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Irrigation, Drip & Sprinkler Systems in Las Vegas, NV

Quick answer

Irrigation in Las Vegas must follow SNWA's mandatory seasonal schedule: one assigned day a week in winter, three in spring and fall, no watering from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in summer, and no sprinklers on Sunday. Drip should water trees and shrubs, lawns should run short cycles, and leaks must be fixed within 48 hours.

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In Las Vegas, the irrigation system is the most important part of the landscape. Almost nothing planted here survives on rainfall alone, and a system that leaks, sprays onto sidewalks or runs on the wrong days can cost you plants, money and water-waste fees. A good system puts water at the roots, on the days the rules allow, in amounts the soil can absorb.

The valley's watering rules

The Southern Nevada Water Authority sets mandatory seasonal watering limits for municipal water customers. From November through February, landscape irrigation is limited to one assigned day a week. In March and April, and again in September and October, it is limited to three assigned days. From May through August, landscape irrigation is prohibited between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sprinkler watering on Sunday is prohibited in every season. Your assigned watering group appears on your water bill and on the SNWA website. Running sprinklers on the wrong days, letting water spray or flow off your property, or leaving a leak unrepaired for more than 48 hours counts as water waste, and water providers can charge fees that rise for repeat violations.

Drip for plants, short cycles for grass

  • Drip irrigation is the standard for trees, shrubs and desert plantings. SNWA advises running drip longer but less often, and notes that running drip too many days a week is the most common homeowner mistake.
  • Trees need water across the root zone, out toward the edge of the canopy, not just at the trunk. Add emitters as trees grow.
  • Lawn sprinklers should run in short cycles. SNWA recommends about four minutes per cycle, repeated with an hour or two between, so water soaks in rather than running off.
  • Separate zones for lawn, shrubs and trees let each get the water it needs.

Smart controllers and rebates

Weather-based smart controllers can adjust run times as conditions change. EPA's WaterSense program labels controllers that meet its efficiency criteria, and SNWA has offered an incentive for smart irrigation controllers. Check the SNWA rebates page for current terms. Whatever controller you have, reset it each season, since a summer schedule left running into fall is a common source of waste.

Backflow prevention

Irrigation systems connected to a public water supply need a backflow prevention assembly to keep irrigation water from being drawn back into drinking water lines. Installation and testing requirements are set by your water provider, which may be the Las Vegas Valley Water District, the City of Henderson or the City of North Las Vegas depending on your address, so ask your installer what applies to your home. Exposed backflow assemblies and pipes can be damaged on cold winter nights, so ask about insulating covers.

Common repairs

  • Emitters clogged by hard water minerals, or blown off their tubing
  • Broken drip tubing chewed by animals or cut during planting
  • Leaking valves, often noticed as a wet spot, bubbling in the lawn or a higher water bill
  • Spray heads tilted onto walls, walks or the street
  • Old spray zones still watering beds that should be on drip

Licensing and questions to ask

Nevada's C-10 landscape license includes landscape irrigation systems. Work worth $1,000 or more generally requires a licensed contractor; check the Nevada State Contractors Board website.

  • How will you zone the system, and will all planted areas use drip?
  • Will you program the controller to my watering group and the seasonal limits?
  • What does my water provider require for backflow?
  • What warranty covers parts and labor?

For the full schedule and setup tips, read our Las Vegas watering guide or request an irrigation company.

See how it works

How a sprinkler zone waters a lawn. Press the buttons to run each step and see what happens inside. Made with Colorfigures ·
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Frequently asked questions

What days can I water in Las Vegas?

It depends on the season and your assigned watering group, which is on your water bill and the SNWA website. Sprinkler watering on Sunday is prohibited year-round.

What is the fine for water waste in Las Vegas?

Fees are set by your water provider's service rules and local ordinances. SNWA says they can range from $40 up to $5,000, with higher amounts for repeat violations.

How often should I run drip in summer?

SNWA's guidance for drip is longer and less frequent watering, no more than three days a week in summer, and only on your assigned days. Check soil moisture before adding days.

Sources and further reading

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