Monterey County Municipal Code Ch. 15.12 Water Conservation

The Board of Supervisors finds and determines that:

A. Water shortage emergency conditions prevail within the area described in Section 15.12.030, which area is called "Monterey Peninsula" in this Chapter.

B. The ordinary demands and requirements of water consumers of the Monterey Peninsula cannot be satisfied without depleting the water supply of the Monterey Peninsula to the extent that there would be insufficient water for human consumption, sanitation and fire protection.

C. It is necessary to control new water service facilities on the Monterey Peninsula in order to conserve the water supply for the greatest public benefit with particular regard to domestic use, sanitation and fire protection, and prohibitions and restrictions contained in this Chapter will fulfill that purpose.

D. The water uses prohibited and restricted by this Chapter are determined to be nonessential.

(Ord. 2181 § 1, 1976)

It is the purpose and intent of this Chapter to prohibit an increase in the water demand on the available water supplies on the Monterey Peninsula by limiting the use of certain facilities therein, except to the extent expressly authorized by the terms of this Chapter, and this Chapter shall be liberally construed to effectuate such purpose and intent.

(Ord. 2181 § 2, 1976)

This Chapter shall apply to that portion of the unincorporated area of the County of Monterey lying within Zone No. 11 of the Monterey County Flood Control and Water Conservation District.

(Ord. 2181 § 7, 1976)

The Board of Supervisors may, in its discretion, grant permits for water service facilities otherwise prohibited by this Chapter, upon such reasonable conditions as it may in its discretion impose, if it determines that any of the following conditions exist:

A. The restrictions in this Chapter would cause an unnecessary and undue hardship upon the applicant or the public;

B. The restrictions in this Chapter would create an emergency condition affecting the health, sanitation, fire protection or safety of the applicant or public;

C. The granting of the variance would not increase the quantity of water consumed or otherwise adversely affect service to other existing water consumers.

(Ord. 2181 § 3, 1976)

It is unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation or political entity to waste water as specified in this Chapter within the Monterey Peninsula. This provision shall apply to all domestic, agricultural, commercial, industrial, recreational, educational and institutional users of water.

(Ord. 2181 § 4, 1976)

The following uses of water are determined to constitute "waste" as used in this Chapter and to be nonessential and are prohibited, except as further provided in this Chapter.

A. In newly constructed or reconstructed residential, commercial, industrial or public buildings, the installation of any toilet that uses in excess of three and one-half gallons of water per flush, or the installation of a shower head that does not limit the flow of water to not more than three gallons per minute at forty (40) pounds per square inch or less pressure;

B. In newly constructed or reconstructed commercial, industrial or public buildings, the installation in any restroom or bathroom of any faucet other than a metering faucet;

C. The use of any ornamental fountain, permanent swimming or wading pool, or other structure making similar use of water, except when a recirculating system is employed;

D. The operation of any water-cooled comfort air-conditioning equipment which does not have water-conserving equipment;

E. In newly constructed or reconstructed residential, commercial, industrial or public buildings, the installation of water pipes without valves to reduce the water pressure to fifty (50) or less pounds of pressure per square inch;

F. The provisions of Subsections A, B, and E of this Section shall apply only to those buildings constructed or reconstructed pursuant to a building permit issued after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Chapter.

(Ord. 2181 § 5, 1976)