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SANTA BARBARA STAGE 3 DROUGHT – NEW REGULATIONS

May 28, 2015

Stage Three Drought Declared in Santa Barbara, Water Use Regulations Adopted

On May 5, 2015, the Santa Barbara City Council declared a Stage Three Drought Condition in response to the driest consecutive four years on record. The Stage Three Drought Condition requires a 25% Citywide reduction in overall water use, with mandatory regulations on specific water use applications. These regulations apply to all customers using City of Santa Barbara water. We want to make sure all our owners & tenants are aware of the new water restrictions and regulations.

Water Use Regulations

• Hoses must be equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle when in use.

• Irrigation with potable water is prohibited between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. for automatic systems. If manually operated, such irrigation is prohibited between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

• Irrigation with potable water that causes runoff onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots, or parking structures is prohibited.

• Any excessive, unnecessary or unwarranted use of water is prohibited. All leaks must be repaired as soon as reasonably possible.

• Irrigation during and within 48 hours after measurable rainfall is prohibited.

• Washing of pavement and other hard surfaces is generally prohibited, with a few exceptions such as for health and safety purposes.

• Vehicles and boats must be washed with a hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle or washed at commercial facilities that recycle the water.

• The use of potable water in all non-recirculating ornamental water features and fountains is prohibited. Recirculating fountains with a water surface area greater than 25 square feet are prohibited unless located indoors, on residential property, or are home to aquatic life.

• Pools and spas must be equipped with a cover when not in use. No draining or refilling of pools by more than one third, unless authorized. Pool cover rebates available.

• Drought notices are required in restaurants and other eating and drinking establishments; water served on request only.

• Hotels and motels must post a drought notice in each guest room and provide guests with the option of choosing not to have towels and linens laundered daily.

• Gyms, pools, and other businesses providing showers must post drought notices and promote limitation of shower use.

For more information on regulations and exceptions, click here. The best way to reduce water usage by 25% or more is to evaluate landscape water use and check for leaks. The City’s Water Conservation Program is here to help everyone save water; for assistance evaluating water use and conservation opportunities, receive a free water checkup. To schedule, call (805) 564-5460.

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Here are some changes that will be great news for Santa Barbara owners that accept Section 8 Vouchers through the Housing Authority of the City of SB. They are doing a great job trying to work with property owners and landlords, and are making changes to their policies that will make their clients more appealing as potential renters. The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) has implemented some exciting changes the its locally run Section 8 Program! While all of the changes are listed in the attached Landlord Link, two of the most exciting changes are: · Section 8 Unit Damage Protection NEW! – reimbursement to the owner of up to $2,000.00 for unpaid unit damages, rent, and related court costs in excess of the tenant’s security deposit. The amount of this payment will be calculated using the higher of the actual security deposit amount paid -or- the equivalent of one month’s contract rent (if the owner has collected a security deposit of less than one month’s contract rent). · No-limit rent increases NEW! – rent increases will not be limited to a maximum amount as long as the rent increase is based on rental market data and is considered rent reasonable (equal to non-subsidized housing rents in comparable units). For more information, visit their website: http://www.hacsb.org/cm/Home.html