Sacramento County Municipal Code Ch. 14.10 Water Use and Conservation

The purpose of these requirements is to define the standards and procedures for the design, installation, and management of landscapes in order to utilize available plant, water, land, and human resources to the greatest benefit of the people of Sacramento County. Skillful planting and irrigation design, appropriate use of plants, and intelligent landscape management can assure landscape development that avoids excessive water demands and that is less vulnerable to periods of severe drought.

(SCC 0812 § 1, 1990)

These requirements shall be applicable to new and rehabilitated landscaping for industrial, commercial, and institutional developments; to parks and other public recreational areas; to multifamily residential, common areas and model homes; and County road medians and corridors; all as defined in the Sacramento County Zoning Code; provided, however, that these requirements shall not be applicable to the residential portions of developments which are subject to a development agreement entered into pursuant to Government Code Sections 65864 et seq., if such development agreement was in effect as of January 1, 1989.

(SCC 0812 § 1, 1990; SCC 0856 § 1, 1991)

To assure that the purpose of this chapter is carried out, improvement plans and building permits will not be approved until a submittal conforming to the specific provisions of the chapter shall have been approved by the County of Sacramento, Department of Public Works.

(SCC 0812 § 1, 1990)

The Board of Supervisors of Sacramento County ("Board") or its designee may authorize conditional exceptions to any of the design and improvement standards in this chapter, unless the standard specifically states that an exception cannot be granted. Such exceptions may be granted if the Board finds in writing that the proposed design or improvement is in substantial compliance with the purpose and intent of the standard to be excepted.

(SCC 0812 § 1, 1990)

Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the meaning of terms used in this chapter shall be as defined in this section.

1. Amendment. Any material added to the soil to alter the pH or improve the physical properties of the soil.

2. Application Rate. The rate of irrigation (inches/hour or gallons per minute) at which water is applied by an irrigation system.

3. Automatic Control Valve. A valve in an irrigation system which is activated by an automatic electric controller via an electric control wire.

4. Automatic Irrigation System. An irrigation system that can be controlled without manual manipulation and which operates on a pre-set program.

5. Contour. A line drawn on a plan which connects all points of equal elevation above or below a known or assumed reference point.

6. Controller. An automatic timing device with enclosure, which signals automatic valves to open and close on a present program.

7. Coverage. A general term, used with respect to the spacing of sprinkler heads, which defines the manner in which water is applied.

8. Cycle. In irrigation, the complete operation of a controller station.

9. Drip Irrigation. Low volume irrigation.

10. Grading. Earthwork performed to alter the natural contours of an area to be planted.

11. Infiltration Rate. The rate (inches per hour) in which water moves through soil under natural conditions.

12. Irrigation System. A complete connection of system components, including the water source, the water distribution network, and the necessary irrigation equipment.

13. Median. A planted area which separates two roadways or divides a portion of a road into 2 or more lanes.

14. Mulch. Materials such as bark or sawdust placed on the soil surface to retain moisture, retard weed growth, or prevent erosion.

15. Overspray. Water which is discharged from a pop-up or spray head which lands outside of the planting area.

16. P.S.I. Pounds per square inch gauge water pressure.

17. Permeability. The quality of a soil which allows water and air to pass through it.

18. Planting Area. The parcel area less building pad(s), driveway(s), patio(s), deck(s), walkway(s) and parking area(s). Planting areas include water bodies (i.e. fountains, ponds, lakes) and natural areas.

19. Planting Plan. A plan showing the features, contours, and dimensions of a plot of land, along with the location and dimensions of elements to be constructed.

20. Point of Connection. Point at which the irrigation system is connected to the public water system. This location is normally identified by the point at which a water meter is located or will be installed.

21. Precipitation Rate. The amount of water, in inches per hour, discharged by a group of sprinkler heads.

22. Percolation. The movement of water through soil.

23. Rain Shutoff. A feature of an automated irrigation system which interrupts the normal irrigation cycle when it detects a significant amount of rainfall.

24. Rehabilitated Landscape. Any planting area(s) in which landscape materials are replaced or modified. Examples include a change of plants or groundcover, installation of a new irrigation system, and grading modifications.

25. Runoff. Water which is not absorbed by the soil to which it is applied. Runoff usually occurs when water is applied at too great a rate or when water is applied to a steep slope.

26. Station. A position on an automatic irrigation controller which indicates the control point of automatic irrigation valves.

27. Tensiometer or Moisture Sensor. An instrument for measuring the moisture content of the soil and capable of interrupting the irrigation cycle when excessive or adequate moisture is detected.

