HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 2562 N.C.S. 01/04/20161
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EFFECTIVE DATE
OF ORDINANCE
February 4, 2016
Introduced by
Gabe Kearney
ORDINANCE NO. 2562 N.C.S.
Seconded by
Kathy Miller
ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING WATER CONSERVATION REGULATIONS
CONTAINED IN SECTIONS 15.17.020 AND 15.17.050 OF THE PETALUMA MUNICIPAL CODE
TO COMPLY WITH STATE REQUIREMENTS TO UPDATE WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE
ORDINANCES AND REPEALING CHAPTER 15.18 OF THE PETALUMA MUNICIPAL CODE TO
REMOVE REDUNDANCY WITH THE WATER SHORTAGE CONTINGENCY PLAN
WHEREAS, calendar year 2013 was the lowest rainfall year on record in 120 years; and
WHEREAS, due to this water supply shortage, a water shortage emergency exists and a
reduction in demand is required to ensure adequate supply in 2015 and beyond; and
WHEREAS, on January 17, 2014 Gov. Edmund G. Brown, Jr. declared a drought state of
emergency and directed state and local officials to take all necessary actions to conserve
water; and
WHEREAS, on April 25, 2014, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. issued an Executive Order to
strengthen the State's ability to manage water and habitat effectively in drought conditions and
called on all Californians to redouble their efforts to conserve water. The Executive Order finds
that the continuous severe drought conditions present urgent challenges across the State
including water shortages in communities and for agricultural production, increased wildfires,
degraded habitat for fish and wildlife, threat of saltwater contamination, and additional water
scarcity if drought conditions continue into 2015. The National Integrated Drought Information
System reported that nearly 80% of the state was reported to be under "extreme" drought
conditions at the end of June; and
WHEREAS, on April 1, 2015, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. issued Executive Order No. 13-
29-15 directing all water agencies to achieve reductions in potable water use of 25% and other
restrictions; and
WHEREAS, Executive Order No. B-29-15 calls for updating the state Model Water Efficient
Landscape Ordinance, and requires cities to adopt the minimum requirements as set forth in the
Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma's water efficient landscape requirements, codified at
Petaluma Municipal Code sections 15.17.020 and 15.17.050, do not currently meet all
requirements of the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance; and
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S.
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WHEREAS, adopting this ordinance will assist the City in meeting the 2025 General Plan
goal 8-G-5 to "maximize water conservation measures to improve water use efficiency and
reduce overall water demand"; and
WHEREAS, adopting this ordinance will assist the City in meeting the 2025 General Plan
Policy and Program 8-P-18 D to "Revise the City's Landscape Ordinance to encourage, or as
appropriate require, the use of water -efficient landscaping"; and
WHEREAS, the City adopted the 2010 Urban Water Master Plan, including the Water
Shortage Contingency Plan on June 2, 2011 by adopting Resolution 2011-093 N.C.S.; and
regulations contained therein and within Chapter 15.17 P.M.C. superseded, are redundant to,
and conflict with provisions of Chapter 15.18 P.M.C; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the adoption and implementation of this ordinance
are exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act under section
15061(b)3 in that the Council finds there is no possibility that the implementation of this
ordinance may have significant effects on the environment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Petaluma hereby as
follows:
Section 1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and incorporated by reference.
Section 2. Section 15.17.020 of the Municipal Code is hereby repealed and replaced with
the following:
15.17.020 Definitions.
A. Unless a provision in this chapter specifies otherwise, the following terms and phrases, as used
in this chapter, shall have the meanings hereinafter designated:
1. "Applied water" means the portion of water supplied by the irrigation system to the
landscape.
2. "Authorized representative" or "agent" means any person (s) with written authorization
from the property owner to sign documents and bind the property owner to
compliance with this chapter.
3. "Automatic irrigation controller" means a timing device used to remotely -control
valves that operate an irrigation system. Automatic irrigation controllers are able to
self -adjust and schedule irrigation events using either evapotranspiration (weather -
based) or soil moisture data.
4. "Backflow prevention device" means a safety device used to prevent pollution or
contamination of the water supply due to the reverse flow of water from the irrigation
system.
5. "Certificate of Completion" means the document required in Section 15.17.050.D.
6. "Certified irrigation designer" means a person certified to design irrigation systems by
an accredited academic institution, a professional trade organization or other
program such as the US Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense irrigation
designer certification program and Irrigation Association's Certified Irrigation Designer
program.
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S.
Page 2
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7.
"Certified landscape irrigation auditor" means a person certified to perform
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landscape irrigation audits by an accredited academic institution, a professional
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trade organization or other program such as the US Environmental Protection
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Agency's WaterSense irrigation auditor certification program and Irrigation
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Association's Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor program.
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8.
"Check valve" or "anti-drain valve" means a valve located under a sprinkler head or
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other location in the irrigation system, to hold water in the system to prevent drainage
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from sprinkler heads when the sprinkler is off.
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9.
"City" means the City of Petaluma. The City Council of Petaluma may designate the
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position (s) or person (s) to whom responsibilities and authority of the city are
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delegated and may from time to time modify such delegations. Absent any further
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specific delegation by the city council, the authority and responsibility set forth in this
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chapter shall be delegated to the Director of Public Works and Utilities, including his
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or her designee(s).
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10.
"Compost" means the safe and stable product of controlled biologic decomposition
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of organic materials that is beneficial to plant growth.
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11.
"Conversion factor (0.62)" means the number that converts acre-inches per acre per
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year to gallons per square foot per year.
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"Distribution uniformity" means the measure of the uniformity of irrigation water over
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a defined area.
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"Drip irrigation" means any non-spray low volume irrigation system utilizing emission
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devices with a flow rate measured in gallons per hour. Low-volume irrigation systems
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are specifically designed to apply small volumes of water slowly at or near the root
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zone of plants.
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14.
"Dwelling unit" means a room or group of internally connected rooms that have
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sleeping, cooking, eating and sanitation facilities, but not more than one kitchen,
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which constitutes an independent housekeeping unit, occupied or intended for one
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household on a long-term basis, or such other definition as may be subsequently
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adopted by the City as part of its Implementing Zoning Ordinance and/or Smart
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Code.
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15.
"Ecological restoration project" means a project where the site is intentionally altered
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to establish a defined, indigenous, historic ecosystem.
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16.
"Effective precipitation" or "usable rainfall" (Eppt) means the portion of total
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precipitation which becomes available for plant growth.
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17.
"Emitter" means a drip irrigation emission device that delivers water slowly from the
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system to the soil.
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18.
