Does Las Cruces Have a Water Problem?
Yes, in the sense that matters for landscaping decisions: the City of Las Cruces actively regulates outdoor watering by day of the week and time of day, which is a direct, ongoing signal about water supply pressure in this region — not a temporary drought measure that will quietly go away.
The Actual Watering Schedule
Per the City of Las Cruces Water Conservation Program:
- No outdoor watering on Mondays, citywide.
- Even-numbered addresses water Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
- Odd-numbered addresses water Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
- April 1 through September 30, outdoor watering is only allowed before 10am and after 6pm.
| Address / Day | Watering Status |
|---|---|
| Monday (all addresses) | No outdoor watering, citywide |
| Even-numbered addresses | Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday |
| Odd-numbered addresses | Wednesday, Friday, Sunday |
| Apr 1 – Sep 30, all addresses | Only before 10am and after 6pm |
These rules apply whether you’re hand-watering, running a hose, or using an automatic sprinkler or drip system. See the City’s own Water Conservation page for the full, current ordinance, and our Resources page for the Water Conservation Program’s contact information and free workshops.
What This Means for Your Irrigation System
An automatic sprinkler system needs to be programmed around this schedule, not just set to run whenever is convenient — a system watering on the wrong days or outside allowed hours is a real, avoidable ordinance violation, not just a design preference. See our Irrigation & Sprinkler Systems page for how we set systems up to match the current rules by default.
What This Means for Plant Selection
A watering schedule limited to three days a week, only during specific hours, favors plants that can go several days between waterings once established — which is a strong practical argument for xeriscaping and drought-tolerant plant selection generally, independent of any personal preference for a “desert look.” See our Drought-Tolerant Plants for Las Cruces guide for real species that hold up under this schedule.
Is There a Rebate for Converting to Xeriscape in Las Cruces?
Not currently, as of this writing. Some cities in the Southwest (Albuquerque, for example) run turf-conversion rebate programs; the City of Las Cruces does not. The financial case for xeriscaping here rests on lower ongoing water bills and reduced maintenance over time, not an upfront rebate check.
Can I Get an Exception to the Watering Schedule?
The City’s Water Conservation Program handles variance requests for legitimate needs — contact information is on our Resources page. We don’t make that determination ourselves, but we can help you plan an irrigation and planting design that works within whatever schedule applies to your property.
Get in touch if you want your irrigation system or planting plan checked against the current ordinance.
Written by the crew at Rooted Landscape Co.