Chapter 13.55 — WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES

The following regulations are intended as design guidelines for all commercial and industrial projects utilizing fresh water.

(Ord. 554, 1993; Ord. 661, 2009)

• A. A minimum of seventy-five percent of the plants selected shall be drought tolerant, as listed in either of the following two sources:

  1. "Drought Tolerant Landscape" for Amador County, published by Amador Water Agency; and/or

  2. "New Western Garden Book" list of Drought Tolerant Plants, published by Sunset Magazine.

• B. Proposed turf and/or nondrought tolerant plants areas shall be limited to a maximum of twenty-five percent of the total landscaped area.

• C. Turf shall not be allowed within a city parkway strip or right-of-way, in landscaped areas less than eight feet in width, and on berms.

• D. Turf and/or nondrought tolerant plant material shall be grouped together.

• E. The irrigation system shall incorporate multiple water lines in order to separate droughttolerant plants from nondrought-tolerant plant material. Minimum water consumption shall be the primary objective in the design of the irrigation system, which should include (but not limited to) drip emitters, bubbler heads, micro spray units, etc.

• F. An electric control box shall operate the irrigation system, and shall have the capability to accept ground moisture sensors and/or automatic rain shut-off devices.

• G. Ground moisture sensors and/or automatic rain shut-off devices are strongly recommended accessories for the irrigation system.

• H. A minimum of two inches of mulch or secure synthetic mulch membrane shall be added to the entire landscaped ground surface in all non-turf landscape areas.

• I. Open water bodies (including, but not limited to, ponds, decorative fountains, basins, reflective pools, and spray/mist fountains, etc.) are not recommended as landscaping features.

(Ord. 554, 1993; Ord. 661, 2009)

The following regulations and uses of water must be adhered to by any person, business, entity, association, institution or any other user of water provided by the City of Jackson:

• A. The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes runoff such that water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots, or structures is prohibited.

• B. Permitting a hydrant, tap, cock, or valve connected with the water system to leak into the ground or into any sink, bowl, toilet, or tub connected with a sewer or cesspool.

• C. Failing to repair any water leak after being informed of the same by the city and provided a reasonable time to repair. Thirty days is presumptively reasonable. The city may determine that a leak exists by reference to changes in historic water usage or where a property has higher average water use than similar properties or uses.

• D. Allowing water, at or as a result of its point of use, to pond deeper than one-quarter inch on any paved or unpaved surface. This subsection shall not apply to swimming pools, fountains or other similar decorative or recreational water features. Ponding is prohibited whether it occurs on the responsible party's property or adjacent public or private property.

• (Ord. 695 §1, 2016; Ord. 709 §4, 2019)