Article 42 — WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE

The purpose of this article is to define standards that regulate the design, installation, maintenance, and management of new, rehabilitated, and existing landscapes for the purpose of water conservation.

(§ 1(Exh. A), Ord. 2019-1124, adopted November 5, 2019)

This article shall apply to all residential and non-residential landscape projects requiring a building or special use permit in the unincorporated area of the County of Plumas.

(a)

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

(b)

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

(c)

Existing landscapes.

(d)

Cemeteries, new/rehabilitated subject to subsection 9-2.4209(a)(1), and existing subject to subsection 9- 2.4209(a)(2).

(e)

Landscape projects, new or rehabilitated, with an aggregate landscape area between 500 square feet and 2,500 square feet, may comply with the performance requirements of this article or conform to the prescriptive compliance option contained in subsection 9-2.4205(e) and subsection 9-2.4206(g).

(f)

Landscape projects utilizing graywater or rainwater captured on-site are subject only to subsection 9- 2.4206(g)(1)(v), if:

Any lot or parcel within the project has less than 2,500 square feet of landscape area; and

Meets the landscape water requirement (estimated total water use) entirely with graywater or rainwater captured on-site.

(§ 1(Exh. A), Ord. 2019-1124, adopted November 5, 2019)

The following landscape projects are exempt from this article:

(a)

Registered local, state, or federal historical sites.

(b)

Ecological restoration projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system.

(c)

Mined-land reclamation projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system.

(d)

Gardens or plant collections, as part of botanical gardens and arboretums open to the public.

(§ 1(Exh. A), Ord. 2019-1124, adopted November 5, 2019)

(a)

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

(b)

"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.

(c)

"Backflow prevention device" means a safety device used to prevent pollution or contamination of the water supply due to the reverse flow of water from the irrigation system.

(d)

"Certificate of completion" means the document required under subsection 9-2.4205(f).

(e)

"Certified irrigation designer" means a person certified to design irrigation systems by an accredited academic institution, a professional trade organization or other program such as the US Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense irrigation designer certification program and Irrigation Association's Certified Irrigation Designer program.

(f)

"Certified landscape irrigation auditor" means a person certified to perform landscape irrigation audits by an accredited academic institution, a professional trade organization, or other program such as the US Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense irrigation auditor certification program and Irrigation Association's Certified Irrigation Auditor program.

(g)

"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 off.

(h)

"Common interest developments" means community apartment projects, condominium projects, planned developments, and stock cooperatives per Civil Code Section 1351.

(i)

"Compost" means the product resulting from the controlled biological decomposition of organic wastes that are source separated from the municipal solid waste stream, or which are separated at a centralized facility. Compost includes vegetable, yard, and wood wastes which are not hazardous waste pursuant to Section 40110 of the California Public Resources Code as currently in force or as hereafter amended.

(j)

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

(k)

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

(l)

"Drip irrigation" means any non-spray low volume irrigation system utilizing emission devices with a volume flow rate measured in gallons per hour. Low volume irrigation systems are specifically designed to apply small volumes of water slowly at or near the root zone of plants.

(m)

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

(n)

"Effective precipitation" or "usable rainfall" means the portion of total precipitation which becomes available for plant growth.

(o)

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

(p)

"Established landscape" means the point at which plants in the landscape have developed significant root growth into the soil. Typically, most plants are established after one or two (2) years of growth.

(q)

"Establishment period of the plants" means the first year after installing the plant in the landscape or the first two (2) years if irrigation will be terminated after establishment. Typically, most plants are established

after one or two (2) years of growth. Native habitat mitigation areas and trees may need three (3) to five (5) years for establishment.

(r)

"Estimated total water use" or "ETWU" means the total water used for the landscape as described in subsection 9-2.4205(b)(1)(vii).

