Tempe AZ Water Restrictions 2026

Current water restrictions in Tempe, Arizona

Tempe is under Stage 2 Drought Response restrictions, limiting outdoor watering to 2 days per week on assigned days only, with a mid-day blackout window when watering is prohibited.

The restrictions are administered by City of Tempe Water and are aligned with the broader Phoenix metro Stage 2 Drought Response, reflecting coordinated action across the region rather than an isolated local emergency. Tempe did not act alone — the restriction framework mirrors the phased drought response adopted across central Arizona as the Colorado River system faces compounding pressure.

The trigger is Arizona's active Tier 2 Shortage declaration on the Colorado River, the most significant federal shortage level yet imposed under the 2019 Drought Contingency Plan. Arizona is absorbing mandatory cuts to its Colorado River allocation delivered through the Central Arizona Project (CAP), the canal system that moves water from Lake Havasu into the Phoenix metro area including Tempe. The CAP is facing potential allocation reductions of up to 27% under post-2026 operating guidelines, making Stage 2 restrictions a long-term management posture rather than a temporary inconvenience.

At the state level, Tucson and other metro Phoenix municipalities are under comparable critical restrictions, signaling that this is a statewide emergency response, not a localized supply problem.

Practically speaking: if Wednesday falls on your assigned watering day and you water during the permitted hours (outside the mid-day blackout), watering your garden is allowed. If Wednesday is not one of your two assigned days, outdoor irrigation is not permitted regardless of temperature or plant condition. A resident cannot simply choose to water on a hot afternoon mid-week — schedule compliance is mandatory, not discretionary.

For the most current schedule assignments and updates, visit tempe.gov or contact City of Tempe Water directly.

Tempe's watering days and hours

Rule	Details
Days per week	2 assigned days per week
Day assignment	Based on address — check with City of Tempe Water
Allowed hours	Before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. (mid-day blackout applies)
Hand watering	Exempt — shut-off nozzle required
Drip irrigation	Exempt from day restrictions
New sod/seed	30-day establishment window — register with City of Tempe Water

Under Stage 2 rules, Tempe assigns each residential address two specific watering days per week based on address number or street zone. Odd and even address schemes are common in the Phoenix metro model — odd-numbered addresses typically water on different days than even-numbered addresses — but residents should confirm their exact assigned days through tempe.gov, as Tempe's current Stage 2 framework may use zone-based assignments rather than a simple odd/even split.

The mid-day blackout prohibits all outdoor irrigation — sprinklers, hose-end sprayers, and oscillating heads — between approximately 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. This window targets peak evaporation hours in the Valley, when temperatures routinely exceed 105°F in summer and water loss before reaching plant roots can exceed 30% with overhead spray. Drip irrigation, because it delivers water directly to root zones with minimal surface evaporation, is exempt from both the day restrictions and the blackout window under Stage 2 guidelines.

Multi-family and commercial properties in Tempe are subject to the same Stage 2 day restrictions as single-family residential, though landscaping managers should contact City of Tempe Water directly to confirm whether their meter account carries any conditional variance. Large common-area turf at apartment complexes does not receive an automatic exemption.

Tempe's desert landscape includes mature trees that need priority water access during Stage 2 — particularly Blue Palo Verde (Parkinsonia florida), Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis), and Velvet Mesquite (Prosopis velutina). These native trees are drought-adapted but benefit from deep, infrequent watering at the drip line during extended shortage periods. Because drip irrigation is exempt, maintaining a slow-drip emitter at the root zone of these trees on a non-restricted schedule is both legal and recommended under current Stage 2 conditions.

Violation fines and enforcement

Offense	Penalty
First offense	Written warning — no fine
Second offense	Escalating fines begin
Third and subsequent	Continued escalation; potential flow restrictor installation
Commercial properties	Same framework — fines may be higher at City of Tempe Water's discretion

City of Tempe Water enforces Stage 2 restrictions through a combination of complaint-based reporting and field patrol. Residents can report violations through Tempe's online service portal at tempe.gov. Enforcement staff conduct neighborhood patrols, particularly during the mid-day blackout hours when violations are easiest to observe. Tempe has deployed advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) across much of the city, meaning unusual consumption spikes outside permitted hours can be flagged through meter data without requiring a neighbor complaint.

If you receive a warning or fine you believe was issued in error — for example, if your drip system was mistaken for prohibited spray irrigation — City of Tempe Water has an administrative appeals process. Contact the utility directly in writing within the timeframe stated on your notice. First-offense warnings are generally resolved without escalation if corrected promptly; repeat violations are not eligible for the same leniency.

Other outdoor water rules

Beyond lawn and landscape irrigation, Stage 2 in Tempe restricts or modifies several other outdoor water uses. In the Phoenix metro desert climate, pool management and evaporative cooling are among the highest-stakes categories alongside irrigation.

