Anaheim Municipal Code Ch. 10.18 Water Conservation and Water Shortage Contingency Rules and Regulations

The City Council finds and determines that because of prevailing water supply conditions within the State of California and the declared policy of the State, it is necessary and appropriate for the City to adopt, implement, and enforce water conservation rules and regulations to reduce water consumption within the City through conservation to ensure the reasonable and beneficial use of water and maximize its efficient use within the City. The City Council further finds and determines it is necessary and appropriate for the City to implement and enforce Water Shortage (defined below) contingency rules and regulations during periods of Water Shortages and Water Shortage Emergencies (defined below) to ensure that there is sufficient water for human consumption, sanitation, and fire protection. (Ord. 6626 § 5 (part); June 9, 2026.)

.010 Except as expressly stated within this Chapter, the provisions of this Chapter shall apply to all persons, entities, and property within the City. In addition, this Chapter shall apply to any Customers outside of the City.

.020 The provisions of this Chapter are in addition to, and not in lieu of, the provisions of Section 10.16.380 of this Code relating to curtailed supply of electricity or water.

.030 The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to the following water uses:

.01 Any use of water necessary for (a) the testing and maintenance of the Water System or City fire suppression system or (b) fire suppression or other similar emergency services affecting the public health and safety;

.02 Any use of water necessary to protect public health and safety as determined in the sole discretion of those persons or entities identified in Section 10.18.040.040 of this Chapter; and

.03 Any use of Recycled Water.

.040 The mandatory provisions of Sections 10.18.080, 10.18.090, and 10.18.100 shall not apply to the application of potable water to a food source between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., provided that the potable water is applied through drip irrigation or a hand-held hose with a self-closing water shut-off device. (Ord. 6626 § 5 (part); June 9, 2026.)

Unless specifically defined in this Section, words or phrases used in this Chapter shall be interpreted so as to give them the meaning they have in common usage and to give this Chapter the most reasonable application.

.010 "Alternative Compliance Plan" means a plan approved in accordance with Section 10.18.100 of this Chapter.

.020 "City" means the City of Anaheim located in California.

.030 "City Council" means the governing legislative body of the City.

.040 "Code" means the Anaheim Municipal Code.

.050 "Customer" has the meaning set forth in Rule 1 of the Rates, Rules and Regulations or any successor provision thereto.

.060 "Department" means the Public Utilities Department of the City.

.070 "General Manager" means the General Manager of the Department.

.080 "Large Landscape Area" means an area of vegetation at least three (3) acres in size supporting a business necessity or public benefit uses, including, without limitation, parks, golf courses, schools, and cemeteries.

.090 "Public Utilities Board" means that board described in Section 909 of the City Charter.

.100 "Rates, Rules and Regulations" means the rate structure, the rules, and any regulations approved by the City Council that govern the use and delivery of water within the Department's service area.

.110 "Recycled Water" means water that is approved for purposes other than human consumption and meets the criteria set forth in Division 4 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, as may be amended from time to time. Recycled Water does not include gray water.

.120 "Sidewalk" means that portion of the roadway set apart by curbs, barriers, markings, or other delineation for pedestrian travel.

.130 "Water Reduction Plan" means the actions the City will take in response to a Water Shortage and that are described in the City's Water Shortage Contingency Plan.

.140 "Water Shortage" means the City's current or anticipated water supply cannot or will not meet water Customers' ordinary demands or requirements without depleting the City's water supply.

.150 "Water Shortage Contingency Plan" means the plan prepared by the City pursuant to Water Code section 10632 and that is incorporated into the City's Urban Water Management Plan.

.160 "Water Shortage Emergency" means, as described in California Water Code section 350, a Water Shortage declared by the City Council after it finds and determines that the City's current or anticipated water supply cannot or will not meet water Customers' ordinary demands or requirements without depleting the City's water supply to the extent that there would be insufficient water for human consumption, sanitation, and fire protection.

.170 "Water System" has the meaning set forth in Rule 1 of the Rates, Rules and Regulations or any successor provision thereto. (Ord. 6626 § 5 (part); June 9, 2026.)

.010 The City is authorized to adopt and enforce a water conservation program and Water Shortage measures to reduce the quantity of water used by persons within its jurisdiction for the purpose of conserving the water supplies.

.020 The Department shall monitor and evaluate the projected water supply and demands.

.030 The City is authorized to declare a Water Shortage within its jurisdiction.

