ORD 452ORDINANCE NO. 452
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE LA QUINTA MUNICIPAL
CODE TITLE 8, CHAPTER 8.13, UPDATING THE CITY'S
WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, on July 19, 2007, the Governor of the State of California,
Arnold Schwarzenegger, declared a State of Emergency in Riverside County due to
severe and continuing drought conditions; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of La Quinta recognizes that
the conservation of available water resources is essential to the future health and
welfare of the community; and
WHEREAS, the City has, from time to time, made amendments to the
Municipal Code to address important issues and changes in circumstances; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta,
California, held a duly noticed public hearing on the 111" of December, 2007,
recommending approval of the proposed amendment to Title 8, Chapter 8.13, the
City's Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Department published a public hearing notice
in The Desert Sun newspaper on December 25, 2007, as prescribed by the
Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on the
151h day of January, 2008, and considered the evidence, written and oral,
presented at the hearing.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City
of La Quinta does ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. Title 8, Chapter 8.13 of the City of La Quinta Municipal Code is
amended as identified in the attached Exhibit 1.
SECTION 2. ENVIRONMENTAL. The Planning Department has determined
that the Amendments to the Municipal Code are exempt pursuant to Section
15061(B)(3) and Section 15307 of the Guidelines for Implementation of the
California Environmental Quality Act. The Ordinance will not have a negative effect
on the environment in that it will result in a reduction in the City's overall water
usage while allowing for the continued high quality of development in the City.
Ordinance No. 452
Title 8. Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance
Adopted: February 5, 2008
Page 2
SECTION 3. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Ordinance shall be
severable, and if any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of
this Ordinance shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be
invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof,
but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph,
subdivision, section, or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which
such judgment shall have been rendered.
SECTION 4. LEGAL CONSTRUCTION. The provisions of this Ordinance shall
be construed as necessary to effectively carry out its purposes, which are hereby
found and declared to be in furtherance of the public health, safety, and welfare.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall take full force and
effect and be in force 30 days after passage.
SECTION 6. PUBLICATION. The City Clerk is directed to post this
Ordinance in the manner and in the time required by law.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City
of La Quinta at a regular meeting thereof held on the 151h day of January, 2008, by
the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Henderson, Kirk, Osborne, Sniff, Mayor Adolph
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
(L
DON ADOL H, Ma or
City of La Quinta California
Ordinance No. 452
Title 8, Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient landscaping Ordinance
Adopted: February 5, 2008
Page 3
ATTEST:
(CITY SEAL)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
W. KATHERINE JENFN, City Attorney
City of La Quinta, California
Ordinance No. 452
Title 8. Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance
Adopted: February 5, 2008
Page 4
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE) ss.
CITY OF LA QUINTA 1
I, VERONICA MONTECINO, City Clerk of the City of La Quinta, California, do
hereby certify the foregoing to be a full, true, and correct copy of Ordinance No.
452 which was introduced at a regular meeting on the 151h day of January, 2008,
and was adopted at a regular meeting held on the 5" day of February, 2008, not
being less than five days after the date of introduction thereof.
I further certify that the foregoing Ordinance was posted in three places within the
City of La Quinta as specified in City Council Resolution No. 2006-115.
VERONICA MON E INO, CMC, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
DECLARATION OF POSTING
I, VERONICA MONTECINO, City
hereby certify that the foregoing
City of La Quinta, California
Clerk of the City of La Quinta, California, do
ordinance was posted on�41/=e,
I
EXHIBIT 1
CHAPTER 8.13
WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING AND IRRIGATION SYSTEM DESIGN
Sections:
8.13.010 Purpose and Intent
8.13.020 Definitions
8.13.030 Provisions for New or Rehabilitated Landscapes
8.13.040 Provisions for Existing Landscapes
8.13.050 Appeals
8.13.060 Effective Date
Chapter 8.13 WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING
8.13.010 Purpose and intent.
A. The purpose of this chapter is to establish effective water efficient
landscape requirements for newly installed and rehabilitated landscapes. It is also
the intent of this chapter to implement the requirements of the state of California
Water Conservation in Landscaping Act, Statutes of 1990, Chapter 1145 (AB
325).
B. It is the intent of the city council to promote water conservation through
climate appropriate plant material and efficient irrigation as well as to create a city
landscape theme through enhancing and improving the physical and natural
environment. (Ord. 392 § 3 (Exh. A)(part), 2003: Ord. 220 § 1 (Exh. A)(part),
1993)
8.13.020 Definitions.
The words used in this chapter have the meanings set forth below:
"Application rate" means the depth of water applied to a given area, usually
measured in inches per hour. Also known as precipitation rate (sprinklers) or
emission rate (drippers/microsprayers) in gallons per hour.
"Applied water" means the portion of water supplied by the irrigation system
to the landscape.
