Chapter 15.17 — WATER CONSERVATION REGULATIONS

This chapter shall be known as and may be cited as the "City of Petaluma Water Conservation Regulations

Ordinance." The purpose of this chapter is to promote the eYcient use and reuse of water by all city of Petaluma

water service customers by requiring that all new construction projects and existing customers use water as

eYciently as possible and comply with new development standards, landscape water use eYciency standards and

water waste prohibition regulations. (Ord. 2316 NCS §3, 2009.)

A. Unless a provision in this chapter speciWes otherwise, the following terms and phrases, as used in this

chapter, shall have the meanings hereinafter designated:

 1.   "Applied water" means the portion of water supplied by the irrigation system to the landscape.

 2.   "Authorized representative" or "agent" means any person(s) with written authorization from the property

owner to sign documents and bind the property owner to compliance with this chapter.

 3.   "Automatic irrigation controller" means a timing device used to remotely control valves that operate an

 irrigation system. Automatic irrigation controllers are able to self-adjust and schedule irrigation events using

 either evapotranspiration (weather-based) or soil moisture data.

 4.  "BackXow prevention device" means a safety device used to prevent pollution or contamination of the

water supply due to the reverse Xow of water from the irrigation system.

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 5.   "CertiWcate of completion" means the document required in Section 15.17.050(D).

 6.   "CertiWed irrigation designer" means a person certiWed to design irrigation systems by an accredited

academic institution, a professional trade organization or other program such as the U.S. Environmental

 Protection Agency’s WaterSense irrigation designer certiWcation program and Irrigation Association’s certiWed

 irrigation designer program.

 7.   "CertiWed landscape irrigation auditor" means a person certiWed to perform landscape irrigation audits

by an accredited academic institution, a professional trade organization or other program such as the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense irrigation auditor certiWcation program and Irrigation

 Association’s certiWed landscape irrigation auditor program.

 8.   "Check valve" or "anti-drain valve" means a valve located under a sprinkler head or other location in the

 irrigation system, to hold water in the system to prevent drainage from sprinkler heads when the sprinkler is

o[.

 9.   "City" means the city of Petaluma. The city council of Petaluma may designate the position(s) or person(s)

 to whom responsibilities and authority of the city are delegated and may from time to time modify such

 delegations. Absent any further speciWc delegation by the city council, the authority and responsibility set

 forth in this chapter shall be delegated to the director of publics works and utilities, including his or her

 designee(s).

 10.  "Compost" means the safe and stable product of controlled biologic decomposition of organic materials

 that is beneWcial to plant growth.

 11.  "Conversion factor (0.62)" means the number that converts acre-inches per acre per year to gallons per

square foot per year.

12. "Distribution uniformity" means the measure of the uniformity of irrigation water over a deWned area.

    13. "Drip irrigation" means any nonspray low-volume irrigation system utilizing emission devices with a Xow

    rate measured in gallons per hour. Low-volume irrigation systems are speciWcally designed to apply small

volumes of water slowly at or near the root zone of plants.

 14.  "Dwelling unit" means a room or group of internally connected rooms that have sleeping, cooking,

 eating and sanitation facilities, but not more than one kitchen, which constitutes an independent

housekeeping unit, occupied or intended for one household on a long-term basis, or such other deWnition as

may be subsequently adopted by the city as part of its implementing zoning ordinance and/or Smart Code.

 15.  "Ecological restoration project" means a project where the site is intentionally altered to establish a

deWned, indigenous, historic ecosystem.

 16.  "E[ective precipitation" or "usable rainfall" (Eppt) means the portion of total precipitation which

becomes available for plant growth.

 17.  "Emitter" means a drip irrigation emission device that delivers water slowly from the system to the soil.

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 18.  "Established landscape" means the point at which plants in the landscape have developed signiWcant

 root growth into the soil. Typically, most plants are established after one or two years of growth.

 19.  "Establishment period of the plants" means the Wrst year after installing the plant in the landscape or

the Wrst two years if irrigation will be terminated after establishment. Typically, most plants are established

 after one or two years of growth. Native habitat mitigation areas and trees may need three to Wve years for

 establishment.

 20.  "Estimated total water use" (ETWU) means the total water used for the landscape as described in the

water eYcient landscape worksheet in Section 15.17.050(C)(2).

 21.  "ET adjustment factor" (ETAF) means a factor of 0.55 for residential areas and 0.45 for nonresidential

 areas, that, when applied to reference evapotranspiration, adjusts for plant factors and irrigation eYciency,

two major inXuences upon the amount of water that needs to be applied to the landscape. The ETAF for new

and existing (nonrehabilitated) special landscape areas shall not exceed 1.0. The ETAF for existing

 nonrehabilitated landscapes is 0.8.

