Arroyo Grande Municipal Code Ch. 13.05 Water Conservation

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 631, § 2, adopted May 10, 2011, repealed and replaced in its entirety the former Ch. 13.05, §§ 13.05.010—13.05.070, and enacted a new Ch. 13.05 as set out herein. The former Ch. 13.05 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. 576 §§ 2—4, 2005: Ord. 540 § 1, Exh. A (part), 2003.

Mandatory water conservation measures are hereby established as set forth in this chapter. Please refer to Chapter 16.84, Water Efficient Landscape Requirements, for rules and regulations regarding landscape and irrigation, including limitations on the percentage of turf/lawn that can be placed in landscape areas.

(Ord. No. 631, § 2, 5-10-2011; Ord. No. 633, § 3, 6-14-2011)

A. To the extent authorized by law, this article shall apply to all customers and property within the city and the city's water service area.

B. The provisions of this article do not apply to uses of water necessary to protect public health and safety or for essential health care or government services such as police, fire and other similar emergency services.

C. The city council may adopt resolutions designed to implement the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 631, § 2, 5-10-2011)

The following water conservation requirements are effective at all times. Violations of this section shall be considered waste and an unreasonable use of water. Penalties for noncompliance are listed in Sections 13.05.050 and 13.05.060.

A. Use of water which results in excessive gutter runoff is prohibited.

B. Outdoor Water Use—Except Irrigation.

1. No water shall be used for cleaning driveways, patios, parking lots, sidewalks, streets or other such use except where necessary to protect the public health and safety;

2. Outdoor water use for washing vehicles shall be attended and have hand-controlled watering devices.

C. Outdoor Irrigation.

1. Outdoor irrigation is prohibited between the hours of ten (10) a.m. and four p.m.

2. Irrigation of private and public landscaping, turf areas and gardens is permitted at even-numbered addresses only on Mondays and Thursdays and at odd-numbered addresses only on Tuesdays and Fridays. No irrigation of private and public landscaping, turf areas and gardens is permitted on Wednesdays. Irrigation is permitted at all addresses on Saturdays and Sundays however, in all cases customers are directed to use no more water than necessary to maintain landscaping.

D. Emptying and refilling swimming pools and commercial spas is prohibited except to prevent structural damage and/or to provide for the public health and safety. New swimming pools may be constructed, however, they shall have a cover that conforms to the size and shape of the pool and act as an effective barrier to evaporation. The cover must be in place during periods when use of the pool is not reasonably expected to occur.

E. Use of potable water for soil compaction or dust control purposes in construction activities is prohibited unless specifically approved by the city.

F. Hotel, motel or other commercial lodging establishment shall offer their patrons the option to forego the daily laundering of towels, sheets and linens.

G. Restaurants or other commercial food service establishments shall not serve water except upon the request of a patron.

(Ord. No. 631, § 2, 5-10-2011; Ord. No. 669, § 2, 2-24-2015)

A. Violation of any provision of this chapter may result in termination of water service until such violation is corrected, and until penalties are paid in full and will be subject to the following administrative procedure:

1. Written notice to the alleged offender, including the furnishing of informational material and advice where appropriate;

2. Recovery of all city staff costs, including overhead, or any second or greater offense within any one-year period;

3. Additional civil administrative penalties for any third or greater offense within any one-year period;

4. The right to appeal first to the utility billing adjustment committee and then to the city council.

(Ord. No. 631, § 2, 5-10-2011)

In addition to, and completely separate from, the civil enforcement provisions of the ordinance codified in this chapter, any person who knowingly and willfully violates the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a criminal misdemeanor as provided in the general penalty provisions of this code. All previous attempts by the city to obtain compliance by the defendant may be introduced as evidence of the offender's knowledge and willfulness.

(Ord. No. 631, § 2, 5-10-2011)