It is the purpose and intent of this section to control unnecessary consumption of the available water supplies on the Monterey Peninsula by requiring the use of water-saving devices.
(Ord. 84-2 §1(a))
The following devices for water conservation purposes shall be required in the following types of construction except as otherwise provided this chapter.
A. 
In all newly constructed, substantially reconstructed or remodeled residential, commercial, industrial or public buildings, all toilets and urinals must use three and one-half (3-1/2) gallons of water per flush or less. All shower heads installed in such buildings must limit use of water to three gallons or less per minute at pressure of 50 pounds or less per square inch. All kitchen sink, lavatory and other inside faucets shall be equipped with water-saving aerators or laminar flow devices together with flow control inserts, valves, devices or orifices that restrict flow to a maximum of approximately two gallons per minute. All hot water pipes shall be insulated. All roofs shall be equipped with roof gutters and downspouts that can be adapted to rain catchment devices.
B. 
In all newly constructed or substantially reconstructed commercial, industrial or public buildings, all lavatory faucets must be of the self-closing type as that term is commonly used in the industry or be controlled by foot pedal.
C. 
All newly constructed ornamental fountains, permanent swimming or wading pools, or other structures of similar purposes and making similar use of water shall employ recirculating systems. All new swimming pools shall be equipped with a cover suitable for covering the entire surface of the pool.
D. 
All newly installed water-cooled air-conditioning equipment shall be equipped with waterconserving systems and not be the evaporating types.
E. 
In all-newly constructed or substantially reconstructed residential, commercial, industrial or public buildings, all water pipes shall have valves which reduce the water pressure to 50 or less pounds of pressure per square inch.
F. 
All newly constructed or substantially reconstructed car washes and laundries shall employ recirculating systems.
G. 
All drinking fountains shall be equipped with a self-closing valve.
H. 
All new commercial laundry facilities shall be equipped with water-conserving models of washers and other equipment requiring water use in their operating acceptable to the building inspector.
I. 
All new restaurants shall be equipped with water-conserving models of dishwashers acceptable to the building inspector.
(Ord. 84-2 §1(c))
No coastal development permit or building permit shall be issued to any project subject to conditional approval nor shall final subdivision maps be approved until the City Council has approved an irrigation plan for that project. The City Council shall encourage irrigation systems that:
A. 
Minimize water waste;
B. 
Incorporate low output sprinkler heads and drip irrigation systems;
C. 
Minimize runoff and evaporation;
D. 
Preserve natural drainage channels.
(Ord. 84-2 §1(d))
No coastal development permit or building permit shall be issued to any project subject to conditional approval nor shall final subdivision maps be approved until the City Council has approved a landscape plan for that project. The City Council shall encourage landscape designs that:
A. 
Maximize the planting of drought tolerant plants;
B. 
Minimize the planting of exotic and water intensive irrigation such as turf;
C. 
Preserve and protect existing shrubs;
D. 
Use mulch and topsoil to improve the water-holding capacity of the soil;
E. 
Encourage water reuse for landscaping wherever possible and economically feasible.
(Ord. 84-2 §1(e))
The Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Sections 492.6(a)(3)(B), (C), (D), and (G) of Chapter 2.7, Division 2, Title 23 in the California Code of Regulations, which may be referred to in this code as the MWELO, as promulgated by the California Department of Water Resources, as may be amended, are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference into the code. One copy of MWELO is on file and available for use by the public at Sand City City Hall.
A. 
Property owners or their building or landscape designers, including anyone requiring a building or planning permit, plan check, or landscape design review from the City, who are constructing a new (single-family, multi-family, public, institutional, or commercial) project with a landscape area greater than 500 square feet, or rehabilitating an existing landscape with a total landscape area greater than 2,500 square feet, shall comply with Sections 492.6(a)(3)(B), (C), (D), and (G) of the California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance ("MWELO"), including sections related to the use of compost and mulch as delineated in this section.
B. 
Property owners or their building or landscape designers that meet the threshold for MWELO compliance outlined in subsection A above shall:
1. 
Comply with Sections 492.6(a)(3) (B), (C), (D), and (G) of the MWELO, and any amendments thereto, which requirements include the submission of a landscape design plan with a soil preparation, mulch, and amendment to include the following:
a. 
For landscape installations, compost at a rate of a minimum of four cubic yards per 1,000 square feet of permeable area shall be incorporated to a depth of six inches into the soil. Soils with greater than 6% organic matter in the top six inches of soil are exempt from adding compost and tilling.
b. 
For landscape installations, a minimum three inch layer of mulch shall be applied on all exposed soil surfaces of planting areas except in turf areas, creeping or rooting groundcovers, or direct seeding applications where mulch is contraindicated. To provide habitat for beneficial insects and other wildlife up to 5% of the landscape area may be left without mulch. Designated insect habitat must be included in the landscape design plan as such.
c. 
Organic mulch materials made from recycled or post-consumer materials shall take precedence over inorganic materials or virgin forest products unless the recycled post-consumer organic products are not locally available. Organic mulches are not required where prohibited by a local fuel modification plan guidelines or other applicable local ordinances.
2. 
This section does not set forth the complete requirements of MWELO Sections 492.6(a)(3)(B), (C), (D), and (G); therefore, property owners or their building or landscape designers that meet the threshold for MWELO compliance outlined in subsection A above shall consult the full MWELO Sections 492.6(a)(3)(B), (C), (D), and (G) and comply with all requirements set forth therein.
(Ord. 21-04 §1)
All new parks shall be subject to council review and shall receive approval of landscape and irrigation plans from the City Council prior to construction. The City Council shall incorporate efficient irrigation systems and drought tolerant landscape features in the design of the facilities. Secondary or nonpotable water should be used whenever available.
(Ord. 84-2 §2)
No provision of this chapter shall apply to fire hydrants, fire mains or sprinkler lines used solely for fire protection purposes. The City Council may, at its discretion, waive full compliance with the requirements of this section if it is determined that the restrictions imposed in this chapter would cause unnecessary and undue hardship upon the applicant or the public. Financial hardship alone shall not constitute grounds for exception from the requirements of this chapter. The requirements of this chapter shall not be waived for any development within the coastal zone as defined in Chapter 18.04 of this code, unless the necessity of such action is shown and it is demonstrated that the development will not exceed its City imposed water allocation without such requirements.
(Ord. 84-2 §1(b))