§ 62-98. Declaration of water shortage; restrictions.

(a)

The board of county commissioners adopts the provisions of SWFWMD Rule 40D-22, year-round water conservation measures, as part of this section with the following exceptions:

(1)

The irrigation of established lawns and landscaping is allowed only as follows: properties under two acres may water from 12:01 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.; properties with two acres and greater may water from 12:01 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. to 11:50 p.m. on each allowable watering day. A user may irrigate established lawns and landscaping during only one of the specified time periods on any allowable watering day.

(2)

Irrigation of established lawns and landscaping shall be limited to once per week as follows: at addresses ending in the number 0 or 1 only on Mondays; at addresses ending in the number 2 or 3, only on Tuesdays; at addresses ending in the number 4 or 5, only on Wednesdays; at addresses ending in 6 or 7, only on Thursdays; at addresses ending in the number 8 or 9 or locations with no addresses, only on Fridays. Users shall curtail irrigation when rain has occurred within the last 24 hours.

(3)

New turf grass (sod, seed, plugs and sprigs) and new landscaping are exempt from day of the week restrictions for the first 60 days after installation; however, such watering shall be limited to the minimum necessary, shall only be accomplished during the hours allowed above, and is limited to only new turf grass and new landscaping. Users shall curtail irrigation when rain has occurred in the past 12 hours.

(4)

Reclaimed water supplies are also a limited water resource and at times, it may be necessary to limit a customer's use of reclaimed water as provided in section 110-76 of this Code. In order to provide reclaimed water to as many customers as possible, a reclaimed water lawn and landscape irrigation schedule will be published and amended from time to time as necessary by county utilities services.

(5)

Low volume micro-irrigation (i.e., drip irrigation, misters, soaker hoses) or hand watering (using a hose with a self-canceling or shut-off nozzle, or both) of trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetable gardens shall not be restricted by days of the week; however, such low volume micro-irrigation or hand watering shall be limited to the minimum necessary and only during the hours allowed above.

(b)

Irrigation for the purpose of watering in insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides is restricted to designated days and times for that address, except for applications by a professional who is in the business of applying such products for remuneration, so long as a chemical advisory marker containing the day, month and year of application is posted on the landscape, and where such watering is required by the manufacturers or by federal, state, or local law; however, such watering shall be limited to the minimum necessary and shall only be accomplished during the hours allowed above.

(c)

The washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, mobile homes, campers, boats, or any other type of motor vehicle or equipment (hereinafter collectively referred to as "vehicles") is permitted using low volume washing as that term is defined in chapter 40D-21.051(13), F.A.C. Low volume mobile equipment washing means the washing of mobile equipment with a "bucket" and "sponge" or a hose with a self-canceling or automatic shut-off nozzle or both. Provided, however, unless a business enterprise established for such purpose is used, the washing of non-business, personal vehicles shall be conducted no more than one time per week.

(d)

If conducted, the hosing down of porches, sidewalks, driveways, and other hard surfaces, shall be conducted with a hose with a self-canceling or automatic shut-off nozzle or both. Provided however, that hosing-down a driveway or other impervious surface to remove grass clippings or other debris that can be removed with a broom or other dry methods is prohibited.

(e)

Any additional restrictions to follow by SWFWMD that are more stringent shall supersede and become a part of this section and shall be subject to the same enforcement and penalty provisions.

(f)

Outdoor aesthetic uses of water, such as decorative water fountains and features, shall be prohibited unless such fountains or features provide a necessary aeration and/or water quality benefit. The operation of decorative water fountains or features using reclaimed water is not restricted; however, a sign stating "using reclaimed water" must be posted next to the water fountain or feature.

(g)

Road construction servicing contractors (water tankers) shall use reclaimed water rather than potable water when reclaimed water is available within close proximity to the road construction project.

(Code 1970, § 26-66; Ord. No. 85-05, § 1(3.01), 4-9-85; Ord. No. 94-06, § 1, 5-3-94; Ord. No. 94-07, § 1, 5-10-94; Ord. No. 00-06, § 1, 5-23-00; Ord. No. 01-016, § B1, 7-10-01; Ord. No. 03-38, § B, 12-2-03; Ord. No. 07-02, § B, 1-23-07)