Mammoth Lakes Municipal Code Ch. 17.40 Water Efficient Landscape Regulations

The specific purposes of the water efficient landscape regulations are to:

(1) Implement the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act and the 2015 California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (CA MWELO);

(2) Reduce water waste in landscaping by promoting the use of alpine region-appropriate plants that require minimal supplemental irrigation, and by establishing standards for irrigation efficiency;

(3) Establish a structure for planning, designing, installing, maintaining, and managing water efficient landscapes in new construction and rehabilitation projects;

(4) Integrate "defensible space" into all new and rehabilitated landscape projects to reduce potential wildfire impacts on private property;

(5) Promote rainwater capture and graywater use; and

(6) Promote the effective and efficient irrigation of landscapes.

(Code 1990, § 17.40.010; Ord. No. 16-07, § 4(exh. A), 9-21-2016; Ord. No. 23-03, § 4(exh. C), 4-19-2023)

(a) The standards of this section apply to all of the following projects:

(1) New construction projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 500 square feet.

(2) Rehabilitation landscape projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet.

(3) Existing landscapes that were installed before December 1, 2015, and are over one acre in size shall be subject to the provisions for existing landscapes provided for in Section 17.40.040(h).

(b) Any landscape project with an aggregate landscape area of 500—2,500 square feet may comply with the performance requirements of this section or conform to the prescriptive measures contained in the water efficient landscape checklist.

(c) For projects using treated or untreated graywater or rainwater captured on-site, any lot or parcel within the project that has less than 2,500 square feet of landscape and meets the lot or parcel's landscape water requirement (estimated total water use) entirely with treated or untreated graywater or through rainwater captured on-site is subject only to the irrigation system requirements of the water efficient landscape checklist.

(d) The following are exempt from the standards of this section when an applicant submits a WELO Exemption Form attesting to one of the following:

(1) New construction with an aggregate landscape area less than 500 square feet.

(2) Rehabilitated landscape projects with an aggregate landscape area of less than 2,500 square feet.

(3) Registered local, State, or Federal historic sites.

(4) Temporary irrigation systems utilized for three full growing seasons or less for purposes of ecological restoration, erosion/sedimentation control, and mine reclamation projects.

(5) Community gardens or plant collections, as part of botanical gardens and arboretums open to the public.

(6) Commercial cultivation of agricultural products, including, but not limited to, products of farms, orchards, production nurseries and forests.

(Code 1990, § 17.40.020; Ord. No. 16-07, § 4(exh. A), 9-21-2016; Ord. No. 23-03, § 4(exh. C), 4-19-2023)

A landscape documentation package that complies with the requirements described in Section 17.40.040 shall be submitted with the permit application for all applicable projects, except for projects that are exempt pursuant to Section 17.40.020 (d). When landscaping is proposed or required as part of a discretionary permit i.e., use permit, tentative map, etc.), the application shall include a statement on the plans or a condition of approval shall be included that indicates compliance with the Town's water efficient landscape regulations shall be demonstrated at the building permit phase. For discretionary permits that will not entail subsequent building or grading permits, a fully compliant landscape documentation package may be required as part of the discretionary permit process. The contents of the landscape documentation package shall be drawn to scale and shall demonstrate landscape water efficiency pursuant to Section 17.40.050, water efficient design and compliance options.

(Code 1990, § 17.40.030; Ord. No. 16-07, § 4(exh. A), 9-21-2016; Ord. No. 23-03, § 4(exh. C), 4-19-2023)

(a) Defensible space.

(1) All landscape projects shall include a noncombustible area at least five-feet-wide that surrounds the base of structures. This noncombustible area may incorporate noncombustible materials such as crushed rock, steppingstones, gravel, stone pavers, bare earth, irrigated herbaceous plants, or a combination of these materials. This area shall be depicted and called out on all landscape plans. This noncombustible area hall be kept free of wood mulches.

(2) Utilize boulders, stone, gravel, or other noncombustible material within the landscape to create intermittent bare spaces (fire breaks). Noncombustible landscape features and material, shall be identified on all landscape plans.

(3) Retained conifer trees located within 30 feet of a habitable structures shall be pruned to the highest roof deck height, or a maximum of 1/3 of the total tree crown height. Existing tree shall be pruned up and away from structures, to provide at least ten feet of separation from roofs and chimneys.

