ORDINANCE NO. 2024-1252-O

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AND IMPLEMENTING REVISED REGULATIONS FOR LANDSCAPING AND WATER CONSERVATION FOR DEVELOPING LAND IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, UTAH

RECITALS AND LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS

WHEREAS, Washington County is the most arid and fastest growing region in Utah with all its major population centers dependent on a single water resource that is prone to drought. It is essential that existing water conservation initiatives are revised and updated from time to time to protect the county’s population, economy, and quality of life;

WHEREAS, Washington County, in partnership with the Washington County Water Conservancy District, and local cities and towns, established standards for water efficient new development, to address limited water supplies, drought conditions, and the sustainability of future water resources, and now seeks revisions and updates to the current standards as recently requested by the Washington County Water Conservancy District (WCWCD);

WHEREAS, Washington County wants to continue to ensure that the County and its residents have a reliable, resilient, and sustainable water supply;

WHEREAS, revising standards for new construction single family residential, multi-family residential, and nonresidential development in any zone, as it relates to landscaping and water conservation standards, will continue to help sustain a reliable and resilient water supply to all residents;

WHEREAS, revising establishing standards for the use of water for outdoor landscaping and irrigation will help sustain a reliable and resilient water supply to all residents;

WHEREAS, carefully managing the County’s water resources is of upmost importance to our community for the protection of present and future citizens;

WHEREAS, this proposed revised ordinance is necessary and proper for the safety, peace and good order of the County and its citizens; and

WHEREAS, this proposed revised ordinance is necessary for the preservation and longevity of these lands.

NOW THEREFORE, be it ordained by the County Commission of Washington County, Utah, that the attached revised standards and regulations are adopted, and shall be incorporated into the ordinances of the County, as Title 10, Chapter 27.

Section 1. Repealer. Current regulations in conflict with the attached provisions are repealed and replaced as set forth herein, and any provision of the code found in conflict with this ordinance also is hereby repealed.

Section 2. Enactment. Title 10, Chapter 27 is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit A, and are hereby adopted.

Section 3. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance is declared to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder shall not be affected thereby.

Section 4. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect upon execution below, and upon posting in the manner required by law fifteen days after its passage. Following its passage, but prior to the effective date, a copy of the ordinance shall be deposited with the County Clerk and a short summary of the ordinance shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the County.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of March, 2024.

   WASHINGTON COUNTY

___________________________

GIL ALMQUIST, Chair   

Washington County Commission            

ATTEST:

_________________________________

Ryan Sullivan

Washington County Clerk-Auditor

                     Commissioner Almquist voted ____

Commissioner Iverson voted ____

Commissioner Snow voted____

Approved as to Form:

_________________________________

Deputy Washington County Attorney