City of Lubbock Reminds Citizens of Winter Irrigation Ordinances Ahead of Potential Freeze

LUBBOCK, TX — As Lubbock prepares for the possibility of its first freeze of the season, the City of Lubbock Code Administration Department is reminding residents and business owners to comply with winter irrigation and public nuisance ordinances designed to prevent unsafe conditions on local streets and sidewalks.

Field officers with Code Enforcement will be monitoring neighborhoods and commercial properties for violations, particularly sprinkler systems running during sub-freezing temperatures. Runoff from irrigation systems can quickly freeze on roadways, driveways, and sidewalks, creating dangerous conditions for both drivers and pedestrians.

“Even small amounts of runoff can turn into a sheet of ice when temperatures drop below freezing,” officials said in a release. “Residents and businesses are urged to shut off irrigation systems during cold weather and monitor automatic timers.”

Two city ordinances may apply when sprinklers or irrigation systems are used during freezing weather:

• Chapter 22: Utilities – Section 22.03.133(b)(2)
  A person commits an offense if they knowingly or recklessly operate a lawn or landscape irrigation system that irrigates during periods of freezing weather or precipitation.

• Chapter 39: Unified Development Code (UDC) – Section 39.01.008 (Minimum Requirements, Nuisances)
  No use shall be permitted which would reasonably be injurious to neighborhood residents or interfere with their reasonable use and enjoyment of property by causing dust, odor, noise, vibration, trash, or water spray that amounts to a public nuisance at common law.

While homeowners using private water wells are exempt from the irrigation ordinance, they are still required to comply with the public nuisance ordinance.

Residents are urged to:

• Disable or adjust automatic sprinkler timers before freezing temperatures arrive.

• Inspect irrigation systems for leaks or runoff.

• Report water runoff on public streets or sidewalks to Code Enforcement.

City officials note that violations can result in fines or citations if conditions are deemed hazardous.

For more information about City of Lubbock irrigation ordinances, visit mylubbock.us/codeenforcement or contact Lubbock Code Administration at (806) 775-3000.