(4) At least ten feet of horizontal distance between individual tree crowns shall be maintained for retained conifer trees within 30 feet horizontal distance of a habitable structure.

(5) Landscape materials that are listed on the Town's prohibited planting list shall not be approved in new or rehabilitated landscape projects.

(6) New plantings located within 30 feet of a structure shall not include plants on the Town's high fire hazard plant list.

(7) Plants on the recommended plant list should be used for required and desired landscape and screening; plants that are not on the list shall be submitted for review.

(b) Plant materials.

(1) Plants shall be selected appropriately based upon their adaptability to the climatic, geologic and topographical conditions of the Town. Native species and natural areas are to be protected and preserved to the extent possible. Generally, turf is discouraged. The planting of trees is encouraged wherever it is consistent with the other provisions of this chapter. Recommendations for plant materials that could meet the requirements of this section are included in the Town recommended plant list found in the Making the Most of Every Drop user's guide and methods to achieve water efficiency shall include one or more of the following:

a. Use the Sunset Western Climate Zone System which takes into account temperature, humidity, elevation, terrain, latitude, and varying degrees of continental influence on local climate;

b. Recognize the horticultural attributes of plants (i.e., mature plant size, invasive surface roots) to minimize damage to property or infrastructure (e.g., buildings, sidewalks, powerlines) and allow for adequate soil volume for healthy root growth; and

c. Consider the solar orientation for plant placement to maximize winter solar gain.

(2) Plants having similar water use should be grouped together by hydrozone (i.e., high, medium, low). Though not encouraged, plants of low and moderate water use may be planted in the same hydrozone, and plants of moderate and high water use may be planted in the same hydrozone. Plants of low and high water use may not be planted in the same hydrozone. The estimated total water usage (Section 17.40.040(f)) for these mixed areas shall assume a plant factor based on the proportions of the represented plant species or apply the plant factor of the least water efficient plant species (refer to Making the Most of Every Drop user's guide).

(3) Plant materials and mulches will be in compliance with local fire codes. Fire prevention measures shall be addressed in areas that are fire prone as identified by The Mammoth Fire Severity Zone Map.

(4) Turf shall not be planted on slopes greater than 25 percent.

(5) No portions of turf areas shall be less than ten feet wide to prevent overspray.

(6) Noxious weeds as identified by the USDA and invasive plant species as identified in by the California Invasive Plant Inventory are prohibited.

(7) The landscape area shall be the sum of all the landscaped areas on the site per the definition in Section 17.148.020.

(8) The landscape area shall use efficient water conservation practices and shall generally separate areas of similar slope, sun exposure, soil, and other site conditions appropriate for the selected plants. Refer to the Making the Most of Every Drop user's guide.

(9) High water use plants (including turf), characterized by a plant factor of 0.7 to 1.0, are prohibited in street medians.

(10) The architectural guidelines of a common interest development, which include community apartment projects, condominiums, planned developments, and stock cooperatives, shall not prohibit or include conditions that have the effect of prohibiting the use of low-water plants as a group.

(c) Soil preparation and mulch.

(1) Prior to the planting of any materials, compacted soils shall be transformed to a friable condition. On engineered slopes, only amended planting holes need meet this requirement.

(2) For landscape installations, compost at a rate of a minimum of four cubic yards per 1,000 square feet of permeable area shall be incorporated to a depth of six inches into the soil. Soils with greater than six percent organic matter in the top six inches of soil are exempt from adding compost and tilling.

(3) A minimum three-inch layer of mulch shall be applied on all exposed soil surfaces of non-turf planting areas, except for creeping or rooting groundcovers, direct seeding, and other applications where mulch is contraindicated. To provide habitat for beneficial insects and other wildlife, up to five percent of the landscape area may be left without mulch. Designated insect habitat must be included in the landscape design plan as such. Stabilizing mulching products shall be used on slopes that meet current engineering standards. The mulching portion of the seed/mulch slurry in hydro-seeded applications shall meet the mulching requirement.

(4) Organic mulch materials made from recycled or post-consumer materials shall be used instead of inorganic materials or virgin forest products unless the recycled post-consumer organic products are not locally available. Organic mulches are not required where prohibited by local fire codes.