"Established landscape" means the point at which plants in the landscape have
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developed significant root growth into the soil. Typically, most plants are established
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after one or two years of growth.
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19.
"Establishment period of the plants" means the first year after installing the plant in
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the landscape or the first two years if irrigation will be terminated after establishment.
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Typically, most plants are established after one or two years of growth. Native habitat
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mitigation areas and trees may need three to five years for establishment.
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20.
"Estimated Total Water Use" (ETWU) means the total water used for the landscape as
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described in the Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet in Section 15.17.050 C.2.
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21.
"ET adjustment factor" (ETAF) means a factor of 0.55 for residential areas and 0.45 for
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non-residential areas, that, when applied to reference evapotranspiration, adjusts for
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S. Page 3
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plant factors and irrigation efficiency, two major influences upon the amount of
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water that needs to be applied to the landscape. The ETAF for new and existing
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(non -rehabilitated) Special Landscape Areas shall not exceed 1.0. The ETAF for
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existing non -rehabilitated landscapes is 0.8.
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22.
"ET controller" or "smart controller' means an irrigation system controller or timer that
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automatically adjusts irrigation run times and run days based on data received from
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local weather stations. ET stands for evapotranspiration, which is the amount of water
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that has evaporated from the soil and has transpired through the plant.
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23.
"Evapotranspiration rate" means the quantity of water evaporated from adjacent
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soil and other surfaces and transpired by plants during a specified time.
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24.
"Flow rate" means the rate at which water flows through pipes, valves and emission
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devices, measured in gallons per minute, gallons per hour, or cubic feet per second.
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"Flow sensor" means an inline device installed at the supply point of the irrigation
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system that produces a repeatable signal proportional to flow rate. Flow sensors must
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be connected to an automatic irrigation controller, or flow monitor capable of
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receiving flow signals and operating master valves. This combination flow
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sensor/controller may also function as a landscape water meter or submeter.
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26.
"Friable" means a soil condition that is easily crumbled or loosely compacted down
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to a minimum depth per planting material requirements, whereby the root structure
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of newly planted material will be allowed to spread unimpeded.
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27.
"Graywater" means untreated wastewater that has not been contaminated by any
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toilet discharge, has not been affected by infectious, contaminated, or unhealthy
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bodily wastes, and does not present a threat from contamination by unhealthful
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processing, manufacturing, or operating wastes. "Graywater" includes, but is not
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limited to, wastewater from bathtubs, showers, bathroom washbasins, clothes
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washing machines, and laundry tubs, but does not include wastewater from kitchen
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sinks or dishwashers.
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28.
"Hardscapes" means any durable material (pervious and non -pervious).
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29.
"Head-to-head coverage" means coverage resulting from placement of irrigation
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sprinklers so that the water from one sprinkler throws all the way to adjacent sprinklers.
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30.
"Hydrozone" means a portion of the landscaped area having plants with similar
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water needs and rooting depth. A hydrozone may be irrigated or non -irrigated.
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31.
"Infiltration rate" means the rate of water entry into the soil expressed as a depth of
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water per unit of time (e.g., inches per hour).
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32.
"Invasive plant species" means species of plants not historically found in California
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that spread outside cultivated areas and can damage environmental or economic
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resources. Invasive species may be regulated by county agricultural agencies as
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noxious species. "Noxious weeds" means any weed as described in the Food and
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Agricultural Code, Section 5004. Lists of invasive plants are maintained at the
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California Invasive Plant Inventory and USDA invasive and noxious weeds database.
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"Irrigation audit" means an in-depth evaluation of the performance of an irrigation
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system conducted by a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor. An irrigation audit
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includes, but is not limited to: inspection, system tune-up, system test with distribution
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uniformity or emission uniformity, reporting overspray or runoff that causes overland
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flow, and preparation of an irrigation schedule. The audit must be conducted in a
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manner consistent with the Irrigation Association's Landscape Irrigation Auditor
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Certification program or other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency "WaterSense"
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labeled auditing program.
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S. Page 4
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34.
"Irrigation efficiency" (IE) means the measurement of the amount of water
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beneficially used divided by the amount of water applied. Irrigation efficiency is
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derived from measurements and estimates of irrigation system characteristics and
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management practices. The irrigation efficiency for purposes of this ordinance is 0.75
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for overhead spray devices and 0.81 for drip systems.
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35.
"Irrigation season" means the time of year when irrigation first begins at a location
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and last occurs. The irrigation season in Petaluma is typically March/April through
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October/November.
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36.
"Landscape architect" means a person who holds a license to practice landscape
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architecture in the state of California Business and Professions Code, Section 5615.
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"Landscape area" means all the planting areas, turf areas, and water features in a
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landscape design plan subject to the Maximum Applied Water Allowance
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calculation. The landscape area does not include footprints of buildings or structures,
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sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, decks, patios, gravel or stone walks, other pervious
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or non -pervious hardscapes, and other non -irrigated areas designated for non -
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development (e.g., open spaces and existing native vegetation).
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"Landscape contractor" means a person licensed by the state of California to
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construct, maintain, repair, install, or subcontract the development of landscape
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systems.
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"Landscape Documentation Package" means the documents required under
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Section 15.17.050.C.
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"Landscape project" means total area of landscape in a project as defined in
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"landscape area" for the purposes of this ordinance.
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"Landscape water meter" means an inline device installed at the irrigation supply
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point that measures the flow of water into the irrigation system and is connected to a
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totalizer to record water use.
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42.
"Lateral line" means the water delivery pipeline that supplies water to the emitters or
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sprinklers from the valve.
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43.
"Local agency" means a city or county, including a charter city or charter county,
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that is responsible for adopting and implementing the ordinance. The local agency is
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also responsible for the enforcement of this ordinance, including but not limited to,
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approval of a permit and plan check or design review of a project.
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"Local water purveyor" means any entity, including a public agency, city, county, or
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private water company that provides retail water service.
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"Low volume irrigation" means the application of irrigation water at low pressure
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through a system of tubing or lateral lines and low-volume emitters such as drip, drip
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lines, and bubblers. Low volume irrigation systems are specifically designed to apply
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small volumes of water slowly at or near the root zone of plants.
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"Main line" means the pressurized pipeline that delivers water from the water source
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to the valve or outlet.
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"Master shut-off valve" is an automatic valve installed at the irrigation supply point,
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which controls water flow into the irrigation system. When this valve is closed, water
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will not be supplied to the irrigation system. A master valve will greatly reduce any
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water loss due to a leaky station valve.
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48.
