EXCEPTIONS
Colorado Springs City Code § 12.4.1311
in effect12.4.1311: EXCEPTIONS:
A. Water customers may use water essential to protect the general public health, safety or welfare.
B. Water Allocation Plans:
1. Utilities may work with residential and commercial water customers who request relief from the applicable provisions of sections 12.4.1304 , 12.4.1306 and 12.4.1307 by approving a water allocation plan. A water allocation plan will define site-specific volumetric limits of water to be used for irrigation not to exceed the declared stage or outdoor landscape watering limit. A water allocation plan shall achieve water savings goals while giving customers the flexibility they need in how and when they water. Utilities may conduct or require periodic reporting to demonstrate adherence to the approved plan. Water allocation plans for irrigation shall not be allowed during a Stage III or Stage IV shortage, except as permitted by section 12.4.1308 B.
2. No water allocation plan shall be approved unless the water customer works with Utilities to affirm that: 1) proposed water use meets Utilities' irrigation allocation criteria; or 2) the water customer has a critical need. Any water customer with an approved water allocation plan shall post a notice of the existence of the plan on the premises so as to be visible from a public street at all times during the term of the plan. A copy of the posted notice will be provided by Utilities. Utilities may withdraw or amend approved water allocation plans upon the movement to a different declared stage or outdoor landscape watering level.
3. In the event a water customer violates any condition of a water allocation plan approved under this section, the approval granted under this section may be withdrawn, and Utilities shall add a charge to the water customer's bill equal to one hundred dollars ($100.00) for a residential user and five hundred dollars ($500.00) for a commercial user.
C. Best Water Management Practices Plans:
1. Utilities shall work with commercial golf course, car wash, and water park customers who request relief from applicable provisions in sections 12.4.1307 , 12.4.1308 and 12.4.1309 by determining a best water management practices plan. This plan will define industry-specific best water management practices. Utilities may conduct or require periodic reporting to demonstrate adherence to the approved plan. Utilities may withdraw or amend approved Plans upon the movement to a different declared stage.
2. No best water management practices plan shall be approved unless the water customer works with Utilities to affirm that the proposed water use practices achieve industry best practice standards. Any water customer with an approved best water management practices plan shall post a notice of the existence of the plan on the premises so as to be visible from a public street at all times during the term of the plan. A copy of the posted notice will be provided by Utilities.
3. In the event a water customer violates any condition of a best water management practices plan approved under this section, the approval granted under this section may be withdrawn, and Utilities shall add a charge to the water customer's bill equal to five hundred dollars ($500.00).
D. A water customer installing landscape material may obtain an establishment permit for the purpose of irrigating the installed landscape material at times other than as set forth in section 12.4.1304 of this part. Applications for establishment permits shall be submitted to Utilities on a form supplied by Utilities, and shall meet all permit requirements. Applications may be accompanied by a permit fee of up to fifty dollars ($50.00). The applicant shall comply with the conditions of the establishment permit. The establishment permit shall be displayed on the premises so as to be visible from a public street at all times during the term of the establishment permit. In the event a water customer violates any of the requirements set forth in this section the establishment permit will be revoked. Establishment permits shall not be allowed during a Stage III or Stage IV shortage.
E. Irrigation systems may be operated at any time for cleaning and maintenance purposes, but this limited operation shall not exceed ten (10) minutes per zone per week. On a residential user's premises, an attendant must be on site and visible throughout the entire maintenance operation. On a commercial user's premises, an attendant must be on site and a sign indicating maintenance is being performed must be posted and visible from a public street throughout the entire maintenance operation. (Ord. 02-59; Ord. 03-41; Ord. 03-85; Ord. 13-10; Ord. 19-99)
Source: City of Colorado Springs, Colorado, City Code and City Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/coloradospringsco/latest/coloradosprings_co/0-0-0-20340Fetched: 11/1/2026