(5) When a soil management report is required pursuant to the application requirements, the soil analysis recommendations shall be implemented and soil amendments shall be incorporated according to the report and what is appropriate for the plants selected.

(d) Irrigation specifications. This section applies to landscaped areas requiring permanent irrigation, not areas that require temporary irrigation solely for the plant establishment period.

(1) The irrigation system and its related components shall be planned and designed to allow for proper installation, operation, management, and maintenance. An irrigation system is expected to meet or exceed 75 percent efficiency for overhead spray devices and 81 percent efficiency for drip system devices and be installed in compliance with the manufacturers' recommendations.

(2) All irrigation systems shall be designed to avoid runoff, low head drainage, overspray, or other similar conditions where water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, walks, roadways, or structures.

(3) Automatic irrigation controllers and sensors are required. Controllers may either be weather-based or soil moisture-based controllers utilizing non-volatile memory that automatically adjust irrigation in response to changes in plants' needs as weather conditions change. Sensors (rain, freeze, wind, etc.), either integral or auxiliary, shall be required and shall function to suspend or alter irrigation operation during unfavorable weather conditions.

(4) Proper irrigation equipment and schedules, including features such as repeat cycles, shall be used to closely match application rates with soil type and soil infiltration rates in order to minimize runoff.

(5) Low-volume irrigation shall be required in mulched areas to maximize water infiltration into the root zone. Narrow or irregularly shaped areas that are less than ten feet in width in any direction shall be irrigated with subsurface irrigation or other means that produces no runoff or overspray. In areas with slopes greater than 25 percent, the area shall not be irrigated with an irrigation system with an application rate exceeding three-quarters of an inch per hour unless the landscape designer specifies an alternative design or technology, as part of the landscape documentation package, and clearly demonstrates no runoff or erosion will occur. Prevention of runoff and erosion must be confirmed during the irrigation audit.

(6) Pressure regulation is a key component in efficient irrigation system operation. Static pressure throughout the Town varies greatly due to many factors (e.g., topography, time of year, time of day, location of project in relationship to water source, etc.). Pressure regulation shall be required on all projects and set to 60 pounds per square inch unless the landscape plan demonstrates a need for higher pressure. The system shall be designed to ensure that the dynamic pressure at irrigation feature is within the manufacturer's recommended pressure range for optimal performance.

(7) Overhead irrigation is prohibited within 24 inches of any non-permeable surface. If planted, only low-volume irrigation shall be allowed within the 24-inch setback.

(8) Recirculating water shall be used for decorative water features. Surface area of a water feature shall be included in the high water use hydrozone area of the water budget calculation.

(9) Backflow prevention devices shall be required to protect the water supply from contamination by the irrigation system.

(10) Irrigation systems for nonresidential landscapes and residential landscapes of 5,000 square feet or larger shall include flow sensors that detect high flow conditions created by system damage or malfunction.

(11) Master shut-off valves are required on all landscape projects except landscapes that make use of technologies that allow for the individual control of sprinklers that are individually pressurized in a system equipped with low pressure shut down features.

(12) Manual shut-off valves (such as a gate valve, ball valve, or butterfly valve) shall be required, as close as possible to the point of connection of the water supply, to minimize water loss in case of an emergency or routine repair.

(13) Check valves or anti-drain valves are required on all sprinkler heads where low point drainage could occur.

(14) The design of the irrigation system shall conform to the hydrozones of the landscape design plan and each valve shall irrigate a hydrozone with similar site, slope, sun exposure, soil conditions, and plant materials with similar water use. Sprinkler heads and other emission devices shall be selected based on what is appropriate for the plant type within that hydrozone.

(15) Sprinkler heads shall have matched precipitation rates within each control circuit valve and shall be selected for proper coverage and precipitation rate. Head to head coverage is recommended and sprinkler spacing shall be designed to achieve the highest possible distribution uniformity using the manufacturer's recommendations.

(16) Swing joints or other riser-protection components are required on all risers subject to damage that are adjacent to hardscapes or located in high traffic areas.

(17) Where feasible, trees shall be placed on separate valves from shrubs, groundcovers, and turf to facilitate the appropriate irrigation of trees. The mature size and extent of the root zone shall be considered when designing irrigation for the tree.