 22.  "ET controller" or "smart controller" means an irrigation system controller or timer that automatically

 adjusts irrigation run times and run days based on data received from local weather stations. ET stands for

 evapotranspiration, which is the amount of water that has evaporated from the soil and has transpired

through the plant.

23. "Evapotranspiration rate" means the quantity of water evaporated from adjacent soil and other surfaces

and transpired by plants during a speciWed time.

 24.  "Flow rate" means the rate at which water Xows through pipes, valves and emission devices, measured

 in gallons per minute, gallons per hour, or cubic feet per second.

 25.  "Flow sensor" means an inline device installed at the supply point of the irrigation system that produces

a repeatable signal proportional to Xow rate. Flow sensors must be connected to an automatic irrigation

 controller, or Xow monitor capable of receiving Xow signals and operating master valves. This combination

Xow sensor/controller may also function as a landscape water meter or submeter.

 26.  "Friable" means a soil condition that is easily crumbled or loosely compacted down to a minimum depth

per planting material requirements, whereby the root structure of newly planted material will be allowed to

spread unimpeded.

 27.  "Graywater" means untreated wastewater that has not been contaminated by any toilet discharge, has

not been a[ected by infectious, contaminated, or unhealthy bodily wastes, and does not present a threat

from contamination by unhealthful processing, manufacturing, or operating wastes. "Graywater" includes,

but is not limited to, wastewater from bathtubs, showers, bathroom washbasins, clothes washing machines,

and laundry tubs, but does not include wastewater from kitchen sinks or dishwashers.

 28.  "Hardscapes" means any durable material (pervious and nonpervious).

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 29.  "Head-to-head coverage" means coverage resulting from placement of irrigation sprinklers so that the

water from one sprinkler throws all the way to adjacent sprinklers.

 30.  "Hydrozone" means a portion of the landscaped area having plants with similar water needs and rooting

depth. A hydrozone may be irrigated or nonirrigated.

 31.  "InWltration rate" means the rate of water entry into the soil expressed as a depth of water per unit of

time (e.g., inches per hour).

 32.  "Invasive plant species" means species of plants not historically found in California that spread outside

 cultivated areas and can damage environmental or economic resources. Invasive species may be regulated by

county agricultural agencies as noxious species. "Noxious weeds" means any weed as described in the Food

and Agricultural Code Section 5004. Lists of invasive plants are maintained at the California Invasive Plant

 Inventory and USDA invasive and noxious weeds database.

 33.  "Irrigation audit" means an in-depth evaluation of the performance of an irrigation system conducted by

a certiWed landscape irrigation auditor. An irrigation audit includes, but is not limited to: inspection, system

tune-up, system test with distribution uniformity or emission uniformity, reporting overspray or runo[ that

causes overland Xow, and preparation of an irrigation schedule. The audit must be conducted in a manner

 consistent with the Irrigation Association’s landscape irrigation auditor certiWcation program or other U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency "WaterSense" labeled auditing program.

 34.  "Irrigation eYciency" (IE) means the measurement of the amount of water beneWcially used divided by

the amount of water applied. Irrigation eYciency is derived from measurements and estimates of irrigation

system characteristics and management practices. The irrigation eYciency for purposes of this chapter is 0.75

 for overhead spray devices and 0.81 for drip systems.

 35.  "Irrigation season" means the time of year when irrigation Wrst begins at a location and last occurs. The

 irrigation season in Petaluma is typically March/April through October/November.

 36.  "Landscape architect" means a person who holds a license to practice landscape architecture in the

 State of California Business and Professions Code Section 5615.

 37.  "Landscape area" means all the planting areas, turf areas, and water features in a landscape design plan

 subject to the maximum applied water allowance calculation. The landscape area does not include footprints

 of buildings or structures, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, decks, patios, gravel or stone walks, other

pervious or nonpervious hardscapes, and other nonirrigated areas designated for nondevelopment (e.g.,

open spaces and existing native vegetation).

 38.  "Landscape contractor" means a person licensed by the state of California to construct, maintain, repair,

  install, or subcontract the development of landscape systems.

 39.  "Landscape documentation package" means the documents required under Section 15.17.050(C).

 40.  "Landscape project" means total area of landscape in a project as deWned in "landscape area" for the

purposes of this chapter.

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 41.  "Landscape water meter" means an inline device installed at the irrigation supply point that measures

the Xow of water into the irrigation system and is connected to a totalizer to record water use.

