PCRES 2007-049PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2007-049
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL
APPROVAL OF ZONING CODE AMENDMENT 2007-093, AN
AMENDMENT TO THE LA QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 8,
CHAPTER 13, UPDATING THE CITY'S WATER -EFFICIENT
LANDSCAPING ORDINANCE.
CASE NO.: ZONING CODE AMENDMENT 2007-093
APPLICANT: CITY OF LA QUINTA
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta,
California, did on the 11" of December, 2007, hold a duly noticed Public Hearing
for review of a Municipal Code Amendment to update Title 8, Chapter 13, the
City's Water -Efficient Landscaping Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, said Municipal Code Amendment has complied with the
requirements of "The Rules to Implement the California Environmental Quality Act
of 1970" (CEQA) as amended (Resolution 83-63) in that the La Quinta Planning
Department has reviewed the Amendment under the provisions of CEQA, and has
determined that the Amendment is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(13)(3) and
Section 15307 of the CEQA Guidelines; and
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 Planning Commission 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 Planning Department published the public hearing
notice in the Desert Sun newspaper on December 01, 2007, as prescribed by the
Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, at said public hearing, upon hearing and considering all
testimony and arguments, if any, of all interested persons wanting to be heard,
said Planning Commission did make the following mandatory findings
recommending approval of said Amendment:
1. The proposed Municipal Code Amendment is consistent with the General
Plan and Zoning Ordinance in that it will result in a reduction in the City's
Planning Commission Resolution 2007-049
Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2007-093
Water Efficient Landscaping Amendment
December 11, 2007
overall water usage while allowing for the continued high quality of
development in the City.
2. Approval of the Municipal Code Amendment will not create conditions
materially detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare, and will have
no impacts on the public health, safety and welfare.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of
the City of La Quinta, California, as follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and constitute the findings of the
Planning Commission in this case.
2. That the Planning Commission does hereby recommend approval of Zoning
Code Amendment 2007-093 as set forth in Exhibit 1 to the City Council for
the reasons set forth in this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La
Quinta Planning Commission, held on the 11 `h day of December, 2007, by the
following vote, to wit:
AYES: Commissioners Barrows, Quill, Wilkinson, and Chairman Alderson
IP[1111*- Rk 1 -
ABSENT: Commissioner Engle
I_1:131FeIli`iiP176 M
"C
ED ALDERSON, Chairman
City of La Quinta, California
0
KS JmblMON, Planning Director
City of La Quinta
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.
"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.
"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).
"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).
"Hadscape"- 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,
nonirrigated 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.
"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).
"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.
"Reference evapotranspiration" or "ETo" means a standard measurement of
environmental parameters which affect the water use of plants. ETo is given in inches per
day, month, or year, and 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 ETo 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 is not absorbed by the soil or landscape to which it is
applied and flows from the planted area. For example, runoff may result from water that
is applied at too great a rate (application rate exceeds infiltration rate), when there is a
severe slope or when water is misapplied to hardscapes.
"Service line" means the pressurized pipeline that delivers water from the water
source to the water meter.
"Smart Controller" means weather based or soil moisture based irrigation controls
that monitor and use information about environmental conditions for a specific location
and landscape (such as soil moisture, rain, wind, the plants' evaporation and transpiration
rates and, in some cases, plant type and more) to decide for themselves when to water and
when not to, providing exactly the right amount of water to maintain lush, healthy
growing conditions.
"Soil moisture sensing device" means a device that measures the amount of water in
the soil.
"Soil texture" means the classification of soil based on the percentage of sand, silt
and clay in the soil.
"Sprinkler head" means a device which sprays water through a nozzle.
"Static water pressure" means the pipeline pressure when water is not flowing.
"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 a 3 (Ex )(part 2003: Ord 220 § 1 (Ex )(pa ft 1993.) (INSERT
NEW ORDINANCE NUMBER AND DATE)
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.
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.
SAMPLE WATER CONSERVATION CONCEPT STATEMENT
Project Site:
Case Number:
Project
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
3. Estimated Annual Total Water Use:
100 cubic feet/year
4. Landscape Design Plan
100 cubic feet/year
5. Irrigation Design Plan
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 evapotranspiration (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.
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)
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)(5)(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 addressed in areas that are fire prone. Information
about fire prone areas and appropriate landscaping for fire safety is available from the fire
marshal.
b. Water Features.
i. 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.
c. Landscape Design Plan Specifications. The landscape design plan shall be drawn
on project base sheets at a scale that accurately and clearly identifies:
i. 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.
i. 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.
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.
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.
(I) 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:
i. 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;
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
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:
i. 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.
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:
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.
(INSERT NEW
ORDINANCE NUMBER AND DATE)
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 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. � (part),
W93) (INSERT NEW ORDINANCE NUMBER AND DATE)
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 sot a 3 (Exh n) (paFt 2003. Ord 220
' (EiEh ^ "pai" 1O9" (INSERT ORDINANCE AND DATE)
9.13.060 Effective date.
The ordinance codified in this chapter will become effective on December "'�3
INSERT EFFECTIVE DATE. All plans approved after r.,.,.,... beF 2, 2003INSERT
EFFECTIVE DATE, are subject to the provisions of this chapter. (Ord 92 a 3 (Exh n
(pa. 3) (INSERT NEW ORDINANCE NUMBER AND DATE)