Permanent measures: The following water conservation requirements are in effect at all times and are permanent. Violations of this section shall be considered waste and an unreasonable use of water.
(a) Limits on Watering Hours: Watering or irrigating landscape and vegetated areas with potable water is prohibited between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on any day, except by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container, or by use of a hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing water shut-off nozzle or device, or for short periods for the express purpose of adjusting or repairing an irrigation system, or for turf refurbishment on a public playing field.
(b) Limits on Watering Duration: Watering or irrigating landscape and vegetated areas with potable water using a sprinkler system that includes spray heads and/or bubblers or a watering device that is not continuously attended is limited to no more than 10 minutes of watering per day per station or irrigation zone. Drip irrigation systems (including subsurface) and water efficient devices such as rotator stream nozzles are permitted to operate for a longer period such that an equivalent volume of water is dispensed. In the absence of manufacturer specifications, rotator stream nozzles are permitted to run for 20 minutes and drip systems for up to 60 minutes provided that there is no water runoff.
(c) No Excessive Water Runoff: Runoff, overspray, or excessive water flow from a property from potable water use or from irrigation of any landscape or vegetated areas onto an adjoining property, sidewalk, driveway, street, alley, gutter or ditch is prohibited.
(d) Irrigation during and within the 48 hours following rainfall measuring 0.25 inches or more is prohibited. Rainfall data from the closest rain gauge operated by the Ventura County Watershed Protection District shall be used for this determination.
(e) No Washing Down Hard or Paved Surfaces: Washing down hard or paved surfaces, including but not limited to sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, artificial turf, patios, or alleys, is prohibited except when necessary for safety or sanitary purposes, and then only by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing water shut-off device or a low-volume, high-pressure cleaning machine equipped to recycle any water used or a low-volume high-pressure water broom. The discharge of pollutants to the storm drain system is prohibited pursuant to Section 7-8.201 of this code.
(f) Laundry Systems: New industrial laundry systems must recirculate the water used in their operations.
(g) Commercial Car Wash Systems: All commercial car wash systems must have installed and utilize operational recirculating water systems unless otherwise exempt under state law and holding a current waiver of this requirement from the City.
(h) Drinking Water: Eating or drinking establishments, including but not limited to a restaurant, hotel, café, cafeteria, bar, or other public places where food or drinks are sold, served, or offered for sale, shall only provide drinking water to any person upon request.
(i) Commercial Lodging Establishments Must Provide Guests Option to Decline Daily Linen Services: Hotels, motels, and other commercial lodging establishments must provide customers the option of not having towels and linen laundered daily. Commercial lodging establishments must prominently display notice of this option in each bathroom using clear and easily understood language.
(j) Single-Pass Cooling Systems: Installation of single-pass cooling systems is prohibited in buildings where new water service is requested.
(k) Dish Wash Spray Valves: Food preparation establishments such as restaurants must use water conserving dish wash spray valves.
(l) Non-functional turf: Irrigation of non-functional grass on CH properties is prohibited. Designation of turf as functional on CH properties in order to irrigate requires application and approval of a waiver by the water purveyor. Areas designated as turf on CII landscape plans filed with the City may be replaced with alternative climate-appropriate landscaping including mulch, or other permeable ground cover.
(m) HOAs shall not enforce architectural or landscaping guidelines or policies that prohibit the use of low water-using plants as a replacement of existing turf, or that prohibit, or have the effect of prohibiting, compliance with the City’s water-efficient landscaping requirements. HOAs shall not issue a fine or assessment on a homeowner for reducing or eliminating the watering of vegetation or lawns during a state or locally-declared drought, and shall not fine or require a homeowner to reverse or remove water-efficient landscaping measures upon the conclusion of a water shortage declaration.
Level 1 measures: The following water conservation requirements are in effect at all times in the absence of a declared Water Supply Shortage at Level 2 or higher.
(a) Limits on Watering Days: Watering or irrigating landscape and vegetated areas with potable water is limited to three days per week. These days may be designated by City Council through Resolution.
(b) Obligation to Fix Leaks, Breaks, or Malfunctions: Excessive use, loss, or release of water through breaks, leaks, or other malfunctions in the water user's plumbing, irrigation, or distribution system for any period after such release of water should have reasonably been discovered and corrected and, in no event more than seven (7) days of receiving notice from the City, is prohibited.
(c) Recirculating Water Required for Water Fountains and Running-water Features: Operating a water fountain or other running-water feature that does not recirculate water is prohibited.
(d) Limits on Washing Vehicles: Using potable water to wash or clean a vehicle, including but not limited to any automobile, truck, van, bus, motorcycle, boat, or trailer, whether motorized or not, is prohibited, except by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing water shut-off nozzle or device. This subsection does not apply to any commercial car washing facility.
(§ 2, Ord. 1705-NS, eff. November 25, 2022)