Ordinance No. 452 EXHIBIT 1
Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation System Design
"Automatic controller" means a mechanical or solid-state timer, capable of
operating valve stations to set the days and length of time of a water application.
"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.
"Beneficial Use" means water used for landscape evapotranspiration.
"Conversion faction (0.62)" means a number that converts the maximum
applied water allowance from acre -inches per acre per year to gallons per square
foot per year. The conversion factor is calculated as follows:
(325,851 gallons/43,560 square feet)/12 inches = (0.62)
325,851 gallons
43,560 square feet
12 inches
= one acre-foot
= one acre
= one foot
To convert gallons per year to one hundred cubic feet per year, the common
billing unit for water, divide gallons per year by seven hundred forty-eight. (748
gallons = 100 cubic feet)
"Desert Landscape" means a desert landscape using native plants spaced to
look like a native habitat utilizing plants native to the southwestern United States
and northern Mexico or native to other desert regions of the world but adapted to
the Coachella Valley.
"Distribution Uniformity" is a measure of how evenly sprinklers apply water.
The low -quarter measurement method (DULQ) utilized in the irrigation audit
procedure is utilized for the purposes of these criteria. These criteria assume an
attainable performance level of 75% DULQ for spray heads, 80% DULQ for rotor
heads and 85% DULQ for recreational turf grass rotor heads.
"Drip Irrigation" means a method of irrigation where the water is applied slowly
at the base of plants without watering the open space between plants.
"Ecological restoration project" means a project where the site is intentionally
altered to establish a defined, indigenous, historic ecosystem.
2
Ordinance No. 452 EXHIBIT 1
Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation System Design
"Effective precipitation" or "usable rainfall" means the portion of total natural
precipitation that is used by the plants. Precipitation is not a reliable source of
water in the desert.
"Electronic Controllers" are time clocks that have the capabilities of multi-
programming, water budgeting and multiple start times.
"Emission Uniformity" is a measure of how evenly drip and microspray emitters
apply water. The low -quarter measurement method (EULQ) utilized in the landscape
irrigation evaluation procedure is utilized for the purposes of these criteria. These
criteria assume 90% DULQ for drippers, microsprays and pressure compensating
bubblers.
"Emitter" means drip irrigation fittings that deliver water slowly from the
system to the soil.
"Established landscape" means the point at which plants in the landscape have
developed roots into the soil adjacent to the root ball.
"Establishment period" means the first year after installing the plant in the
landscape.
"Estimated annual applied water use" means the portion of the estimated
annual total water use that is derived from applied water. The estimated annual
applied water use shall not exceed the maximum applied water allowance.
"Estimated total water use" means the annual total amount of water estimated
to be needed to keep the plants in the landscaped area healthy. It is based upon
such factors as the local evapotranspiration rate, the size of the landscaped area,
the types of plants, and the efficiency of the irrigation system. The estimated
annual total applied water use shall not exceed the maximum applied water
allowance.
"ET adjustment factor" means a factor of 0.5 that, when applied to reference
evapotranspiration, adjusts for plant factors and irrigation efficiency, two major
influences upon the amount of water that needs to be applied to the landscape. A
combined plant mix with a site -wide average of 0.38 is the basis of the plant factor
portion of this calculation. The irrigation efficiency for purposes of the ET
adjustment factor is 0.75. Therefore, the ET adjustment factor (0.5) _
(0.38/0.75).
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Ordinance No. 452 EXHIBIT 1
Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation System Design
"Evapotranspiration, or ET" means the quantity of water evaporated from
adjacent soil surfaces and transpired by plants during a specific time.
"Flow rate" means the rate at which water flows through pipes and valves
(gallons per minute or cubic feet per second).
"Hardscape" means concrete or asphalt areas including streets, parking lots,
sidewalks, driveways and patios and decks.
"Head -to -Head Coverage" means one hundred percent sprinkler coverage of
the area to be irrigated, with maximum practical uniformity.
"High Flow Check Valve" means a valve located under/in a sprinkler head to
stop the flow of water if the spray head is broken or missing.
"Hydrozone" means a portion of the landscaped area having plants with similar
water needs that are served by a valve or set of valves with the same schedule. A
hydrozone may be irrigated or nonirrigated. For example, a naturalized area planted
with native vegetation that will not need supplemental irrigation once established is
a nonirrigated hydrozone.
"Infiltration rate" means the rate of water entry into the soil expressed as a
depth of water per unit of time (inches per hour).
"Irrigation efficiency" means the measurement of the amount of water
beneficially used divided by the amount of water applied. Irrigation efficiency is
derived from measurements and estimates of irrigation system characteristics and
management practices. The minimum irrigation efficiency for purposes of this
chapter is 0.75. Greater irrigation efficiency can be expected from well -designed
and maintained systems.