"Maximum Applied Water Allowance" (MAWA) means the upper limit of annual
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applied water for the established landscaped area as specified in Section 15.17.050
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C.2. It is based upon the area's reference evapotranspiration, the ET Adjustment
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S. Page 5
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Factor, and the size of the landscape area. The Estimated Total Water Use shall not
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exceed the Maximum Applied Water Allowance. Special Landscape Areas,
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including recreation areas, areas permanently and solely dedicated to edible plants
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such as orchards and vegetable gardens, and areas irrigated with recycled water
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are subject to the MAWA with an ETAF not to exceed 1.0. MAWA = (ETo) (0.62) [(ETAF
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x LA) + ((1-ETAF) x SLA)]
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49.
"Median" is an area between opposing lanes of traffic that may be unplanted or
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planted with trees, shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses.
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50.
"Microclimate" means the climate of a small, specific area that may contrast with
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the climate of the overall landscape area due to factors such as wind, sun exposure,
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plant density, or proximity to reflective surfaces.
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51.
"Mined -land reclamation projects" means any surface mining operation with a
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reclamation plan approved in accordance with the Surface Mining and
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Reclamation Act of 1975.
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52.
"Mulch" means any organic material such as leaves, bark, straw, compost, or
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inorganic mineral materials such as rocks, gravel, or decomposed granite left loose
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and applied to the soil surface for the beneficial purposes of reducing evaporation,
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suppressing weeds, moderating soil temperature, and preventing soil erosion.
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53.
"New construction," for the purposes of Section 15.17.050, means a new building with
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a landscape or other new landscape, such as a park, playground, or greenbelt
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without an associated building.
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54.
"Non-residential landscape" means landscapes in commercial, institutional, industrial
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and public settings that may have areas designated for recreation or public
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assembly. It also includes portions of common areas of common interest
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developments with designated recreational areas.
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55.
"Operating pressure" means the pressure at which the parts of an irrigation system
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are designed by the manufacturer to operate.
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56.
"Overhead sprinkler irrigation systems" or "overhead spray irrigation systems" means
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systems that deliver water through the air (e.g., spray heads and rotors).
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"Overspray" means the irrigation water, which is delivered beyond the target area.
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"Parkway" means the area between a sidewalk and the curb or traffic lane. It may
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be planted or unplanted, and with or without pedestrian egress.
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"Permit" means an authorizing document issued by local agencies.
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60.
"Pervious" means any surface or material that allows the passage of water through
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the material and into the underlying soil.
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61.
"Plant factor" or "plant water use factor" is a factor, when multiplied by ETo,
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estimates the amount of water needed by plants. For purposes of this ordinance, the
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plant factor range for very low water use plants is 0 to 0.1, the plant factor range for
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low water use plants is 0.1 to 0.3, the plant factor range for moderate water use
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plants is 0.4 to 0.6, and the plant factor range for high water use plants is 0.7 to 1.0.
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Plant factors cited in this ordinance are derived from the publication "Water Use
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Classification of Landscape Species". Plant factors may also be obtained from
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horticultural researchers from academic institutions or professional associations as
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approved by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).
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62.
"Precipitation rate" means the amount of water applied by an irrigation emission
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device measured in inches per hour.
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S. Page 6
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63. "Project applicant" means the individual or entity submitting a Landscape
Documentation Package, to request a permit, plan check, or design review from the
local agency. A project applicant may be the property owner or his or her designee.
64. "Rain sensor" or "rain sensing shutoff device" means a component, which
automatically suspends an irrigation event when it rains.
65. "Record drawing" or "as -built" means a set of reproducible drawings, which show
significant changes in the work made during construction and which are usually
based on drawings marked up in the field and other data furnished by the
contractor.
66. "Recreational area" means areas, excluding private single family residential areas,
designated for active play, recreation or public assembly in parks, sports fields, picnic
grounds, amphitheaters or golf course tees, fairways, roughs, surrounds and greens.
67. "Recycled water," "reclaimed water," or "treated sewage effluent water" means
treated or recycled waste water of a quality suitable for non -potable uses such as
landscape irrigation and water features. This water is not intended for human
consumption.
68. "Reference evapotranspiration" or "ETo" means a standard measurement of
environmental parameters, which affect the water use of plants. ETo is expressed in
inches per day, month, or year, and is an estimate of the evapotranspiration of a
large field of four- to seven-inch tall, cool -season grass that is well watered.
Reference evapotranspiration is used as the basis of determining the Maximum
Applied Water Allowances so that regional differences in climate can be
accommodated.
69. "Rehabilitated project" means any project that requires a permit, plan check, or
design review, and the modified landscape area is equal to or greater than 2,500
square feet.
70. "Residential landscape" means landscapes surrounding single or multifamily homes.
71. 'Reverse osmosis" means a process by which a solvent such as water is purified of
solutes by being forced through a semipermeable membrane through which the
solvent, but not the solutes, may pass.
72. "Run off' means water which is not absorbed by the soil or landscape to which it is
applied and flows from the landscape area. For example, run off may result from
water that is applied at too great a rate (application rate exceeds infiltration rate) or
when there is a slope.
73. "Soil moisture sensing device" or "soil moisture sensor" means a device that measures
the amount of water in the soil. The device may also suspend or initiate an irrigation
event.
74. "Soil texture" means the classification of soil based on its percentage of sand, silt, and
clay.
75. "Special Landscape Area" (SLA) means an area of the landscape dedicated solely
to edible plants, cemeteries, recreational areas, areas irrigated with recycled water,
or water features using recycled water.
76. "Sprinkler head" or "spray head" means a device, which delivers water through a
nozzle.
77. "Static water pressure" means the pipeline or municipal water supply pressure when
water is not flowing.
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S.
Page 7
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78.
"State" means the state of California.
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79.
"Station" means an area served by one valve or by a set of valves that operate
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simultaneously.
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80.
"Swing joint" means an irrigation component that provides a flexible, leak -free
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connection between the emission device and lateral pipeline to allow movement in
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any direction and to prevent equipment damage.
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81.
"Submeter" means a metering device to measure water applied to the landscape
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that is installed after the primary utility water meter.
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82.
"Turf" means a ground cover surface of mowed grass. Annual bluegrass, Kentucky
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bluegrass; Perennial ryegrass, Red fescue, and Tall fescue are cool -season grasses.
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Bermudagrass, Kikuyugrass, Seashore Paspalum, St. Augustinegrass, Zoysiagrass, and
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Buffalo grass are warm -season grasses.
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83.
"Valve" means a device used to control the flow of water in the irrigation system.
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84.
