HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-07-14 - AGENDA REPORTS - WATER CONSERVATION ORD (2)AGENDI REPO]
CONSENT CALENDAR
DATE: July 14, 1992
SUBJECT: WATER CONSERVATION ORDINANCE
Ordinance No. 92-12
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
BACKGROUND
On February 25, 1992, Council voted to adopt Urgency Water Conservation
Ordinance No. 92-5. This Ordinance put into effect water conservation
regulations and established the City of Santa Clarita Drought Committee as the
advisory for the Ordinance. This Ordinance, along with the Drought Committee,
will no longer be in effect after July 1, 1992.
The water purveyors, serving the City and surrounding area, have developed an
Emergency Water Use Contingency Plan as mandated by the State of California.
As part of this plan, drought stages have been established. These stages are
based on the severity of projected water shortages and enable its purveyors to
gauge how water consumption restrictions are applied to their customers.
As directed by Council, the Santa Clarita Drought Committee has drafted a new
Water Conservation Ordinance No. 92-12 (see attachment). As designed, the
proposed Ordinance will do the following:
• The Ordinance will put into effect water -use regulations which coincide
with and reinforce the drought stages established in the Emergency Water
Contingency Plan.
• A brief description of the water -use restrictions contained in each stage
are as follows:
Stage 1 Provides for voluntary water -use restrictions on landscape
watering, water fixture upkeep, auto washing and water serving
at restaurants.
Stage 2 The voluntary restrictions in Stage 1 become mandatory. In
addition, pool/spa permits are restricted and drought -tolerant
landscape installations are mandated.
Stage 3 Provides for restrictions on certain building and grading
permits and provides for City oversight of all new
landscape/ irrigation installations to verify their drought
tolerancy. np�p
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WATER CONSERVATION ORDINANCE
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Stage 4 Provides for a prohibition on all new landscaping and limited
maintenance of existing installations.
Water -use restrictions are accumulative as the drought stages increase.
• The Ordinance creates a means by which water -use regulations may be
implemented by Council without special needs or delays.
• The Ordinance will provide a program to encourage prudent water -use
practices, regardless of the presence of drought conditions.
When in place, this proposed Ordinance will only terminate upon action by
Council.
There is no projected drought condition this year for the Santa Clarita area,
as supplies are above anticipated water demands. Since the current conditions
do not pose any urgency, it is valuable to conduct a Public Forum to discuss
this draft document, due to its potential impact on future water use.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Set Public Hearing for September 8, 1992.
2. Direct staff to conduct a public participation forum on the proposed
Ordinance prior to the September 8 hearing.
ATTACHMENT
Draft Water Conservation Ordinance No. 92-12
hds:681
0 ORDINANCE NO. 92-12
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AMENDING CHAPTER 9.38 OF TITLE 9
OF THE SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE
REGARDING WATER CONSERVATION
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Santa Clarita Municipal Code is amended at Chapter 9.38 to
Title 9 relating to water conservation to read as follows: .
CHAPTER 9.38
WATER CONSERVATION
Sections•
9.38.010 Water Regulation Authority
9.38.015 Water Conservation Action Plan
9.38.020 Notification
9.38.025 Water Rationing/Conservation Stages
9.38.030 Emergency Water Shortage Response
9.38.035 Water Conservation Measures
9:38.040 Penalties
9.38.045 Hardship and.Appeals Process Guidelines
9.38.050 Termination of Ordinance
9.38.010 Water Regulation Authority
A. The -State of California Water Code requires urban water suppliers to
establish a means to review current and anticipated water demands in
order to guarantee water availability. The Upper Santa Clara Water
Committee (U.S.C.W.C.), being the representative body for this area's
water purveyors, reviews and reports on water supply and demand in the
Santa Clarita Valley. This body meets (annually) on a regular basis
and more frequently when water availability reaches critical levels.
In accordance with the State Water Code, the U.S.C.W.C. and the Castaic
Lake Water Agency (C.L.W.A.) have adopted a Water Shortage Contingency
Plan, a part of which is a four -stage rationing plan. This plan
establishes water conservation measure responses to current and
anticipated levels of deficiencies in State and/or local water supplies.
B. In response to this plan, it is the City's intent to establish
water -use guidelines and restrictions which will reinforce the
water -use reduction goals established in the Water Shortage Contingency
Plan.
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ORDINANCE NO. 92-12
Page 2
9.38.015 Water Conservation Action Plan 0
A. The City of Santa Clarita, through the City Manager's office, shall
establish contact with the Upper Santa Clara Water Committee for the
purpose of receiving their recommendations and reports. Based on the
information received from the U.S.C.W.C., the City Manager's office
shall provide to Council, for their consent, recommendations as to the
proper drought stage response. The drought stage response shall be
determined by the level of water deficiency. In order to remain
consistent with regional or State-wide water conservation measures, the
City Manager's Office will also report to Council, State and Regional
water use restriction measures being imposed for the particular drought
stage. The City Manager's office may also recommend to Council relief
from any restrictions prescribed by the drought stage if deemed
appropriate and beneficial to the City.