 42.  "Lateral line" means the water delivery pipeline that supplies water to the emitters or sprinklers from

the valve.

 43.  "Local agency" means a city or county, including a charter city or charter county, that is responsible for

adopting and implementing this chapter. The local agency is also responsible for the enforcement of this

 chapter, including but not limited to, approval of a permit and plan check or design review of a project.

 44.  "Local water purveyor" means any entity, including a public agency, city, county, or private water

company that provides retail water service.

45. "Low-volume irrigation" means the application of irrigation water at low pressure through a system of

tubing or lateral lines and low-volume emitters such as drip, drip lines, and bubblers. Low-volume irrigation

systems are speciWcally designed to apply small volumes of water slowly at or near the root zone of plants.

 46.  "Main line" means the pressurized pipeline that delivers water from the water source to the valve or

 outlet.

 47.  "Master shut-o[ valve" is an automatic valve installed at the irrigation supply point, which controls water

Xow into the irrigation system. When this valve is closed, water will not be supplied to the irrigation system. A

master valve will greatly reduce any water loss due to a leaky station valve.

 48.  "Maximum applied water allowance" (MAWA) means the upper limit of annual applied water for the

 established landscaped area as speciWed in Section 15.17.050(C)(2). It is based upon the area’s reference

 evapotranspiration, the ET adjustment factor, and the size of the landscape area. The estimated total water

use shall not exceed the maximum applied water allowance. Special landscape areas, including recreation

 areas, areas permanently and solely dedicated to edible plants such as orchards and vegetable gardens, and

areas irrigated with recycled water are subject to the MAWA with an ETAF not to exceed 1.0.

  MAWA = (ETo)(0.62)[(ETAF x LA) + ((1 - ETAF) x SLA)]

 49.  "Median" is an area between opposing lanes of traYc that may be unplanted or planted with trees,

 shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses.

 50.  "Microclimate" means the climate of a small, speciWc area that may contrast with the climate of the

 overall landscape area due to factors such as wind, sun exposure, plant density, or proximity to reXective

 surfaces.

 51.  "Mined-land reclamation projects" means any surface mining operation with a reclamation plan

approved in accordance with the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975.

 52.  "Mulch" means any organic material such as leaves, bark, straw, compost, or inorganic mineral materials

such as rocks, gravel, or decomposed granite left loose and applied to the soil surface for the beneWcial

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purposes of reducing evaporation, suppressing weeds, moderating soil temperature, and preventing soil

 erosion.

 53.  "New construction," for the purposes of Section 15.17.050, means a new building with a landscape or

other new landscape, such as a park, playground, or greenbelt without an associated building.

 54.  "Nonresidential landscape" means landscapes in commercial, institutional, industrial and public settings

 that may have areas designated for recreation or public assembly. It also includes portions of common areas

 of common interest developments with designated recreational areas.

55. "Operating pressure" means the pressure at which the parts of an irrigation system are designed by the

manufacturer to operate.

 56.  "Overhead sprinkler irrigation systems" or "overhead spray irrigation systems" means systems that

 deliver water through the air (e.g., spray heads and rotors).

 57.  "Overspray" means the irrigation water which is delivered beyond the target area.

 58.  "Parkway" means the area between a sidewalk and the curb or traYc lane. It may be planted or

unplanted, and with or without pedestrian egress.

 59.  "Permit" means an authorizing document issued by local agencies.

 60.  "Pervious" means any surface or material that allows the passage of water through the material and into

the underlying soil.

 61.  "Plant factor" or "plant water use factor" is a factor, when multiplied by ETo, estimates the amount of

water needed by plants. For purposes of this chapter, the plant factor range for very low water use plants is 0

 to 0.1, the plant factor range for low water use plants is 0.1 to 0.3, the plant factor range for moderate water

use plants is 0.4 to 0.6, and the plant factor range for high water use plants is 0.7 to 1.0. Plant factors cited in

 this chapter are derived from the publication "Water Use ClassiWcation of Landscape Species." Plant factors

may also be obtained from horticultural researchers from academic institutions or professional associations

as approved by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).

 62.  "Precipitation rate" means the amount of water applied by an irrigation emission device measured in

inches per hour.

 63.  "Project applicant" means the individual or entity submitting a landscape documentation package, to

request a permit, plan check, or design review from the local agency. A project applicant may be the property

owner or his or her designee.

 64.  "Rain sensor" or "rain-sensing shuto[ device" means a component which automatically suspends an

 irrigation event when it rains.

