Stage Five - Water shortage emergency.
Riverside Municipal Code § 14.22.070
in effect14.22.070 - Stage Five - Water shortage emergency.
A Stage Five applies when the City Council declares, by resolution, that the City's ability to meet its water demands with its local water supplies is so seriously impaired that RPU faces an actual supply shortage of over 50 percent, corresponding to California Water Code Section 10632 shortage level 6; and
B. Upon declaration of a Water Shortage Emergency:
1. No new construction meters will be issued.
2. No construction water may be used for earth work such as road construction purposes, dust control, compaction, or trench jetting.
3. No new building permit(s) shall be issued, except:
a. Projects found by the City Council to be necessary for public health, safety.
b. Projects using recycled water for construction.
c. Projects which will not result in a net increase in non-recycled water use.
d. Projects with adequate conservation offsets, if available. The City, in its sole discretion, may choose to make conservation offsets available. Conservation offset costs shall be based on the cost of conserving the water elsewhere to provide the water needed for a project, the cost of providing an alternative water supply deemed acceptable by the City, or other measures as may be found in the City's water use efficiency master plan. Conservation offset fees will be set forth in the Water Rules and Rate Schedules.
(Ord. 7556 § 6, 2021; Ord. 7334 § 1, 2016; Ord. 7136 § 4, 2011)
Source: City of Riverside, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/riverside/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_TIT14PUUT_CH14.22WACO_14.22.070STFIATSHEMFetched: 11/1/2026