Brentwood Municipal Code Art. 5 Drought and Conservation

In the event of a water shortage emergency caused by drought or other circumstance, the city may adopt any necessary rules or regulations in accordance with California Water Code Sections 350 through 359, as amended from time to time, or such other applicable law, including the city's general water use regulations. During any period of threatened or actual water shortage, the city will have the right to apportion its available water supply among customers in such a manner as appears most equitable under the circumstances then prevailing and with due regard to public health and safety.

In the event that the city adopts ordinances, rules and regulations to address a water shortage emergency, the director of public works is authorized to enforce the water use regulations in accordance with specific remedies authorized by the city council as well as those remedies authorized by law. The city will not be liable for any shortage or insufficiency of water supply or water pressure or any loss or damage occasioned thereby.

(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013)

A. As a condition of service, customers of the city must use water delivered through the city's system in a manner that promotes efficiency and avoids waste. Water waste, including, but not limited to, the following actions, is a violation of this code and prohibited, except where necessary to address an immediate health and safety need or to comply with a term or condition in a permit issued by a state or federal agency:

1. Failure to correct a malfunctioning device or supply line where the customer or their agent has known of the problem for more than forty-eight hours.

2. Discharging swimming pool or spa water drainage off the property where discharge into a public sanitary sewer is available.

3. The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes runoff such that water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots, or structures.

4. Noncompliance with watering group assignments under a declaration of water shortage emergency.

5. The use of a hose that dispenses potable water to wash a motor vehicle, except where the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle or device attached to it that causes it to cease dispensing water immediately when not in use.

6. The application of potable water to driveways, sidewalks and other hardscaped surfaces.

7. The use of potable water in a fountain or other decorative water feature, except where the water is part of a recirculating system.

8. The serving of drinking water other than upon request in eating or drinking establishments, including, but not limited to, restaurants, hotels, cafés, cafeterias, bars, or other public places where food or drink are served and/or purchased.

9. Irrigation with potable water between eight a.m. and seven p.m. daily.

10. The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes during and up to forty-eight hours after a measurable rainfall.

11. The irrigation with potable water of landscapes outside of newly constructed homes and buildings in a manner inconsistent with regulations or other requirements established by the California Building Standards Commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development.

12. The use of potable water to irrigate ornamental turf on public street medians is prohibited.

B. To promote water conservation, operators of hotels and motels shall provide guests with the option of choosing not to have towels and linens laundered daily. The hotel or motel shall prominently display notice of this option in each guestroom using clear and easily understood language.

C. A violation of the regulations in subsections A through B is unlawful, and may be enforced pursuant to Section 14.01.1015 of this chapter.

(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013; Ord. 974 § 3, 2016)