(18) All irrigation emission devices must meet the requirements set in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers/International Code Council's (ASABE/ICC) 802-2014, Landscape Irrigation Sprinkler and Emitter Standard. All sprinkler heads installed in the landscape must document a distribution uniformity low quarter of 0.65 or higher using the protocol defined in the ASABE/ICC 802-2014.

(e) Mammoth Community Water District (MCWD) served connections.

(1) Separate landscape water meters, defined as either a dedicated water service meter or private submeter, shall be installed for all nonresidential irrigated landscapes of 1,000 square feet, but not more than 5,000 square feet (the level at which Water Code 535 applies) and residential irrigated landscapes of 5,000 square feet or greater, or as required by MCWD Code if the MCWD Code has more stringent standards. A landscape water meter may be either a customer service meter dedicated to landscape use provided by the MCWD or a privately owned meter or submeter.

(2) When a landscape has a separate water meter the irrigation system and decorative water features shall be designed to allow for the current and future use of recycled water and shall use recycled water. Compliance or exemption shall be documented via a written letter from the MCWD, that details compliance or states that recycled water meeting all public health codes and standards is not available and will not be available for the foreseeable future.

(3) Program settings for irrigation controllers shall comply with MCWD watering regulations.

(4) All irrigation shall be subject to regulations and restrictions put forth by the MCWD.

(f) Maintenance. A regular maintenance schedule shall be submitted as part of the landscape documentation package. Landscapes shall be maintained to ensure water efficiency. A regular maintenance schedule shall include, but not be limited to, testing; auditing; adjusting and repairing backflow prevention devices, pressure regulating devices and irrigation equipment; resetting the automatic controller; aerating and dethatching turf areas; replenishing mulch; fertilizing; pruning; weeding in all landscaped areas; and removing obstructions to emission devices. Refer to Section 17.40.070.

(g) Water budget worksheet. When a landscape documentation package is required, the project applicant shall complete the water budget worksheet contained within the landscape documentation package application which contains information on the plant factor, irrigation method, irrigation efficiency, and area associated with each hydrozone. Calculations are then made to show that the evapotranspiration adjustment factor (ETAF) for the landscape project does not exceed a factor of 0.55 for residential areas and 0.45 for nonresidential areas, exclusive of special landscape areas (SLAs). The ETAF for a landscape project is based on the plant factors and irrigation methods selected. The maximum applied water allowance (MAWA) is calculated based on the maximum ETAF allowed (0.55 for residential areas and 0.45 for nonresidential areas) and expressed as annual gallons required. The estimated total water use (ETWU) is calculated based on the plants used and irrigation method selected for the landscape design. ETWU must be below the MAWA.

(1) In calculating the maximum applied water allowance (MAWA) and estimated total water use (ETWU), a project applicant shall use the evapotranspiration (ETo) value for Mammoth Lakes, which is 33 inches.

(2) Water budget calculations shall adhere to the following requirements:

a. The plant factor (PF) value may be found in the Making the Most of Every Drop user's guide, or for more specific information the WUCOLS publication, or may be more precisely determined by a landscape professional, with consideration of site-specific soil and microclimate conditions. The PF ranges from 0 to 0.1 for very low water using plants, 0.1 to 0.3 for low water use plants, 0.4 to 0.6 for moderate water use plants, and from 0.7 to 1.0 for high water use plants.

b. All water features shall be included in the high water use hydrozone and temporarily irrigated areas shall be included in the low water use hydrozone.

c. All special landscape areas (SLAs) shall be identified and their water use calculated. ETAF for new and existing (non-rehabilitated) SLAs shall not exceed 1.0.

(h) Graywater systems. Graywater systems are encouraged for on-site landscape irrigation. All gray water water systems shall conform to the California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5, Chapter 16 of the California Code of Regulations) and any requirements of the Town or MCWD.

(i) Existing landscapes over one acre in size. For existing landscapes over one acre in size that have a landscape water meter, the Town or MCWD shall administer programs that may include, but not be limited to, irrigation water use analyses, irrigation surveys, and irrigation audits to evaluate water use and provide recommendations as necessary to reduce landscape water use to a level that does not exceed the maximum applied water allowance for existing landscapes. The maximum applied water allowance for existing landscapes shall be calculated as: MAWA equals (0.8) (ETo) (LA) (0.62). For existing landscapes over one acre in size that do not have a landscape water meter, the Town or MCWD shall administer programs that may include, but not be limited to, irrigation surveys and irrigation audits to evaluate water use and provide recommendations as necessary in order to prevent water waste.

