The Dawsonville City Council approved an outdoor water use ordinance during a called meeting last week to keep in line with new Georgia codes.

In a 3-0 vote, councilmen approved the law, which restricts outdoor watering of landscape to between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. with certain exceptions.

Councilman Calvin Byrd was not in attendance at Friday’s meeting.

The city council approved the first of two readings for the ordinance at a Dec. 17 meeting. After a second reading and approval, it becomes city law.

Non-exempted uses such as lawn sprinklers would be limited to the hours specified. However, use of water withdrawn from private wells on individual properties is exempt.

The council called the special meeting in order to be in compliance with state code as quickly as possible.

State law requires that municipalities have the code in place by January.