Rohnert Park Municipal Code Ch. 13.05 Water Waste and Water Shortage Contingency Plan

The purpose of this chapter is to promote the efficient use of the water and recycled water supply provided by the city; to implement the water efficient landscaping requirements; to eliminate the intentional or unintentional waste of water when a reasonable alternative solution is available; to prohibit the use of equipment that is wasteful and to outline the city's policy with respect to water shortages.

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all persons, customers, and property served by the city.

(Ord. No. 910, § 4(Exh. A), 9-26-2017; Ord. No. 984, § 1, 10-8-2024)

No customer of the city shall use or permit the use of city potable or recycled water supply for the following nonessential uses:

A. The washing of sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots and other hard-surfaced areas by direct hosing, except as may be necessary to properly dispose of flammable or other dangerous liquids or substances, wash away spills that present a trip and fall hazard, or to reduce or eliminate materials dangerous to the public health and safety.

B. The escape of water through breaks or leaks within the customer's plumbing or private distribution system for a period of time greater than seventy-two hours after discovery of the break or leak or receipt of notice from the city.

C. Irrigation in a manner or to an extent which allows excessive runoff of water or unreasonable over-spray of the areas being watered.

D. Washing cars, boats, trailers or other vehicles and machinery directly with a hose not equipped with a shutoff nozzle.

E. Water for non-recycling decorative water fountains.

F. Water for single pass evaporative cooling systems for air conditioning in all connections installed after the effective date of this chapter, unless required for health or safety reasons.

G. Water for new non-recirculating conveyor car wash systems.

H. Water for new non-recirculating industrial clothes washing systems.

(Ord. No. 910, § 4(Exh. A), 9-26-2017)

The city will at all times have a water shortage contingency plan which will be prepared, maintained and updated by the city engineer, or designee. The water shortage contingency plan shall, at a minimum, be reviewed every five years in association with the approval of the city's urban water management plan.

The purpose of the water shortage contingency plan is to detail the voluntary and mandatory actions that the city will require to respond to water shortages caused by drought or other natural or manmade disaster. The water shortage contingency plan shall comply with state and local rules and regulations related to drought and water shortages as they may be adopted or changed from time to time.

(Ord. No. 910, § 4(Exh. A), 9-26-2017)

All water use associated with the operation and maintenance of fire suppression equipment or employed by the city for water quality flushing and sanitation purposes shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 910, § 4(Exh. A), 9-26-2017)

Any customer of the city may make written application for an exception to the requirements of this chapter. Said application shall describe in detail why applicant believes an exception is justified based on unique hardship or circumstances. Generalized economic hardship alleged to result from the provisions of this chapter shall not be a reason for granting an exception.

A. The city manager may grant exceptions for use of water otherwise prohibited by this section, upon finding and determining that failure to do so would cause an emergency condition affecting the health, sanitation, fire protection or safety of the applicant or public; or, cause a unique, unnecessary and undue hardship on applicant or the public.

B. The decision of the city manager may be appealed to the city council by submitting a written appeal to the city clerk within fifteen calendar days of the date of the decision. If the exception is granted by the city council on appeal, the city council may impose any conditions it determines to be just and proper. Exceptions granted by the city council shall be prepared in writing and the city council may require the exception be recorded at applicant's expense.

(Ord. No. 910, § 4(Exh. A), 9-26-2017)

A. The California State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, codified at Title 23, Division 2, Chapter 2.7 (§ 490 et seq.) of the California Code of Regulations, and any amendments thereto, is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth below, and shall be known and may be cited as the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance of the City of Rohnert Park. One copy of the California State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance shall be filed in the office of the planning division.

B. The applicable provisions of Chapter 13.05 shall apply in addition to the applicable provisions of the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance of the City of Rohnert Park. In the event of any conflict between provisions of the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance of the City of Rohnert Park and the provisions of Chapter 13.05, the provisions that contain the more stringent water efficient landscape requirement(s) shall control.

(Ord. No. 984, § 2, 10-8-2024)