.040 Except where expressly delegated to a specific officer, department, board, or commission of the City, the various officers, departments, or commissions of the City are authorized and directed to implement the applicable provisions of this Chapter upon the effective date hereof.

.050 When water supply conditions require additional actions, the City may implement Water Shortage response actions beyond those described in the Water Reduction Plans in the City's Water Shortage Contingency Plan, consistent with this Chapter. (Ord. 6626 § 5 (part); June 9, 2026.)

.010 The City Council may, by motion, declare any non-emergency Water Shortage category.

.020 If water supply conditions indicate that the ordinary demands and requirements of water Customers cannot be satisfied without depleting the City's water supply to the extent that there would be insufficient water for human consumption, sanitation, and fire protection, the General Manager may recommend that the City Council declare a Water Shortage Emergency. After holding any required public hearing pursuant to California Water Code section 350, the City Council shall, by resolution, declare a Water Shortage Emergency if it finds that the conditions specified in Section 10.18.030.160 exist.

.030 If shortage conditions improve such that the declared Water Shortage Emergency category can be deescalated, the City Council may rescind or modify the Water Shortage Emergency declaration, or may allow automatic rescission upon the Public Utilities Board's declaration of a non-emergency Water Shortage. (Ord. 6626 § 5 (part); June 9, 2026.)

.010 The Public Utilities Board is authorized to declare any Water Shortage category except for the category of Water Shortage Emergency.

.020 If water supply conditions indicate that the City's current or anticipated water supply cannot or will not meet water Customers' ordinary demands or requirements without depleting the City's water supply, but not to the extent of a Water Shortage Emergency, the General Manager may recommend that the Public Utilities Board declare a Water Shortage. The Public Utilities Board shall declare a Water Shortage and indicate the Water Shortage category as described in the Water Shortage Contingency Plan if it finds that the conditions described for the declared category exist.

.030 If shortage conditions improve such that the Public Utilities Board's declared Water Shortage category can be reduced, or if conditions worsen beyond the declared category but not to the extent of a Water Shortage Emergency, the Public Utilities Board may rescind or modify the Water Shortage declaration.

.040 If a City Council declaration of a Water Shortage category has an effective period concurrent with a Public Utilities Board declaration of a Water Shortage category, the City Council declaration shall govern during the concurrent effective period. (Ord. 6626 § 5 (part); June 9, 2026.)

.010 When the General Manager determines that a sudden event has, or threatens to, significantly diminish the reliability or quality of the City's water supply, the General Manager may declare a catastrophic Water Shortage and impose emergency water allocations or Water Shortage response actions as necessary to protect the reliability and quality of the City's water supply, until the emergency passes or the City takes other action. The General Manager's declaration shall not be considered a Water Shortage Emergency and shall be presented to the City Council as a recommendation to declare a Water Shortage Emergency as soon as reasonably feasible.

.020 If there is an emergency or local emergency, as both are defined in Section 6.04.020 of the Code, and the authority granted to the General Manager in Section 10.18.070.010 conflicts with Chapter 6.04, Chapter 6.04 shall govern. (Ord. 6626 § 5 (part); June 9, 2026.)

Upon declaration of a Water Shortage, the City will inform all relevant stakeholders, such as Customers; the public; and local, regional, and state governments of the effective date of the Water Shortage response actions associated with the relevant shortage category according to the communication procedures identified in the Water Shortage Contingency Plan. (Ord. 6626 § 5 (part); June 9, 2026.)

Upon declaration of a Water Shortage, the General Manager is authorized to implement any Water Reduction Plans within the declared Water Shortage category as appropriate to address the extent of shortages. To the extent water shortage conditions vary during the declared Water Shortage category, the General Manager may implement any Water Reduction Plan appropriate for responding to the conditions in accordance with this Chapter and the City's Water Shortage Contingency Plan, as may be amended. (Ord. 6626 § 5 (part); June 9, 2026.)

Any person or entity with a Large Landscape Area may deviate from the designated watering days of the week, as specified in the Water Shortage Contingency Plan, if the person or entity obtains an Alternative Compliance Plan approved by the General Manager or designee. The Alternative Compliance Plan must demonstrate implementation of alternative water conservation measures to achieve comparable water savings as specified in the Water Shortage Contingency Plan. (Ord. 6626 § 5 (part); June 9, 2026.)

.010 If, due to unique circumstances, enforcement of a specific requirement of this Chapter would result in undue hardship to a person using water or to property upon which water is used, the person may appeal to the Department for an exemption by applying for a waiver from the requirements:

.01 Application for a waiver must be on a form prescribed by the Department.