"Landscape irrigation audit" means a process to perform site inspections,
evaluate irrigation systems, and develop efficient irrigation schedules.
"Landscaped area" means the entire parcel less the building footprint,
driveways, non -irrigated portions of parking lots, hardscapes such as decks and
patios, and other nonporous areas. Water features are included in the calculation of
the landscaped area.
"Lateral line" means the water delivery pipeline that supplies water to the
emitters or sprinklers from the valve.
0
Ordinance No.452 EXHIBIT 1
Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation System Design
"Main line" means the pressurized pipeline that delivers water from the water
meter to the valve or outlet.
"Maximum applied water allowance" means for design purposes, the upper
limit of annual applied water for the established landscaped area, as specified in
Division 2, Title 23, California Code of Regulations, Chapter 7, Section 702. It is
based upon the area's reference evapotranspiration, the ET adjustment factor, and
the size of the landscaped area. The estimated applied water use shall not exceed
the maximum applied water allowance.
"Mined -land reclamation projects" means any surface mining operation with a
reclamation plan approved in accordance with the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Act of 1975.
"Mulch" means any material such as gravel, small rocks, pebbles, decorative
sand, decomposed granite, bark, straw or other material left loose and applied to
the soil surface for the beneficial purpose of reducing evaporation.
"Native plants" means low water using plants that are indigenous to the
Coachella Valley and lower Colorado Desert region of California and Arizona.
"Operating pressure" means the manufacturer's recommended pressure at
which a system of sprinklers, bubblers, drippers or microsprayers is designed to
operate.
"Overhead sprinkler irrigation systems" means those with high flow rates (pop -
ups, impulse sprinklers, rotors, etc.).
"Overspray" means the water which is delivered beyond the landscaped area,
wetting pavements, walks, structures, or other nonlandscaped areas.
"Plant factor" means a factor that when multiplied by reference
evapotranspiration, estimates the amount of water used by plants. For purposes of
this chapter, the average plant factor of very low water using plants ranges from
0.01 to 0.10, for low water using plants the range is 0.10 to 0.30, for moderate
water using plants the range is 0.40 to 0.60 and for high water using plants, the
range is 0.70 to 0.90. Reference: Water Use Classifications of Landscape Species
III (WUCOLS III).
E
Ordinance No. 452 EXHIBIT 1
Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation System Design
"Pressure Compensating (PC) Bubbler" means an emission device that allows
the output of water to remain constant regardless of input pressure. Typical flow
rates for this type of bubbler range between 0.25 gpm to 2.0 gpm.
"Pressure Compensating Screens/Devices" means small screens/devices
inserted in place of standard screens/devices that are used in sprinkler heads for
radius and high pressure control.
"Qualified Professional" means a person who has been certified by their
professional organization or a person who has demonstrated knowledge and is
locally recognized as qualified among landscape architects due to longtime
experience.
"Rain sensing device" means a system which automatically shuts off the
irrigation system when it rains.
"Record drawing" or "as-builts" means a set of reproducible drawings which
show significant changes in the work made during construction which are usually
based on drawings marked up in the field and other data furnished by the
contractor.
"Recreational area" means areas of active play or recreation such as sports
fields, school yards, picnic grounds, or other areas with intense foot traffic.
"Recreational turfgrass" means turfgrass that serves as a playing surface for
sports and recreational activities. Athletic fields, golf courses, parks and school
playgrounds are all examples of areas hosting recreational turfgrass.
"Recreational turfgrass ET adjustment factor" means a factor of 0.82 that,
when applied to reference evapotranspiration, adjusts for the additional stress of
high traffic on recreational turfgrass and the higher irrigation efficiencies of long
range rotary sprinklers. These are the two major influences upon the amount of
water that needs to be applied to a recreational landscape. A mixed cool/warm
season turfgrass with a seasonal average of 0.7 is the basis of the plant factor
portion of this calculation. The irrigation efficiency of long range sprinklers for
purposes of the ET adjustment factor is 0.85. Therefore, the ET adjustment factor
is 0.82 = 0.7/0.85.
"Recycled water," "reclaimed water" or "treated sewage effluent water"
means treated or recycled waste water of a quality suitable for nonpotable uses
such as landscape irrigation; not intended for human consumption.
IJ
Ordinance No. 452 EXHIBIT 1
Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation System Do Ign
"Reference evapotranspirationor "ETo" means a standard measurement of
environmental parameters which a fect the water use of plants. ETD is given in
inches per day, month, or year, ar d is an estimate of the evapotranspiration of a
large field of cool -season grass that is well watered. Reference evapotranspiration
is used as a basis of determining the maximum applied water allowances so that
regional differences in climate can be accommodated. For purposes of this chapter,
the following ETD zone map will be used. (See map attached to the ordinance
codified in this chapter.)