• Swimming pools: Topping off pools is discouraged but not fully prohibited under Stage 2. Use of a pool cover is strongly encouraged to reduce the significant evaporation that occurs when Valley temperatures exceed 100°F — uncovered pools in Tempe can lose 1–1.5 inches of water per week to evaporation in summer.
• Car washing: Washing vehicles at home is restricted to hand-washing with a shut-off nozzle only. Running a hose without a shutoff device is prohibited under Stage 2 rules. Commercial car washes that recycle water are permitted and are the preferred option.
• Pressure washing: Non-essential pressure washing of driveways, sidewalks, and exterior walls is prohibited. Pressure washing for health and safety reasons (removing mold, hazardous materials) may be allowed with documentation.
• Decorative fountains: Ornamental fountains not connected to a recirculating pump system must be shut off. Recirculating fountains are permitted.
• Construction water: Dust suppression and construction site water use require compliance with Tempe's grading and development permits; operators should confirm current Stage 2 construction water requirements with the City of Tempe Development Services.
• Restaurant water service: Tempe restaurants are required under Stage 2 to serve drinking water only upon request, not automatically.

How Tempe gets its water

Tempe's water supply is a managed blend of three primary sources: Colorado River water delivered via the Central Arizona Project (CAP), Salt River Project (SRP) surface water from the Verde and Salt River watersheds, and local groundwater from the Phoenix Active Management Area aquifer.

The Central Arizona Project canal diverts Colorado River water from Lake Havasu — the reservoir formed by Parker Dam on the Arizona-California border — and pumps it uphill 336 miles to the Phoenix metro area. This CAP water is Tempe's most vulnerable supply. Under the Bureau of Reclamation's Tier 2 Shortage declaration, Arizona's CAP allocation is reduced from its normal 1.6 million acre-feet, with cuts falling disproportionately on agricultural users first, then on municipal CAP contractors. Tempe holds municipal CAP allocation rights, giving it some protection, but the pending post-2026 operational guidelines threaten deeper reductions.

The Salt River Project stores and delivers water from a chain of reservoirs on the Salt and Verde Rivers — including Lake Pleasant (operated jointly with the Arizona Water Bank Authority), Roosevelt Lake, Saguaro Lake, and Bartlett Lake on the Verde. SRP water is treated at the Val Vista Water Treatment Plant and the Deer Valley Water Treatment Plant before reaching Tempe's distribution system.

Groundwater from the Phoenix AMA serves as a drought buffer. The Arizona Water Bank Authority has stored hundreds of thousands of acre-feet of CAP water underground in the West Salt River Valley and Hassayampa sub-basins over the past two decades precisely for shortage scenarios like the current Tier 2. Tempe also operates reclaimed water infrastructure — treated wastewater effluent is delivered to parks and golf courses in and around Tempe, reducing demand on potable supplies. The 91st Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant, operated by a regional partnership, processes effluent that re-enters the Salt River and the local reclaimed water network.

HOA and brown lawn protections

Arizona law protects Tempe homeowners from HOA fines for brown or dormant lawns during mandatory water restrictions. Arizona Revised Statutes § 33-1817 prohibits a homeowners' association from fining or taking action against a member for allowing landscaping to die, go dormant, or turn brown when the property owner is complying with a government-issued water restriction order.

Under the current Stage 2 Drought Response administered by City of Tempe Water, your lawn and landscape are legally protected from HOA enforcement action if the condition of your yard results from following the mandated 2-days-per-week watering schedule. The protection applies as long as you are in compliance with the restriction — watering on your assigned days, outside the mid-day blackout, and not exceeding permitted run times.

If your HOA sends a warning or threatens a fine for landscape condition during Stage 2, respond in writing immediately. Below is a template you can use:

"This letter is to notify [HOA Name] that the current condition of my landscaping is a direct result of mandatory compliance with the City of Tempe Water Stage 2 Drought Response restrictions, currently in effect at [your address]. Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 33-1817, a homeowners' association may not impose fines or take enforcement action against a member for landscape conditions caused by adherence to a government-mandated water restriction. I am in full compliance with City of Tempe Water regulations and request that this notice be withdrawn. Please confirm receipt of this letter and your intent to rescind the warning within 14 days."

Keep a copy of your City of Tempe Water account showing your assigned watering days as documentation. If the HOA continues to pursue action, file a complaint with the Arizona Department of Real Estate, which oversees HOA compliance with state law.