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 65.  "Record drawing" or "as-built" means a set of reproducible drawings which show signiWcant changes in

the work made during construction and which are usually based on drawings marked up in the Weld and

other data furnished by the contractor.

 66.  "Recreational area" means areas, excluding private single-family residential areas, designated for active

 play, recreation or public assembly in parks, sports Welds, picnic grounds, amphitheaters or golf course tees,

 fairways, roughs, surrounds and greens.

 67.  "Recycled water," "reclaimed water," or "treated sewage eZuent water" means treated or recycled waste

water of a quality suitable for nonpotable uses such as landscape irrigation and water features. This water is

not intended for human consumption.

68. "Reference evapotranspiration" or "ETo" means a standard measurement of environmental parameters

which a[ect the water use of plants. ETo is expressed in inches per day, month, or year, and is an estimate of

the evapotranspiration of a large Weld of four- to seven-inch-tall, cool-season grass that is well watered.

Reference evapotranspiration is used as the basis of determining the maximum applied water allowances so

 that regional di[erences in climate can be accommodated.

 69.  "Rehabilitated project" means any project that requires a permit, plan check, or design review, and the

modiWed landscape area is equal to or greater than two thousand Wve hundred square feet.

 70.  "Residential landscape" means landscapes surrounding single- or multifamily homes.

 71.  "Reverse osmosis" means a process by which a solvent such as water is puriWed of solutes by being

forced through a semipermeable membrane through which the solvent, but not the solutes, may pass.

 72.  "Runo[" means water which is not absorbed by the soil or landscape to which it is applied and Xows

from the landscape area. For example, runo[ may result from water that is applied at too great a rate

 (application rate exceeds inWltration rate) or when there is a slope.

 73.   "Soil moisture sensing device" or "soil moisture sensor" means a device that measures the amount of

water in the soil. The device may also suspend or initiate an irrigation event.

 74.   "Soil texture" means the classiWcation of soil based on its percentage of sand, silt, and clay.

 75.  "Special landscape area" (SLA) means an area of the landscape dedicated solely to edible plants,

 cemeteries, recreational areas, areas irrigated with recycled water, or water features using recycled water.

 76.  "Sprinkler head" or "spray head" means a device which delivers water through a nozzle.

 77.   "Static water pressure" means the pipeline or municipal water supply pressure when water is not

Xowing.

 78.  "State" means the state of California.

 79.  "Station" means an area served by one valve or by a set of valves that operate simultaneously.

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 80.  "Swing joint" means an irrigation component that provides a Xexible, leak-free connection between the

emission device and lateral pipeline to allow movement in any direction and to prevent equipment damage.

 81.  "Submeter" means a metering device to measure water applied to the landscape that is installed after

the primary utility water meter.

 82.  "Turf" means a groundcover surface of mowed grass. Annual bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial

 ryegrass, red fescue, and tall fescue are cool-season grasses. Bermuda grass, kikuyu grass, seashore

paspalum, St. Augustine grass, zoysia grass, and bu[alo grass are warm-season grasses.

83. "Valve" means a device used to control the Xow of water in the irrigation system.

    84. "Water feature" means a design element where open water performs an aesthetic or recreational

    function. Water features include ponds, lakes, waterfalls, fountains, artiWcial streams, spas, and swimming

pools (where water is artiWcially supplied).

 85.  "Watering window" means the time of day irrigation is allowed.

 86.  "WUCOLS" means the Water Use ClassiWcation of Landscape Species published by the University of

 California Cooperative Extension, and the Department of Water Resources 2014.

(Ord. 2562 NCS §2, 2016.)

The development standards established in this section apply to all new commercial, industrial, institutional,

agricultural, single-family and multifamily residential construction, including tenant improvements or a change in

use requiring any city entitlement or permit for existing commercial, industrial and institutional accounts. The

development standards are intended to ensure that all installed water using Wxtures, appliances, irrigation

systems, and any other water using devices apply water as eYciently as possible.

A. Indoor Water Use Development Standards—New Single-Family Residential Construction. Any water using device

installed in any new development shall meet the standards of the California Plumbing Code (Part 5, Title 24,

California Code of Regulations), and the following.

B. Standards for New Single-Family Residential Construction.

 1.  Water closets must be an approved high eYciency toilet (HET) as designated on the city’s list of qualifying

HETs.

 2.  Showerheads must not use more than two gallons per minute. Where more than one showerhead exits

 in a shower unit, each showerhead must be plumbed so that each showerhead can be turned on and o[

independently from each other.