"Rehabilitated landscape" means any relandscaping project whose choice of
new plant material and/or new irrigation system components is such that the
calculation of the site's estimated water use will be significantly changed. The new
estimated water use calculation must not exceed the maximum applied water
allowance calculated for the site using a 0.5 ET adjustment factor.
"Runoff" means water which i not absorbed by the soil or landscape to which
it is applied and flows from the pl nted area. For example, runoff may result from
water that is applied at too great rate (application rate exceeds infiltration rate),
when there is a severe slope or whin water is misapplied to hardscapes.
"Service line" means the F
water source to the water meter.
"Smart Controller" means u
controls that monitor and use it
specific location and landscape
evaporation and transpiration rate
decide for themselves when to w
amount of water to maintain lush,
"Soil moisture sensing
water in the soil.
pipeline that delivers water from the
3ther based or soil moisture based irrigation
rmation about environmental conditions for a
ich as soil moisture, rain, wind, the plants'
and, in some cases, plant type and more) to
3r and when not to, providing exactly the right
3althy growing conditions.
means a device that measures the amount of
"Soil texture" means the classification of soil based on the percentage of sand,
silt and clay in the soil.
"Sprinkler head" means a devce which sprays water through a nozzle.
ans the ipeline pressure when water is not
Static
water
pressure
mf¢
p
flowing.
7
Ordinance No. 452 EXHIBIT 1
Chapter 5.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation System Design
"Station" means an area served by one valve or by a set of valves that
operates simultaneously.
"Turf" means a surface layer of earth containing mowed grass with its roots.
Perennial and annual ryegrass are cool season grasses. Hybrid and common
Bermuda grass, are warm season grasses.
"Valve" means a device used to control the flow of water in the irrigation
system.
"Water conservation concept statement" means a one -page checklist and a
narrative summary of the project.
"Water feature" means any water applied to the landscape for nonirrigation
decorative purposes. Fountains, streams, ponds and lakes are considered water
features. Water features use more water than efficiently irrigated turf grass and are
assigned a plant factor value of 1.1 for a stationary body of water and 1.2 for a
moving body of water.
Note: Section 65594, Government Code. Reference: Section 65597,
Government Code. (Ord. 392 § 3 (Exh. A)(part), 2003: Ord. 220 § 1 (Exh. A)(part),
1993)
8.13.030 Provisions for new or rehabilitated landscapes.
A. Applicability.
1. Except as provided in subsection (A)(3) of this section, this section shall
apply to:
a. All new and rehabilitated landscaping for private, public, commercial and
governmental development projects that require a permit; and
b. Developer -installed landscaping in single-family tracts and multifamily
projects.
2. Projects subject to this section shall conform to the provisions in this
section.
3. This section shall not apply to resident homeowner -provided landscaping at
single-family residences.
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ordinance No. 452 EXHIBIT 1
Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation System Design
B. Final Landscaping Plan Submittal Package.
1. Each Final Landscaping Plan submittal shall include the following elements,
which are described in subsection C of this section.
a. Water conservation concept statement;
b. Calculation of the maximum applied water allowance;
c. Calculation of the estimated applied water use;
d. Calculation of the estimated total water use;
e. Landscape design plan;
f. Irrigation design plan;
g. Grading design plan;
h. Soil analysis (optional);
2. Five copies of the Final Landscaping Plan submittal conforming to this
chapter shall be submitted to the city. No permit shall be issued until the city
reviews and approves the landscape documentation package. Prior to preparation
and submission of the Final Landscaping Plan submittal, the preliminary landscape
design shall be approved by the planning commission.
3. A copy of the approved Final Landscaping Plan submittal shall be provided
to the property owner or site manager along with the record drawings and any
other information normally forwarded to the property owner or site manager.
C. Elements of Final Landscaping Plan submittal.
1. Water Conservation Concept Statement. Each landscape documentation
package shall include a cover sheet, referred to as the water conservation
statement similar to the following example. It serves as a checklist to verify that
the elements of the landscape documentation package have been completed and
has a narrative summary of the project.
Ordinance No. 452 EXHIBIT 1
Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation System Design
SAMPLE WATER CONSERVATION CONCEPT STATEMENT
Project Site:
Case Number:
Project
Location:
Landscape Architect/Irrigation
Designer/Contractor:
Included in this project submittal package are: (Check to indicate completion)
_1. Maximum Annual Applied Water Allowance:
Conventional Landscape: 100 cubic feet/year
+ Recreational Turfgrass Landscape: _100 cubic feet/year (if applicable)
Total Maximum Annual Applied Water Allowance: 100 cubic feet/year
2. Estimated Annual Applied Water Use by Hydrozone:
Turfgrass: 100 cubic feet/year
Recreational Turfgrass: 100 cubic feet/year
Exotic Trees/Shrubs/Groundcovers: 100 cubic feet/year
Desert Plants: 100 cubic feet/year
Water Features: 100 cubic feet/year
Other 100 cubic feet/year
3. Estimated Annual Total Water Use: 100 cubic feet/year
4. Landscape Design Plan
5. Irrigation Design Plan
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Ordinance No. 452 EXHIBIT 1
Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and hrigation System Design
6. Grading Design Plan
7. Soil Chemical Analysis (optional)
Description of Project: (Briefly describe the planning and design actions that are
intended to achieve conservation and efficiency in water use.)