9.38.020 Water Conservation Notification
A. Upon the establishment of a drought stage by the City Council, a public
notice period of seven days shall commence. Public notice shall be by
public posting at all City facilities, all City-wide County facilities,
and all City-wide water purveyor's facilities. The public notice shall
be advertised in the local newspaper(a), radio, and other available
media, for the same period of time.
B. All mandatory measures will be enforceable after the seventh day of
public notice.
9.38.025
A.
B.
Water Rationing/Conservation Stages
Water Deficiency -'Defined
A water deficiency occurs when the current or projected water demand
exceeds the current or projected water supply, based on a yearly
assessment.
Percent of deficiency = water supply/water demand K 100%.
Water Rationing/Conservation Stages
Stage 1: A Stage 1 drought condition will occur when water
deficiencies range between 1 and 15 percent. At this stage of drought
severity, the public is encouraged to practice prudent water use.
Stage 2: A Stage 2 drought condition will occur when water
deficiencies range from more than 15 and up to 25 percent. At this
stage of drought severity, prudent water use, along with restrictions
on new water demand, are mandated.
A
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ORDINANCE NO. 92-12
Page 3
Stage 3: A Stage 3 drought condition will occur
deficiencies range from more than 25 and up to 35 percent.
Stage 4: A Stage 4 drought condition will occur
deficiencies are more than 35 percent.
9.38.030 Emergency Water Shortage Response
when water
when water
A. In the event that an immediate shortage of water occurs due to
disaster, the City Manager, upon receiving information from the
U.S.C.W.C. and the C.L.W.A., shall declare the stage of water shortage
emergency and implement the appropriate drought stage regulations. The
City Manager shall report such water shortage condition and level of
response to City Council at a time which is reasonable and practicable.
9.38.035 Water Conservation Covenants
A. Continual Water -Use Practices
More severe effects of a water shortage are often brought about due to.
wasteful use of water in times of sufficient supply. The use of water
shall be done so in an efficient manner, in order to eliminate
unnecessary water use where possible. For this reason, certain
water -use practices shall be prescribed.
1. Landscaping
a. The Parks and Recreation Department shall establish and
maintain a program which would encourage 'future landscape
installations to be drought -tolerant.
a. The use of low -flow shower head and faucet fixtures is
encouraged.
3. Voluntary Restrictions
a. Where practical, the voluntary restrictions for a Stage 1
drought should be used as a guideline for prudent water use.
B. Water conservation shall be achieved through mandatory and voluntary
restrictions and/or prohibitions of various types of water use. Water
supply deficiencies are set at four stages of urgency, for which
conservation measures are mandated in order to create water -usage
reduction. These measures are cumulative through each stage.
ORDINANCE NO. 92-12
Page 4
Stage 1
The following are voluntary water -use restrictions or prohibitions:
1. Hose Water Prohibition
a. No person shall hose -water or wash down any sidewalk,
walkways, driveways, parking areas or other paved surface,
except for health and safety purposes.
2. Watering Lawns and Landscaning
a. No person shall water or cause to be watered any lawn or
landscaping between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.,
except as provided in Section 9.38.035.B.2.e.
b. Lawns and landscaping shall be watered no more than 10
minutes per watering station or cycle per day.
C. No person shall water or cause to be watered any lawn or
landscaping to such an extent that runoff into adjoining
streets, parking lots or alleys occurs due to incorrectly
directed or maintained sprinklers or to excessive watering.
d. It shall be the duty of all persons to inspect all hoses,
faucets and sprinkling systems for leaks and to cause all
leaks to be repaired as soon as is reasonably practicable.
e. Commercial gardeners and landscapers, municipal water uses,
commercial nurseries, golf courses, publicly -owned and
maintained land and facilities, and other water -dependent
industries shall not water or cause to be watered any lawn or
landscaping between the hours of 10:00 a.m, and 3:00 p.m.,
and no more than 30 minutes per watering station or cycle per
day unless reclaimed water is used as permitted by the
Los Angeles County Department of Health. This subsection
does not apply to residential lawns which are subject to the
time limitations indicated in the other subsections of this
Ordinance.
f. The maintenance and testing of irrigation systems may be
performed without the restrictions specified in Subsections
2.a and 2.e in Stage 1.
g.. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections 2'.a and 2.e in
Stage 1, the time for watering shall not be enforced during
the period between November 15 and March 15, inclusive, to
allow watering during the warmer portions of the day during
these winter months.
