Portola Municipal Code Ch. 13.30 Immediate Conservation Requirements

A. Pursuant to the authority set forth in the Water Code of the State of California, specifically Chapter 3.5, entitled Water Conservation Program, Sections 375, 376 and 377; and, based on the findings that a drought exists throughout the state; and, that as the result of notification by the city's water supplier, county flood control and water conservation district that the water allocation to the city has been drastically reduced; and, that the reduction directly effects the health and safety of the citizens of the city and its immediate vicinity in that the reduction or absence of available water could reduce pressure on fire hydrants and otherwise hamper fire protection; and that water conservation is of the utmost importance, the city council orders the immediate implementation of the following water conservation measures.

(In the event the city's annual request has been restored by the county flood control and water conservation district, the city council shall suspend the enforcement of this chapter.)

1. Effective immediately after the publication of the ordinance codified in this chapter any outside use, utilization and waste of water supplied by the city is prohibited. "Outside" means uses other than inside a residence or business. "Use, utilization and waste" means to include irrigation of lawns, sports fields, arenas, gardens, washing cars and other vehicles, washing sidewalks and similar activities.

2. In addition, the city may require the installation of water saving devices such as flow restrictors.

B. The city administrator or designated employee shall be empowered to enforce the provisions of this chapter by issuing citations to violators.

C. The provisions of this chapter shall have precedence over any and all other provisions enacted and contained in this code inconsistent with the authority granted herein.

D. Violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof such person shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than thirty days, or a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, or by both.

(Ord. 239, 1991)