Date:
Prepared by:
2. The Annual Maximum Applied Water Allowance.
a. A project's annual maximum applied water allowance shall be calculated
using the following formula:
MAWA = (ETo) (0.5) (LA) (0.62) where:
MAWA = Maximum applied water allowance (gallons per year)
ETo = Reference evapdtranspiration (i.e., seventy-five inches per year)
0.6 = ET adjustment factor
LA = Landscaped area (square feet)
0.62 = Conversion factor (to gallons per square foot)
b. An example calculation of the annual maximum applied water allowance is:
Project site: Landscape area of fifty thousand square feet in Zone No. 3a of the
Coachella Valley ETo Map.
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Ordinance No. 452 EXHIBIT 1
Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation System Design
MAWA = (ETo) (0.5) (LA) (0.62)
(75.0 inches) (0.5) (50,000 square feet) (0.62)
Maximum applied water allowance = 1,162,500 gallons per year, 1,554
hundred -cubic -feet per year (billing units), 3.56 acre feet/acre per year or 42.7
inches of water per year.
3. Estimated Annual Applied Water Use.
a. The annual estimated applied water use shall not exceed the annual
maximum applied water allowance.
b. A calculation of the estimated annual applied water use shall be submitted
with the landscape documentation package.
c. The estimated annual total water use for each hydrozone is calculated from
the following formula:
EWU (hydrozones) _ (ETo) (PF) (HA) (0.62)/748
(in 100 cubic feet) (IE)
EWU (hydrozone) = Estimated water use (gallons per year)
ETo = Reference evapotranspiration (i.e., ETo Zone 3a =
seventy-five inches per year)
PF = Plant factor (see definitions)
HA = Hydrozone area (square feet)
(0.62) = Conversion factor
(IE) = Irrigation efficiency (see definitions)
748 = Conversion to billing units (one hundred cubic feet)
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Ordinance No. 452 EXHIBIT 1
Chapter S.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation System Design
4. Estimated Annual Total Water Use. A calculation of the estimated annual
total hydrozone water use shall be submitted with the Final Landscaping Plan
submittal. The estimated annual total water use for the entire landscaped area
equals the sum of the estimated annual water use (EWU) of all hydrozones in that
landscaped area.
5. Landscape Design Plan. A landscape design plan meeting the following
requirements shall be submitted as part of the Final Landscaping Plan submittal.
a. Plant Selection and Grouping.
i. Any plants may be used in the landscape, providing the estimated annual
applied water use recommended does not exceed the maximum annual applied
water allowance and that the plants meet the specifications set forth in
subsections (C)l51(ii), (iii) and (iv) of this section.
ii. Plants having similar water use shall be grouped together in distinct
hydrozones.
iii. Plants shall be selected appropriately based upon their adaptability to the
climate, geologic, and topographical conditions of the site. Protection and
preservation of native species and natural areas is encouraged. The planting of
trees is encouraged whenever it is consistent with the other provisions of this
chapter.
iv. Fire prevention needs shall be
Information about fire prone areas and
available from the fire marshal.
b. Water Features.
addressed in areas that are fire prone.
appropriate landscaping for fire safety is
Recirculating water shall be used for decorative water features.
ii. Water features shall be appropriately sized and designed for functional and
recreational purposes in conjunction with recreational amenities, placed at a
location visible from adjacent residential or commercial uses, and serve a functional
purpose such as storm water retention, irrigation storage, and/or wildlife habitat.
iii. All water features shall be replenished by a non -potable water supply unless
otherwise conditioned or approved by the Planning Commission.
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Ordinance No. 452 EXHIBIT 1
Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation System Design
c. Landscape Design Plan Specifications. The landscape design plan shall be
drawn on project base sheets at a scale that accurately and clearly identifies:
Designation of hydrozones;
ii. Landscape materials, trees, shrubs, groundcover, turf and other vegetation.
Planting symbols shall be clearly drawn and plants labeled by botanical name,
common name, water use classification, container size, spacing and quantities of
each group of plants indicated;
iii. Property lines and street names;
iv. Streets, driveways, walkways and other paved areas;
v. Pools, ponds, water features, fences and retaining walls;
vi. Existing and proposed buildings and structures including elevation, if
applicable;
vii. Location of all overhead and underground utilities;
viii. Natural features including but not limited to rock outcroppings, existing
trees and shrubs that will remain;
ix. Tree staking, plant installation, soil preparation details, and any other
applicable planting and installation details;
x. A calculation of the total landscaped area;
xi. Designation of recreational areas.
d. Design and Placement of Turf.