Keeping your lawn alive on restricted water

Grass Type	Drought Tolerance	Survival on 2 Days/Week	Notes
Bermudagrass	High	Yes — goes dormant, recovers	Most common turf in Tempe; survives Stage 2 with deep watering
Buffalograss	Very High	Yes — native-adapted	Excellent for Tempe; low water needs align with Stage 2 limits
Blue Grama	Very High	Yes	Native desert grass; minimal supplemental irrigation required
Overseeded Ryegrass (winter)	Low	Marginal — needs daily water when establishing	Winter overseeding discouraged under Stage 2; register if planting

Bermudagrass — the dominant lawn grass across Tempe residential yards — is well-suited to survive Stage 2 restrictions when watered deeply on assigned days rather than shallowly and frequently. During Stage 2, run sprinklers long enough on permitted days to wet soil 6–8 inches deep, which encourages deep root development and extends the grass's ability to pull moisture between watering days. Bermuda will go dormant and turn straw-colored in extreme heat with limited water — this is a survival mechanism, not death, and the lawn will recover when restrictions ease or cooler temperatures arrive.

Stage 2 is the right moment to consider converting traditional Bermuda turf to desert-adapted xeriscape. City of Tempe Water, in coordination with Valley of the Sun utilities and the Arizona Department of Water Resources, supports turf conversion to native and low-water-use plants — gravel, decomposed granite, and desert shrubs like Desert Marigold, Brittlebush, and Autumn Sage. Xeriscape conversions typically qualify for rebate programs (see FAQs below). Mowing Bermuda slightly higher than normal — around 1.5 to 2 inches — during summer heat helps shade roots and retain soil moisture between the two permitted watering days.

Tempe water restriction FAQ

What days can I water my lawn at my Tempe address?

Your specific two assigned watering days under Stage 2 are tied to your service address and account with City of Tempe Water. Log in to your account at tempe.gov or contact City of Tempe Water directly to confirm your assigned days. Do not assume an odd/even schedule applies without verification — Tempe's current Stage 2 framework may use zone-based assignments that differ by neighborhood.

What hours am I allowed to water in Tempe right now?

During Stage 2, outdoor irrigation is prohibited during the mid-day blackout — generally 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. You may water before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on your two assigned days. Drip irrigation is exempt from both the day restriction and the blackout window and may run at any hour.

Can I wash my car at home in Tempe during Stage 2?

Yes, but only with a hand-held hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle. Leaving a running hose unattended or without a shutoff device is prohibited under Stage 2. If you want to wash your vehicle without worrying about compliance, use a commercial car wash that recycles water — these are permitted under current restrictions.

Does City of Tempe Water use smart meters to catch irrigation violations?

Yes. Tempe has deployed Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) across its service area. These meters transmit usage data at short intervals, allowing City of Tempe Water to identify accounts with significant water flow during the mid-day blackout window or on non-assigned days. You do not need a neighbor complaint to trigger a review — the meter data itself can flag a potential violation.

What rebates does Tempe offer for removing my grass lawn?

City of Tempe Water participates in turf-removal rebate programs through the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (AMWUA) and coordinates with regional programs offering rebates for converting traditional grass to xeriscape, desert-adapted plants, or low-water-use groundcover. Rebate amounts and program availability change — visit tempe.gov and the AMWUA website to confirm current incentive levels before starting a conversion project, as rebate funds are often limited and disbursed on a first-come basis.

Is my drip irrigation system exempt from the 2-day restriction?

Yes. Drip irrigation is fully exempt from Tempe's Stage 2 day and hour restrictions because it delivers water directly to plant root zones with minimal surface evaporation — the primary waste concern during shortage conditions. You may run drip emitters on any day and at any time, including during the mid-day blackout. Make sure your drip lines are functioning correctly and not leaking, as a leaking drip system is not exempt from waste-of-water provisions.

I just installed new sod — can I water more than twice a week?

Newly installed sod or seeded areas may qualify for a 30-day establishment exemption, but you must register the installation with City of Tempe Water before increasing your watering frequency. Do not assume the exemption applies automatically. Contact City of Tempe Water through tempe.gov before or immediately after installation to register and receive written confirmation of your temporary establishment window.

Will Stage 2 restrictions in Tempe get stricter?

Potentially yes. Tempe's Stage 2 Drought Response is aligned with Phoenix metro conditions and the federal Tier 2 Shortage on the Colorado River. If Lake Mead's elevation at Hoover Dam continues to decline or the Bureau of Reclamation declares a Tier 3 Shortage — triggered when Lake Mead drops below elevation 1,025 feet — Arizona faces additional CAP cuts and Tempe could advance to a Stage 3 response, which typically includes further reductions in allowed watering days and may add new prohibited uses. Monitor updates from City of Tempe Water and the Arizona Department of Water Resources at azwater.gov.

What time can I water in Tempe?

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 Tempe?

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

When will water restrictions end in Tempe?

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

Can I hand water during Tempe water restrictions?

Yes. Hand watering with a hose fitted with a shut-off nozzle is generally allowed on any day during permitted hours. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses are also typically exempt from the day-of-week schedule. Confirm specifics with City of Tempe Water.

How do I report a water waste violation in Tempe?

Contact City of Tempe Water or visit https://www.tempe.gov. Most utilities accept online reports and respond within 48 hours.