The Flagstaff Water Commission spent the Nov. 20 meeting examining potential revisions to the city’s reclaimed-water and water-conservation codes, focusing on whether to prohibit future aesthetic water features and how to handle exceptions for recreation, wildlife or fire-suppression purposes.

Tamara Lawls, the city’s water conservation program manager, reviewed sample language from other jurisdictions, including Henderson and North Las Vegas, that restrict new decorative water features and define exemptions such as irrigation reservoirs for golf courses, recirculating systems and climate‑controlled installations. Lawls said many municipalities explicitly exempt preexisting features (grandfathering) while banning new artificial lakes for aesthetic purposes. “They do not allow new water features on property … they do allow this single water feature of not more than 25 square feet on a residential property,” she said while reviewing sample code examples.

Commissioners discussed criteria to distinguish aesthetic uses from functional ones and suggested drafting measurable thresholds (for example, surface-area or volume tests), and application or management-plan requirements for any allowed exceptions. Participants also discussed impacts on groundwater supply, long-term cost of increased capacity and the possibility that warming trends and second-home use could increase demand.

On turf and athletic fields, Lawls presented an approach used elsewhere that allows an exemption for active recreational turf if the site submits a conservation plan demonstrating operational necessity and efficiency measures. The commission suggested adding application requirements such as active moisture monitoring or other management practices as conditions of exemption.

Lawls proposed new reclaimed-system rules that would prohibit outdoor irrigation between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. from May through September and expand the city’s definition of “wasting water” to include failing to repair leaks or allowing water to run into the street. She also recommended code language that would authorize future enforcement methods — including data analytics, visual confirmation and satellite imagery — subject to legal review.

Commissioners asked legal to review whether the city can restrict HOA CC&Rs or require changes when HOAs revise governing documents, and Lawls said she will draft language and consult legal before returning with a proposed ordinance in December or January. Staff flagged that implementing some of the enforcement options and HOA provisions will require coordination with the city attorney’s office and possible state-law review.

No formal action was taken; staff will consult legal, refine draft language and return with a proposed ordinance for commission feedback.