Chapter 10.52 — LANDSCAPE STANDARDS

• (A) The State Legislature has found:

• (1) That the waters of the state are of limited supply and are subject to ever-increasing demands.

(2) That the continuation of California's economic prosperity is dependent on the availability of adequate supplies of water for future uses.

(3) That it is the policy of the state to promote the conservation and efficient use of water and to prevent the waste of this valuable resource.

(4) That landscapes are essential to the quality of life in California by providing areas for active and passive recreation and as an enhancement to the environment by cleaning air and water, preventing erosion, offering fire protection, and replacing ecosystems lost to development.

(5) That landscape design, installation, maintenance, and management can and should be water efficient.

(6) That Section 2 of Article X of the California Constitution specifies that the right to use water is limited to the amount reasonably required for the beneficial use to be served, and the right does not and shall not extend to waste or unreasonable methods of use.

• (B) Consistent with these legislative findings, the purpose of this chapter is to:

(1) Promote the values and benefits of landscaping practices that integrate and go beyond the conservation and efficient use of water.

(2) Establish a structure for planning, designing, installing, maintaining, and managing water-efficient landscapes in new construction and rehabilitated projects by encouraging the use of a watershed approach that requires the crosssector collaboration of industry, government, and property owners to achieve the many benefits possible.

(3) Establish provisions for water management practices and water waste prevention for existing landscapes.

(4) Use water efficiently without waste by setting a maximum applied water allowance as an upper limit for water use and reducing water use to the lowest practical amount.

(5) Promote the benefits of consistent landscape ordinances with neighboring local and regional agencies.

(6) Encourage the use of economic incentives that promote the efficient use of water, such as implementing a tiered-rate structure.

(7) Encourage cooperation between the City of Tulare and other local agencies to implement and enforce this chapter.

(C) Landscapes that are planned, designed, installed, managed, and maintained with the watershed-based approach can improve California's environmental conditions, provide benefits, and realize sustainability goals. Such landscapes will make the urban environment resilient in the face of climatic extremes. Consistent with the legislative findings and purposes of this chapter, conditions in the urban setting will be improved by:

(1) Creating the conditions to support life in the soil by reducing compaction, incorporating organic matter that increases water retention, and promoting productive plant growth that leads to more carbon storage, oxygen production, shade, habitat, and esthetic benefits.

(2) Minimizing energy use by reducing irrigation water requirements, reducing reliance on petroleum-based fertilizers and pesticides, and planting climate-appropriate shade trees in urban areas.

(3) Conserving water by capturing and reusing rainwater and graywater wherever possible and selecting climateappropriate plants that need minimal supplemental water after establishment.

(4) Protecting air and water quality by reducing power equipment use and landfill disposal trips, selecting recycled and locally sourced materials, and using compost, mulch, and efficient irrigation equipment to prevent

erosion.

(5) Protecting existing habitat and creating new habitat by choosing locally native plants, climate-adapted nonnatives, and avoiding invasive plants. Utilizing integrated pest management with the least toxic methods as the first course of action.

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

The objective of this chapter is to establish landscaping regulations that achieve the following:

(A) Conserve water through the selection of plants consistent with Tulare's Mediterranean climate and the design of water-efficient landscapes.

(B) Enhance the aesthetic appearance of the city by promoting development that is well- landscaped, properly irrigated, and effectively maintained. Further, encourage a landscaping scheme that facilitates the following design concepts, where possible:

• (1) Extensive use of vines on bare walls and fences.

• (2) Use of plantings to create shadows and patterns against walls.

• (3) Use of trees to create canopies and shade, especially in parking lots.

• (4) Use of flowering trees in informal groups to provide color and a focal point.

• (5) Use of informal massing or colorful plantings to create visual interest.

• (6) Use of berms, hedges, low walls, and landscaping to screen parking areas, trash enclosures, and utility areas from public rights-of-way.

(7) Use of space between buildings and streets for landscaping with a hierarchy of plants, including trees, shrubs, and turf or groundcover.

