailored for Tucson homeowners during Conservation Stage 2 - CAP Tier 2 Cuts Active restrictions.
Tucson's permanent xeriscape ordinance means most homes already have minimal turf, focus remaining irrigation on trees, which provide the highest value per drop.
Bermuda is the only practical summer turf in Tucson; accept winter dormancy rather than overseed (which consumes roughly 2x the water of natives).
Install passive rainwater harvesting basins around trees, Tucson's monsoon can deliver 3–5 inches in July-August if you capture runoff.
Convert remaining lawn under the Xeriscape Rebate: $0.50/sq ft for removal, $1.50/sq ft for desert-plant replacement up to $3,000 per household.
Use a smart controller with the Arizona ET preset (higher summer coefficient than most US climates), Rachio and Hydrawise both include Tucson defaults.
Mulch ornamental beds with 2–3 inches of decomposed granite; wood chips break down too quickly in Tucson's UV and low humidity.
Drip-irrigate all shrubs and trees; Tucson's low humidity makes overhead spray lose 40% to evaporation before reaching the soil.
Fix leaks within 24 hours, Tucson's evaporation rate is among the highest in the US (120+ inches/year potential).
Take full advantage of Tucson Water's free Zanjero landscape audit, they identify waste and recommend rebate-eligible upgrades.
Monsoon strategy: after any 0.5"+ rainfall, skip the next scheduled irrigation cycle, deep monsoon rain resets soil moisture for 10+ days.
Track use at tucsonaz.gov 'My Account', Stage 2 targets 30 gal/person/day outdoor maximum (most US cities target 45–60).
Tucson Water Restriction FAQs
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