13.20.070   Water conservation stages.
   A.   Stage 1. Water Watch. Upon implementation by the City Manager and publication of notice, the following restrictions shall apply to all persons in addition to the prohibited uses in Section 13.20.060.
      1.   Irrigation of ornamental landscapes is limited to three (3) days per week in the months of March through November, and one (1) day per week in December, January, and February, as follows:
         a.   Locations bearing a street address ending in an odd number shall be permitted to irrigate only on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in March through November, and only on Saturday in December, January and February.
         b.   Locations bearing a street address ending in an even number shall be permitted to irrigate only on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday in March through November, and only on Sunday in December, January and February.
         c.   The foregoing restrictions do not apply to:
            i.   Landscape irrigation zones that exclusively use drip irrigation systems.
            ii.   Irrigation of ornamental landscapes with the use of an attended hand-held bucket or similar container, or an attended hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing shut-off nozzle or device.
            iii.   Operation for very short periods of time for the express purpose of adjusting or repairing an irrigation system. A City of Visalia sign or equivalent must be displayed notifying the public of the repairs while the area remains wet.
      2.   Washing down hard or paved surfaces, including but not limited to sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or alleys, is prohibited except when necessary to alleviate safety or sanitary hazards, and then only by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container, a hand-held hose fitted with a positive shut-off nozzle or device, or a low- flow high-pressure washer.
      3.   Overseeding of lawns is prohibited. Exception is provided for maintenance of Sports Fields and golf course greens and tees.
      4.   Stage 1 of this ordinance will be enforced by the issuance of one warning for violation before the issuance of a citation in accordance with Section 13.20.090. Citations will be issued without a warning for willful and egregious violations. Willful and egregious violations include draining a pool without a permit or other violations as determined by the City Manager or designee.
   B.   Stage 2. Water Alert. Upon implementation by the City Manager, publication of notice, and ratification by resolution of the City Council, the following restrictions shall apply to all persons in addition to the prohibited uses in section 13.20.060. Stage 2 shall terminate one (1) year after implementation unless reauthorized by the City Council by resolution.
      1.   Irrigation of ornamental landscapes is prohibited in the months of December, January and February, and is limited two (2) days per week in March through November, as follows:
         a.   Locations bearing a street address ending in an odd number shall be permitted to irrigate only on Tuesday and Saturday in March through November; no irrigation is allowed in December, January, or February.
         b.   Locations bearing a street address ending in an even number shall be permitted to irrigate only on Wednesday and Sunday in March through November; no irrigation is allowed in December, January, or February.
         c.   The foregoing restrictions do not apply to:
            i.   Landscape irrigation zones that exclusively use drip irrigation systems.
            ii.   Irrigation of non-turf ornamental landscapes with the use of an attended hand-held bucket or similar container, or an attended hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing shut-off nozzle or device.
            iii.   Operation for very short periods of time for the express purpose of adjusting or repairing an irrigation system. A City of Visalia sign or equivalent must be displayed notifying the public of the repairs while the area remains wet.
            iv.   Sports Fields and public and private golf course greens and tees may deviate from the mandatory irrigation day and time restrictions in order to maintain play areas and accommodated event schedules by submitting to the City Manager or designee an alternative watering schedule that reduces overall water use by 20% from the average used the year prior to Stage 2 (Stage 4 in prior ordinance) declaration. Applicants must reapply for the exception annually and provide documentation that the alternative watering schedule achieved the required water use reduction. Documentation may consist of water utility bills, pump electric utility bills, or other documentation that provides the required information.
             v.   Large Landscape Areas may deviate from the mandatory irrigation day restrictions by submitting to the City Manager or designee an alternative watering schedule that reduces overall water use by 30% from the average used the year prior to the Stage 2 (Stage 4 in prior ordinance) declaration. Applicants must reapply for the exception annually and provide documentation that the alternative watering schedule achieved the required water use reduction. Documentation may consist of water utility bills, pump electric utility bills, or other documentation that provides the required information.
            vi.   A plant establishment exception for new permanent landscapes is allowed by permit. The plant establishment exception allows for irrigation on non-watering days for a period of 21 days. Plant establishment permits are issued for new or rehabilitated landscape projects that have been approved by the Community Development Department in accordance with the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, unless and until the City adopts a local Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, in which case the local ordinance shall apply. Otherwise, the plant establishment exception does not apply to installation of turf or annual plants. and no more than one (1) plant establishment permit will be issued for an address per year.
