Maywood Municipal Code Ch. 8 Water-Efficient Landscape Requirements

The intent of the water-efficient landscape chapter is to:

(a) Promote the values and benefits of landscapes while recognizing the need to invest water and other resources as efficiently as possible.

(b) Establish a plan for designing, installing, and maintaining water-efficient landscapes in new projects.

(§ 1, Ord. 93-397, eff. January 5, 1993)

For the purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain words and phrases used in this chapter are defined as follows:

"Department", unless otherwise noted, shall mean the Community Development Department of the City.

"Developer-installed" means the landscaping installed at the time of initial construction of a project, or installed by or at the direction of a person not occupying or intending to occupy the dwelling unit.

"Ecological restoration project" means a project where the site is intentionally altered to establish a defined, indigenous, historic ecosystem.

"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 non-irrigated. For example, a naturalized area planted with native vegetation that will not need supplemental irrigation once established is a non-irrigated 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).

"Landscaped area" means the entire parcel area less the building footprint, driveway, non-irrigated portions of parking lots, hardscapes such as decks, patios and other non-porous areas. Water features are included in the calculation of the landscaped area. Areas dedicated to edible plants, such as orchards or vegetable gardens, are not included.

"Mulch" means any material such as leaves, bark, straw, compost, manure, or other materials left loose and applied to the soil surface to reduce evaporation.

"Overspray" means the water which is delivered beyond the landscaped area, wetting pavements, walks, structures, or other non-landscaped areas.

"Rain sensing device" means a system which automatically shuts off the irrigation system when it rains.

"Recreational area" means areas of active play or recreation such as sports fields, schools yards, picnic grounds, golf courses, or other areas with intense foot traffic, excluding recreational areas in multi-family residential units required by the Maywood Municipal Code.

"Rehabilitated landscape" means any re-landscaping project that requires or is a component of a required permit, including a grading permit, building permit or special use permit.

"Runoff" means water which is not absorbed by the soil or landscape to which it is applied and flows from the area. For example, runoff may result from water that is applied at too great a rate (application rate exceeds infiltration rate) or where there is a severe slope.

"Soil moisture sensing device" means a device that measures the amount of water in the soil.

"Turf" means a single-bladed grass or sod.

(§ 1, Ord. 93-397, eff. January 5, 1993)

(a) Applicability.

(1) This chapter shall apply to:

(i) All new and rehabilitated landscaping for public agency projects and private development projects that require a grading permit, building permit or special use permit; and

(ii) Developer-installed landscaping in single-family and multi-family residential projects.

(2) This chapter shall not apply to:

(i) Homeowner-provided landscaping in single-family and multi-family residential projects;

(ii) Cemeteries;

(iii) Historical sites registered with the City, County or State or other historical registries;

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

(v) Any project with a landscaped area less than 3,000 square feet;

(vi) Recreation areas as defined herein.

(b) Landscape/irrigation plan package requirements.

(1) A copy of the landscape/irrigation plan conforming to this chapter and landscape plan check fee as set forth by the City Council by resolution shall be submitted to the Department. No grading or building permits shall be issued until the Department reviews and approves the landscape/irrigation plan.

(2) A copy of the approved landscape/irrigation plan package shall be provided to the property owner or site manager along with the record drawings.

(3) Each landscape/irrigation plan package shall include the following elements, as described in this chapter.

(i) Landscape design plan;

(ii) Irrigation design plan;

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

(iv) Such other information as deemed necessary by the Director of Building and Planning, including, but not limited to, a grading design plan and/or soil analysis.

(c) Elements of the landscape/irrigation plan package. A landscape design plan conforming to the following requirements shall be submitted as part of the landscape/irrigation plan package:

(1) Plant selection and grouping.

(i) Plants having similar water use shall be grouped together in distinct hydrozones.

(ii) 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 encouraged wherever it is consistent with the other provisions of this chapter.

(iii) Fire prevention needs shall be addressed in areas that are fire-prone.

(2) Water features.

(i) Recirculating water shall be used for decorative water features.

(ii) Pool and spa covers are encouraged.

(3) 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 and a description of water usage within said hydrozones (low, moderate and high irrigation water requirements);

(ii) Landscape materials, trees, shrubs, ground cover, turf, and other vegetation. Planting symbols shall be clearly drawn and plants labeled by botanical name, common name, 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 pad elevations if applicable;

(vii) Natural features, including, but not limited to, existing trees, rock outcroppings, shrubs, etc., that will remain;

(viii) Tree staking, plant installation, soil preparation details, and any other applicable planting and installation details;

(ix) A calculation of the total landscaped area in square footage and the percentage of turf area proposed;

(x) Designation of active recreational areas.

(4) Irrigation design plan. An irrigation design plan conforming to the following requirements shall be submitted as part of the landscape/irrigation plan package.

(i) Runoff and overspray.

(aa) 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, non-irrigated areas, walks, road-ways 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.

(ab) Special attention shall be given to avoid runoff on slopes and to avoid overspray in planting areas with a width less than ten (10′) feet, and in median strips.

(ii) Equipment.

(aa) Water meters. A separate landscape water meter shall be installed for all projects except for single-family homes or any project with a landscaped area of less than 5,000 square feet.

(ab) Controllers. Automatic control systems shall be required for all irrigation systems and must be able to accommodate all aspects of the design.

(ac) 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. Anti-drain (check) valves shall be installed in strategic points to minimize or prevent low-head drainage.

(ad) 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.

(ae) Rain sensing override devices. It is recommended that soil moisture sensing devices be considered where appropriate.

(iii) Irrigation design plan specifications. Irrigation systems shall be designed to be consistent with hydrozones.

The irrigation design plan shall accurately and clearly identify:

(aa) Location and size of separate water meters for the landscape;

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

(ac) Static water pressure at the point of connection to the public water supply;

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

(5) Certificate of substantial completion. Prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, the developer shall submit a Certificate of Substantial Completion to the City, utilizing forms designated for this purpose.

(d) Water-efficient landscape criteria. Landscape and irrigation plans shall be reviewed for compliance with the water-efficient landscape criteria which comprise a point system, with points awarded for both landscape and irrigation techniques. Selection of the techniques to be used for compliance shall be at the discretion of the applicant.

A minimum of 100 points shall be achieved in each of the landscape and irrigation technique categories in order for the Department to approve the plans. Compliance with each technique shall result in the total number of points being achieved.

(§ 1, Ord. 93-397, eff. January 5, 1993)

(a) 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, non-irrigated areas, walks, roadways or structures is prohibited.

(b) All landscape areas, whether installed pursuant to this chapter or not, 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 this chapter.

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

(§ 1, Ord. 93-397, eff. January 5, 1993)

(a) The Director of Building and Planning or designee, without public hearing, may grant variances allowing minor deviations from chapter requirements limited to the following:

(1) Minor modifications to approved landscaping, irrigation or grading plans which comply with the spirit and intent of this chapter, including, but not limited to, revising or substituting plant varieties, container sizes, plant locations, irrigation specifications, hardscape components, beam heights, beam locations, slope features and the like; and

(2) Modifications of planting, installation and/or soil preparation details.

(b) The Director of Building and Planning's (or designee's) decision may be appealed to the Planning Commission in writing. The Commission shall decide the manner de novo. A public hearing shall not be required in granting a minor deviation. The Director shall not approve more than one minor deviation per project.

(§ 1, Ord. 93-397, eff. January 5, 1993)