In October, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved Ordinance No. 2008-00052U to promote water conservation in County unincorporated areas. The Ordinance specifically prohibits the following activities:

•    Washing down sidewalks, driveways, parking areas or other paved surfaces, except as required for the benefit of public health and safety.

•    Watering lawns and landscaping between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

•    Watering any lawn or landscaping more than once a day.

•    Watering any lawn or landscaping to such an extent that water runs off into streets or parking lots due to incorrectly directed or maintained sprinklers or excessive watering.

•    Washing vehicles, boats, trailers, or other mobile equipment, except at a commercial carwash or with reclaimed water, unless using a hand-held bucket or a hose equipped with an automatic shutoff nozzle.

•     Leaving a water hose running while washing a vehicle or at any other time.

•    Cleaning or filling decorative fountains, ponds, lakes, or other similar features unless the water flows through a recycling system.

•    No restaurant, hotel, cafeteria, café, or other public place where food is sold or served shall provide drinking water to any customer unless specifically requested to do so.

The Ordinance also requires everyone to inspect all indoor plumbing and faucets, as well as all hoses, outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems for leaks, and to repair them as soon as possible. Violation of the ordinance is subject to a written warning for the first violation, and is punishable by a fine of $100.00 for each subsequent violation.