"Water feature" means a design element where open water performs an aesthetic
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or recreational function. Water features include ponds, lakes, waterfalls, fountains,
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artificial streams, spas, and swimming pools (where water is artificially supplied).
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85.
"Watering window" means the time of day irrigation is allowed.
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86.
"WUCOLS" means the Water Use Classification of Landscape Species published by
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the University of California Cooperative Extension, and the Department of Water
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Resources 2014.
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22 Section 3. Section 15.17.050 of the Municipal Code is hereby repealed and replaced with
23 the following:
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25 15.17.050 Landscape water use efficiency standards.
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27 A. Applicability. This ordinance shall apply to all of the following projects:
28 1. New construction projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater
29 than 500 square feet requiring a building permit, plan check or design review.
30 2. Rehabilitated projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than
31 2,500 square feet within one twelve-month period requiring a building permit, plan
32 check, or design review.
33 3. Cemeteries. Recognizing the special landscape management needs of cemeteries,
34 new and rehabilitated cemeteries shall be designated as Special Landscape Areas.
35 4. Any project with an aggregate landscape area of 2,500 square feet or less may
36 comply with the performance requirements of this ordinance or conform to the
37 prescriptive measures of this section.
38 a. Prescriptive requirements may be used as a compliance option to the Landscape
39 Water Use Efficiency Standards.
40 b. Compliance with the Sections A.4.c-h below is mandatory and must be
41 documented on a landscape plan in order to use the prescriptive compliance
42 option.
43 c. Submit a Landscape Documentation Package (The Director of Public Works and
44 Utilities will develop appropriate forms to carry out this section) which includes the
45 following elements:
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S. Page 8
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i. Date.
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ii. Project Applicant.
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iii. Project address (if available, parcel and/or lot number(s)).
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iv. Total landscape area (square feet), including a breakdown of turf and
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plant material.
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V. Project type (e.g., new, rehabilitated, public, private, cemetery,
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homeowner -installed).
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vi. Water supply type (e.g., potable, recycled, well) and identify the local
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retail water purveyor if the applicant is not served by a private well.
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vii. Contact information for the project applicant and property owner.
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viii. Applicant signature and date with statement, "I agree to comply with the
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requirements of the prescriptive compliance option to the Landscape
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Water Use Efficiency Standards."
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d. Plant material shall comply with all of the following:
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L For residential areas, install climate adapted plants that require
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occasional, little or no summer water (average WUCOLS plant factor 0.3)
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for 80% of the plant area excluding edibles and areas using recycled
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water; For non-residential areas, install climate adapted plants that
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require occasional, little or no summer water (average WUCOLS plant
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factor 0.3) for 100% of the plant area excluding edibles and areas using
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recycled water.
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ii. A minimum three-inch (3") layer of mulch shall be applied on all exposed
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soil surfaces of planting areas except in turf areas, creeping or rooting
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groundcovers, or direct seeding applications where mulch is
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contraindicated.
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e. Turf shall comply with all of the following:
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i. Turf shall not exceed 20% of the landscape area in residential areas, and
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there shall be no turf in non-residential areas.
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ii. Turf shall not be planted on sloped areas, which exceed a slope of 1 foot
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vertical elevation change for every 4 feet of horizontal length.
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iii. Turf is prohibited in parkways less than 10 feet wide, unless the parkway is
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adjacent to a parking strip and used to enter and exit vehicles. Any turf in
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parkways must be irrigated by sub -surface irrigation or by other
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technology, which creates no overspray or runoff.
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f. Irrigation systems shall comply with the following:
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i. Automatic irrigation controllers are required and must use
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evapotranspiration or soil moisture sensor data and utilize a rain sensor.
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ii. Irrigation controllers shall be of a type, which does not lose programming
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data in the event the primary power source is interrupted.
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iii. Pressure regulators shall be installed on the irrigation system to ensure the
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dynamic pressure of the system is within the manufacturers
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recommended pressure range.
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iv. Manual shut-off valves (such as a gate valve, ball valve, or butterfly valve)
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shall be installed as close as possible to the point of connection of the
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water supply.
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S. Page 9
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V. All irrigation emission devices must meet the requirements set in the ANSI
standard, ASABE/ICC 802-2014. "Landscape Irrigation Sprinkler and Emitter
Standard," All sprinkler heads installed in the landscape must document a
distribution uniformity low quarter of 0.65 or higher using the protocol
defined in ASABE/ICC 802-2014.
vi. Areas less than ten (10) feet in width in any direction shall be irrigated with
subsurface irrigation or other means that produces no runoff or overspray.
g. All non-residential landscape projects shall install a private submeter(s) to
measure landscape water use.
h. At the time of final inspection, the permit applicant must provide the owner of the
property with a certificate of completion, certificate of installation, irrigation
schedule and a schedule of landscape and irrigation maintenance.
5. Properties excluded from Applicability. This ordinance does not apply to registered
local, state or federal historical sites; properties irrigated with recycled water;
ecological restoration projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system;
mined -land reclamation projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system;
or existing plant collections, as part of botanical gardens and arboretums open to
the public. Owners of these excluded properties are encouraged to implement
efficient water use practices.
B. Standards Applicable to All Projects.
1. For residential projects, the percentage of the residential landscape area that can
be planted with high water use plants including turf shall not exceed 20%.
2. For non-residential projects, the use of high water use plants including turf is limited to
special landscape areas.
3. All multi -family residential and non-residential projects must install a dedicated
irrigation meter(s).
4. The maximum amount of water that can be applied to a landscape is 55% of the
reference evapotranspiration rate for residential projects and 45% of the
evapotranspiration rate for non-residential projects. This water allowance reduces the
landscape area that can be planted with high water use plants including turf.
5. Irrigation systems are required to have pressure regulators and master shut-off valves.
6. All irrigation emission devices must meet the national standard stated in the
Ordinance to ensure that only high efficient sprinklers are installed.
7. The irrigation efficiency of devices used to irrigate landscapes is one of the factors
that goes into determining the maximum amount of water allowed.
8. Flow sensors that detect and report high flow conditions due to broken pipes and/or
popped sprinkler heads are required for landscape areas greater than 5,000 square
feet.
9. The minimum width of areas that can be overhead irrigated is 10 feet; areas less than
10 feet wide must be irrigated with subsurface drip or other technology that
produces no over spray or runoff.
10. Friable soil is required in planting areas.
11. For landscape installations, four yards of compost per 1,000 square feet of area must
be incorporated to a depth of six inches into the soil.
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S.
Page 10
1 12. All landscape and/or irrigation systems shall be installed so as not to violate the City's
2 water waste prohibition (PMC 15.17.070).
