This application is for requesting an exemption from Section 4-1-6 of the Water Waste Ordinance. The application will be considered pending on the date it is received by the Water Utility.
Once your application is received, enforcement activities will be suspended for the described area during the review process. An exemption request does not affect enforcement of violations which occurred prior to your application.
The Water Waste Ordinance provides the framework for exemption requests:
§ 4-1-8. EXEMPTIONS AND APPEALS
The Executive Director shall be responsible for the enforcement of this article. The
Executive Director may prescribe policies, rules, or regulations to carry out the intent
and purposes of this article.
(A) Exemptions to § 4-1-4 (Watering Restrictions) and § 4-1-5 (Water
Conservation Requirements for New Construction) and § 4-1-6 (Water Waste), and § [-
4-1-7 (Special Permits).
(1) Administrative exemptions to the restrictions in §§ 4-1-4, 4-1-5, 4-1-6
and 4-1-7 may be issued by the Executive Director or his/her designee, provided that
the general intent of this article has been met, compliance with this article is proven to
cause practical difficulties and unnecessary hardship, and all options for abatement
through modified water management have been exhausted. The criteria to determine
hardship shall include level of capital outlay and time required to be in compliance with
this article.
(2) Water Waste Exemptions may be issued for a period not to exceed
one year and shall stipulate both short-term corrective measures and a schedule for
completion of long-term corrective measures. Exemptions may be renewed on an annual basis if long-term corrective measures cannot be completed within one year.
It is your responsibility to provide detailed information to support your exemption application. Your exemption request must convincingly show that you have met all four of these criteria:
the general intent of the ordinance has been met;
compliance is proven to cause practical difficulties and unnecessary hardship;
all options for abatement through modified water management have been exhausted;
a plan exists to bring the property into compliance within one year.
Exemptions are intended to be for a period of one year or less. Any exemption granted will require the implementation of scheduled corrective measures for a one-year compliance strategy. Failure to abide by the conditions of an exemption may result in revocation and enforcement actions. Please be sure your application includes a detailed schedule for compliance within one year.
This process may require a site inspection of the property. If the application involves landscape irrigation water, it is beneficial to have both the landscape maintenance contractor and the property manager or owner available during the site inspection. The Water Utility will contact you to schedule a site inspection.
You will be notified whether your application has been approved or denied.
If you require assistance to complete your application please contact Carol Edwards at 768-3604 or the Water Waste Hotline at 768-3640.