9-402.010 - PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY

This Chapter establishes standards for landscaping to conserve water, protect property, and improve the general appearance of the County and support implementation of the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). The MWELO was prepared by the California Department of Water Resources and is used by the County in reviewing and approving plans for landscape design and installation. The specific purposes of the landscape regulations are to:

(a)

Require water-efficient landscaping through the use of native and drought-tolerant plans and waterconserving irrigation practices;

(b)

Aid in energy conservation by providing shade from the sun and shelter from the wind;

(c)

Provide habitat through the re-establishment of native plants;

(d)

Assist in mitigating air quality impacts by reducing or absorbing pollutants; and

(e)

Minimize or eliminate conflicts between potentially incompatible, but otherwise permitted land uses on adjoining lots through visual screening.

These regulations are intended to comply with the requirements of California Government Code of Regulations, Title 23, Division 2, Chapter 2.7 for a "water efficient landscape ordinance."