.02 The written application shall be accompanied by photographs, maps, drawings, or other pertinent information as applicable.

.03 Based on the information and supporting documents provided in the application, any additional information provided as requested, and water use information for the property as shown by the records of the City, the General Manager, or designee, will take into consideration the following in making the waiver determination:

a. That the waiver does not constitute a grant of special privilege inconsistent with the limitation upon other City water service Customers;

b. That because of special circumstances applicable to the property or its use, the strict application of this Chapter would have a disproportionate impact on the property or use that exceeds the impacts on water service Customers generally;

c. That the authorization of such waiver will not be of substantial detriment to adjacent properties, will not materially affect the ability of the City to effectuate the purpose of this Chapter, and will not be detrimental to the public interest;

d. That the condition or situation of the subject property or the intended use of the property for which the waiver is sought is not common, recurrent, or general in nature.

.020 The General Manager, or designee, may approve or deny the waiver. If approved, the waiver will apply for the duration indicated in the waiver. The Department will give the applicant written notice of the determination. The decision of the General Manager, or designee, is final. If denied, any resulting violation is subject to enforcement pursuant to section 10.18.140. (Ord. 6626 § 5 (part); June 9, 2026.)

The City may adopt a rate structure designed to reduce water consumption in accordance with the requirements of State law. (Ord. 6626 § 5 (part); June 9, 2026.)

.010 To prevent the unreasonable use of water and to promote water conservation, the following uses of water are permanently prohibited:

.01 Washing down Sidewalks, walkways, driveways, buildings, structures, patios, parking areas, or other hard or paved surfaces, except to alleviate safety or sanitary hazards and only by use of a handheld container, hose with an automatic shut-off device, or a low-volume high-pressure cleaning machine that recycles used water.

.02 Watering or irrigating of any lawn, landscape, or other vegetated area in a manner that causes or allows more than incidental runoff or water flow such that water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots, driveways, streets, alleys, gutters, ditches, or structures. "Incidental runoff" means unintended amounts (volume) of runoff, such as unintended, minimal overspray from sprinklers that escapes the area of intended use. Water leaving an intended use area is not considered incidental if it is part of the facility or system design, if it is due to excessive application, if it is due to intentional overflow or application, or if it is due to negligence.

.03 Using water to irrigate outdoor landscapes during or within forty-eight (48) hours after measurable rainfall of one-fourth of one inch (.25") or more.

.04 Using water to wash or clean a vehicle, including, but not limited to, any automobile, truck, van, bus, motorcycle, boat, or trailer, except by use of a hand-held bucket or hand-held hose equipped with a self-closing device or water shut-off nozzle. This subsection does not apply to any commercial car washing facility.

.05 Using water to clean, fill, or maintain levels in decorative fountains, ponds, lakes, or other similar aesthetic structures, unless such water is part of a re-circulating system. The only exceptions shall be a water feature currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places, where water use is deemed necessary for the integrity of the feature, or a water feature that has been issued a waiver from the City.

.06 Installation of non-recirculating water systems in commercial conveyor car wash and commercial laundry systems unless a waiver from the City has been obtained.

.020 All leaks, breaks, or other malfunctions in the Customer's plumbing, irrigation, or distribution system must be repaired within seventy-two (72) hours after the Customer is made or becomes aware, unless other arrangements are made with the City. (Ord. 6626 § 5 (part); June 9, 2026.)

.010 It shall be unlawful for any person to violate the mandatory provisions of this Chapter.

.020 A willful violation of any mandatory provision of this Chapter shall be a misdemeanor and shall be punishable upon conviction as authorized by Section 1.01.370 of this Code, or any successor provision thereto.

.030 In addition to any remedies or enforcement measures provided by State law or in this Chapter, any violation of this Chapter is subject to civil fines in accordance with Chapter 1.20 of this Code, or any successor provision thereto. Pursuant to Chapter 1.20, any person receiving a civil citation may contest (appeal) it by filing a request for an administrative review.

.040 In addition to any other remedies provided in this Code or available under applicable law, the City can alternatively seek injunctive relief in the Superior Court or take enforcement actions for violations of this Chapter. (Ord. 6626 § 5 (part); June 9, 2026.)

The rights of the Department hereunder shall be cumulative to any other right of the Department to discontinue service. (Ord. 6626 § 5 (part); June 9, 2026.)