 3.  Any clothes washing machine provided with the residence must have a water factor of six or lower.

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 4.   Lavatory and/or bar faucets must not exceed 1.5 gallons per minute.

 5.   Kitchen and/or utility sink faucets must not exceed 2.2 gallons per minute.

 6.    All dishwashers must have the EPA’s Energy Star label.

C. Standards for New Multifamily Residential Dwellings.

 1.  Water closets must be an approved high eYciency toilet (HET) as designated on the city’s list of qualifying

HETs.

 2.  Showerheads must not use more than two gallons per minute. Where more than one showerhead exits

 in a shower unit, each showerhead must be plumbed so that each showerhead can be turned on and o[

independently from each other.

 3.  Any clothes washing machine installed on the premises must have a water factor of six or lower.

 4.   Lavatory and/or bar faucets must not exceed 1.5 gallons per minute.

 5.   Kitchen and/or utility sink faucets must not exceed 2.2 gallons per minute.

 6.    All dishwashers must have the EPA’s Energy Star label.

 7.   Each dwelling unit must be separately metered or sub-metered.

D. Standards for New Commercial, Industrial, or Institutional (CII) Accounts and Tenant Improvements or Change

of Use Requiring Any City Entitlement or Permit for Existing CII Accounts.

 1.  Water closets and/or urinals must be an approved high eYciency toilet (HET) as designated on the city’s

   list of qualifying CII HETs.

 2.  Showerheads must not use more than two gallons per minute. Where more than one showerhead exits

in a shower unit, each showerhead must be plumbed so that each showerhead can be turned on and o[

independently from each other.

 3.  Commercial clothes washing machines shall have a water factor of 4.5 or lower.

 4.   Lavatory faucets must be self-closing and not exceed 1.5 gallons per minute. All faucets must be

equipped with an aeration device.

 5.   Kitchen and/or utility sink faucets must not exceed 2.2 gallons per minute. All faucets must be equipped

with an aeration device.

 6.   Dishwashers must have the EPA’s Energy Star and/or Water Sense designation and must recycle the Wnal

 rinse into the next wash cycle.

 7.   Pre-rinse hand-held dish-rinsing wands must not exceed 1.6 gpm and must utilize positive shut-o[

 valves.

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 8.   Cooling towers (see Section 15.48.070 of this code, Sewer Use and Source Control Regulations).

 9.   Ice makers must be air-cooled.

 10.  Any other water-using apparatus not mentioned above must use or reuse water as eYciently as

 possible and must be approved by the city prior to installation.

(Ord. 2316 NCS §3, 2009.)

A. Vehicle wash facilities using conveyorized, touchless, and/or rollover in-bay technology shall reuse a minimum

of Wfty percent of water from previous vehicle rinses in subsequent washes.

B. Vehicle wash facilities using reverse osmosis to produce water rinse with a lower mineral content shall

incorporate the unused concentrate in subsequent vehicle washes.

C. Self-service spray wands shall emit no more than three gallons of water per minute.

(Ord. 2316 NCS §3, 2009.)

A. Applicability. This chapter shall apply to all of the following projects:

 1.  New construction projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than Wve hundred

square feet requiring a building permit, plan check or design review.

 2.   Rehabilitated projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than two thousand Wve

hundred square feet within one twelve-month period requiring a building permit, plan check, or design

 review.

 3.   Cemeteries. Recognizing the special landscape management needs of cemeteries, new and rehabilitated

cemeteries shall be designated as special landscape areas.

 4.  Any project with an aggregate landscape area of two thousand Wve hundred square feet or less may

comply with the performance requirements of this chapter or conform to the prescriptive measures of this

 section.

       a.   Prescriptive requirements may be used as a compliance option to the landscape water use

    eYciency standards.

      b.  Compliance with subsections (A)(4)(c) through (A)(4)(h) of this section is mandatory and must be

   documented on a landscape plan in order to use the prescriptive compliance option.

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        c.   Submit a landscape documentation package (the director of public works and utilities will develop

     appropriate forms to carry out this section) which includes the following elements:

             (1)  Date.

             (2)  Project applicant.

             (3)  Project address (if available, parcel and/or lot number(s)).

             (4)  Total landscape area (square feet), including a breakdown of turf and plant material.

             (5)  Project type (e.g., new, rehabilitated, public, private, cemetery, homeowner-installed).

             (6)  Water supply type (e.g., potable, recycled, well) and identify the local retail water purveyor if the

          applicant is not served by a private well.

             (7)  Contact information for the project applicant and property owner.

