Scottsdale AZ Water Restrictions 2026

Current water restrictions in Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale is under Stage 2 Drought Response restrictions, limiting outdoor watering to 2 days per week on assigned days only. Scottsdale Water declared the Stage 2 designation in alignment with the broader Phoenix metro drought response, triggered by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's official declaration of a Colorado River Tier 2 Shortage — the second consecutive shortage tier affecting Arizona's Central Arizona Project (CAP) allocations.

The restriction was not issued in isolation. Arizona faces a 27% potential cut in CAP allocations under post-2026 guidelines, and Scottsdale — which draws heavily from CAP deliveries — moved to Stage 2 to reduce municipal demand ahead of those cuts. Scottsdale Water, the city's water utility operating under the City of Scottsdale (scottsdaleaz.gov/water), holds authority over all residential, commercial, and municipal water use within city limits.

Stage 2 restrictions apply statewide across the Phoenix metro area, with neighboring cities including Chandler, Tempe, and Gilbert under comparable emergency-level measures. Arizona as a whole is responding to a prolonged Colorado River basin shortage that has dropped Lake Mead to historically low operational levels.

Practically speaking: if you are a Scottsdale homeowner, you may not run your sprinkler system whenever you want. Outdoor watering is limited to your two assigned days, and even on those days, midday watering is blacked out. A resident cannot freely water their garden on a Wednesday morning unless Wednesday falls on one of their two assigned watering days — and even then, only outside the midday blackout window. Drip irrigation and hand watering with a shut-off nozzle remain exempt from day-based restrictions and offer the most flexible option for keeping plants alive under Stage 2.

When can you water in Scottsdale?

Scottsdale Water assigns watering days by address. Properties with odd-numbered street addresses water on one designated pair of days, while even-numbered addresses water on a different pair. Scottsdale Water's website and customer service portal allow residents to look up their specific assigned days by entering their address. If you have not confirmed your days, do not assume — an incorrect assumption is not a valid defense against a violation notice.

Multi-family residential properties — apartment complexes, condominiums, and HOA-managed communities — are subject to the same Stage 2 schedule, but property managers are responsible for programming shared irrigation controllers to comply. Commercial properties with large irrigated landscapes must also follow the two-day rule; Scottsdale Water may conduct targeted inspections of high-water-use commercial accounts during Stage 2.

Certain trees native or well-established in the Scottsdale climate deserve priority on your two watering days given their value and vulnerability. Blue Palo Verde (Parkinsonia florida), the Arizona state tree, is drought-adapted but young specimens still need supplemental water during extended heat. Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) and Velvet Mesquite (Prosopis velutina) are similarly deep-rooted and benefit from slow, deep drip watering rather than spray. Prioritize these trees over turfgrass during your allotted days — turfgrass can recover; a mature Desert Willow that dies cannot be quickly replaced.

Penalty schedule for water violations

Scottsdale Water enforces the Stage 2 schedule through a combination of smart meter data monitoring, field patrol inspections, and neighbor complaint reports. The city's Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system logs water usage at short intervals, allowing Scottsdale Water staff to flag accounts that show high consumption patterns on non-watering days or during the midday blackout window without requiring a physical observation. Complaints can be filed through the city's online service portal or through the general Scottsdale Water contact line.

An appeals process exists for contested violations. Residents who believe a warning or fine was issued in error — for example, if a smart meter flagged indoor use during a restricted period — can request a formal review through Scottsdale Water's customer service division. Response times during Stage 2 are typically faster than routine inquiries given enforcement priority, but disputes over meter readings may take several weeks to adjudicate. Keep records of any irrigation system repairs or legitimate exemptions in case you need to document your case.

Other outdoor water rules

Stage 2 in Scottsdale extends beyond lawn irrigation. The following activities carry specific restrictions or requirements during the current emergency designation:

• Pool filling and topping off: New pool fills require a permit and are subject to restrictions; topping off existing pools to offset evaporation is permitted but must use a shut-off device. Pool covers are strongly encouraged to reduce the significant evaporative loss that occurs in Scottsdale's low-humidity, high-temperature climate.
• Decorative fountains: Ornamental fountains and water features that do not recirculate water must be shut off under Stage 2. Recirculating fountain systems are permitted to continue operating.
• Car washing: Residential car washing at home is restricted to use of a bucket or a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle only. Running a hose freely over a vehicle is prohibited. Commercial car wash facilities using water recycling systems are generally exempt.
• Pressure washing: Pressure washing of driveways, patios, and exterior surfaces for routine cleaning is prohibited. Use for health or safety purposes (removing hazardous material, mold remediation) may qualify for an exemption with prior notification to Scottsdale Water.
• Construction water use: Dust control and concrete curing at active construction sites require an approved water management plan filed with Scottsdale Water. Uncontrolled runoff from construction irrigation is a citable offense under Stage 2.
• Restaurant and hospitality: Water service to customers must be on-request only — no automatic table water service. Hotels with ornamental landscape are subject to the same two-day irrigation schedule as residential properties.