(s)

"Evapotranspiration adjustment factor" or "ETAF" means a factor of 0.55 for residential areas and 0.45 for non-residential areas, that, when applied to reference evapotranspiration, adjusts for plant factors and irrigation efficiencies, two (2) major influences upon the amount of water that needs to be applied to the landscape. The ETAF for new and existing (non-rehabilitated) special landscape areas shall not exceed 1.0. The ETAF for existing non-rehabilitated landscapes is 0.8.

(t)

"Evapotranspiration rate" means the quantity of water evaporated from adjacent soil and other surfaces and transpired by plants during a specific time.

(u)

"Volume flow rate" means the rate at which water flows through pipes, valves, and emissions devices, measured in gallons per minute (gal/min), gallons per hour (gal/hr), or cubic feet per second.

(v)

"Flow sensor" means an inline device installed at the supply point of the irrigation system that produces a repeatable signal proportional to flow rate. Flow sensors must be connected to an automatic irrigation controller, or flow monitor capable of receiving flow signals and operating master valves. This combination flow sensor/controller may also function as a landscape water meter or submeter.

(w)

"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.

(x)

"Fuel modification plan guideline" means guidelines from a local fire authority to assist residents and businesses that are developing land or building structures in a fire hazard severity zone.

(y)

"Graywater" means untreated wastewater that has not been contaminated by any toilet discharge, has not been affected 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. Health and Safety Code Section 17922.12.

(z)

"Hardscapes" means any durable material (pervious and non-pervious).

(aa)

"Hydrozone" means a portion of the landscaped area having plants with similar water needs and rooting depth. A hydrozone may be irrigated or non-irrigated.

(bb)

"Infiltration 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).

(cc)

"Invasive plant species" means a 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 the Plumas County Agricultural Commissioner as noxious species. Lists of invasive plants are maintained at the California Invasive Plant Inventory (Cal-IPC) and USDA invasive and noxious weed database.

(dd)

"Irrigation audit" means an in-depth evaluation of the performance of an irrigation system conducted by a Certified 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 runoff that causes overland flow, and preparation of an irrigation schedule. The audit must be conducted in a manner consistent with the Irrigation Association's Landscape Irrigation Auditor Certification program or other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency "Watersense" labeled auditing program.

(ee)

"Irrigation efficiency" or "IE" means the measurement of the amount of water beneficially used divided by the amount of water applied. Irrigation efficiency is derived from measurements and estimates of irrigation system characteristics and management practices. The irrigation efficiency for purposes of this article are

(a)

Landscape documentation package. Prior to construction of any landscape project described in Section 9- 2.4202, the project applicant shall submit a landscape documentation package with the building or special use permit application. The landscape documentation package shall contain the following:

(1)

Project information that includes:

(i)

Date.

(ii)

Project applicant.

(iii)

Project location identified by address and assessor parcel number(s) (APN(s)).

(iv)

Total landscape area and turf area (square feet).

(v)

Project type (e.g., new, rehabilitated, public, private, cemetery).

(vi)

Water supply type (e.g., potable, recycled, well, graywater) and identify the local water purveyor if not served by a private well.

(vii)

Checklist of all documents included in the landscape documentation package.

(viii)

Contact information for the applicant and property owner.

(ix)

Applicant signature and date with statement, "I agree to comply with the requirements of the water efficient landscape ordinance and submit a complete Landscape Design Package."

(2)

Water efficient landscape worksheet that complies with subsection 9-2.4205(b).

(3)

A landscape design plan that complies with subsection 9-2.4205(c)(1) and subsection 9-2.4206(a).

(4)

An irrigation design plan that complies with subsection 9-2.4205(c)(2) and subsection 9-2.4206(b).

(5)

A grading design plan that complies with subsection 9-2.4205(c)(3) and subsection 9-2.4206(c).

(6)

A soil management report that complies with subsection 9-2.4205(d).