             (8)  Applicant signature and date with statement, "I agree to comply with the requirements of the

           prescriptive compliance option to the Landscape Water Use EYciency Standards."

      d.   Plant material shall comply with all of the following:

             (1)  For residential areas, install climate-adapted plants that require occasional, little or no summer

         water (average WUCOLS plant factor 0.3) for eighty percent of the plant area excluding edibles and

         areas using recycled water; for nonresidential areas, install climate-adapted plants that require

          occasional, little or no summer water (average WUCOLS plant factor 0.3) for one hundred percent of

         the plant area excluding edibles and areas using recycled water.

(2) A minimum three-inch layer of mulch shall be applied on all exposed soil surfaces of planting

         areas except in turf areas, creeping or rooting groundcovers, or direct seeding applications where

        mulch is contraindicated.

       e.   Turf shall comply with all of the following:

             (1)  Turf shall not exceed twenty percent of the landscape area in residential areas, and there shall

       be no turf in nonresidential areas.

             (2)  Turf shall not be planted on sloped areas which exceed a slope of one foot vertical elevation

        change for every four feet of horizontal length.

             (3)  Turf is prohibited in parkways less than ten feet wide, unless the parkway is adjacent to a

         parking strip and used to enter and exit vehicles. Any turf in parkways must be irrigated by sub-

          surface irrigation or by other technology which creates no overspray or runo[.

           f.    Irrigation systems shall comply with the following:

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             (1)  Automatic irrigation controllers are required and must use evapotranspiration or soil moisture

         sensor data and utilize a rain sensor.

             (2)  Irrigation controllers shall be of a type which does not lose programming data in the event the

         primary power source is interrupted.

             (3)  Pressure regulators shall be installed on the irrigation system to ensure the dynamic pressure

          of the system is within the manufacturer’s recommended pressure range.

             (4)  Manual shut-o[ valves (such as a gate valve, ball valve, or butterXy valve) shall be installed as

          close as possible to the point of connection of the water supply.

             (5)   All irrigation emission devices must meet the requirements set in the ANSI standard, 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

       deWned in ASABE/ICC 802-2014.

             (6)  Areas less than ten feet in width in any direction shall be irrigated with subsurface irrigation or

         other means that produces no runo[ or overspray.

       g.    All nonresidential landscape projects shall install a private submeter(s) to measure landscape water

     use.

      h.   At the time of Wnal inspection, the permit applicant must provide the owner of the property with a

      certiWcate of completion, certiWcate of installation, irrigation schedule and a schedule of landscape and

      irrigation maintenance.

 5.   Properties Excluded from Applicability. This chapter does not apply to registered local, state or federal

historical sites; properties irrigated with recycled water; ecological restoration projects that do not require a

permanent irrigation system; mined-land reclamation projects that do not require a permanent irrigation

system; or existing plant collections, as part of botanical gardens and arboretums open to the public. Owners

 of these excluded properties are encouraged to implement eYcient water use practices.

B. Standards Applicable to All Projects.

 1.   For residential projects, the percentage of the residential landscape area that can be planted with high

water use plants including turf shall not exceed twenty percent.

 2.   For nonresidential projects, the use of high water use plants including turf is limited to special landscape

 areas.

 3.    All multifamily residential and nonresidential projects must install a dedicated irrigation meter(s).

 4.  The maximum amount of water that can be applied to a landscape is Wfty-Wve percent of the reference

evapotranspiration rate for residential projects and forty-Wve percent of the evapotranspiration rate for

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 nonresidential projects. This water allowance reduces the landscape area that can be planted with high water

use plants including turf.

 5.   Irrigation systems are required to have pressure regulators and master shut-o[ valves.

 6.    All irrigation emission devices must meet the national standard stated in this chapter to ensure that only

high eYciency sprinklers are installed.

 7.  The irrigation eYciency of devices used to irrigate landscapes is one of the factors that goes into

determining the maximum amount of water allowed.

 8.   Flow sensors that detect and report high Xow conditions due to broken pipes and/or popped sprinkler

heads are required for landscape areas greater than Wve thousand square feet.

 9.  The minimum width of areas that can be overhead irrigated is ten feet; areas less than ten feet wide

must be irrigated with subsurface drip or other technology that produces no over spray or runo[.

 10.  Friable soil is required in planting areas.

 11.  For landscape installations, four yards of compost per one thousand square feet of area must be

incorporated to a depth of six inches into the soil.

 12.   All landscape and/or irrigation systems shall be installed so as not to violate the city’s water waste

 prohibition (Section 15.17.070).