L Turf shall be placed within functional and accessible recreational areas.
Turf placement is discouraged at locations adjacent to perimeter streets and
sidewalks and those locations having limited visibility and/or pedestrian activity.
ii. All typical landscaping plans for prototypical residential units (tract homes)
shall include a no -turf option.
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ordinance No. 452 EXHIBIT 1
Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation System Design
iii. Long, narrow or irregularly shaped turf areas shall not be designed
because of the difficulty in irrigating uniformly without overspray onto hardscaped
areas, streets, and sidewalks. Landscape areas less than 8 feet in width shall not
be designed with turf. Turf will be allowed in these areas only if irrigation design
reflects the use of subsurface irrigation or a surface flow/wick irrigation system.
iv. Turf areas irrigated with spray/rotor systems must be set back at least 24
inches from curbs, driveways, sidewalks or any other area that may result in runoff
of water onto streets. An undulating landscape buffer area created by the setback
shall be designed with rocks, cobble or decomposed granite and/or can be
landscaped with drip irrigated shrubs/accents or covered with a suitable ground
cover.
V. Turf grass plantings are prohibited on slopes greater than three -to -one.
Slopes steeper than three -to -one shall be planted to permanent ground covering
plants adequate for proper slope protection.
vi. Turf grass coverage shall be limited to no more than 50% (fifty percent) of
any project's total landscaped area.
6. Irrigation Design Plan. An irrigation design plan meeting the following
conditions shall be submitted as part of the landscape documentation package.
a. Irrigation Design Criteria.
i. Runoff and Overspray. Soil types and infiltration rate shall be considered
when designing irrigation systems. All irrigation systems shall be designed to avoid
runoff, low -head drainage, overspray, or other similar conditions where water flows
onto adjacent property, nonirrigated areas, walks, roadways or structures. Proper
irrigation equipment and schedules, including features such as repeat cycles, shall
be used to closely match application rates to infiltration rates therefore minimizing
runoff. Special attention shall be given to avoid runoff on slopes and to avoid
overspray in planting areas with a width less than ten feet.
No overhead sprinkler irrigation systems shall be installed in median strips or
islands.
ii. Irrigation Efficiency. For the purpose of determining the maximum applied
water allowance, irrigation efficiency is assumed to be 0.75. Mixed irrigation
system types shall be designed, maintained and managed to meet or exceed an
average of 0.75 efficiency.
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Ordinance No. 452 EXHIBIT 1
Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation System Design
iii. Equipment.
(A) Water Meters. Separate landscape water meters shall be installed for all
projects except for single-family homes or any project with a landscaped area of
less than twenty-five hundred square feet.
(B) Smart Controllers. Smart Controllers shall be specified for all irrigation
system projects. This includes climate based or sensor based controllers, which can
automatically adjust for local weather and/or site conditions.
(C) Valves. Plants which require different amounts of water shall be irrigated
by separate valves. If one valve is used for a given area, only plants with similar
water use shall be used in that area.
(D) High flow (check) valves shall be installed in strategic points to prevent
low -head drainage. High flow (check) valves shall be installed in or under all heads
adjacent to street curbing, parking lots and where damage could occur to property
due to flooding, unless controllers with flow sensor capabilities are specified that
can automatically shut off individual control valves when excess flow is detected.
(E) Sprinkler Heads. Heads shall have application rates appropriate to the plant
water use requirements within each control valve circuit. Sprinkler heads shall be
selected for proper area coverage, application rate, matched precipitation rate
nozzles, operating pressure, adjustment capability and ease of maintenance.
Pressure compensating screens/devices shall be specified on all spray heads to
reduce radius as needed to prevent overthrow onto hardscape and/or to control
high pressure misting. Spray heads and rotor head stations shall be designed with
consideration for worst wind conditions. Close spacing and low -angle nozzles are
required in high and frequent wind areas (ETo Zone No. 4).
(F) Scheduling Aids: Soil Moisture Sensing Devices. It is required that soil
moisture sensing devices be installed on all turfgrass sites exceeding 1.0 acres
(forty-three thousand five hundred sixty square feet) of planted area.
(G) Scheduling Aids: ETo Controllers. It is recommended that ETo controllers
be considered for installation on all sites.
(H) Equipment in Publicly Maintained Areas. Irrigation equipment in areas which
may or will be maintained by the city shall conform to specifications of the city.
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Ordinance No. 452 EXHIBIT 1
Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation System Design
(1) Emitters. Emitters shall have application rates appropriate to the plant water
use requirements within each control valve circuit. Emitters shall be selected for
specific area coverage (individual plants), application rates, operating pressure,
adjustment capability and ease of maintenance.