(j) Other information. Other information determined necessary by the Director.

(Code 1990, § 17.40.040; Ord. No. 16-07, § 4(exh. A), 9-21-2016; Ord. No. 23-03, § 4(exh. C), 4-19-2023)

One of four options (Options A through D) for landscape design compliance documentation shall be chosen to demonstrate that the landscape project meets water efficiency requirements. The options coordinate with the level of water conservation in the design of the landscape. Refer to the Making the Most of Every Drop user's guide for additional information and examples of landscape documentation package contents for Options B and C.

(1) Option A: water efficient landscape checklist. A water efficient landscape checklist may be submitted in-lieu of completion of Options B through D for any landscape project that complies with all of the requirements and limitations of the water efficient landscape checklist and has an aggregate landscape area of 500 to 2,500 square feet.

a. Water efficiency. Plans must demonstrate all of the following as a means of achieving water efficiency.

1. Residential.

(i) At least 75 percent of the landscape area shall consist of low to very-low water-use plants (plant factor of 0.3 or less), excluding edibles and areas using recycled water.

(ii) A maximum of 25 percent of the landscape area is permitted to be turf or other high water-use plants (plant factor of 0.7 to 1.0), however the average plant factor for this area shall not exceed 0.6. Landscape areas that have turf or other high water-use plants shall not be on slopes greater than 25 percent or in areas less than ten feet wide.

2. Nonresidential. One hundred percent of the landscape area shall consist of low to very-low water-use plants (plant factor of 0.3 or less), excluding edibles and areas using recycled water.

b. Landscape documentation package required contents.

1. Landscape checklist form. Submittal of the signed landscape checklist form confirming that the soil preparation, irrigation system, planting, mulch, and other landscape elements will comply with the checklist standards.

2. Certification of substantial compliance. Refer to Section 17.40.040(e).

3. Irrigation survey and report. Refer to Section 17.40.060(a)(2).

(2) Option B: low water use/no lawn.

a. Water efficiency. Plans must demonstrate all of the following as a means of achieving water efficiency.

1. No turf or special landscape areas are allowed.

2. At least 51 percent of the landscape area consists of low water-use plants (plant factor of 0.3 or less).

3. The remaining percentage of the landscape area shall consist of plantings that have an average plant factor of 0.6 or less.

b. Landscape documentation package required contents.

1. Landscape area plan. Locates, delineates, and identifies square footage of all landscape area hydrozones by number, letter, or other method. Each hydrozone will note the associated plant factor or water usage (i.e., very-low, low, medium or high) for the types of plants to be installed within the hydrozone.

2. Project plant schedule. Lists landscape plants, including common name, Latin name, water usage (low, medium or high), and fire hazard (low, medium or high).

(i) The plant list should not include any plant types that increase wildfire susceptibility.

(ii) Identify species contained in seed mix, if applicable.

3. Basic irrigation plan. Identifies station control valves location, backflow prevention device, pressure regulation valves, point of connection to property's service lateral, extent of area serviced by irrigation, and specifies the type of irrigation emission devices (e.g., drip, spray, soaker hose or other) for each hydrozone. Each hydrozone shall be on a separate valve. Low-volume irrigation is required in all areas.

4. Maintenance schedule. Refer to Section 17.40.040(e).

5. Certification of substantial completion. Refer to Section 17.40.060(a)(1).

6. Irrigation survey and report. Refer to Section 17.40.060(a)(2).

(3) Option C: medium water use/limited lawn.

a. Water efficiency. Plans must demonstrate all of the following as a means of achieving water efficiency.

1. The ETWU for the landscape must be less than or equal to 85 percent of MAWA.

2. Turf shall not exceed 20 percent of the total landscape area, or 1,250 square feet, whichever is less.

b. Landscape documentation package required contents.

1. Landscape area plan. Locates, delineates, and identifies square footage of all landscape area hydrozones by number, letter, or other method. Each hydrozone will note the associated plant factor or water usage (i.e., very-low, low, medium or high) for the types of plants to be installed within the hydrozone.