      2.   Overseeding of lawns is prohibited. Exception is provided for maintenance of Sports Fields and golf course greens and tees.
      3.   Filling or re-filling ornamental lakes or ponds 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 implementation of Stage 2 or higher in this chapter.
      4.   The washing of sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, courts, patios, or other paved areas is absolutely prohibited, unless it is necessary for the health and safety of the public, in which case a low-flow high-pressure washer must be used.
      5.   Washing of buildings is prohibited unless preparing the building for sale or for painting, in which case a low-flow high-pressure washer must be used.
      6.   All outdoor mist cooling systems related to human comfort are prohibited.
      7.   Use of temporary water slides is prohibited.
      8.   Stage 2 of this ordinance will be enforced by the issuance of one warning for violation before the issuance of a citation in accordance with Section 13.20.090. Citations will be issued without a warning for willful and egregious violations. Willful and egregious violations include draining a pool without a permit or other violations as determined by the City Manager or designee.
   C.   Stage 3. Water Warning. Upon implementation by the City Manager, publication of notice, and ratification by resolution of the City Council, the following restrictions shall apply to all persons in addition to the prohibited uses in section 13.20.060. Stage 3 shall terminate one (1) year after implementation unless reauthorized by the City Council by resolution.
      1.   Irrigation of ornamental landscapes is prohibited in the months of December, January and February, and is limited to one (1) day per week in March through November, as follows:
         a.   Locations bearing a street address ending in an odd number shall be permitted to irrigate only on Saturday in March through November; no irrigation is allowed in December, January, or February.
         b.   Locations bearing a street address ending in an even number shall be permitted to irrigate only on Sunday in March through November; no irrigation is allowed in December, January, or February.
         c.   The foregoing restrictions do not apply to:
            i.   Landscape irrigation zones that exclusively use drip irrigation systems.
            ii.   Irrigation of non-turf ornamental landscapes with the use of an attended hand-held bucket or similar container, or an attended hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing shut-off nozzle or device.
            iii.   Operation for very short periods of time for the express purpose of adjusting or repairing an irrigation system. A City of Visalia sign or equivalent must be displayed notifying the public of the repairs while the area remains wet.
            iv.   Sports Fields and public and private golf course greens and tees may deviate from the mandatory irrigation day and time restrictions in order to maintain play areas and accommodated event schedules by submitting to the City Manager or designee an alternative watering schedule that reduces overall water use by 50% from the average used the year prior to Stage 2 declaration, or 30% from the average used the year prior to the Stage 3 declaration. Applicants must reapply for the exception annually and provide documentation that the alternative watering schedule achieved the required water use reduction. Documentation may consist of water utility bills, pump electric utility bills, or other documentation that provides the required information.
            v.   Large Landscape Areas may deviate from the mandatory irrigation day restrictions by submitting to the City Manager or designee an alternative watering schedule that reduces overall water use by 60% from the average used the year prior to Stage 2 declaration, or 60% from the average used the year prior to the Stage 3 declaration. Applicants must reapply for the exception annually and provide documentation that the alternative watering schedule achieved the required water use reduction. Documentation may consist of water utility bills, pump electric utility bills, or other documentation that provides the required information.
            vi.   A plant establishment exception for new permanent landscapes is allowed by permit. The plant establishment exception allows for irrigation on non-watering days for a period of 21 days. Plant establishment permits are issued for new or rehabilitated landscape projects that have been approved by the Community Development Department in accordance with the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, unless and until the City adopts a local Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, in which case the local ordinance shall apply. Otherwise, the plant establishment exception does not apply to installation of turf or annual plants. and no more than one (1) plant establishment permit will be issued for an address per year.