3 C. Application Process. Prior to commencing any construction activities related to
4 implementation of the project, the applicant shall submit to the City a Landscape
5 Documentation Package consisting of the following information on forms prepared by the
6 City's Director of Public Works and Utilities as described in further detail below:
7 1. Project Application Form. The Project Application Form shall contain the following
8 information:
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a. Project information.
b. Date.
c. Project Applicant.
d. Project address (if available, parcel and/or lot number(s)).
e. Total landscape area (square feet).
f. Project type (e.g., new, rehabilitated, public, private, cemetery, homeowner -
installed).
g. Water supply type (e.g., potable, recycled, well) and identify the local retail
water purveyor if the applicant is not served by a private well.
h. Checklist of all documents in Landscape Document Package.
i. Project contacts to include contact information for the project applicant and
property owner.
j. Applicant signature and date with statement, "I agree to comply with the
requirements of the Landscape Water Use Efficiency Standards and submit a
complete Landscape Documentation Package".
2. Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet
a. The form shall contain information on the plant factor, irrigation method, irrigation
efficiency, and area associated with each hydrozone. The worksheet shall
include calculation methods to demonstrate that the ETAF for the landscape
project does not exceed a factor of 0.55 for residential areas and 0.45 for non-
residential areas, exclusive of Special Landscape Areas. The ETAF for a landscape
project is based on the plant factors and irrigation methods selected. The MAWA
is calculated based on the maximum ETAF allowed (0.55 for residential areas and
0.45 for non-residential areas) and expressed as annual gallons required. ETWU is
calculated based on the plants used and irrigation method selected for the
landscape design. ETWU must be below the MAWA.
i. For the purpose of determining ETWU, average irrigation efficiency is
assumed to be 0.75 for overhead spray devices and 0.81 for drip system
devices.
ii. In calculating the MAWA and ETWU, a project applicant shall use the ETo
values from the Reference Evapotranspiration Table below:
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S. Page 11
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3.
Reference Evapotranspiration (ETo) Table for Petaluma, CA
Annual
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
ETo
39.6
1.2
1.5
2.8
3.7
4.6
5.6
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2.9
1.4
0.9
b. Water budget calculations shall adhere to the following requirements:
The plant factor used shall be from WUCOLS or from horticultural
researchers with academic institutions or professional associations as
approved by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). The
plant factor ranges from 0 to 0.1 for very low water using plants, 0.1 to 0.3
for low water use plants, from 0.4 to 0.6 for moderate water use plants,
and from 0.7 to 1.0 for high water use plants.
ii. All water features shall be included in the high water use hydrozone and
temporarily irrigated areas shall be included in the low water use
hydrozone.
iii. All Special Landscape Areas shall be identified and their water use
calculated.
iv. ETAF for new and existing (non -rehabilitated) Special Landscape Areas
shall not exceed 1.0.
V. The surface area of water features is included in the high water use
hydrozone of the landscape area. Constructed wetlands used for on-site
wastewater treatment or stormwater best management practices that
are not irrigated and used solely for water treatment or stormwater
retention are not water features and, therefore, are not subject to the
water budget calculation.
Soil Management Report. The purpose of the report is to facilitate reduction in runoff
and encouragement of healthy plant growth, and shall be completed by the project
applicant as follows:
a. Submit soil samples to a laboratory for analysis. Soil sampling shall be conducted
in accordance with laboratory protocol, including protocols regarding adequate
sampling depth for the intended plants.
i. The soil analysis shall include soil texture, infiltration rate determined by
laboratory test or soil -infiltration rate table, pH, total soluble salts, sodium,
percent organic matter, and recommendations.
ii. In projects with multiple landscape installations (e.g. production home
developments), a soil -sampling rate of at least 15% of the lots will satisfy
this requirement,
b. The Director of Public Works and Utilities or his/her designee shall determine the
timing of the submission of the report based on the following :
If significant mass grading is not planned, the soil analysis report shall be
submitted to the City as part of the Landscape Documentation Package;
or
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S.
Page 12
1 ii. If significant mass grading is planned, the soil analysis report shall be
2 submitted to the City as part of the Certificate of Completion.
3 c. The soil analysis report shall be made available, in a timely manner, to the
4 professionals preparing the landscape design plans and irrigation design plans to
5 make any necessary adjustments to the design plans.
6 d. The project applicant, or his/her designee, shall submit documentation verifying
7 implementation of soil analysis report recommendations to the City with
8 Certificate of Completion.
9 4. Landscape Design Plan. A landscape design plan meeting the following design
10 criteria shall be submitted as part of the Landscape Documentation Package:
11 a. Plant Material. Plants selected for the landscape shall not cause the ETWU in the
12 landscape area to exceed the MAWA.
13 i. Methods to achieve water efficiency shall include the following: Invasive
14 species as listed by the California Invasive Plant Council are prohibited;
15 selection of water -conserving plant, tree and turf species, especially local
16 native plants; selection of plants based on local climate suitability, disease
17 and pest resistance; selection of frees based on shading and size at
18 maturity as appropriate for the planting area; and selection of plants from
19 local and regional landscape program plant lists.
20 ii. Plants with similar water needs shall be grouped together in distinct
21 hydrozones and where irrigation is required the distinct hydrozones shall
22 be irrigated with separate valves.
23 iii. High water use plants shall not be mixed with very low, low or moderate
24 water use plants in the same hydrozone.
25 iv. Plants shall be selected and planted appropriately based upon their
26 adaptability to the climatic, geologic, and topographical conditions of
27 the project site. Methods to achieve water efficiency shall include one or
28 more of the following: Use the Sunset Western Climate Zone System which
29 takes into account temperature, humidity, elevation, terrain, latitude, and
30 varying degrees of continental and marine influence on local climate;
31 recognize the horticultural attributes of plants (i.e., mature plant size,
32 invasive surface roofs) to minimize damage to property or infrastructure
33 [e.g., buildings, sidewalks, power lines]; allow for adequate soil volume for
34 healthy roof growth; and consider the solar orientation for plant
35 placement to maximize summer shade and winter solar gain.
36 V. Turf and high water use plants characterized by a plant factor of 0.7 to
37 1.0, shall not be planted in the following conditions: Slopes exceeding 10
38 percent; street medians, traffic islands, planter strips or bulbouts of any
39 size.
40 vi. Turf shall not be used in planting areas 10 feet wide or less.
41
vii. High water use plants including turf shall occupy no more than a
42
combined 20 percent of the total irrigated landscaped area in residential
43
landscape projects. High wafer use plants including turf are limited to
44
Special Landscape Areas for all non-residential landscape projects.
