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(a) No building permit shall be issued for the construction of a new residential, commercial or industrial structure, or for the indoor or outdoor remodeling of an existing commercial, residential or industrial structure, unless the design, construction or remodeling incorporates high-efficiency plumbing fixtures. In the instance of indoor or outdoor remodeling, compliance with this Section shall be limited to that portion of the structure for which a building permit is issued.

(b) High-efficiency plumbing fixtures shall be defined as those fixtures which comply with the following standards for water use:

(1) All water closets designed not to exceed a flow rate of one and six-tenths (1.6) gallons per flush]

(2) Urinals designed not to exceed one (1.0) gallon per flush. The use of automatic time flush devices for urinals shall not be permitted.

(3) Shower heads designed not to exceed a flow rate of two and one-half (2.5) gallons per minute at eighty (80) pounds per square inch. There shall be no more than two (2) shower heads per shower.

(4) Lavatory, kitchen and service faucets designed not to exceed a flow rate of two and two-tenths (2.2) gallons per minute at eighty (80) pounds per square inch.

(5) All commercial lavatories equipped with spring-loaded faucets that close when not in use or faucets that are equipped with metering valves that close automatically after delivering a maximum of twenty-five hundredths (0.25) gallon, except for required handicapped facilities, which may be equipped with faucets designed for the handicapped.

(6) Exceptions. Restaurant kitchen faucets and safety showers shall be exempted from the above flow restrictions. Additionally, the requirements as set forth in this Section shall not apply to fixtures used for sanitary or safety purposes in health care facilities, or to fixtures used for safety purposes in facilities where hazardous wastes are present and where health and safety might be adversely impacted by limited flow rates. Exemptions may also be granted where the enforcement of the requirements would impose an unusual hardship, create a health hazard, interfere with the use by the physically challenged, or for other unforeseen justification cause. All exemptions shall be granted in writing by the Building Official and the cause for exemption shall be noted.

(c) The manufacturer’s name and model for each type of high-efficiency fixtures to be installed in any building or structure shall be provided to and approved by the Building Official prior to installation. The Building Official may maintain a listing of acceptable high-efficiency fixtures that shall be updated on a regular basis so that plumbing contractors and other interested persons may be informed as to the type and kind of fixtures that may be installed in accordance with the requirements of this Article.

(d) No person shall alter or maintain any approved high-efficiency fixtures so as to increase the flow of water beyond the fixture’s intended design.

(e) Certification of compliance. For facilities for human use within office, commercial and industrial structures, the plumbing contractor or party responsible for the installation of said water flow control fixtures and fittings shall certify to the inspecting governmental entity that the fixtures and fittings conform with the volume and ratio of water flow to gallons per minute stipulated by this Section. In lieu of such certification, the results of tests performed by an approved independent testing laboratory or the manufacturer, using established principles of mechanics, shall be acceptable.

(f) Waiver of requirements. The Building Official may waive compliance with the requirements of this Section upon satisfactory demonstration by an applicant that the enforcement of the water conservation requirements specified in this Section would be detrimental to the public health or safety in a given case. Such waiver may also be granted if the Building Official determines that the requisite fixtures and fittings would cause a sewer hydraulic gradient insufficient to handle reduced water flows. (Prior code 13.30.020; Ord. 1508 §1, 2020; Ord. 1565 §1, 2023)