Sebastopol Municipal Code Ch. 13.04 Water and Sewerage System Conservation Requirements

The City of Sebastopol’s projected future population growth has led to increased concern over the City’s diminishing sewage treatment capacity share in the Santa Rosa Subregional Sewerage System. At the same time, the City depends solely upon an underground water supply and wishes to conserve that finite resource.

Therefore, the City Council of Sebastopol hereby determines that there are certain water savings devices which can be incorporated into all new construction, and in remodeling of existing kitchens and bathrooms, and that the use of such devices will help conserve water and preserve the City’s sewerage treatment capacity.

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all new construction, and remodeling of kitchens or bathrooms, when any building permit is issued after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.

No building permit within the scope of SMC 13.04.020 shall be issued where the plumbing fixtures to be installed do not meet the following standards:

A. All tank-type water closets shall use not in excess of 1.5 gallons per flush and shall be of an “ultra low flush” type.

B. Potable hot water piping in accessible unconditioned areas leading from water heaters shall be insulated to provide an installed conductance of 0.33 or less.

In order to prevent or lessen unnecessary hardship or practical difficulties in exceptional cases, aggrieved persons may file a written application for a variance with the Building Department for subsequent action by the City Council. The City Council may grant such variance only when unusual hardship will result from the strict application of this chapter.