45
viii. The architectural guidelines of a common interest development, which
46
include community apartment projects, condominiums, planned
47
developments, and stock cooperatives, shall not prohibit or include
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S. Page 13
I
conditions that have the effect of prohibiting the use of low-water use
2
plants as a group.
3
ix. Landscape design shall be in compliance with Municipal Code Chapter
4
8.28 Heritage and Landmark Trees.
5
b. Water Features
6
i. Recirculating water systems shall be used for water features.
7
ii. Where available, recycled water shall be used as a source for decorative
8
water features.
9
iii. Surface area of a water feature shall be included in the high water use
10
hydrozone area of the water budget calculation.
11
iv. Pool and spa covers are required.
12
c. Soil Preparation, Mulch and Amendments. Prior to the planting of any materials,
13
compacted soils shall be transformed to a friable condition. On engineered
14
slopes, only amended planting holes need meet this requirement.
15
L Soil amendments shall be incorporated according to recommendations
16
of the soil report and what is appropriate for the plants selected.
17
ii. For landscape installations, compost at a rate of a minimum of four cubic
18
yards per 1,000 square feet of permeable area shall be incorporated to a
19
depth of six inches into the soil or per specific amendment
20
recommendations from a soils report. Soils with greater than 6% organic
21
matter in the top 6 inches of soil are exempt from adding compost and
22
tilling.
23
iii. A minimum three-inch layer of mulch shall be applied on all exposed soil
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surfaces of planting areas except in turf areas, creeping or rooting
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groundcovers, or direct seeding applications where mulch is
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contradicting. To provide habitat for beneficial insects and other wildlife,
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up to 5 % of the landscape area may be left without mulch. Designated
28
insect habitat must be included in the landscape design plan as such.
29
d. In addition, the Landscape Design Plan, at a minimum shall:
30
L Delineate and label each hydrozone by number, letter, or other method.
31
ii. Identify each hydrozone as very low, low, moderate, high water, or mixed
32
water use. Temporarily irrigated areas of the landscape shall be included
33
in the low water use hydrozone for the water budget calculation.
34
iii. Identify recreational areas.
35
iv. Identify areas permanently and solely dedicated to edible plants.
36
V. Identify areas irrigated with recycled water.
37
vi. Identify type of mulch and application depth.
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vii. Identify soil amendments, type, and quantity.
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viii. Identify type and surface area of water features.
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ix. Identify hardscapes (pervious and non -pervious).
41
X. Identify new and existing trees, shrubs, groundcovers, turf and any other
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planting areas.
43
xi. Identify plant sizes and quantity.
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S. Page 14
1 xii. Identify plants by botanical name and common name.
2 xiii. Identify property lines, new and existing building footprints, streets,
3 driveways, sidewalks, and other hardscape features (pervious and non -
4 pervious).
5 xiv. Identify location and installation details of any applicable stormwater best
6 management practices that encourage on-site retention and infiltration
7 of stormwater.
8 xv. Identify any applicable rain harvesting or catchment technologies.
9 xvi. Identify any applicable graywater discharge piping, system components
10 and area(s) of distribution.
11 xvii. Contain the following statement: "I have complied with the criteria of the
12 ordinance and applied them for the efficient use of water in the
13 landscape design plan".
14 xviii. Bear the signature of a licensed landscape architect, licensed landscape
15 contractor, or any other person authorized to design a landscape. (See
16 Sections 5500.1, 5615, 5641, 5641.1, 5641.2, 5641.3, 5641.4, 5641.5, 5641.6,
17 6701, 7027.5 of the Business and Professions Code, Section 832.27 of Title 16
18 of the California Code of Regulations, and Section 6721 of the Food and
19 Agriculture Code.)
20 5. Irrigation Design Plan. This section applies to landscaped areas requiring permanent
21 irrigation, not areas that require temporary irrigation solely for the plant establishment
22 period. An irrigation design plan meeting the following design criteria shall be
23 submitted as part of the Landscape Documentation Package.
24 a. System.
25 i. For the efficient use of water, an irrigation system shall meet all the
26 requirements listed in this section and the manufacturers'
27 recommendations. The irrigation system and its related components shall
28 be planned and designed to allow for proper installation, management,
29 and maintenance.
30 ii. Landscape water meters, defined as either a dedicated water service
31 meter or private submeter, shall be installed for all multi -family residential
32 landscape, non-residential landscape and all residential irrigated
33 landscapes of 5,000 square feet or greater.
34 iii. Automatic irrigation controllers utilizing either evapotranspiration or soil
35 moisture sensor data utilizing non-volatile, memory shall be required for
36 irrigation scheduling in all irrigation systems.
37 iv. Pressure regulating devices shall be installed to ensure the dynamic
38 pressure at each emission device is within the manufacturer's
39 recommended pressure range for optimal performance.
40 V. Pressure regulating devices such as inline pressure regulators, booster
41 pumps, or other devices shall be installed to meet the required dynamic
42 pressure of the irrigation system.
43 vi. Static water pressure, dynamic or operating pressure, and flow reading of
44 the water supply shall be measured at the point of connection. These
45 pressure and flow measurements shall be conducted at the design stage.
46 If the measurements are not available at the design stage, the
47 measurements shall be conducted at installation.
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S. Page 15
1
vii. Sensors (rain, freeze, wind, etc.), either integral or auxiliary, that suspend or
2
alter irrigation operation during unfavorable weather conditions shall be
3
required on all irrigation systems, as appropriate for local climatic
4
conditions. Irrigation should be avoided during windy or freezing weather
5
or during rain.
6
viii. Manual shut-off valves (such as a gate valve, ball valve, or butterfly valve)
7
shall be required, as close as possible to the point of connection of the
8
water supply, to minimize water loss in case of an emergency (such as a
9
main line break) or routine repair.
10
ix. Backflow prevention devices shall be required to protect the water supply
11
from contamination by the irrigation system.
12
X. Flow sensors that detect high flow conditions created by system damage
13
or malfunction are required for all non-residential landscapes and
14
residential landscapes of 5000 square feet or larger.
15
A. Master shut-off valves are required on all projects except landscapes that
16
make use of technologies that allow for the individual control of sprinklers
17
that are individually pressurized in a system equipped with low pressure
18
shut down features.
19
xii. Isolation valves shall be installed at the point of connection and before
20
each valve or valve manifold.
21
xiii. The irrigation system shall be designed to prevent runoff, low head
22
drainage, overspray, or other similar conditions where irrigation water
23
flows onto non -targeted areas, such as adjacent property, non -irrigated
24
areas, hardscapes, roadways, or structures.
