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Water Conservation Ordinance

On June 13, 2006, the Aurora City Council amended Chapter 48 of the Aurora Code of Ordinances by enacting a Water Conservation Ordinance. Violation of this section shall result in a fine of $50.00 for the first offense. Each subsequent offense shall result in a fine that increases by increments of $50.00 up to a maximum fine amount of $1000.00 per violation. The key elements of the Ordinance, which was effective immediately upon passage by the City Council, are as follows:

• Customers are permitted to water lawns based on the "odd/even" protocol (based on last digit of street address), between the hours of 5am and 9am and 6pm to 10pm. This provides an average of 28 hours of potential watering time per week.
• Median strips and other areas which can not be identified as "odd" or "even" are designated as "even" for the purpose of this ordinance.
• Customers with permanently installed, automatic irrigation systems are permitted to water lawns and other landscape using those systems daily, between the hours of 5am and 9am, with no evening watering allowed. This provides 28 hours of potential watering time per week.
• Watering is not permitted on July 31 and August 31 of each year. This applies to all customers, automatic or manual systems, odd or even addresses, etc.
• Watering of plants, trees, gardens, etc., and filling of swimming pools having a volume of less than 50 gallons, is permitted at all times, provided a hand-held hose of one-inch diameter or less is used.
• Washing of vehicles is permitted at all times, provided a hose of one-inch diameter or less equipped with a shut-off type nozzle is used.
• Special permits for watering of sod or seed during the first 10 days after placement may be obtained from the Buildings and Permits Division.
• Special permits regulating the use of water for landscaping purposes by commercial enterprises may be obtained from the Department of Public Works.