(J) Rotor Heads. Rotor type heads shall be set back a minimum of 4 feet from
hardscape.
(K) Bubblers and Drip Systems. The use of drip, microirrigation or pressure
compensating bubblers or other systems with efficiencies of 90 percent or greater
is required for all shrubs and trees. Small, narrow (less than 8 feet), irregularly
shaped or sloping landscape areas shall be irrigated with drip, microspray or PC
(pressure -compensating) bubbler heads.
b. Recycled Water.
i. The installation of recycled water irrigation systems (dual distribution
systems) shall be required to allow for the current and future use of recycled water,
unless a written exemption has been granted as described in the following
subsection (C)(6)(b)(ii) of this section.
ii. Irrigation systems shall make use of recycled water unless a written
exemption has been granted by the Planning Director.
iii. Recycled water irrigation systems shall be designed and operated in
accordance with all local and state codes and be applicable to all of the provisions
of this chapter.
c. Irrigation Design Plan Specifications. Irrigation systems shall be designed to
be consistent with hydrozones. The irrigation design plan shall be drawn on project
base sheets. It shall be separate from, but use the same format as, the landscape
design plan. The scale shall be the same as that used for the landscape design
plan. The irrigation design plan shall accurately and clearly identify:
Location and size of separate water meters for the landscape;
ii. Location, type, and size of all components of the irrigation system,
including automatic controllers, main and lateral lines, valves, sprinkler heads,
moisture sensing devices, rain switches, quick couplers, and backflow prevention
devices;
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Ordinance No. 452 EXHIBIT 1
Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation System Design
iii. Static water pressure at the point of connection to the water supply;
iv. Flow rate (gallons per minute), application rate (inches per hour), and
design operating pressure (psi) for each station;
v. Recycled water irrigation systems.
d. Street median irrigation.
i. No overhead sprinkler irrigation system shall be installed in median strips or
in islands.
ii. Median islands or strips shall be designed with either a drip emitter to each
plant or subsurface irrigation. PC bubblers are acceptable for trees only.
e. Drip Irrigation Design
i. The drip system must be sized for mature -size plants.
ii. The irrigation system should complete all irrigation cycles during peak use in
about 12 hours. Normally, each irrigation controller should not have more than four
drip stations that operate simultaneously.
iii. Field installed below ground pipe connections shall be threaded PVC or
glued PVC. Surface laid hose and tubing is not allowed. Microtube distribution is
not allowed unless emitter/manifold is installed in an access box. Microtubing must
be buried at least 6 inches below grade and the end of microtubing must be
secured by a stake. The maximum length of microtubing must be specified on the
plan to be 10 feet or less.
iv. Proportion gallons per day per plant according to plant size. The following
sizing chart is for peak water use. The low to high end of the range is according to
the relative water requirements of the plants. The low end is for desert natives and
the high end is for medium water use type plants.
Size of Plant
Gallons Per Day
Large trees (over 30-foor diameter) 58+ to 97+
Medium Trees (about 18-foot diameter) 21 to 35
Small trees/large shrubs (9-foot diameter) 6 to 10
Medium shrubs (3.5-foot diameter) .8 to 1.3
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Ordinance No. 452 EXHIBIT 1
Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation System Design
Small shrubs/groundcover .5 or less
v. Plants with widely differing water requirements shall be valved separately.
As an example, separate trees from small shrubs and cactus from other shrubs.
Multiple emitter point sources of water for large shrubs and trees must provide
continuous bands of moisture from the root ball out to the mature drip line plus 20
percent of the plant diameter.
7. Grading Design Plan. Grading design plans satisfying the city/county
grading ordinance and the following conditions shall be submitted as part of the
landscape documentation package.
a. A grading design plan shall be drawn, on project base sheets. It shall be
separate from but use the same format as the landscape design plan.
b. The grading design plan shall indicate finished configurations and
elevations of the landscaped area, including the height of graded slopes, drainage
patterns, pad elevations, and finish grade.
8. Soil Analysis.
a. A soil analysis satisfying the following conditions should be submitted as
part of the landscape documentation package:
Determination of soil texture, indicating the available water holding
capacity;
ii. An approximate soil infiltration rate (either) measured or derived from soil
texture/infiltration rate tables. A range of infiltration rates shall be noted where
appropriate;
iii. Measure of pH and total soluble salts.
9. Certification.
a. An approval stamp and/or signature block from the Coachella Valley
Water District and Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner shall be identified
on the Final Landscaping Plans. Approval of Final Landscaping Plans from any
outside agencies, if necessary, shall be obtained by the applicant prior to final
approval of the plans by the planning director.