(b)

Water efficient landscape worksheet. A sample worksheet may be found in Appendix B of Chapter 2.7, Division 2, Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations. The water efficient landscape worksheet shall be completed by a civil engineer, landscape architect, or other professional appropriately licensed by the State of California. The worksheet shall contain all of the following:

(1)

Information on the plant factor (PF), irrigation method, irrigation efficiency (IE), and landscape area associated with each hydrozone. Calculations demonstrating the maximum applied water allowance

(MAWA), estimated total water usage (ETWU), and the evapotranspiration adjustment factor (ETAF). Regular landscape areas and special landscape areas shall be identified and water uses organized as shown in Appendix B of Chapter 2.7, Division 2, Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations. The following equations and standards shall be utilized for the calculations:

(i)

Plant factor (PF). The plant factors used shall be from WUCOLS or from horticultural researchers with academic institutions or professional associations as approved by the California Department of Water Resources. 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. High water use plants shall not be mixed with low or moderate water use plants.

(ii)

Irrigation efficiency (IE). The irrigation efficiency is determined by the type of irrigation method.

(aa)

Spray irrigation = 0.75.

(ab)

Drip irrigation = 0.81.

(iii)

ETAF. The evapotranspiration adjustment factor for a landscape project is based on the plant factor and irrigation method selected for each hydrozone. The maximum ETAF allowed is 0.55 for residential areas and

The landscape and irrigation design plans shall be carefully designed and planned for the intended function of the project. The following standards shall be adhered to when designing landscape and irrigation design plans.

(a)

Landscape design plan.

(1)

Plant material.

i.

Any plant may be selected for the landscape, providing the ETWU in the landscape area does not exceed the MAWA. Methods to achieve water efficiency shall include one or more of the following:

(aa)

Protection and preservation of native species and natural vegetation.

(ab)

Selection of water-conserving plant, tree, and turf species, especially local native plants.

(ac)

Selection of plants based on local climate suitability, disease, and pest resistance.

(ad)

Selection of trees based on size at maturity as appropriate for the planting area.

(ae)

Selection of plants from local and regional landscape program plant lists, if available.

(af)

Selection of plants from local fuel modification guidelines.

ii.

Plants shall be selected and planted appropriately based upon their adaptability to the climatic, geologic, and topographical conditions of the project site. Plants with similar water needs shall be grouped within hydrozones. Methods to achieve water efficiency shall include one or more of the following:

(aa)

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

(ab)

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

(ac)

Consider solar orientation for plant placement to maximize summer shade.

iii.

Turf shall not be planted on slopes greater than twenty-five (25%) percent where the toe of the slope is adjacent to an impermeable hardscape, and where twenty-five (25%) percent means one foot of vertical elevation change for every four (4') feet of horizontal length:

iv.

The use of invasive plant species, such as those listed by the California Invasive Plant Council, is strongly discouraged.

v.

Existing invasive plants within or adjacent to the proposed landscape area shall be removed prior to installation, to minimize potential for spread into installation area.

vii.

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

viii.

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 use plants as a group.

(2)

Hydrozones. Each hydrozone shall have plant materials with similar water use, with the exception of hydrozones with plants of mixed water use, as specified in subsection 9-2.4206(b)(2)(iv). On the landscape design plan, hydrozone areas shall be designated by number, letter, or other designation. 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.

(3)

Fire management. A landscape design plan for projects in fire-prone areas shall address fire safety and prevention. A defensible space or zone around a building or structure is required per Public Resources Code Section 4291(a) and (b). Avoid fire-prone plant materials and highly flammable mulches.

(4)

Water features.

(i)

Recirculating water systems shall be used for water features.

(ii)

Where available, recycled water shall be used as a source for decorative water features.

(iii)

Surface area of a water feature shall be included in the high water use hydrozone area of the water budget calculation.

(iv)

Pool and spa covers are highly recommended.

(5)

Soil preparation, mulch, and amendments.

(i)

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.

(ii)

Soil amendments shall be incorporated according to recommendations of the soil report and what is appropriate for the plants selected.

(iii)

For landscape installations, compost at a rate of a minimum of four (4) cubic yards per 1,000 square feet of permeable area shall be incorporated to a depth of six (6") inches into the soil. Soils with greater than six (6%) percent organic matter in the top six (6") inches of soil are exempt from adding compost and tilling.