Where Scottsdale's water comes from

Scottsdale draws its water supply from three primary sources: Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal water, Salt River Project (SRP) surface water, and local groundwater from the Salt River Valley aquifer system. The proportional mix shifts depending on CAP delivery levels, which is precisely why the current Tier 2 Colorado River shortage matters so directly to Scottsdale residents.

CAP water originates from the Colorado River, diverted at Lake Havasu and transported 336 miles via the CAP aqueduct to the Phoenix metro. Scottsdale is a CAP municipal water contractor, meaning it holds a contractual allocation of Colorado River water. Under a federally declared Tier 2 Shortage — which is currently active — Arizona's overall CAP allocation is reduced, and municipal contractors like Scottsdale must manage with less delivered supply.

SRP surface water comes primarily from a chain of reservoirs on the Salt River and Verde River systems, including Lake Roosevelt, Apache Lake, Canyon Lake, and Saguaro Lake east of Phoenix, as well as Horseshoe Reservoir and Bartlett Reservoir on the Verde. Scottsdale holds SRP water rights that supplement CAP deliveries. When CAP cuts reduce available supply, SRP storage becomes more critical — and those reservoirs are themselves sensitive to below-average precipitation in the White Mountains and Mogollon Rim watershed.

Scottsdale Water treats CAP and SRP surface water at the Scottsdale Water Campus, which includes advanced water purification facilities capable of treating reclaimed water to near-drinking-water standards. The city has invested heavily in its Water Campus reclaimed water system, which delivers reclaimed water for golf course and landscape irrigation — reducing demand on potable supplies. Groundwater from the Salt River Valley serves as a drought reserve, managed under Arizona's Assured Water Supply program administered by the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR).

Can your HOA fine you for a brown lawn?

Arizona homeowners are protected from HOA enforcement actions targeting drought-related lawn dormancy under ARS § 33-1817. This statute prohibits homeowners associations from fining or penalizing a member for allowing their lawn to go brown or reducing irrigation to comply with government-ordered water restrictions. When Scottsdale Water has declared a Stage 2 Drought Response — as it has now — that declaration qualifies as the government-mandated restriction trigger under § 33-1817. Your HOA cannot override Scottsdale Water's Stage 2 rules by citing its own CC&Rs requiring green lawns.

The protection is not unlimited. Once restrictions are lifted, your HOA's standard landscaping rules resume. It also does not shield you from HOA action on matters unrelated to watering compliance — dead vegetation due to disease rather than drought, for example, may still be actionable. If your HOA is issuing fines for a brown lawn during Stage 2, document the Scottsdale Water restriction notice and send a formal written response.

Template response letter:

"Dear [HOA Name] Board of Directors: I am writing in response to a violation notice dated [date] regarding the condition of my lawn at [address]. I wish to inform the board that my property's irrigation practices are currently in compliance with the Stage 2 Drought Response restrictions declared by Scottsdale Water (City of Scottsdale). Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 33-1817, a homeowners association may not impose fines or penalties on a member for reducing or eliminating watering to comply with water regulations or restrictions imposed by a governmental entity. The current Stage 2 designation constitutes such a restriction. I respectfully request that this violation notice be rescinded. Please contact Scottsdale Water at scottsdaleaz.gov/water for confirmation of the active Stage 2 restrictions. Sincerely, [Your Name]"

How to manage your lawn during drought

Scottsdale's summer heat — regularly exceeding 110°F — means that even drought-tolerant Bermudagrass enters stress when watering is reduced to two days per week. The strategy is to water deeply and infrequently rather than shallowly every day. On your two assigned days, run irrigation long enough to wet the soil to a 6–8 inch depth, then let the surface dry between cycles. This encourages root systems to chase moisture downward rather than remaining shallow and fragile. Early morning hours — before the midday blackout window — are optimal for minimizing evaporative loss in Scottsdale's arid, low-humidity air.

Stage 2 is also a practical forcing function for the transition Scottsdale Water has been encouraging for years: xeriscape conversion. Replacing warm-season turfgrass with gravel, decomposed granite, and drought-tolerant desert plants such as Agave, Brittlebush, and Penstemon can reduce outdoor water use by 50–70% compared to a standard Bermudagrass lawn. Scottsdale Water's Water Smart program offers rebates specifically for turf removal and xeriscape conversion — a financial incentive that makes Stage 2 restrictions a reasonable moment to consider a permanent change rather than waiting for restrictions to lift.

