Chapter 18.04 — DESIGN STANDARDS FOR WATERCOURSES

When a landscape plan is required under Section 17.17.1 of this code for a property on which or along which a watercourse is located, the landscape plan shall also provide appropriate native riparian vegetation and other improvements in compliance with the following standards: A. Responsible resource agency approvals shall be obtained prior to issuance of building or grading permits; B. Grading shall be minimized and shall replicate the site's natural drainage patterns; C.

The grading/drainage plan shall be designed to the satisfaction of the city using best management practices to minimize the concentration of stormwater runoff and to maximize pervious surface infiltration on site in order to minimize the impact to creek hydrology and habitat; D. Drainage pipes may not be discharged to a watercourse. Where practicable, drainage should be routed to landscaped areas; E. Existing native trees and existing desirable native shrubs shall be incorporated into design as much as possible; F. Appropriate locally native tree and shrub plant materials shall be used; G. All planting within the watercourse setback prescribed in Section 16.64.220(C) of this code shall be limited to locally native species, and locally native plant materials shall be used whenever possible; H. Locally native species are recommended for all landscaping within the watercourse setback, but in any case riparian restoration shall use only non-invasive plant materials that require little or no summer watering and a minimum of chemical additives such as fertilizer and pesticides; I. Landscaping shall not require irrigation after establishment; J. To allow for wildlife movements, no fencing shall be placed across a watercourse or within the setback; K. Planting within the dripline of native trees shall be drought-tolerant and not require irrigation once established; L. Invasive pest plants shown on the official Planning Department list of invasive plants shall be removed and not planted; M. Construction should be carried out during the dry season;

N. During construction, construction netting shall be placed at top of the bank of the watercourse and around the dripline of native trees outside the watercourse; O. Surface disturbance or grade changes shall not be allowed around dripline of native trees outside of the watercourse; P. Fill shall not be placed within the watercourse setback unless specifically authorized by the City Engineer, the responsible resource agencies and the approved plans; W. The Planning Director shall be contacted prior to construction to ensure compliance with stormwater discharge prevention requirements. (Ord. 04-08 § 2 Exh. A (part))

As a condition of final approval of a new structure, an addition to an existing structure, or any other improvement requiring a building permit on a property on which or along which a watercourse is located, the property owner shall provide written certification by a licensed landscape or professional, such as: (1) a landscape architect or hydrologist, (2) a biologist, or (3) other professional (licensed or not) approved by the city based on education, training and experience that: (1) the riparian landscape plan has been implemented, and (2) the watercourse is free of any obstructions. (Ord. 04-08 § 2 Exh. A (part))

A stormwater control plan may be required as a condition of approval of any structure or improvement subject to the provisions of Title 17 as provided in the city of Orinda Residential Stormwater Management Guidelines. (Ord. 04-08 § 2 Exh. A (part))