(iv)

A minimum three (3") 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. To provide habitat for beneficial insects and other wildlife, up to five (5%) percent of the landscape may be left without mulch. Designated insect habitat must be included in the landscape design plan as such.

(v)

Stabilizing mulching products shall be used on slopes that meet current engineering standards.

(vi)

The mulching portion of the seed/mulch slurry in hydro-seeded applications shall meet the mulching requirement.

(vii)

Organic mulch materials made from recycled or post-consumer shall take precedence over inorganic materials or virgin forest products unless the recycled post-consumer organic products are not locally available.

(b)

Irrigation design plan. An irrigation system shall meet all the requirements listed in this section and the manufacturer's recommendations. The irrigation system and its related components shall be planned and designed to allow for proper installation, management, and maintenance.

(1)

System requirements.

(i)

A dedicated water meter or submeter, shall be installed for all non-residential irrigated landscapes of 1,000 square feet but not more than 5,000 feet (the level at which Water Code 535 applies). A landscape water meter may be either:

(aa)

A water service meter dedicated to landscape use; or

(ab)

A privately owned meter or submeter.

(ii)

Automatic irrigation controllers utilizing evapotranspiration, soil moisture sensor data, or any other type of self-adjusting controller, utilizing non-volatile memory shall be required for irrigation scheduling in all irrigation systems.

(iii)

If the water pressure is below or exceeds the recommended pressure of the specified irrigation devices, the installation of a pressure regulating device is required to ensure that the dynamic pressure at each emission device is within the manufacturer's recommended pressure range for optimal performance.

(aa)

If the static pressure is above or below the required dynamic pressure of the irrigation system, pressure- regulating devices such as inline pressure regulators, booster pumps, or other devices shall be installed to meet the required dynamic pressure of the irrigation system.

(ab)

Static water pressure, dynamic or operating pressure, and flow reading of the water supply shall be measured at the point of connection. These pressure and flow measurements shall be conducted at the design stage. If the measurements are not available at the design stage, the measurements shall be conducted at installation.

(iv)

Sensors (rain, freeze, wind, etc.), either integral or auxiliary, that suspend or alter irrigation operation during unfavorable weather conditions shall be required on all irrigation systems, as appropriate for local climatic conditions. Irrigation should be avoided during windy or freezing weather or during rain.

(v)

Manual shut-off valves (such as a gate valve, ball valve, or butterfly valve) shall be installed as close as possible to the point of connection of the water supply.

(vi)

Backflow prevention devices shall be installed to protect the water supply from contamination by the irrigation system. A project applicant shall refer to the Plumas County Environmental Health Department for any additional backflow prevention requirements.

(vii)

Flow sensors that detect high flow conditions created by system damage or malfunction shall be installed for all non-residential landscapes of 5,000 square feet or larger.

(viii)

Master shut-off valves are required on all 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.

(ix)

Irrigation systems shall be designed to prevent runoff, low head drainage, overspray, or other similar conditions where irrigation water flows onto non-targeted areas.

(x)

Relevant information from the soil management report, such as soil type and infiltration rate, shall be utilized when designing irrigation systems.

(xi)

The design of the irrigation system shall conform to the hydrozones of the landscape design plan.

(xii)

The irrigation system must be designed and installed to meet, at a minimum, the irrigation efficiency criteria as described in subsection 9-2.4205(b) regarding the maximum applied water allowance (MAWA).

(xiii)

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 ASABE/ICC 802-2014.

(xiv)

The project applicant is encouraged to inquire with the local water purveyor about peak water operating demands or water restrictions that may impact the effectiveness of the irrigation system.

(xv)

Sprinkler heads and other emission devices shall have matched precipitation rates.

(xvi)

Head to head coverage is recommended. However, sprinkler spacing shall be designed to achieve the highest possible distribution uniformity.