Questions residents are asking

What are my two assigned watering days in Scottsdale?

Your assigned watering days under Stage 2 are determined by your street address number. Odd-numbered addresses and even-numbered addresses are each assigned a specific pair of days per week. Log into the Scottsdale Water customer portal at scottsdaleaz.gov/water or call the utility directly to confirm your exact assigned days — do not guess, as watering on an unassigned day is a citable offense regardless of intent.

Can I water my vegetable garden during the midday blackout hours?

No — the midday blackout applies to all outdoor water use via sprinklers or spray irrigation, including vegetable gardens. However, hand watering with a hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle is exempt from both the day restrictions and the midday blackout. For a vegetable garden, switching entirely to hand watering or drip irrigation eliminates the scheduling constraints and is significantly more water-efficient than overhead spray anyway.

Does Scottsdale Water use smart meters to catch violations?

Yes. Scottsdale Water has deployed Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) smart meters across the service area. These meters transmit usage data at frequent intervals, allowing Scottsdale Water staff to identify high-volume outdoor use occurring on non-watering days or during the midday blackout window without requiring a staff member to physically observe your property. If your sprinkler controller is not updated to reflect Stage 2 restrictions, the meter will likely flag the pattern before you receive a warning notice in the mail.

What rebates does Scottsdale Water offer for turf removal?

Scottsdale Water's Water Smart Home program offers rebates for replacing irrigated turf with desert-adapted landscaping. Rebate amounts are calculated per square foot of turf removed and replaced with qualifying xeriscape or low-water-use plantings. The program also offers rebates for high-efficiency irrigation controllers, pressure-regulating spray heads, and soil moisture sensors. Visit scottsdaleaz.gov/water for current rebate amounts, eligibility requirements, and the pre-approval process — approval must typically be obtained before beginning the removal project to qualify.

Can I fill or top off my swimming pool under Stage 2?

Topping off an existing pool to replace evaporative loss is permitted under Stage 2, but must be done using an automatic shut-off device — leaving a hose running unattended is prohibited. Filling a brand-new pool requires a permit from Scottsdale Water and is subject to Stage 2 scheduling restrictions. Installing a pool cover is strongly recommended: Scottsdale's heat and low relative humidity can cause a residential pool to lose several inches of water per week to evaporation, and a cover reduces that loss by up to 95%.

Is drip irrigation really exempt from the two-day schedule?

Yes — drip irrigation systems are exempt from the two-day-per-week frequency restriction under Stage 2. Scottsdale Water's drought response explicitly carves out drip systems because they deliver water directly to root zones with minimal evaporation, making them a net conservation tool even when run more frequently. This exemption makes drip conversion one of the most practical immediate steps for homeowners managing trees, shrubs, and desert perennials. The midday blackout does not apply to drip systems, giving you full scheduling flexibility.

What happens if my HOA fines me for a brown lawn during Stage 2?

Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 33-1817, your HOA cannot legally fine you for lawn browning or reduced irrigation that results from compliance with Scottsdale Water's Stage 2 Drought Response. Send the HOA a written notice referencing the statute and the active Stage 2 designation, and request the fine be rescinded. Keep a copy of the Scottsdale Water restriction notice as documentation. If the HOA continues to pursue the fine, the Arizona Department of Real Estate's HOA dispute resolution process and private legal counsel are both available options.

Does Stage 2 affect Scottsdale's golf courses?

Scottsdale's golf courses — many of which are among the heaviest water users in the city — are subject to Stage 2 restrictions on potable water use. However, many courses in Scottsdale already irrigate primarily with reclaimed water delivered through Scottsdale Water's reclaimed distribution system, which operates under separate allocation rules. Courses still using potable water for any irrigation must comply with Stage 2 scheduling. The city has been actively transitioning golf courses to 100% reclaimed water use as part of its long-term water management strategy, and Stage 2 accelerates that pressure.

What days can I water my lawn in Scottsdale?

2 assigned days/week Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle is typically allowed any day during permitted hours.

What time can I water in Scottsdale?

Watering is allowed Mid-day blackout. Watering outside these hours is a violation even on your assigned day.

What are the fines for watering violations in Scottsdale?

First offense: Warning first. Repeat violations: Escalating fines. Contact Scottsdale Water for the full enforcement schedule.

When will water restrictions end in Scottsdale?

Current Stage 2 Drought Response restrictions are in effect through Until conditions improve. Monitor https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/water for the latest status.

How do I report a water waste violation in Scottsdale?

Contact Scottsdale Water or visit https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/water. Most utilities accept online reports and respond within 48 hours.