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ORDINANCE NO. 92-12
Page 5
• 3. Indoor Plumbing
a. It shall be the duty of all persons to inspect all accessible
indoor plumbing for leaks and cause them to be repaired as
soon as reasonably practicable.
4. Washing Vehicles
a. Vehicles should be washed by hand-held bucket or with a hose
equipped with automatic shutoff nozzle. Hoses may not be
left running.
b. These restrictions shall not be applied to commercial vehicle
washing facilities and operations.
5. Public Eating Places
a. Water may be served only upon request by the customer.
The following are mandatory water -use restriction and/or prohibitions:
1. All restrictions, prohibitions and time exemptions listed under
Stage 1 become mandatory requirements.
2. Grading. Pool and Spa Permits
a. No new pool or spa permits shall be issued.
b. Permits 'for grading and pool/spa projects will still be
processed through the building department. Permits will not
be issued until such a time (such nater -use restrictions)
when Stage 2 restrictions are deemed no longer to be in
effect. Affected projects will be exempt from permit process
expirations due to lapse in time and/or new code adoption.
c. Restrictions on permits, stated in Subsections 2.a. and 2.b.
of Stage 2, will become effective at the time when these
measures are approved by Council or, in the event of
immediate emergency, when the City Manager's Office has
deemed the measures to be in effect.
d. No one shall cause the emptying or refilling of existing
pools or spas for cleaning purposes. Water levels may be
maintained.
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ORDINANCE NO. 92-12
Page 6
3. Landscaninq 0
a. All new landscaping shall be limited to drought -tolerant
plantings (vegetation using one-third the normal water
requirements)._
b. No new lawns, whether by seed or sod, shall be installed.
C. No person or entity shall be required to implement any
landscaping requirements of any association, developer or
governing agency until the termination of this stage.
Stage 3
The following are mandatory water -use restrictions and/or
prohibitions.
1. All restrictions and/or prohibitions listed in Stage 2.
2. Building and Grading Permits
a. Permits for new residential construction which would result
in additional dwelling unit(s) shall not be issued.
Residential additions which are over 50 percent of the
existing residence's habitable floor area will be considered
an additional dwelling unit.
b. Building permits for new non-residential construction and
non-residential additions which are over 50 percent of the
existing habitable floor area shall not be issued.
C. Permits for building projects, restricted in Subsections 2.a.
and 2.b .of Stage 3 will still be processed through the
building department. Permits will not be issued until such
time when Stage 3 restrictions are deemed no longer to be in
effect. Affected projects will be exempt from permit process
expirations due to lapse in time and/or new code adoption.
d. All grading under permits issued prior to the effective date,
per Subsection 2.c, in Stage 2, shall be limited to the use
of reclaimed water, as approved by the Los Angeles County
Department of Health.
3. Landscavina
a. All new landscaping and irrigation improvements shall be
approved by the City of Santa Clarita Director of Parks and
Recreation prior to construction.
•
ORDINANCE NO. 92-12
Page 8
41
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this
ATTEST:
Donna M. Grindey, City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES) ss
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA)
day of
Jill Elajic, Mayor
1992.
I, Donna M. Grindey, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the above and foregoing
Resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita at
a regular meeting thereof, held on the day of 1992 by the
following vote of Council:
AYES:. COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILbMMERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
Donna M. Grindey, City Clerk
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ORDINANCE NO. 92-12
Page 7
rStaae 4
The following are mandatory water -use restrictions:
1. All restrictions and/or prohibitions listed in Stage 3.
2. Landscaping
a. No new landscaping shall be permitted.
b. Existing landscaping shall be maintained with reclaimed water
only, as approved by the Los Angeles County Department of
Health. Existing trees and larger shrubs will be exempt.
9.38.040 Penalties
•A. Willful violations of the terms of this Ordinance shall be subject to
written warnings and/or citations. A written warning shall be issued
upon the first violation of any part of this Ordinance. The second
violation shall result in a fine of $50.00. The third violation shall
result in a fine of $100.00, and subsequent violations shall result in
a fine of,S300.00 for each violation.
9.38.045 Hardship and Appeals Process Guidelines
A. The City Manager's Office shall establish guidelines. by which water
users may file claims of hardship due to imposed water restriction
regulations. An appeals process shall be established for water users
who have been cited for lack of compliance to these 'imposed water -use
restrictions.
9.38.050 Termination of Ordinance
A. This Ordinance shall terminate only upon consent by the City Council.
Section 2. The City Council hereby declares that the provisions of
this Ordinance are severable and if for any reason a court or competent
jurisdiction shall hold any sentence, paragraph or section of this Ordinance to
be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining parts
of this Ordinance.
Section 3. This Ordinance is effective immediately pursuant to
California Water Code Section 376.
Section 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this
Ordinance and shall cause it to be published in the manner prescribed by law.
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