(A) Water Conservation Stage 4 is also referred to as a "Severe Water Shortage" and applies during periods when the city will not be able to meet all of the water demands of its customers. Water Conservation Stage 4 may be caused by, but is not limited to, any or all of the following circumstances or events:
(1) A regional or statewide water supply shortage exists and a regional public outreach campaign is being implemented asking or requiring persons to reduce water use;
(2) Groundwater wells are inoperable or unusable (such as by power outages, mechanical failure, or contamination);
(3) Alternative water supplies are limited or unavailable;
(4) Groundwater levels or groundwater quality is approaching levels which may require augmentation of the groundwater basin or other actions necessary to protect the groundwater basin as prescribed by the California Department of Water Resources, California Department of Public Health, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, Riverside County, or some other regulatory body; and
(5) A major failure of any supply or distribution facility, whether temporary or permanent, occurs in the water distribution system of the State, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the Western Municipal Water District, or city water facilities.
(B) The objective of the measures undertaken in Water Conservation Stage 4 is to reduce water consumption within the city by 31% to 40% as determined and recommended by the General Manager.
(C) Except as otherwise provided in this § 13.26.080, all water conservation and drought response measures of Water Conservation Stages 1, 2, and 3 shall be in full force and effect during Water Conservation Stage 4. Upon declaration of a Water Conservation Stage 4 by the General Manager, implementation by the city and publication of notice, the following water conservation and drought response measures shall apply:
(1) Water customers shall reduce their water consumption by 31% to 0% from the base year consumption amount for the duration of the Water Conservation Stage 4. Provided, however, the base year consumption amount for subsequent fiscal years shall be determined by the City as appropriate in the event that the city is required to continue the Water Conservation Stage 4 for more than 12 months.
(2) Irrigation of landscaping shall be limited to supporting minimal survival of trees and shrubs. Landscaping may be irrigated, including construction meter irrigation, for a maximum number of minutes per day as determined by the General Manager and announced pursuant to § 13.26.100 only during the following designated watering windows and designated day:
(a) Except as specified in division (C)(2)(d), properties with odd number street addresses may irrigate landscaping only up to three days per week as determined by the General Manager and announced pursuant to § 13.26.100, and only on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.;
(b) Except as specified in division (C)(2)(d), properties with even number street addresses may irrigate landscaping only up to three days per week as determined by the General Manager and announced pursuant to § 13.26.100, and only on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.;
(c) Except as specified in division (C)(2)(d), irrigating landscaping is prohibited on Fridays and outside the designated watering windows set forth in divisions (C)(2)(a) and (b).
(d) Notwithstanding divisions (C)(2)(a), (b), and (c), a government agency may water lawns and/or ground cover and irrigate landscaping on day(s) of the agency's choosing, only between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m., on up to three days per week as determined by the General Manager and announced pursuant to § 13.26.100. The General Manager is authorized to reduce the number of designated watering days set forth in division (C)(2)(a), (b), (c) and (d), which will be announced pursuant to § 13.26.100.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of division (C) hereof, the use of reclaimed water to irrigate fruit trees, lawns and ground covers, and ornamental trees and shrubs is permitted on any day and at any time. Reclaimed water shall not be permitted to run into city streets or the city storm water conveyance system.
(4) All outdoor watering and irrigation of lawns and ground covers is prohibited with the exception of plant materials classified and determined by the City Manager to be rare, exceptionally valuable, or essential to the well-being of the public at large or rare animals, and for which relief has been otherwise granted pursuant to § 13.26.150.
(5) The washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes and other types of mobile equipment is prohibited. Washing is permitted at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash. Commercial car washes shall only use partially reclaimed or recycled water for washing automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes and other types of mobile equipment. Further, such washings are exempt from these regulations where the health, safety and welfare of the public is contingent upon frequent vehicle cleanings, such as garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables.
(6) The filling, refilling, or adding of water to swimming pools and spas or ornamental ponds, streams, and artificial lakes is prohibited.
(7) The operation of any ornamental fountain, pond, or similar structure is prohibited except for short periods of time to prevent damage.
(8) The use of water for cooling mists is prohibited.
(9) The use of water for commercial, manufacturing, or processing purposes shall be reduced in volume by an amount determined by the General Manager.
(10) No new construction meters will be issued. Construction water shall not be used for earth work, road construction purposes, dust control, compaction, or trenching jetting. Construction projects necessary to maintaining the health, safety, and welfare of the public, as determined by the city, are exempt from these regulations.
(11) Provided the City Council has declared a water shortage emergency pursuant to California Water Code Sections 350 et seq., except as to property for which a building permit has been heretofore issued, no new building permit(s) shall be provided, except in the following circumstances:
(a) For projects necessary to protect the public's health, safety, and welfare, as determined by the city;
(b) When using reclaimed water;
(c) When the recipient of the building permit can demonstrate that no net increase in water use will occur; or
(d) Where the recipient of the building permit provides a conservation offset. A conservation offset may be effected by paying a fee established by the city in an amount necessary to cover the cost of implementing conservation techniques or acquiring alternative water sources. The fee will be based on the conservation offset required for an equivalent dwelling unit. Such fee shall apply to residential as well as commercial and industrial buildings, and may be adjusted from time to time as determined by the city.
(Ord. 3199 § 7, 2015; Ord. 2996 § 2, 2009; Ord. 2962 § 2 (part), 2009.)