W&
Ordinance No. 452 EXHIBIT 1
Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation System Design
D. Public Education.
1. Publications.
a. The city, county or water district will, upon request, provide information to
the public regarding the design, installation, and maintenance of water efficient
landscapes.
b. Information about the efficient use of landscape water shall be provided to
water users throughout the community.
c. The landscape architect will provide a site -specific landscape irrigation
package for the homeowner or irrigation system operator. The package will include
a set of drawings, a recommended monthly irrigation schedule and a recommended
irrigation system maintenance schedule.
d. Irrigation Schedules. Irrigation schedules satisfying the following conditions
shall be submitted as part of the landscape irrigation package:
i. An annual irrigation program with monthly irrigation schedules shall be
required for the plant establishment period, for the established landscape, and for
any temporarily irrigated areas. The irrigation schedule shall:
(A) Include run time (in minutes per cycle), suggested number of cycles per
day, and frequency of irrigation for the station; and
(B) Provide the amount of applied water (in hundred cubic feet) recommended
on a monthly and annual basis.
(C) Whenever possible, irrigation scheduling shall incorporate the use of
evapotranspiration data such as those from the California Irrigation Management
Information System (CIMIS) weather stations to apply the appropriate levels of
water for different climates.
(D) Whenever possible, landscape irrigation shall be scheduled between ten
p.m. and five a.m. to avoid irrigating during times of high wind or high temperature.
e. Maintenance Schedules. A regular maintenance schedule satisfying the
following conditions shall be submitted as part of the landscape documentation
package:
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Ordinance No. 452 EXHIBIT 7
Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation System Design
i. Landscapes shall be maintained to ensure water efficiency. A regular
maintenance schedule shall include but not be limited to checking, adjusting,
cleaning and repairing equipment; resetting the automatic controller, aerating and
dethatching turf areas; replenishing mulch; fertilizing; pruning; and weeding in all
landscaped areas.
ii. Repair of irrigation equipment shall be done with the originally specified
materials or their approved equivalents.
2. Information shall be provided about designing, installing, and maintaining
water efficient landscapes.
E. Approval of Landscaping
a. Final Landscaping Plans shall be approved by the Planning Director.
Median landscaping plans located within private streets and public rights -of -way
shall be reviewed by the Public Works Department and approved by the Planning
Director.
b. Planning staff shall field inspect all completed landscaping for compliance
with the approved Final Landscaping Plans and Site Development Permit. Public
Works staff shall inspect all median landscaping for compliance with the approved
Final Landscaping Plans. Staff may, upon their inspection of the completed
landscaping, require the landscape architect to submit a signed and stamped
statement or certificate of substantial completion to ensure conformance with the
Final Landscaping Plans.
Note: Authority cited: Section 65594, Government Code. Reference: Section
64497. (Olyd. 392 § 3 (Exh. A)(part), 2003: Ord. 220 § 1 (Exh. A)(part), 1993)
8.13.040 Provisions for existing landscapes.
A. Water Management. All existing landscaped areas which exceed 1.0 acre
(43,560 square feet), including golf courses, green belts, common areas,
multifamily housing, schools, businesses, public works, parks, and cemeteries may
be subject to a landscape irrigation audit at the discretion of the water purveyor if
the water purveyor has determined that the annual maximum applied water
allowance has been exceeded for a minimum of two consecutive years. At a
minimum, the audit shall be conducted by a certified landscape irrigation auditor
and shall be in accordance with the California Landscape Irrigation Auditor
Handbook, the entire document which is hereby incorporated by reference. (See
21
Ordinance No. 452 EXHIBIT 1
Chapter 8.13
Water Efficient Landscaping and Irrigation System Design
Landscape Irrigation Audit Handbook, Department of Water Resources, Water
Conservation Office (June, 1990, Version 5.5).)
B. Water Waste Prevention. Water waste resulting from inefficient landscape
irrigation including run-off, low -head drainage, overspray, or other similar conditions
where water flows onto adjacent property, nonirrigated areas, walks, roadways, or
structures shall be prohibited. All broken heads and pipes must be repaired within
seventy-two hours of notification. Penalties for violation of these prohibitions shall
be in accord with administrative citation guidelines as outlined in Section 1.09.020.
Note: Authority cited: Section 65594, Government Code. Reference: Section
65597, Government Code. (Ord. 392 § 3 (Exh. A) (part), 2003: Ord. 220 § 1 (Exh.
A) (part), 1993)
8.13.050 Appeals.
Decisions made by the Planning Director or Public Works Director may be
appealed by an applicant, property owner(s), or designee(s) of any applicable
project to the Planning Commission and thereafter the City Council by an
application in writing to the Planning Director and City Clerk of the City Council
respectively within fifteen days from the date of notification of decision. (Ord. 392
§ 3 (Exh. A) (part), 2003: Ord. 220 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 1993)
8.13.060 Effective date.
The ordinance codified in this chapter will become effective on . All
plans approved after are subject to the provisions of this
Chapter. (Ord. 392 § 3 (Exh. A) (part), 2003)
22