This Chapter is known as and may be cited as the "Sustainable
Groundwater Management Ordinance" of the City of Santa Monica.
(Added by Ord. No. 2584CCS §
1, adopted 8/28/18)
The City Council finds and determines that it is in the best interests of the City to manage groundwater resources within the City to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare of City residents, further the goals and purposes of the Sustainability Rights Ordinance (Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter
12.02), and implement the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (California
Water Code Section 10720, et seq.).
(Added by Ord. No. 2584CCS §
1, adopted 8/28/18; Ord.
No. 2611CCS § 9, adopted 6/25/19)
The terms used in this chapter shall have the following meanings:
"City"
means City of Santa Monica.
"City well"
means a well owned or operated by the City to provide water
supply to establishments served by the City's water supply system.
"Groundwater sustainability plan"
means a plan adopted by a groundwater sustainability agency
for the Santa Monica Groundwater Basin and approved by the Department
of Water Resources in accordance with the Sustainable Groundwater
Management Act.
"Well"
is defined in California
Water Code Section 13710 and any
subsequent amendments, supplements or revisions thereto, except that
this definition shall not include City wells.
(Added by Ord. No. 2584CCS §
1, adopted 8/28/18)
The installation of new wells or the expansion of existing wells
is prohibited within the City of Santa Monica unless and until such
installation or expansion is approved by the unanimous consent of
the Santa Monica Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SMBGSA).
(Added by Ord. No. 2584CCS §
1, adopted 8/28/18; amended by Ord. No. 2752CCS § 1, adopted 7/25/23)