(xvii)

Swing joints or other riser-protection components are required on all risers subject to damage that are adjacent to hardscapes or in high traffic areas of turf grass.

(xviii)

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

(xix)

Overhead irrigation shall not be permitted within twenty-four (24") inches of any non-permeable surface. Allowable irrigation within the setback from non-permeable surfaces may include drip, drip line, or other low flow non-spray technology. The setback area may be planted or unplanted. The surfacing of the setback may be mulch, gravel, or other porous material. These restrictions may be modified if one of the following circumstances apply:

(aa)

The landscape area is adjacent to permeable surfacing and no runoff occurs.

(ab)

The adjacent non-permeable surfaces are designed and constructed to drain entirely to landscaping.

(ac)

The irrigation designer specifies an alternative design or technology, as part of the Landscape Documentation Package and clearly demonstrates strict adherence to irrigation system design criteria in subsection 9-2.4206(b)(1)(ix). Prevention of overspray and runoff must be confirmed during the irrigation audit.

(xx)

Slopes greater than twenty-five (25%) shall not be irrigated with an irrigation system with an application rate exceeding 0.75 inches per hour. This restriction may be modified if 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.

(2)

Hydrozone.

(i)

Each valve shall irrigate a hydrozone with similar site, slope, sun exposure, soil conditions, and plant materials with similar water use.

(ii)

Irrigation devices (sprinkler heads, drip emitters, etc.) shall be selected based on what is appropriate for the plant type within each hydrozone.

(iii)

Where feasible, trees shall be placed on separate valves from shrubs, groundcovers, and turf to facilitate the appropriate irrigation of trees.

(iv)

Moderate and high water use, or low and moderate water use plants may be mixed within a hydrozone, if one of the following apply:

(aa)

Plant factor calculation is based on the proportions of respective plant water uses and their plant factor.

(ab)

The plant factor is set to the plant(s) with the greater water use in the hydrozone to determine the calculations for the water efficient landscape worksheet. Individual hydrozones that mix high and low water use plants shall not be permitted.

(c)

Grading design plan. For the efficient use of water, grading of a project site shall be designed to minimize soil erosion, runoff, and water waste. To prevent excessive erosion and runoff, it is highly recommended that project applicants:

(1)

Grade so that all irrigation and normal rainfall remains within property lines and does not drain on to non- permeable hardscapes.

(2)

Avoid disruption of natural drainage patterns and undisturbed soil.

(3)

Avoid soil compaction in landscape areas.

(d)

Recycled water.

(1)

The installation of recycled water irrigation systems shall allow for the current and future use of recycled water.

(2)

In addition to this article, landscapes utilizing recycled water shall be designed and operated in accordance with all applicable State and local laws and regulations related to the use of recycled water.

(e)

Graywater systems.

(1)

Graywater systems promote the efficient use of water and are encouraged to assist in on-site landscape irrigation. All graywater systems shall conform to the California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5, Chapter 16) and all applicable County standards. Refer to subsection 9- 2.4202(f) for the applicability of this article to landscape areas less than 2,500 square feet with the estimated total water use met entirely by graywater.

(f)

Stormwater management and rainwater retention. Stormwater best management practices shall be incorporated as appropriate into the landscape installation, the details of which shall be shown on the landscape design plan. Project applicants shall refer to the Regional Water Quality Control Board for information on any applicable storm water requirements. To ensure water retention and infiltration is maximized, all planted landscapes shall have friable soil. It is recommended that:

(1)

Landscape areas be designed for capture and infiltration capacity that is sufficient to prevent runoff from impervious surfaces (i.e., roof and paved areas) from either:

(i)

The one inch, twenty-four (24) hour rain event; or

(ii)

The 85 th percentile, twenty-four (24) hour rain event; and/or

(iii)

Additional capacity as required by any applicable local, regional, state, or federal regulation.

(2)

Stormwater projects incorporate any of the following elements to improve on-site stormwater and dry weather runoff capture and use:

(i)

Grade impervious surfaces, such as driveways, during construction to drain to vegetated areas.

