Diamond Bar Municipal Code Ch. 22.26 Water Efficient Landscape

These regulations are established in order to provide minimum standards and guidelines for the design and installation of landscaping and irrigation systems within specified development projects. The primary intent is to enhance the visual quality of the environment through suitable landscape design, planting and maintenance, and therefore to recognize and encourage water conservation principles and techniques in landscaping.

(Ord. No. 02(1998), § 2, 11-3-98)

These regulations apply to new and rehabilitated landscaping in conjunction with a development project, for which landscaping is required, with the following exceptions:

(1) Homeowner-provided landscaping at single-family and residential projects;

(2) Cemeteries;

(3) Historical sites registered with the city;

(4) Ecological restoration projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system;

(5) Public land or a publicly owned facility;

(6) Projects with a landscaped area less than 2,500 square feet;

(7) School play yards;

(8) Child care facility play yards; and

(9) Golf courses.

(Ord. No. 02(1998), § 2, 11-3-98)

(a) Submittal required. A landscape documentation package in compliance with section 22.26.040 below shall be submitted. No building permit or land use permit shall be issued until the director reviews and approves the landscape documentation package.

(b) Copy of package to be provided. A copy of the approved landscape documentation package shall be provided to the property owner or site manager along with the record drawings and other related information.

(c) Elements to be included. Each landscape documentation package shall include the following elements:

(1) Landscape design plan;

(2) Irrigation design plan;

(3) Certificate of substantial completion (to be submitted after installation of the project); and

(4) Other information as deemed necessary by the director, including but not limited to, a grading design plan and/or soil analysis.

(Ord. No. 02(1998), § 2, 11-3-98)

(a) Landscape design plan. A landscape design plan meeting the following requirements shall be submitted as part of the landscape documentation package:

(1) Plant selection and grouping.

a. Plants having similar water use shall be grouped together in distinct hydrozones.

b. Plants shall be selected appropriately based upon their adaptability to the climatic, geological, and topographical conditions of the site. Protection and preservation of native species and natural areas is required in compliance with chapter 22.38 (Tree Preservation) and chapter 22.22 (Hillside Management).

c. A list of recommended planting materials shall be kept on file with the department and made available upon request. Alternative materials may be used when the overall landscape plan conforms with the intent of this chapter.

d. Fire prevention needs shall be addressed in areas that are fire prone.

e. Overall, the landscape design plan shall provide for a water efficient landscape concept.

f. Where possible, the use of mulch is encouraged in landscape areas to improve the water-holding capacity of the soil by reducing evaporation and soil compaction.

(2) Water features.

a. Recirculating water shall be used for decorative water features.

b. Pool and spa covers are encouraged.

(3) Landscape design plan requirements. The landscape design plan shall be drawn on project base sheets at a scale that accurately and clearly identifies the following:

a. Designation of hydrozones and a description of water usage within each hydrozone (i.e., low, moderate, and high irrigation water requirements);

b. Landscape materials, trees, shrubs, groundcover, turf, and other vegetation. Planting symbols shall be clearly drawn. Plants shall be labeled by botanical name, common name, container size, spacing, and quantities of each group of plants indicated;

c. Property lines and street names;

d. Streets, driveways, walkways, and other paved areas;

e. Pools, ponds, water features, fences and retaining walls;

f. Existing and proposed structures, including pad elevations if applicable.

g. Natural features including, but not limited to, rock outcroppings and existing trees and shrubs that will remain;

h. Tree staking, plant installation, soil preparation details, and any other applicable planting and installation details;

i. A calculation of the total landscaped area and percentage of turf area; and

j. Designation of recreational areas.

(b) Irrigation design plan. An irrigation design plan in compliance with the following requirements shall be submitted as part of the landscape documentation package:

(1) Water efficiency. The irrigation design plan shall provide for a water efficient irrigation system.

(2) Runoff and overspray. Soil types and infiltration rates shall be considered when designing irrigation systems. Irrigation systems shall be designed to avoid runoff, low head drainage, overspray, or other similar conditions. Appropriate irrigation equipment and schedules shall be used to closely match application rates to infiltration. Special attention shall be given to avoid runoff on slopes and overspray in narrow planting areas and median strips.

(3) Equipment.

a. Water meters. Separate landscape water meters are required for all projects except single-family homes and projects with a landscaped area less than 5,000 square feet.

b. Controllers. Automatic controllers are required for all irrigation systems and shall be able to accommodate all aspects of the design.

c. Valves. Plants that 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. Anti-drain (check) valves shall be installed at strategic points to minimize or prevent low-head drainage.

d. Sprinkler heads. Heads and emitters shall have consistent application rates within each control valve circuit. Sprinkler heads shall be selected for proper area coverage, application rate, operating pressure, adjustment capability, and ease of maintenance.

e. Rain-sensing override devices. Rain-sensing override devices are required on all irrigation systems.

f. Soil moisture-sensing devices. Soil moisture-sensing devices shall be considered where appropriate.

(4) Irrigation design plan specifications. 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.

Irrigation systems shall be designed to be consistent with hydrozones. The irrigation design plan shall accurately and clearly identify the following:

a. Location and size of separate landscape water meters;

b. Location, type, and size of all components of the irrigation system including, but not limited to, automatic controllers, main and lateral lines, valves, sprinkler heads, moisture-sensing devices, rain switches, quick couplers, and backflow prevention devices;

c. Static water pressure at the point of connection to the public water supply;

d. Flow rate (gallons per minute), application rate (inches per hour), and design operating pressure (psi) for each station; and

e. Estimated annual water use expressed in inches per square foot of landscape area per year.

(5) Certificate of substantial completion. Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the project proponent shall submit a certificate of substantial completion utilizing forms provided by the department. The certificate of substantial completion shall include results of a static water test and a water coverage test to determine the adequacy of the installed [system].

(Ord. No. 02(1998), § 2, 11-3-98)

Landscape and irrigation plans shall be reviewed for compliance with the water efficient landscape criteria outlined below. These comprise a point system with points awarded for both landscape and irrigation techniques. A minimum of 100 points shall be achieved in each technique category in order for the director to approve the landscape and irrigation plans.

TABLE 3-8 WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE CRITERIA

* This amount is based upon a formula established by the state department of water resources which states the maximum applied water budget for landscapes in the San Gabriel Valley region should be 80 percent of the annual evapotranspiration (53 inches per year). Therefore: 0.80 x 53 inches = 42 inches.

(Ord. No. 02(1998), § 2, 11-3-98)

(a) Water waste prohibited. Water waste resulting from inefficient landscape irrigation leading to excessive runoff, low head drainage, overspray, and other similar conditions where water flows onto adjacent property, nonirrigated areas, walks, roadways or structures is prohibited.

(b) Maintenance required. Landscape areas shall be maintained in a healthful and sound condition. Irrigation systems and their components shall be maintained in a fully functional manner consistent with the originally approved design and the provisions of these regulations.

(c) Maintenance schedule. Landscapes shall be maintained to ensure water efficiency. A regular maintenance schedule shall include, but not be limited to, checking, adjusting, and repairing irrigation equipment; resetting the automatic controller; aerating and dethatching turf areas; replenishing mulch; fertilizing; pruning; and weeding in all landscaped areas.

(Ord. No. 02(1998), § 2, 11-3-98)

(a) Developers of residential units shall provide information to prospective buyers of new homes regarding water efficient landscaping techniques.

(b) Developers of nonresidential units shall provide information to prospective buyers or tenants regarding water efficient landscaping techniques.

(Ord. No. 02(1998), § 2, 11-3-98)