§ 24-51.1. Restriction on outdoor watering of landscape.

(a)

Outdoor watering for purposes of planting, growing, managing or maintaining groundcover, trees, shrubs, or other plants may occur only between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.

(b)

This limitation shall not create any limitation upon the following outdoor water uses:

(1)

Commercial agricultural operations as defined in O.C.G.A. § 1-3-3;

(2)

Capture and reuse of cooling system condensate or stormwater in compliance with applicable city ordinances and state guidelines;

(3)

Reuse of gray water in compliance with O.C.G.A. § 31-3-5.2 and applicable local board of health regulations;

(4)

Use of reclaimed wastewater by a designated user from a system permitted by the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to provide reclaimed wastewater;

(5)

Watering personal food gardens;

(6)

Watering new and replanted plant, seed, or turf in landscapes, golf courses, or sports turf fields during installation and for a period of thirty (30) days immediately following the date of installation;

(7)

Drip irrigation or irrigation using soaker hoses;

(8)

Hand watering with a hose with automatic cutoff or handheld container;

(9)

Use of water withdrawn from private water wells or surface water by an owner or operator of property if such well or surface water is on said property;

(10)

Watering horticultural crops held for sale, resale, or installation;

(11)

Watering athletic fields, golf courses, or public turf grass recreational areas;

(12)

Installation, maintenance, or calibration of irrigation systems;

(13)

Hydroseeding; or

(14)

Any other exceptions allowed under the laws of the State of Georgia.

(c)

Notwithstanding the general penalty for violations of chapter 24, article II, division 2, a first offense violation of this section shall not carry a fine. Further violations of this section shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00).

(Ord. No. 10-19, 12-2-2010)