San Luis Obispo County Municipal Code Ch. 8.69 Urban and Rural Development Water Conservation Requirements

The standards of this section are applicable to all properties, except agricultural operations in the agriculture land use category and those served by a Community Service District, Community Service Area, or other water provider where comparable requirements are already enforced. These standards are necessary to conserve water, assure reasonable and beneficial use of water, prevent waste of water, prevent unreasonable use of water and prevent unreasonable methods of use of water in order to recognize that water is a scarce natural resource that requires careful management not only in times of drought, but at all times.

(Ord. No. 3306, § 3, 10-27-15)

No person shall use a hose to water or wash down any sidewalk, walkway, driveway, parking area, street, alley, gutter, ditch or any other paved surface, except under the following conditions:

(1) As is required for the benefit of public health and safety to alleviate safety or sanitary hazards, and then only by the use of a hand-held bucket or a water-hose equipped with an automatic shutoff nozzle.

(2) When a low-volume, high-pressure cleaning machine or a low-volume high-pressure water broom is used.

(3) All wash-down activities must comply with all state or local regulations pertaining to discharges.

(4) Any use of water which results in excessive runoff is prohibited.

(Ord. No. 3306, § 3, 10-27-15)

(a) No residential or commercial ornamental landscapes or turf shall be watered between the hours of nine a.m. and seven p.m. from May 1st to October 31st, and ten a.m. and four p.m. from November 1st to April 30th.

(b) No established ornamental landscapes or turf shall be watered more than once a day and no more than three times per week.

(c) No ornamental landscapes or turf shall be watered to such an extent that runoff onto adjoining sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking areas, streets, alleys, gutters, ditches or any other paved surfaces occurs. Sprinkler direction and run times shall be adjusted to prevent excess watering and run-off from landscaped or hardscaped surfaces.

(d) No ornamental landscapes or turf shall be watered with a source of potable water when it is raining.

(e) All hoses, faucets and irrigation systems shall be regularly inspected and maintained and all leaks shall be repaired as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(Ord. No. 3306, § 3, 10-27-15)

All hoses, faucets, pipes and any other indoor plumbing fixtures shall be regularly inspected and maintained and all leaks shall be repaired as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(Ord. No. 3306, § 3, 10-27-15)

No motor vehicle, boat, trailer, or other type of mobile equipment may be washed, except at a commercial carwash or with reclaimed water, unless such vehicle is washed by using a hand-held bucket or a water-hose equipped with an automatic shutoff nozzle. No water hose shall be left running while washing a vehicle or at any other time.

(Ord. No. 3306, § 3, 10-27-15)

(a) On properties overlying groundwater basins that have been certified Level of Severity III pursuant to the county's resource management system, emptying and refilling public or private swimming pools and/or spas or hot tubs are prohibited except to prevent structural damage and/or to provide for the public health and safety.

(b) Overfilling of swimming pools and/or spas or hot tubs such that overflow water is discharged onto an adjoining sidewalk, walkway, driveway, parking area, street, alley, gutter, ditch or any paved surface is prohibited.

(Ord. No. 3306, § 3, 10-27-15)

Potable water shall not be used to clean, fill, or maintain levels in decorative fountains, or other similar aesthetic structures unless such water flows through a recirculating system.

(Ord. No. 3306, § 3, 10-27-15)

(a) No restaurant, hotel, cafeteria, café, or other public place where food is sold or served shall serve drinking water to any customer unless specifically requested to do so by such customer.

(b) All new or remodeled restaurants and other food establishments shall install water conserving dish wash spray valves.

(Ord. No. 3306, § 3, 10-27-15)

Hotels, motels and other transient lodging facilities shall provide customers the option of not having towels and linen laundered daily. Notice of this option shall be prominently displayed in each bathroom.

(Ord. No. 3306, § 3, 10-27-15)

If non-potable water is reasonably available, the use of potable water for soil compaction or dust control purposes in construction activities is prohibited.

(Ord. No. 3306, § 3, 10-27-15)

On properties overlying groundwater basins that have been certified Level of Severity III pursuant to the county's resource management system, the following standards apply to all winery uses as defined by Title 22, Land Use Ordinance Section 22.30.070.D.2.

(1) Water conserving measures shall be used for activities during the winemaking process including crush operations, press, tank, and barrel washing and barrel soaking. These measures could include, but not be limited to:

a. Conducting crush and press activities outside and covered wherever feasible to reduce "baking" of waste material on equipment surface.

b. Pre-cleaning with appropriate tools (e.g. a stiff brush or squeegee) should occur to loosen and remove large material before wash-down.

c. Use of a timing system, shut-off valve and/or hot water on high pressure washers or hoses for cleaning processing equipment, tanks, floors, etc. should be installed wherever feasible.

d. Wash down and barrel soaking is conducted with knowledge of wastewater or septic system capacity.

(Ord. No. 3306, § 3, 10-27-15)