(a) A Level 3 Water Supply Shortage shall exist when the City Council determines that due to drought or other water supply conditions, a water supply shortage or threatened shortage exists which necessitates a consumer demand reduction between 21 and 30 percent. Upon the declaration by the City Council of a Level 3 Water Supply Shortage condition, the City will implement mandatory Level 3 conservation measures identified in this section.
(b) Level 3 Conservation Measures: In addition to the permanent conservation requirements identified in Sec. 10-2.1104, the following water conservation requirements shall apply during a declared Level 3 Water Supply Shortage:
(1) Limits on Watering Days: Watering or irrigating landscape and vegetated areas with potable water is limited to two days per week from April 1 through October 31 and one day per week from November 1 through March 31, which day(s) may be designated by City Council through Resolution, with the following exceptions:
(i) Short periods of time for the express purpose of adjusting or repairing an irrigation system;
(ii) Irrigation of playing fields for field refurbishment only when necessary for public health and safety;
(iii) Use of water in a community garden providing garden plots to the public, or to home fruit and vegetable gardens less than 300 square feet;
(iv) Irrigation of newly installed or significantly rehabilitated landscape for the first 60 days after the first planting. Turf, flowers, and annuals do not qualify as landscape for the purposes of this section;
(v) Use of reasonable amounts of water by commercial nurseries and commercial growers to sustain plants, trees, shrubs and other vegetation intended for commercial sale.
(vi) Irrigation of habitat restoration sites as required to meet permit conditions of regulatory agencies;
(vii) Hand-watering of trees and shrubs using a hand-held bucket or similar container, or hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing water shut-off nozzle or device, as necessary and sufficient to keep them alive;
Extra irrigation day for specific uses: The following specific uses are permitted one additional day of watering per week:
(viii) Irrigation as necessary to sustain existing ground cover or other non-turf vegetation planted and essential to maintain slope stability on slopes of at least six (6) feet in height and exceeding 20 percent grade or City Engineer’s and water purveyor’s approval;
(ix) Irrigation of active playing fields, active recreation areas in public parks, licensed daycare centers and schools, golf course greens and fairways;
(x) Irrigation of fuel modification zones as necessary to sustain vegetation required as part of original development conditions by the City;
(xi) Irrigation of landscaping installed to mitigate the effects of stormwater pollution as required to meet permit conditions.
(2) 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 of time after such release of water should have reasonably been discovered and corrected and, in no event more than 48 hours of receiving notice from the City, is prohibited.
(3) No potable water use in Ornamental Lakes, Ponds, or Running-water Features: Running-water features using potable water must be turned off. Topping up, filling or re-filling of ornamental water features with potable water is prohibited, except to the extent needed to sustain aquatic life, provided that such animals are of significant value and have been actively managed within the water feature prior to the declaration of a Water Supply Shortage under this article. During the declared shortage, additional aquatic animals may not be added to the water feature.
(4) Limits on Washing Vehicles: Using potable water to wash or clean a vehicle, including but not limited to any automobile, truck, van, bus, motorcycle, or trailer, whether motorized or not, is prohibited for home, mobile, and community events. Only commercial car washes recycling their wash water and those with a Commercial Car Wash waiver issued by the City within the previous five years may operate. An exception is allowed for rinsing watercraft after use in the ocean and for incidental cleaning necessary for repair or detailing work.
(5) Swimming Pools and Spas: Outdoor swimming pools and spas shall be covered when not in use to prevent water waste through evaporation. HOAs, gyms and other businesses and institutions must cover their pools and spas when the pool/spa is closed. Chemical or liquid pool “covers” are acceptable if documented and applied regularly per manufacturer instructions. Draining and refilling pools and spas is prohibited except upon water purveyor approval for leak repair.
(6) Water Misters: Use of water misters is prohibited.
(§ 2, Ord. 1705-NS, eff. November 25, 2022)