25
xiv. Relevant information from the soil management plan, such as soil type
26
and infiltration rate, shall be utilized when designing irrigation systems.
27
xv. The design of the irrigation system shall conform to the hydrozones of the
28
landscape design plan.
29
xvi. The irrigation system must be designed and installed to meet, at a
30
minimum, the irrigation efficiency criteria regarding the MAWA.
31
xvii. All irrigation emission devices must meet the requirements set in the
32
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard, American Society
33
of Agricultural and Biological Engineers'/International Code Council's
34
(ASABE/ICC) 802-2014 "Landscape Irrigation Sprinkler and Emitter
35
Standard, All sprinkler heads installed in the landscape must document a
36
distribution uniformity low quarter of 0.65 or higher using the protocol
37
defined in ASABE/ICC 802-2014.
38
xviii. The project applicant shall inquire with the local water purveyor about
39
peak water operating demands (on the water supply system) or water
40
restrictions that may impact the effectiveness of the irrigation system.
41
xix. In mulched planting areas, the use of low volume irrigation is required to
42
maximize water infiltration into the root zone.
43
xx. Sprinkler heads and other emission devices shall have matched
44
precipitation rates, unless otherwise directed by the manufacturer's
45
recommendations.
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S. Page 16
1
xxi.
Head to head coverage is required unless otherwise directed by the
2
34
manufacturer's recommendations. Sprinkler spacing shall be designed to
3
the tree.
achieve the highest possible distribution uniformity.
4
xxii.
Swing joints or other riser -protection components are required on all risers.
5
xxiii.
Check valves or anti -drain valves are required on all sprinkler heads where
6
40
low point drainage could occur.
7
xxiv.
Areas less than ten feet in width in any direction shall be irrigated with
8
subsurface irrigation or other means that produces no runoff or overspray.
9
xxv.
Overhead irrigation shall not be permitted within 24 inches of any non -
10
permeable surface. Allowable irrigation within the setback from non -
11
permeable surfaces may include drip, drip line, or other low flow non -
12
spray technology. The setback area may be planted or unplanted. The
13
surfacing of the setback may be mulch, gravel, or other porous material.
14
These restrictions may be modified if: The landscape area is adjacent to
15
permeable surfacing and no runoff occurs; or the adjacent non -
16
permeable surfaces are designed and constructed to drain entirely to
17
landscaping; or the irrigation designer specifies an alternative design or
18
technology, as part of the Landscape Documentation Package and
19
clearly demonstrates strict adherence to irrigation system design criteria.
20
Prevention of overspray and runoff must be confirmed during the irrigation
21
audit.
22
xxvi.
Slopes greater than 15 percent shall be irrigated with point source or other
23
low-volume irrigation technology. Prevention of runoff and erosion must
24
be confirmed during the irrigation audit.
25
xxvii.
Point source irrigation is required where plant height at maturity will affect
26
the uniformity of an overhead system.
27
b. Hydrozone.
28
i.
Each valve shall irrigate a hydrozone with similar site, slope, sun exposure,
29
soil conditions, and plant materials with similar wafer use.
30
ii.
Sprinkler heads and other emission devices shall be selected based on
31
what is appropriate for the plant type within that hydrozone.
32
iii. Trees shall be placed on separate valves from shrubs, groundcovers, and
33
turf to facilitate the appropriate irrigation of trees. The mature size and
34
extent of the root zone shall be considered when designing irrigation for
35
the tree.
36
iv. Individual hydrozones that mix plants of moderate and low water use, or
37
moderate and high water use, may be allowed if: Plant factor calculation
38
is based on the proportions of the respective plant water uses and their
39
plant factor; or the plant factor of the higher water using plant is used for
40
calculations.
41
V. Individual hydrozones that mix high and low water use plants shall not be
42
permitted.
43
vi. On the landscape design plan and irrigation design plan, hydrozone
44
areas shall be designated by number, letter, or other designation.
45
vii. The Landscape Design Plan shall include a hydrozone table listing each
46
hydrozone and the respective description, plant factor, irrigation method,
47
landscape area in square feet, and percent of total landscape area.
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S. Page 17
1 c. In addition, the Irrigation Design Plan, at a minimum, shall contain:
2 i. Location and size of separate water meters for landscape.
3 ii. Location and size of irrigation system point of connection.
4 iii. Location, type and size of all components of the irrigation system,
5 including controllers, main and lateral lines, master valves, valves, sprinkler
6 heads and other application devices, moisture sensing devices, rain
7 sensors, check valves, quick couplers, flow sensors, pressure regulators,
8 and backflow prevention devices.
9 iv. Designate the areas irrigated by each valve, and assign a number to
10 each valve.
11 V. Static water pressure at the point of connection to the public water
12 supply.
13 vi. Flow rate (gallons per minute), application rate (inches per hour), and
14 design operating pressure (pressure per square inch) for each station.
15 vii. Recycled water irrigation systems (if applicable).
16 viii. The Hydrozone Table.
17 ix. The following statement: "I have complied with the criteria of the
18 ordinance and applied them accordingly for the efficient use of water in
19 the irrigation design plan"; and
20 X. The signature of a licensed landscape architect, certified irrigation
21 designer, licensed landscape contractor, or any other person authorized
22 to design an irrigation system. (See Sections 5500.1, 5615, 5641, 5641.1,
23 5641.2, 5641.3, 5641.4, 5641.5, 5641.6, 6701, 7027.5 of the Business and
24 Professions Code, Section 832.27 of Title 16 of the California Code of
25 Regulations, and Section 6721 of the Food and Agricultural Code).
26 6. Grading Design Plan. A comprehensive grading plan shall be submitted and include:
27 a. The Grading Design Plan shall indicate finished configurations and elevations of
28 the landscape area including:
29 i. Height of graded slopes.
30 ii. Drainage patterns.
31 iii. Pad elevations.
32 iv. Finish grade.
33 V. Stormwater retention improvements, if applicable.
34 b. The Grading Design Plan shall demonstrate:
35 i. That all irrigation and normal rainfall remains within property lines and
36 does not drain on to non -permeable hardscapes.
37 ii. Avoids disruption of natural drainage patterns and undisturbed soil.
38 iii. Avoids soil compaction in landscape areas.
39 c. The Grading Design Plan shall contain the following statement: "I have complied
40 with the criteria of the ordinance and applied them accordingly for the efficient
41 use of water in the grading design plan" and shall bear the signature of a
42 licensed professional as authorized by law.
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S. Page 18
1 d. A comprehensive grading plan prepared by a civil engineer for other local
2 agency permits may satisfy this requirement.