28. Toe or Slope. A horizontal section located at the base of a slope.

(SCC 0812 § 1, 1990)

The following shall be submitted to the County of Sacramento, Public Works Department, for review and approval:

1. Planting Plan. The planting plan shall be drawn on project base sheets in a clear and legible fashion.

A. A scale of no smaller than 1" = 40 ft. shall be used.

B. Plan: The planting plans shall accurately and clearly identify:

Landscape materials, trees, shrubs, groundcover, turf, etc. Planting symbols shall be clearly drawn and plants labeled by botanical name, common names, container size, spacing and quantities of each group of plants indicated.

Property lines.

Streets, driveways, walkways, and other paved areas.

Building and structures including elevation if applicable.

Natural features—rock outcropping, existing oak and/ornamental trees, shrubs, etc.—to remain.

Tree staking, soil preparation details, and any other applicable details.

2. Irrigation Plan. The irrigation plan shall be drawn on project base sheets in a clear and legible fashion.

A. The scale shall be equal to that used for the planting plan.

B. Plan: The irrigation plan shall accurately and clearly identify:

Flow rate and P.S.I. at the point of connection.

Coverage of all components of the irrigation system, including main and lateral lines.

Valves.

Controllers.

Heads.

Quick couplers.

Head precipitation rates.

Meter size.

Moisture sensor devices.

Rain switches.

Backflow prevention device.

3. Sloped Areas. Sloped areas shall be indicated by contour lines (this may be shown on grading plan)

4. Soil Tests. A soils report shall be prepared by a soil testing company and submitted with the plans. Soil samples shall be collected after grading operations are conducted and prior to the installation of landscape materials. Soil samples shall be sufficiently numerous to account for any soil variations that may be present in the planting areas. As a minimum, the following shall be included:

Soil Infiltration

Soil Texture test

Cation exchange capacity

Soil fertility including tests for nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous, pH, organic matter and specific conductance (E.C)

Amendments shall be added to correct for problems as noted by the soils report. A copy of the soils report shall be attached to the irrigation schedule which will be delivered to the owner and controller operator.

5. Water Use. Estimated plant water use calculations for each planting area shall be submitted with the planting plan.

6. Irrigation Schedule. An annual irrigation program with a minimum four season water schedule shall be required for both the plant establishment period and established landscape. The water schedule shall include run time and frequency of irrigation for each station. The total average planted area precipitation shall not exceed 30"/year for established landscapes (See "Plant Selection", Section 14.10.080). A copy of the schedule shall be delivered along with as-builts and any other information normally forwarded to the owner and controller operator.

(SCC 0812 § 1, 1990)

1. Irrigation systems shall be designed so that the application rate does not exceed the infiltration rate of the soil, and will minimize overspray and runoff. The designer shall refer to Section 14.10.110,"Soil Infiltration Rates" and the results of the soil tests to meet these design criteria. In general, low volume sprinkler heads, drip emitters and pressure compensation bubblers shall be used throughout the system.

2. Irrigation stations shall be separated (e.g. drip vs. overhead spray systems). Additional control valves shall be installed to account for different site specific characteristics (i.e. full sun/full shade, level/sloping, shrubs/lawns, street trees, etc)

3. Maximum sprinkler spacing for both turf and non-turf areas shall be 50% of the diameter of the throw. (Example: 30' diameter nozzle should be no more that 15' apart). Spacing of sprinklers shall take into account onsite wind conditions.

4. All irrigation systems shall be operated by an automatic controller. At a minimum, each controller shall have a rain shutoff operation, a 14-day calendar, 2 independent programs, and three cycles/day capabilities.

5. The irrigation system shall be designed to allow a complete watering cycle within a 14 hour period.

6. All turf areas shall utilize either pop-up rotary impact heads or spray heads with a minimum riser height of 5 inches.

(SCC 0812 § 1, 1990)

1. Water Use Criteria. All landscapes shall comply with the following water use criteria:

A. The maximum amount of water that can be applied per year to any landscape shall average no greater than 30" of supplemental water.

B. The planted area shall balance the water demands of different plant species to create an overall landscape which requires a moderate amount of water. For design purposes, planting area shall be defined as low use, medium use, or high use areas. (Refer to Section 14.10.120 for a list of low, medium and high use plants.) Water use values (Table I) reflect the relative water use of each type of planting area. To check a landscape design for compliance multiply the water use value by its respective planting area.

Example: Assume a 2 acre landscape plan consists of 20% high use plants (turf), 50% medium use plants, and 30% low use plants.

Since the sum of the water use factors is less than the area (2 acres), the design is acceptable. If the sum of the water use factors exceeded 2, the design would not be acceptable, and the designer would be required to substitute some high use species with low or medium use species to reduce the sum of water use factors to 2 or less.

TABLE I

Water use calculations including plant key, and planting area shall be shown on the planting plan according to the format in the following example:

Assume a landscape design involves 2,600 sq. ft. of planting area. The planting plan consists of 600 sq. ft. of Cistus purpureus (CP), 600 sq. ft. of Nerium oleander (N)), 400 sq. ft. of Pittosporum tobira (PT), Juniperus Horizontals (JH), and Liquidamber styraciflue (LS), and 1000 sq. ft. of turf.

