Tucson Code § 27-90 Purpose.
Sec. 27-90. Purpose.
This article establishes a city emergency water conservation response plan.
(Ord. No. 8461, § 1, 3-20-95)
EMERGENCY WATER CONSERVATION RESPONSE
Tucson Code ch. 27, art. VI
in effectTucson Code § 27-91 Declaration of policy.
Sec. 27-91. Declaration of policy.
It is hereby declared that, because of varying conditions related to water resource supply and distribution system capabilities, it is necessary to establish and to enforce methods and procedures to ensure that, in time of emergency shortage of the local water supply, the water resources available to the city are put to the maximum beneficial use, that the unreasonable use, or unreasonable method of use is prevented, and that conservation of water is accomplished in the interests of the customers of the city water department and for the public health, safety, and welfare.
(Ord. No. 8461, § 1, 3-20-95)
Tucson Code § 27-92 Application.
Sec. 27-92. Application.
(a) This article applies to all departments of the city, and to all city water customers who own, occupy, or control water use on any premises as defined in section 27-10.
(b) No person shall make, cause, use, or permit the use of water received from the city water department for residential, commercial, industrial, governmental or any other purpose in any manner contrary to any provision in this article.
(c) Mandatory emergency conservation measures shall be implemented based upon the declaration of an emergency pursuant to section 27-93.
(Ord. No. 8461, § 1, 3-20-95)
Tucson Code § 27-93 Declaration of water emergency authorized.
Sec. 27-93. Declaration of water emergency authorized.
The mayor and council or, in the absence of a quorum, the mayor or the mayor's designate, upon the recommendation of the director of the city water department is hereby authorized to declare a water emergency and to implement mandatory conservation measures as set forth in this article.
(Ord. No. 8461, § 1, 3-20-95)
Tucson Code § 27-94 Implementation, termination.
Sec. 27-94. Implementation, termination.
(a) The director of the water department shall develop guidelines which set forth general criteria to assist the mayor and council, or in the absence of a quorum, the mayor or the mayor's designate in determining when to declare a water emergency. Upon declaration of a water emergency, the city manager shall report in writing to the mayor and council providing the reasons for and expected duration of such emergency and describing implementation of emergency water conservation measures.
(b) Upon the cessation of the condition or conditions giving rise to the water emergency, or upon majority vote of the mayor and council, or in the absence of a quorum, the mayor or the mayor's designate shall declare the water emergency terminated. Upon such termination, the mandatory conservation measures shall no longer be in effect.
(Ord. No. 8461, § 1, 3-20-95)
Tucson Code § 27-95 Mandatory emergency water conservation measures.
Sec. 27-95. Mandatory emergency water conservation measures.
Upon declaration of a water emergency and notification to the public, the following mandatory restrictions upon nonessential uses shall be enforced:
(1) All outdoor irrigation, except for those areas irrigated with reclaimed water, is prohibited. If the city manager deems it appropriate, a schedule designating certain outdoor watering days may be implemented in place of the irrigation ban.
(2) Washing of sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or other paved areas with water from any pressurized source, including garden hoses, except to alleviate immediate health or safety hazards, is prohibited.
(3) The outdoor use of any water-based play apparatus connected to a pressurized source is prohibited.
(4) Operation of water cooled space and equipment cooling systems below an operating efficiency level of two cycles of concentration is prohibited.
(5) Restaurants and other food service establishments are prohibited from serving water to their customers, unless water is specifically requested by the customer.
(6) Operation of outdoor misting systems used to cool public areas is prohibited.
(7) The filling of swimming pools, fountains, spas or other exterior water features is prohibited.
(8) The washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers and other types of mobile equipment is prohibited, except at facilities equipped with wash water recirculation systems, and for vehicles requiring frequent washing to protect public health, safety and welfare.
(Ord. No. 8461, § 1, 3-20-95)
Tucson Code § 27-96 Variances.
Sec. 27-96. Variances.
The city manager, or the city manager's designate, is authorized to review hardship cases and special cases within which strict application of this chapter would result in serious hardship to a customer. A variance may be granted only for reasons involving health, safety or economic hardship. Application for variance from requirements of this chapter must be made on a form provided by the director.
(Ord. No. 8461, § 1, 3-20-95)
Tucson Code § 27-97 Violation.
Sec. 27-97. Violation.
(a) In the event of any violation of this article, a written notice shall be placed on the property where the violation occurred and a duplicate mailed to the person who is regularly billed for the service where the violation occurs and to any person known to the department who is responsible for the violation or it's correction. Such notice shall describe the violation and order that it be corrected, ceased or abated immediately or within such specified time as the department determines is reasonable under the circumstances and shall contain a description of the fees and penalties associated with such violation. If such order is not complied with, the department may forthwith disconnect the service where the violation occurs. A two hundred fifty dollar ($250.00) fee shall be imposed for the reconnection of any service disconnected pursuant to noncompliance, which shall be in addition to other fees or charges imposed by this chapter for disconnection of service.
(b) In addition to being grounds for discontinuation of service, violation of any provision of this article shall be a civil infraction. An individual or corporation convicted of violating provisions of this section shall be assessed a civil penalty of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00).
(Ord. No. 8461, § 1, 3-20-95)
Tucson Code § 27-98 Enforcement.
Sec. 27-98. Enforcement.
The city manager is authorized to designate city employees to enforce the provisions of this article.
(Ord. No. 8461, § 1, 3-20-95)
Tucson Code § 27-99 Definitions.
Sec. 27-99. Definitions.
Department means the city water department.
Director means director of the city water department.
Economic hardship means a threat to an individual's or business' primary source of income.
Notification to public means notification through local media, including interviews and issuance of news releases.
Outdoor watering day means a specific day, as described in a specific outdoor watering plan, during which irrigation with sprinkler systems or otherwise may take place.
(Ord. No. 8461, § 1, 3-20-95)
Source: City of Tucson, Tucson Code (Charter and General Ordinances) and Unified Development Code (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/tucson/latest/tucson_az/0-0-0-20673Fetched: 10/28/2026