3 D. Certificate of Completion: Prior to the final City permit being issued, the project applicant or
4 applicant shall submit a completed Certificate of Completion on a form prepared by the
5 Director of Public Works:
6 1. The Certificate of Completion form shall include the following elements:
7 a. Project information.
8 b. Date.
9 c. Project name.
10 d. Project applicant name, telephone, and mailing address.
11 e. Project address and location.
12 f. Property owner name, telephone, and mailing address.
13 g. Certification by either the signer of the landscape design plan, the signer of the
14 irrigation design plan, or the licensed landscape contractor that the landscape
15 project has been installed per the approved Landscape Documentation
16 Package.
17 2. The Certificate of Completion shall be submitted to the City for review with the
18 following attachments:
19 a. Irrigation Schedule. All irrigation schedules shall be developed, managed and
20 evaluated to utilize the minimum amount of water required to maintain plant
21 health. Irrigation schedules shall meet the following criteria:
22 i. Irrigation scheduling shall be regulated by automatic irrigation controllers.
23 ii. For implementation of the irrigation schedule, particular attention must be
24 paid to irrigation run times, emission device, flow rate, and current
25 reference evapotranspiration, so that applied water meets the ETWU.
26 Total annual applied water shall be less than or equal to MAWA. Actual
27 irrigation schedules shall be regulated by automatic irrigation controllers
28 using current reference evapotranspiration data or soil moisture sensor
29 data.
30 iii. Parameters used to set the automatic controller shall be developed and
31 submitted for each of the following:
32
1.
Plant establishment period.
33
2.
The established landscape.
34
3.
Temporarily irrigated areas.
35
36
iv. Each
irrigation schedule shall consider for each station all of the following
37
that apply:
38
39
1.
Irrigation interval (days between irrigation)
40
2.
Irrigation run times (hours or minutes per irrigation event to avoid
41
runoff)
42
3.
Number of cycle starts required for each irrigation event to avoid
43
runoff.
44
4.
Amount of applied water scheduled to be applied on a monthly basis.
45
5.
Application rate setting.
46
6.
Root depth setting.
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S. Page 19
1 7. Plant type.
2 8. Slope factor setting.
3 9. Shade factor setting.
4 10. Irrigation uniformity or efficiency setting.
5 b. Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance Schedule. A regular maintenance
6 schedule shall be developed, which meets the following criteria:
7 i. Landscapes shall be maintained to ensure water use efficiency.
8 ii. The schedule shall include, but not be limited to, routine inspection;
9 auditing, adjustment and repair of the irrigation system and its
10 components; aerating and dethatching turf areas; topdressing with
11 compost, replenishing mulch; fertilizing; pruning; weeding in all landscape
12 areas, and removing and obstructions to emission devices.
13 iii. Operation of the irrigation system outside the normal watering window is
14 allowed for auditing and system maintenance.
15 iv. Repair of all irrigation equipment shall be done with the originally installed
16 components or their equivalents or with components with greater
17 efficiency.
18 V. An irrigation maintenance schedule timeline that includes routine
19 inspections, adjustments and repairs to the irrigation system, aerating and
20 dethatching turf areas, replenishing mulch, fertilizing, pruning and
21 weeding.
22 c. Landscape Irrigation Audit Report. An audit report shall be developed which
23 meets the following criteria:
24 i. Operating pressure of the irrigation system.
25 ii. Distribution uniformity of overhead irrigation.
26 iii. Precipitation rate of overhead irrigation.
27 iv. Report of any overspray or broken irrigation equipment.
28 V. Irrigation schedule: plant establishment irrigation schedule and regular
29 irrigation schedule by month that includes plant type, root depth, soil
30 type, slope factor, shade factor, irrigation interval, irrigation runtimes,
31 number of start times per irrigation day, gallons per minute for each valve,
32 precipitation rate, distribution uniformity and monthly estimated water use
33 calculations.
34 vi. Verification that a diagram of the irrigation plan showing hydrozones is
35 kept with the irrigation controller for subsequent management purposes.
36 vii. All landscape irrigation audits shall be conducted by a Certified
37 Landscape Irrigation Auditor. Landscape audits shall not be conducted
38 by the person who designed the landscape or installed the landscape.
39 viii. In large projects or projects with multiple landscape installations an
40 auditing rate of 15% is required.
41 d. Soil Management Report, if not submitted with the Landscape Documentation
42 Package, and documentation verifying implementation of soil report
43 recommendations.
44 3. Copies of the approved Certificate of Completion shall be provided to the property
45 owner or his or her designee.
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S. Page 20
1
2 E. Public Education. All model homes that are landscaped shall use signs that provide written
3 information to demonstrate the principles of water efficient landscapes described in this
4 ordinance.
5 1. Signs shall be used to identify the model as an example of a water efficient
6 landscape featuring elements such as hydrozones, irrigation equipment, and others
7 that contribute to the overall water efficient theme. Signage shall include information
8 about the site water use as designed per the local ordinance; specify who designed
9 and installed the water efficient landscape; and demonstrate low water use
10 approaches to landscaping such as using native plants.
11 2. Information shall be provided about designing, installing, managing, and maintaining
12 water efficient landscapes.
13 Section 4. Chapter 15.18 of the Municipal Code is hereby repealed.
14
15 Section 5. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or word of this ordinance is for
16 any reason held to be unconstitutional, unlawful or otherwise invalid by a court of competent
17 jurisdiction or preempted by state legislation, such decision or legislation shall not affect the
18 validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The City Council of the City of Petaluma
19 hereby declares that it would have passed and adopted this ordinance and each and all
20 provisions thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more of said provisions be declared
21 unconstitutional, unlawful or otherwise invalid.
22
23 Section 6. This ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after the date of its
24 adoption by the Petaluma City Council.
25
26 Section 7. Publication.
27 The City Clerk is hereby directed to post and/or publish this ordinance or a
28 synopsis of it for the period and in the manner required by the City Charter.
29
30 INTRODUCED and ordered posted/pub4&hed this 7th day of December, 2015.
31
32 ADOPTED this 4th day of January, 2016 by the following vote:
33
34
35 Ayes: Albertson, Barrett, Mayor Glass, Healy, Kearney, Vice Mayor King, Miller
36 Noes: None
37 Abstain: None
38 Absent: None
39
40 �
41
42
43 David Glass, Mayor
44
45 ATTEST: APPROVED AST ,FORM:
46 �`
47
48
49�
50 Claire Cooper, City Clerk Eric W. Danly, City orney
Ordinance No. 2562 N.C.S. Page 21