2. Project plant schedule. Lists landscape plants, including common name, Latin name, water usage (low, medium or high).

(i) The plant list should not include any plant types that increase wildfire susceptibility.

(ii) Identify species contained in seed mix, if applicable.

3. Slope plan. If turf is included in the landscape a separate plan shall identify the extent of turf areas and the percent grade of the property to demonstrate that turf will not be planted on a slope of 25 percent or more.

4. Basic irrigation plan. Identifies station control valve locations, backflow prevention device, pressure regulation valves, point of connection to property's service lateral, extent of area serviced by irrigation, and specifies the type of irrigation emission device (e.g., drip, spray, soaker hose or other) for each hydrozone. Each hydrozone shall be on a separate valve. Irrigation devices installed for turf shall have matched precipitation rates and sprinkler layout shall be designed for high distribution uniformity.

5. Water budget worksheet. Show maximum applied water allowance and estimated total water usage calculations (Section 17.40.040(f)).

6. Maintenance schedule. Refer to Section 17.40.040(e) and Section 17.40.070.

7. Certification of substantial completion. Refer to Section 17.40.060(a)(1).

8. Irrigation survey and report. Refer to Section 17.40.060(a)(2).

(4) Option D: Maximum applied water allowance compliance option.

a. Preparation of plans. Plans shall be prepared by, and bear the signature of, a licensed landscape architect, licensed landscape contractor, or any other person authorized by the State to design the required elements.

b. Total landscape area and water usage. Plans shall demonstrate that the total landscape area maximum applied water allowance shall not be exceeded by the landscape's estimated total water usage.

c. Landscape documentation package required contents.

1. Detailed planting plan. The detailed planting plan shall include the following:

(i) General notes, planting notes, plant layout based on size at maturity, species, and symbol legend;

(ii) Spacing of proposed plantings;

(iii) Locations of and trunk diameter of all existing trees whose trunk circumference is greater than 12 inches, measured at diameter at breast height.

(iv) Existing features to remain, such as trees, fencing, hardscape, etc.;

(v) Existing features to be removed;

(vi) Identification of pertinent site factors such as sun exposure, microclimate, property lines, buildings, underground/above-ground utilities, existing drainage features, etc.;

(vii) Locate, delineate, and identify square footage of each hydrozone by number, letter, or other method. Each hydrozone will identify the associated plant factor (i.e., very-low, low, medium, or high) for the types of plants to be installed within the hydrozone;

(viii) Identify and provide square footage of any special landscape areas;

(ix) Demonstrate plants have been arranged to provide defensible space for wildfire protection;

(x) Identify type of mulch and application depth; and

(xi) Identify hardscapes (pervious and non-pervious).

2. Project plant schedule. The project plant schedule lists all plants, including common name, Latin name, quantity, plant factor and water usage, to be installed as part of the project.

(i) The plant list should not include any plant types that increase wildfires susceptibility.

(ii) Identify species contained in seed mix, if applicable.

3. Soil management report. The purpose of this report is to reduce runoff and encourage healthy plant growth. The report shall include the following at a minimum:

(i) Soil texture;

(ii) Infiltration rate determined by laboratory test or soil texture infiltration rate table;

(iii) pH;

(iv) Total soluble salts;

(v) Sodium;

(vi) Percent organic matter; and

(vii) Recommendations.

In projects with multiple landscape installations (i.e., production home developments), a soil sampling rate of one in seven lots or approximately 15 percent will satisfy this requirement. Large landscape projects shall sample at a rate equivalent to one in seven lots.

4. Detailed irrigation plan. The detailed irrigation plan shall contain all of the following:

(i) Location, type and size of all components of the irrigation system (e.g., controllers, main and lateral lines, valves, sprinkler heads, moisture sensing devices, rain switches, quick couplers, pressure regulators, and backflow prevention devices). Each hydrozone shall be on a separate valve;

(ii) Water flow rate (gallons per minute), application rate (inches per hour), and design operating pressure (pressure per square inch) for each station;

(iii) Irrigation schedule; an annual irrigation program with monthly irrigation schedules shall be required for the plant establishment period, for the established landscape, and for any temporary 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 each station; and

B. Provide the amount of applied water recommended on a monthly and annual basis.

(iv) Location and size of separate water meters for landscape if applicable.