      2.   The washing of automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, boats, airplanes, or other types of mobile equipment is permitted only on Saturday or Sunday. Exception. Washing may be done at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial carwash or fleet maintenance facility. Further, such washing may be exempted from these regulations if the health, safety and welfare of the public are contingent upon frequent vehicle cleanings, such as garbage trucks and vehicles to transport food and perishables.
      3.   Overseeding of lawns is prohibited. Exception is provided for maintenance of Sports Fields and golf course greens and tees.
      4.   Filling or re-filling ornamental lakes or ponds 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 implementation of Stage 2 or higher in this chapter.
      5.   The washing of sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, courts, patios, or other paved areas is absolutely prohibited, unless it is necessary for the health and safety of the public, in which case a low-flow high-pressure washer must be used.
      6.   Washing of buildings is prohibited unless preparing the building for sale or for painting, in which case a low-flow high-pressure washer must be used.
      7.   All outdoor mist cooling systems related to human comfort are prohibited.
      8.   Use of temporary water slides is prohibited.
      9.   Use of portable water for street cleaning with trucks, except for initial wash-down for construction purposes (if street sweeping is not feasible).
      10.   Use of potable water for construction purposes, such as consolidation of backfill, dust control, or other uses unless no other source of water or method can be used.
      11.   Stage 3 of this ordinance will be enforced by the issuance of one warning for violation before the issuance of a citation in accordance with Section 13.20.090. Citations will be issued without a warning for willful and egregious violations. Willful and egregious violations include draining a pool without a permit or other violations as determined by the City Manager or designee.
   D.   Stage 4. Water Emergency. Upon implementation by the City Manager, publication of notice, and ratification by resolution of the City Council, the following restrictions shall apply to all persons in addition to the prohibited uses in section 13.20.060. Stage 4 shall terminate one (1) year after implementation unless reauthorized by the City Council by resolution.
      1.   Watering or irrigating lawn, landscape, or other vegetated area with potable water is prohibited. This restriction shall not apply to the following categories of use:
         a.   Maintenance of non-turf vegetation, including trees and shrubs, that are watered using a hand-held bucket or similar container or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing shut-off nozzle or device.
         b.   Maintenance of existing landscape necessary for fire protection.
         c.   Maintenance of existing landscape for soil erosion control.
         d.   Maintenance of plant materials identified to be rare or essential to the well-being of protected species.
         e.   Actively irrigated environmental mitigation projects.
      2.   Overseeding of lawns is prohibited.
      3.   Filling or re-filling ornamental lakes or ponds is prohibited, except to the extent needed to sustain aquatic life.
      4.   Washing of buildings is prohibited unless preparing the building for sale or for painting, in which case a low-flow high-pressure washer must be used.
      5.   All outdoor mist cooling systems related to human comfort are prohibited.
      6.   Use of temporary water slides is prohibited.
      7.   Draining and refilling of swimming pools is prohibited except that a pool may be drained by permit to comply with public health standards as determined by the County Health Officer or City code enforcement officer. Any resident whose swimming pool is drained by order of the City or County for failure to maintain it property will also be issued a notice of violation. The draining of pools for reasons of health and safety hazards as determined by a City officer or department of health is permitted. Drained pools may not be refilled.
      8.   Washing automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes, and other vehicles is prohibited except at a commercial carwash or fleet vehicle washing facility.
      9.   Use of potable water for construction purposes, such as consolidation of backfill, dust control, or other uses is prohibited.
      10.   Stage 4 of this chapter will be enforced by the issuance of a citation in accordance with Section 13.20.090 without a warning.
(Ord. 2019-11, 2019; Ord. 2016-08 § 2 (part), 2016)