Asking how many irrigation zones an HOA needs is really two questions: how many stations exist today, and how many controllers should manage them. Overloading one box creates long water windows and complaint-prone dry spots; splitting thoughtfully keeps pressure, runtime, and landscaper workflows sane.
Upgrade hub: HOA irrigation controller upgrade. Buying context: controller buying guide.
Count stations the board way
- Open each cabinet and read the highest station number in use (not empty slots).
- List orphan valves that are wired but unlabeled—fix them.
- Separate turf, shrub, drip, and specialty (sports turf, slopes).
- Note future phases (new park, monument remodel) so you do not buy a dead-end 6-station unit.
Sizing table for Hydrawise HOA projects
| Active stations | Typical pick | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1–6 | Pro-HC 6 or WAND on X2 | Small entries, clubhouse beds |
| 7–12 | Pro-HC 12 | Most pocket parks |
| 13–24 | Pro-HC 24 or modular HPC | Watch total runtime window |
| 25–54+ | HPC-400 / HCC | Large commons; expand modules |
| Many distant sites | Multiple controllers | Prefer site-based boxes over mega home-runs |
One big controller vs several smaller ones
Use multiple Hydrawise controllers when sites are geographically separated, have different water windows, or different landscaper crews. Contractor software tiers manage fleets; residents still see green entries without one failed transformer taking down the whole association.
Runtime and water-window reality
Station count is not the only limit—available overnight hours matter. If every turf zone needs 20 minutes and you only have a 4-hour window, you need more simultaneous capacity (multiple controllers or smarter zoning), not just more station slots. Validate with the runtime calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should drip share a station with turf?
No. Give drip its own station with matched precipitation. Mixing plant types is a top cause of HOA dry-spot tickets.
Do expansion modules count toward sizing?
Yes—plan the final station total, including modules you expect to add in phase two of the reserve study.
When do we need two-wire instead?
Very large campuses with long trench runs may justify decoder systems. See our 2-wire decoder guide; many mid-size HOAs stay conventional with Hydrawise.
Next step
Send station counts per cabinet to the Quote Center. Continue with Hydrawise for common areas.
