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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 for the first offense. Each subsequent offense shall result in a fine that increases by increments of $50 up to a maximum fine amount of $1,000 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 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. 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 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., 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.