(8) Use of a colorful landscaped edge at the base of buildings to avoid pavement being located at the base of structures.

(C) Reduce ambient temperatures along streets, in parking lots, and around buildings in an effort to conserve energy that is related to cooling.

(D) Preserve the integrity of residential neighborhoods by using landscaping to screen incompatible uses, provide shade for pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and enhance the beauty of the residential setting.

(E) Provide for both solar access for energy generation and for winter warming by properly placing trees in locations that encourage such purposes.

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

The terms used in this chapter have the meaning set forth below:

APPLIED WATER. The portion of water supplied by the irrigation system to the landscape.

AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION CONTROLLER. 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.

BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. A safety device used to prevent pollution or contamination of the water supply due to the reverse flow of water from the irrigation system.

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION. The document required under § 10.52.140.

CERTIFIED IRRIGATION DESIGNER. 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.

CERTIFIED LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION AUDITOR. A person certified to perform landscape irrigation audits by an accredited academic institution, a professional trade organization, or another program such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense irrigation auditor certification program and Irrigation Association's Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor program.

CHECK VALVE or ANTI-DRAIN VALVE. 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. COMMON INTEREST DEVELOPMENTS. Community apartment projects, condominium projects, planned developments, and stock cooperatives per Cal. Civil Code § 1351.

COMPOST. The safe and stable product of controlled biological decomposition of organic materials that is beneficial to plant growth.

CONVERSION FACTOR (0.62). The number that converts acre-inches per acre per year to gallons per square foot per year.

DISTRIBUTION UNIFORMITY. The measure of the uniformity of irrigation water over a defined area. DRIP IRRIGATION. Any non-spray low-volume irrigation system utilizing emission devices with a 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.

ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION PROJECT. A project where the site is intentionally altered to establish a defined, indigenous, historic ecosystem.

EFFECTIVE PRECIPITATION OR USABLE RAINFALL (EPPT). The portion of total precipitation that becomes available for plant growth.

EMITTER. A drip irrigation emission device that delivers water slowly from the system to the soil.

ESTABLISHED LANDSCAPE. 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 years of growth.

ESTABLISHMENT PERIOD OF THE PLANTS. The first year after installing the plant in the landscape or the first 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 five years for establishment.

ESTIMATED TOTAL WATER USE (ETWU). The total water used for the landscape as described in § 10.52.090. ET ADJUSTMENT FACTOR (ETAF). 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 efficiency, two major influences upon the amount of water that needs to be applied to the landscape. The ETAF for a new and existing (nonrehabilitated special landscape area shall not exceed 1.0. The ETAF for existing non-rehabilitated landscapes is 0.8. EVAPORATION RATE. The quantity of water evaporated from adjacent soil and other surfaces and transpired by plants during a specified time.

FLOW RATE. The rate at which water flows through pipes, valves, and emission devices, measured in gallons per minute, gallons per hour, or cubic feet per second.

FLOW SENSOR. An inline device installed at the supply point of the irrigation system that produces a repeatable signal proportional to the 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.

FRIABLE. 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.

FUEL MODIFICATION PLAN GUIDELINE. Guidelines from a local fire authority to assist residents and businesses that are developing land or building structures in a fire hazard severity zone.

GRAYWATER. 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 (see Cal. Health and Safety Code § 17922.12).

HARDSCAPES. Any durable material (pervious and non-pervious).

HYDROZONE. A portion of the landscaped area having plants with similar water needs and rooting depth. A HYDROZONE may be irrigated or non-irrigated.

INFILTRATION RATE. The rate of water entry into the soil expressed as a depth of water per unit of time (e.g., inches per hour).

INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES. 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. Lists of invasive plants are maintained at the California Invasive Plant Inventory and USDA invasive and noxious weeds database.

IRRIGATION AUDIT. 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.

IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY (IE). 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 minimum average irrigation efficiency for purposes of this chapter is 0.75 for overhead spray devices and 0.81 for drip systems.