WATER USE CALCULATION

2. Turf Selections and Use.

A. Turf shall not be permitted in planted areas 10 feet or less in width, or in median strips.

B. Under no circumstances shall turf be installed on slopes greater than 20%. The toe of any sloping section shall be a minimum of 24 inches behind a curb or sidewalk.

C. Turf areas which exceed 2,500 square feet are required to use soil moisture sensors and rain shutoff devices as a part of the irrigation system. Device type and installation shall be per manufacturer's recommendations.

D. Turf shall not be installed within 10 feet of the dripline of native oak trees.

E. Turf shall be of a variety well suited to the local climate (i.e. tall fescue)

3. Non-Turf Selections.

A. Plants selected for use in non-turf areas should be well suited or adaptable to the climate of this region. Plants shall be grouped according to their water needs and irrigated separately. Species of different water needs may be grouped (i.e. low with medium and medium with high) but the highest water use value of the two shall be used to determine compliance with the Ordinance. Low and high use species may not be used in the same irrigation area. To use species other than those listed in Section 14.10.120, the designer may provide the County with information indicating the water requirement of the species. Information may include the listing of a plant in an acceptable reference (see Section 14.10.120) stating its water requirement characteristics, comparing it to a species in the plant list, field data, etc.

B. A minimum of three inches of an organic mulch shall be placed in shrub areas on the soil surface after planting. Non-porous materials shall not be placed under the mulch.

(SCC 0812 § 1, 1990)

Upon completion of the installation of the landscaping, the designer shall certify that the landscape complies with all County Water Conserving Landscape Requirements. certification shall be accomplished by completion of a Certificate of Compliance on a form approved by the Director of the County Public Works Department. Failure to submit a complete and accurate Certificate of Compliance will delay final approval of the project and/or discontinue water service.

(SCC 0812 § 1, 1990)

A. For each subdivision with three or more model homes, the developer shall submit a landscape plan and install landscaping for one model home which incorporates the County's Water Conserving Landscape Requirements. The intent of this requirement is to demonstrate to prospective home buyers the feasibility and aesthetic qualities of water conserving landscape design.

B. Signs identifying aspects of the landscape design and irrigation shall be placed around the model. These signs should be clearly marked on the landscape plan for the model. The following criteria shall be used in developing and placing the signs.

1. Front Yard Sign Identifying Model: A sign, large enough to be visible from the street and sidewalk (at least two feet by two feet) shall be located in front of the model home. The sign shall indicate that the model is landscaped with water conserving plant materials and irrigation systems.

2. Other Exterior Signs: A sign shall be placed within the landscaped area identifying the irrigation system used, the different sub-areas of the landscape, and any other features that contribute to the overall water conserving theme.

3. Interior Signs or Displays: A drawing, or combination of drawings, shall be displayed inside the model providing a schematic of the landscape. These drawings shall include a key identifying the plants in the yards. It is suggested that this schematic also be printed on a one page handout to be available at the model or the sales office. The drawings could be a simplified rendering of the landscape plan itself, using common names rather than the Latin names for the plants. The drawing(s) should be colorful and easy to read.

(SCC 0812 § 1, 1990)

Infiltration Rate (IR) Inches/Hour

(SCC 0812 § 1, 1990)

The following is a list of plants that are commonly used in landscape designs with water requirement classifications of low (L), medium (M), or high (H)

The list should not be considered a complete list of plants that can be used in landscape projects. The list is provided to assist the landscape designer in choosing species of appropriate water demands to meet the requirements of this document, and to group species of similar water demands to facilitate efficient irrigation. To use species other than those listed, the designer may provide the County with information indicating the water requirement of the species. Information may include the listing of a plant in an acceptable reference stating its water requirement characteristics, comparing it to a species in the plant list, field data, etc. Acceptable references include the "Sunset Western Garden Book"; "Trees and Shrubs for Dry California Landscapes," Robert Perry; and "Water Wise Gardening," E.B.M.U.D.

The following books are suggested as a Bibliography reference list for the selection of plants in addition to a plant list:

1. PLANTS FOR CALIFORNIA LANDSCAPES: A CATALOG OF DROUGHT-TOLERANT PLANTS, California Department of Water Resources.

2. TREES AND SHRUBS FOR DRY CALIFORNIA LANDSCAPES, Robert Perry.

3. A SUCCESS LIST OF WATER-CONSERVING PLANTS, Saratoga Horticultural Foundation.

4. SELECT CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS, Saratoga Horticultural Foundation.

5. WATER WISE GARDENING/EAST BAY MUD BOOK

(SCC 0812 § 1, 1990)