(ii)

Minimize the area of impervious surfaces such as paved areas, roof, and concrete driveways.

(iii)

Incorporate pervious or porous surfaces (e.g., gravel, permeable pavers or blocks, pervious or porous concrete) that minimize runoff.

(iv)

Direct runoff from paved surfaces and roof areas into planting beds or landscaped areas to maximize site water capture and reuse.

(v)

Incorporate rain gardens, cisterns, and other rain harvesting or catchment systems.

(vi)

Incorporate infiltration beds, swales, basins, and drywells to capture stormwater and dry weather runoff and increase percolation into the soil.

(vii)

Consider constructed wetlands and ponds that retain water, equalize excess flow, and filter pollutants.

(g)

Prescriptive compliance. In order to utilize prescriptive compliance option, the following criteria shall be met:

(1)

Compliance with the following design elements is mandatory and shall be documented on a landscape plan:

(i)

Provide all the requirements listed in subsections 9-2.4205(a)(1)(i)—(a)(1)(vi), (a)(1)(viii), and (a)(1)(ix)).

(ii)

Incorporate compost at a rate of at least four (4) cubic yards per 1,000 square feet to a depth of six (6") inches into landscape area (unless contraindicated by a soil test);

(iii)

Plant material shall comply with all of the following:

(aa)

For residential areas, install climate adapted plants that require occasional, little or no summer water (average WUCOLS plant factor 0.3) for seventy-five (75%) percent of the plant area excluding edibles and areas using recycled water. For non-residential areas, install climate adapted plants that require occasional, little, or no summer water (average WUCOLS plant factor 0.3) for 100 percent of the plant area excluding edibles and areas using recycled water.

(ab)

A minimum three (3") 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.

(iv)

Turf shall comply with all of the following:

(aa)

Turf shall not exceed twenty-five (25%) percent of the landscape area in residential areas, and there shall be no turf in non-residential areas.

(ab)

Turf shall not be planted on sloped areas which exceed a slope of one foot vertical elevation change for every four (4') feet of horizontal length.

(ac)

Turf is prohibited in parkways less than ten (10') 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 subsurface irrigation or by other technology that creates no overspray or runoff.

(v)

Irrigation systems shall comply with the following:

(aa)

Automatic irrigation controllers are required and must use evapotranspiration or soil moisture sensor data and utilize a rain sensor.

(ab)

Irrigation controllers shall be of a type which does not lose programming data in the event of primary power source interruption.

(ac)

Pressure regulators shall be installed on the irrigation system to ensure the dynamic pressure of the system is within the manufacturers recommended pressure range.

(ad)

Manual shut-off valves (such as a gate valve, ball valve, or butterfly valve) shall be installed as close as possible to the point of connection of the water supply.

(ae)

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 defined in ASABE/ICC 802-2014.

(af)

Areas less than ten (10') feet in width in any direction shall be irrigated with subsurface irrigation or other means that produces no runoff or overspray.

(vi)

To measure the landscape water use of landscapes in non-residential areas with landscapes greater than 1,000 square feet, a private submeter, or as many submeters as necessary, shall be installed.

(§ 1(Exh. A), Ord. 2019-1124, adopted November 5, 2019)

The irrigation schedule required by subsection 9-2.4205(f)(1)(iii) shall be prepared by a California licensed, landscape architect, civil engineer, architect, landscape contractor, or property owner and provide the following information:

(a)

Irrigation scheduling shall be regulated by automatic irrigation controllers.

(b)

Overhead irrigation shall be scheduled between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. unless weather conditions prevent it. If allowable hours of irrigation differ from local water purveyor, the stricter of the two (2) shall apply.

(c)

For implementation of the irrigation schedule, particular attention must be paid to irrigation run times, emission devices, flow rate, and current reference evapotranspiration, so that applied water meets the ETWU. Total annual applied water shall be less than or equal to MAWA. Actual irrigation schedules shall be regulated by automatic irrigation controllers using current reference evapotranspiration data (e.g., CIMIS) or soil moisture sensor data.

