The city council of the city finds and determines that:
A.
The city obtains all of its water from the San Francisco water department and is entirely dependent on the San Francisco water department supply source for its water and that supply is limited and subject to ever increasing demands.
B.
The continuation of Millbrae's economic prosperity is dependent on an adequate supply of water being available for current and future use.
C.
It is the policy of the city to promote the conservation and efficient use of water and to prevent the waste of this valuable resource.
D.
Landscapes are essential to the quality of life by providing areas for active and passive recreation and as an enhancement to the environment by cleaning air and water, preventing erosion, offering fire protection, and replacing ecosystems lost to development.
E.
Landscape design, installation and maintenance can and should be water efficient.
F.
Water use and conservation goals are set out in and can be achieved by appropriate implementation of the city's urban water management, water shortage contingency plan and the memorandum of understanding regarding urban water conservation in California to which the city is a signatory.
G.
Pursuant to the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act, Government Code Sections 65590, et seq., the "model" water efficient landscape ordinance adopted by the department of water resources is binding upon and enforceable in the city (hereafter referred to as the "model water efficient landscape ordinance").
H.
The ordinance codified in this chapter is enacted to carry out certain statutory responsibilities of the city as a water purveyor to achieve the maximum beneficial use of available water resources and to prevent the waste, unreasonable use or unreasonable method of use of water.
I.
The adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15307 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations because this constitutes an action authorized by state law to ensure the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of a natural resource where the regulatory process involves procedures for the protection of the environment.
(1976 Code § 8-9.01; Ord. 593 § 1)