§ 26-158. Lawn and landscape irrigation restrictions.  


Latest version.
  • (a)

    Except for hand watering and the use of soaker hoses, a person commits an offense if that person irrigates, waters, or causes or permits the irrigation or watering of any lawn or landscape located on premises owned, leased or managed by that person between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

    (b)

    A person commits an offense if he knowingly or recklessly irrigates, waters or causes or permits the irrigation or watering of a lawn or landscape located on premises owned, leased or managed by the person in a manner that causes:

    (1)

    A substantial amount of water to fall upon impervious areas instead of a lawn or landscape, such that a constant stream of water overflows from the lawn or landscape onto a street or other drainage area; or

    (2)

    An irrigation system or other lawn or landscape watering device to operate during any form of precipitation.

    (c)

    A person commits an offense if, on premises owned, leased or managed by that person, a person operates a lawn or landscape irrigation system or device that:

    (1)

    Has any broken or missing sprinkler head; or

    (2)

    Has not been properly maintained in a manner that prevents the waste of water.

    (d)

    Affirmative defenses.

    (1)

    It shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution of an offense in subsection (a) above, that at the time such person irrigates, waters or causes or permits the irrigation or watering of any lawn or landscape, such activity was for the purpose of:

    a.

    Establishing hydromulch, grass sod or grass seed;

    b.

    Dust control of a sports field;

    c.

    For the maintenance, repair or testing of an irrigation system; or

    d.

    Watering by use of a handheld hose.

    (2)

    Such activity described in subsection (d)(1) may be an affirmative defense to prosecution only if the activity occurred for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days or less. After the thirtieth (30th) consecutive day of such activity, a person who irrigates, waters or causes or permits the irrigation or watering of any lawn or landscape in violation of this section shall be subject to administrative fees and criminal penalties.

    (3)

    The above affirmative defenses may be suspended if prohibited by the emergency water use plan (drought contingency plan) and such plan is in effect at the time of the activity.

    (4)

    The customer has received an approved variance from the city stating the applicable conditions and beginning and ending periods of the variance.

    (e)

    It shall be an exception to prosecution of an offense in this section, if a person who irrigates, waters or causes or permits the irrigation or watering does so by use of an alternative water source such as a well, reclaimed or reused water or other alternative source if that person has:

    (1)

    Registered such alternative water source with the city;

    (2)

    Provided sufficient proof to the director that the alternative water source is from a well, reclaimed or reused water and has allowed inspection by the director if deemed necessary;

    (3)

    Complied with the city's backflow and cross-connection control program and Unified Development Code, article 8, sections 8.4.1.4 through 8.4.1.6; and

    (4)

    A posting on the property easily visible from the road on which the property fronts (as determined by address) stating the alternative source of water.

    (f)

    All Grand Prairie water customers shall water no more than two (2) days per week according to the following rules unless the customer receives an approved variance:

    (1)

    Even numbered addresses watering on Mondays and Thursdays.

    (2)

    Odd numbered addresses water on Tuesday and Fridays.

    (3)

    City government will schedule landscape watering so that a particular facility location will be watered no more than two (2) days per week.

    (4)

    Irrigated areas not having a numbered address shall be assigned an address by the city.

(Ord. No. 7937, § 1, 4-7-09; Ord. No. 10018-2016, §§ 1—3, 3-22-16)