C. Application Process. Prior to commencing any construction activities related to implementation of the project,

the applicant shall submit to the city a landscape documentation package consisting of the following information

on forms prepared by the city’s director of public works and utilities as described in further detail below:

 1.   Project Application Form. The project application form shall contain the following information:

a. Project information.

      b.   Date.

        c.   Project applicant.

      d.   Project address (if available, parcel and/or lot number(s)).

       e.   Total landscape area (square feet).

           f.   Project type (e.g., new, rehabilitated, public, private, cemetery, homeowner-installed).

       g.   Water supply type (e.g., potable, recycled, well) and identify the local retail water purveyor if the

     applicant is not served by a private well.

      h.   Checklist of all documents in landscape document package.

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

Title 15 Water and Sewage | Petaluma Municipal Code Page 50 of 142

             i.    Project contacts to include contact information for the project applicant and property owner.

             j.    Applicant signature and date with statement, "I agree to comply with the requirements of the

    Landscape Water Use EYciency Standards and submit a complete Landscape Documentation Package."

 2.   Water E7cient Landscape Worksheet.

       a.  The form shall contain information on the plant factor, irrigation method, irrigation eYciency, and

     area associated with each hydrozone. The worksheet shall include calculation methods to demonstrate

     that the 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. The ETAF for a landscape project is based on

     the plant factors and irrigation methods selected. The 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. ETWU is calculated based on the plants used and irrigation method selected for the landscape

     design. ETWU must be below the MAWA.

             (1)  For the purpose of determining ETWU, average irrigation eYciency is assumed to be 0.75 for

        overhead spray devices and 0.81 for drip system devices.

             (2)  In calculating the MAWA and ETWU, a project applicant shall use the ETo values from the

         Reference Evapotranspiration Table below:

                           Reference Evapotranspiration (ETo) Table for Petaluma, CA

          Jan   Feb  Mar  Apr  May   Jun    Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct  Nov  Dec  Annual ETo

accounts.

The city shall provide any account with a dedicated irrigation meter(s) a landscape water budget. The water budget

will be calculated by the city or its agent by measuring the total irrigated landscaped area and the plant type(s)

that exist per water meter. Any account assigned a water budget may not exceed the water budget for that billing

period by more than twenty percent during that billing period. Accounts that exceed their water budget by more

than twenty percent will be notiWed by the city. The city will work with the property owner or its authorized

representative to ensure corrective actions are taken. Exceeding an account’s water budget by more than twenty

percent more than two times in one twelve-month period and/or failure to cooperate with the city in taking

corrective action after notiWcation by the city of speciWc action(s) to be taken shall constitute a violation of this

chapter. (Ord. 2316 NCS §3, 2009.)

The purpose of this section is to promote water conservation and eYcient use of potable water furnished by the

city of Petaluma by eliminating nonessential water use and intentional or unintentional water waste when a

reasonable alternative solution is available and by prohibiting the use of water equipment that is wasteful.

A. Nonessential Uses De5ned and Prohibited. No customer of the city shall use or permit the use of potable water

from the city for residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, agricultural, or other purpose for the following

nonessential uses:

 1.  The washing of sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots and other hard-surfaced areas by direct

hosing not equipped with a shuto[ nozzle, except as may be necessary to properly dispose of Xammable or

other dangerous liquids or substances and/or to prevent or eliminate materials dangerous to the public

 health and safety;

 2.  The escape of water through breaks or leaks within the customer’s plumbing or private distribution

system for any substantial period of time within which such break or leak should reasonably have been

discovered and corrected. It shall be presumed that a period of one hour to stop the Xow of water from such

break or leak after the consumer discovers such a break or leak or receives notice from the city, and seventy-

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two hours to correct such break or leak after the consumer discovers such a break or leak or receives notice

from the city, is a reasonable time period;

 3.   Irrigation in a manner or to the extent that allows runo[ of water or over-spray of the areas being

 irrigated. Every customer is deemed to have their irrigation system under control at all times, to know the

manner and extent of their water use and any runo[ and overspray, and to employ available alternatives to

apply irrigation water in an eYcient manner;

 4.   Application of potable water to outdoor landscapes during and within forty-eight hours after measurable

  rainfall;

 5.  Washing cars, boats, trailers, or other vehicles, equipment and machinery directly with a hose not

equipped with a hose-end shuto[ nozzle;

 6.   Using water for non-recycling water features;

 7.   Using water for single pass evaporative cooling systems for air conditioning in all connections installed

 after July 1, 2001, unless required for health or safety reasons;

 8.   Using water for new non-recirculating conveyor car wash systems; self-service car wash spray wands

 shall emit no more than three gallons of water per minute;

 9.   Using water for new non-recirculating industrial clothes washing systems;

 10.  Dedicated irrigation accounts exceeding the allocated water budget by more than twenty percent in any

  billing period.