5. Grading and drainage plan. The grading and drainage plan shall be designed to minimize soil erosion, runoff, and water waste. A comprehensive grading plan prepared by a civil engineer for other local agency permits satisfies this requirement. The grading and drainage plan shall bear the signature of licensed professional and indicate finished configurations and elevations of the landscape area, including:

(i) Height of graded slopes;

(ii) Drainage patterns;

(iii) Pad elevations;

(iv) Finish grade; and

(v) Stormwater retention improvements, if applicable.

6. Water budget worksheet. The water budget worksheet (Section 17.40.040(f)) showing maximum applied water allowance and estimated total water usage must be completed by a landscape architect, certified irrigation designer, certified landscape irrigation auditor, landscape contractor, licensed professional engineer or other person who is authorized by the State to complete a water budget worksheet.

7. Statementof compliance. The following statement should be included on the plans "I (We) have complied with the criteria of the Town water efficient landscape regulations."

8. Certification of substantial completion. Refer to Section 17.40.060(a)(1).

9. Comprehensive survey and report. Refer to Section 17.40.060(a)(3).

(Code 1990, § 17.40.050; Ord. No. 16-07, § 4(exh. A), 9-21-2016)

(a) Documents for project completion.

(1) Certification of substantial completion. For Options A, B, C and D (Sections 17.40.050(a), (b), (c) and (d)), upon completion of the installation of the landscaping and irrigation system a certificate of substantial completion shall be submitted to the Town as noted below. The certificate shall include the following statement: "The landscape and irrigation system has been installed as specified in the landscape and irrigation plan and complies with the criteria of the Town Water Efficient Landscape Regulations and the permits issued by the Town for the project."

(2) Irrigation survey and report. For projects demonstrating compliance under Options A, B, or C (Section 17.40.050(a), (b), or (c)) a report shall be provided that includes, but is not limited to, inspection of pressure at the emission devices, ability to eliminate overspray, and installation of appropriate controller. A report shall be provided and shall document any problems encountered and shall identify and explain any discrepancies between the plan and installation. The irrigation survey shall be performed by an irrigation auditor who is either a local agency landscape irrigation auditor or a third-party certified landscape irrigation auditor. Landscape audits shall not be conducted by the person who designed the landscape or installed the landscape.

(3) Comprehensive survey and report. For projects demonstrating compliance under Option D (Section 17.40.050(d)): A report shall verify all contents of the landscape documentation package were installed as specified. The reports shall document any problems encountered and shall identify and explain any discrepancies between the landscape documentation package and installation. A certified irrigation auditor shall conduct an audit report for any spray or overhead irrigation system. A distribution uniformity (catch can) analysis must achieve a DU of 75 percent or better for spray sprinklers and 80 percent for rotary sprinklers.

(b) Project completion. Approval of the documents of project completion is required prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the project. For projects served by MCWD, approval of the documents of project completion by the Town shall be marked as preliminary until MCWD confirms in writing that the preliminary approved documents have been received regardless of meter requirements.

(Code 1990, § 17.40.060; Ord. No. 16-07, § 4(exh. A), 9-21-2016)

(a) The landscape and irrigation system shall be maintained to ensure successful establishment following installation, and to ensure water use efficiency remains equal to or below maximum applied water allowance, consistent with submitted plans and requirements of this chapter. Irrigation systems shall be tested, adjusted and repaired following the manufacturers' specification and the recommendations of the landscape professional.

(b) A diagram of the irrigation plan showing hydrozones shall be kept with the irrigation controller for subsequent management purposes.

(c) Whenever possible, repair of irrigation equipment shall be done with the originally specified materials or their equivalents, or with components of greater efficiency.

(d) Failed plants shall be replaced with the same or functionally equivalent species that may be size-adjusted as appropriate for the stage of growth of the overall installation.

(Code 1990, § 17.40.070; Ord. No. 16-07, § 4(exh. A), 9-21-2016)

The Town shall comply with all reporting requirements outlined in the CA Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (CA MWELO), Section 495.

(Code 1990, § 17.40.080; Ord. No. 16-07, § 4(exh. A), 9-21-2016)