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.
"Sustainable Groundwater Management Act"
means Water Code Section 10720 et seq.
"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)