(d)

Parameters used to set the automatic controller shall be developed and submitted for each of the following:

(1)

The plant establishment period.

(2)

The established landscape.

(3)

Temporarily irrigated areas.

(e)

Each irrigation schedule shall consider for each station all of the following that apply:

(1)

Irrigation interval.

(2)

Irrigation run times.

(3)

Number of short cycles required to minimize runoff.

(4)

Amount of applied water scheduled to be applied on a monthly basis.

(5)

Application rate setting.

(6)

Root depth setting.

(7)

Plant type setting.

(8)

Soil type.

(9)

Slope factor setting.

(10)

Shade factor setting.

(11)

Irrigation uniformity or efficiency setting.

(§ 1(Exh. A), Ord. 2019-1124, adopted November 5, 2019)

(a)

Landscapes shall be maintained to ensure water efficiency. A regular maintenance schedule shall be submitted with the certificate of completion.

(b)

A maintenance schedule shall include, but not be limited to:

(1)

Routine inspection.

(2)

Auditing.

(3)

Adjustment and repair of the irrigation system and its components.

(4)

Aerating and dethatching turf areas.

(5)

Weeding in landscape areas.

(6)

Fertilizing.

(7)

Pruning.

(8)

Removing obstructions from emissions devices.

(9)

Top dressing with compost.

(10)

Replenishing mulch.

(c)

Operation of irrigation systems outside of the allowed watering period is permitted for auditing and system maintenance.

(d)

Repair of all irrigation equipment shall be done with the originally installed components, their equivalents, or with components with greater efficiency.

(e)

A project applicant is encouraged to implement established landscape industry sustainable best practices for all landscape maintenance activities.

(§ 1(Exh. A), Ord. 2019-1124, adopted November 5, 2019)

(a)

Irrigation audit.

(1)

New/rehabilitated landscapes.

(i)

All landscape audits shall be conducted by a certified landscape irrigation auditor. Landscape audits shall not be conducted by the person who designed the landscape or installed the landscape.

(ii)

In large projects or projects with multiple landscape installations (i.e., production home developments) an auditing rate of one in seven (7) lots or approximately fifteen (15%) percent will satisfy this requirement.

(iii)

For new construction and rehabilitated landscape projects installed after December 1, 2015, as described in Section 9-2.4202:

(aa)

The project applicant shall submit an irrigation audit report with the certificate of completion to the Plumas County Planning Department that may include, but is not limited to:

(a)

Inspection.

(b)

System tune-up.

(c)

System test with distribution uniformity.

(d)

Reporting overspray or runoff that causes overland flow.

(e)

Preparation of an irrigation schedule, including configuring irrigation controllers with application rate, soil types, plant factors, slope, exposure, and any other factors necessary for accurate programming.

(2)

Existing. Landscapes that were installed before December 1, 2015 and are over one acre in size.

(i)

All landscape audits shall be conducted by a certified landscape irrigation auditor. Landscape audits shall not be conducted by the person who designed the landscape or installed the landscape.

(ii)

For landscapes with a water meter, programs shall be administered by the County that include, but not be limited to, irrigation water use analyses, irrigation surveys, and irrigation audits.

(iii)

For landscapes that do not have a water meter, programs shall be administered by the County that may include, but not be limited to, irrigation surveys and irrigation audits.

(b)

Irrigation survey. Irrigation surveys are less intensive and detailed than an irrigation audit. An irrigation survey includes, but is not limited to, inspection, system test, and written recommendations to improve performance of the irrigation system. Irrigation surveys shall be conducted by a certified irrigation auditor.

(§ 1(Exh. A), Ord. 2019-1124, adopted November 5, 2019)

If any provision of this article, or the application thereof, is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect any other provision or application of this article that can be given effect without the invalid provisions or application; and to this end, the provisions or application of this section are severable.

(§ 1(Exh. A), Ord. 2019-1124, adopted November 5, 2019)