B. Pressure Regulation. A pressure-regulating valve shall be installed and maintained by the consumer if static

service pressure at the meter exceeds eighty pounds per square inch. The pressure-regulating valve shall be

located between the meter and the structure valve, and set at not more than sixty pounds per square inch when

measured at the structure valve. This requirement may be waived if the consumer presents evidence satisfactory

to the city that high pressure is necessary in the design and that no water will be wasted as a result of high-

pressure operation.

C. Swimming Pool and Spa Covers. Private outdoor swimming pools and spas are to be covered during non-

business hours or while not in use. Public outdoor swimming pools and spas are to be covered if the swimming

pool or spa is scheduled to be unused for more than one day. A public pool that is closed for the season does not

require covering.

D. Exempt Water Uses. All water use associated with the operation and maintenance of Wre suppression

equipment or employed by the city for water quality Xushing and sanitation purposes shall be exempt from the

provisions of this section. Use of water supplied by a private well or from properly authorized recycled water, gray

water, or rainwater catchment system is also exempt.

(Ord. 2579 NCS §2, 2016; Ord. 2316 NCS §3, 2009.)

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

Title 15 Water and Sewage | Petaluma Municipal Code Page 63 of 142

Any customer of the city may make written application for an exception to the water conservation regulations

ordinance. Said application shall describe in detail why applicant believes an exception is justiWed:

A. The director of water resources and conservation may grant exceptions for use of water otherwise prohibited

by this chapter if an exception is necessary to avoid an adverse impact on health, sanitation or safety of the

applicant or the public, and/or to avoid undue hardship for the applicant or the public. Any exception granted shall

not be broader than necessary, or of a duration longer than necessary to avoid the adverse e[ect on health,

sanitation, Wre protection or safety and/or to avoid the undue hardship.

B. The decision of the director of water resources and conservation may be appealed to the city council by

submitting a written appeal to the city clerk within Wfteen calendar days of the date of the decision. Upon granting

any appeal, the council may impose any conditions it determines to be just and proper. Exceptions granted by the

council shall be prepared in writing, and the council may require the exception be recorded at applicant’s expense.

(Ord. 2316 NCS §3, 2009.)

A. In the event of conXict between the provisions of this chapter and the provisions of the city’s water shortage

contingency plan, the provisions of the city’s water shortage contingency plan shall supersede the provisions of

this chapter from such time as the city council has determined and declared by resolution that a water shortage

emergency exists, as it may be subsequently amended, until such time as the declaration of emergency has been

suspended by later resolution of the city council.

B. If city council has determined and declared by resolution that a water shortage emergency exists pursuant to

its urban water management plan, the city may enforce the regulations that are in e[ect of the water shortage

contingency plan, until such time as the declaration of emergency has been suspended by later resolution of the

city council. The city’s enforcement procedures and remedies will be pursuant to the city’s water shortage

contingency plan.

(Ord. 2821 NCS §3, 2022; Ord. 2316 NCS §3, 2009.)

A. Depending on the extent of the water waste, the city may, after written notiWcation to customer and a

reasonable time to correct the violation as solely determined by the city, take some or all of the following actions.

Seventy-two hours from notice of the violation shall be considered a reasonable time for correction, absent

unusual circumstances that lengthen or shorten the reasonable time for correction. Penalties, fees and charges

noted below shall be established by resolution of the city:

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

Title 15 Water and Sewage | Petaluma Municipal Code Page 64 of 142

 1.   Personal contact with the customer at the address of the water service. If personal contact is

 unsuccessful, written notice of the violation including a date that the violation is to be corrected may be left

on the premises, with a copy of the notice sent by certiWed mail to the customer.

 2.  The city may install a Xow-restricting device on the service line.

 3.  The city may levy a water waste Wne to the customer.

 4.  The city may shut o[ water service, and the charge for same shall be billed to the customer. Except in

cases of extreme emergency as solely determined by the city manager, service shall not be reinstated until

veriWed by the city that the violation has been corrected and all charges and fees have been paid.

B. Depending on the nature and extent of water waste and/or the condition creating water waste, the city may

discontinue water services without notice, pursuant to Section 15.12.070, and/or discontinue water services

pursuant to Section 15.12.080.

C. In addition to discontinuance of water services, any violation of this chapter is subject to enforcement as

speciWed in Chapters 1.10 through 1.16.

(Ord. 2316 NCS §3, 2009.)