IRRIGATION SURVEY. An evaluation of an irrigation system that is less detailed than an irrigation audit. An IRRIGATION SURVEY includes but is not limited to inspection, system tests, and written recommendations to improve the performance of the irrigation system.

IRRIGATION WATER USE ANALYSIS. An analysis of water use data based on meter readings and billing data. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT. A person who holds a license to practice landscape architecture in the Cal. Business and Professions Code § 5615.

LANDSCAPE AREA. 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 non-pervious hardscapes, and other non-irrigated areas designated for non-development (e.g., open spaces and existing native vegetation).

LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR. A person licensed by the State of California to construct, maintain, repair, install, or subcontract the development of landscape systems.

LANDSCAPE DOCUMENTATION PACKAGE. The documents required under § 10.52.060.

LANDSCAPE PROJECT. The total area of landscape in a project as defined in LANDSCAPE AREA for the purposes of this chapter, meeting requirements under § 10.52.090.

LANDSCAPE WATER METER. An inline device installed at the irrigation supply point that measures the flow of water into the irrigation system and is connected to a totalizer to record water use.

LATERAL LINE. The water delivery pipeline that supplies water to the emitters or sprinklers from the valve. LOCAL AGENCY. A city or county, including a charter city or charter county, that is responsible for adopting and implementing the ordinance. 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.

LOCAL WATER PURVEYOR. Any entity, including a public agency, city, county, or private water company that provides retail water service. The LOCAL WATER PURVEYOR in the City of Tulare is the city.

LOW-VOLUME IRRIGATION. 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 specifically designed to apply small volumes of water slowly at or near the root zone of plants.

MAIN LINE. The pressurized pipeline that delivers water from the water source to the valve or outlet. MASTER SHUT-OFF VALVE. An automatic valve installed at the irrigation supply point, which controls water flow 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.

MAXIMUM APPLIED WATER ALLOWANCE (MAWA). The upper limit of annual applied water for the established landscaped area as specified in § 10.52.090. It is based on 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].

MEDIAN. An area between opposing lanes of traffic that may be unplanted or planted with trees, shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses.

MICROCLIMATE. The climate of a small, specific 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 reflective surfaces.

MINED-LAND RECLAMATION PROJECTS. Any surface mining operation with a reclamation plan approved in accordance with the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975.

MULCH. 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 beneficial purposes of reducing evaporation, suppressing weeds, moderating soil temperature, and preventing soil erosion.

NEW CONSTRUCTION. For the purposes of this chapter, a new building with a landscape or other new landscape, such as a park, playground, or greenbelt without an associated building.

NON-RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE. 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 for developments with designated recreational areas.

OPERATING PRESSURE. The pressure at which the parts of an irrigation system are designed by the manufacturer to operate.

OVERHEAD SPRINKLER IRRIGATION SYSTEMS. Systems that deliver water through the air (e.g., spray heads and rotors).

OVERSPRAY. The irrigation water which is delivered beyond the target area.

PERMIT. An authorizing document issued by local agencies for new construction or rehabilitated landscapes. PERVIOUS. Any surface or material that allows the passage of water through the material and into the underlying soil.

PLANT FACTOR or PLANT WATER USE FACTOR. A factor that, 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 - 0.1, and the plant factor range for low water-use plants is 0.2 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 Classification 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).

PROJECT APPLICANT. The individual or entity submitting a Landscape Documentation Package required under § 10.52.060 to request a permit, plan check, or site plan review from the City of Tulare. A project applicant may be the property owner or his or her designee.

RAIN SENSOR or RAIN SENSING SHUTOFF DEVICE. A component that automatically suspends an irrigation event when it rains.

RECORD DRAWING or AS-BUILTS. A set of reproducible drawings that show significant changes in the work made during construction and which are usually based on drawings marked up in the field and other data furnished by the contractor.

RECREATIONAL AREA. Areas, excluding private single-family residential areas, designated for active play, recreation, or public assembly in parks, sports fields, picnic grounds, amphitheaters, or golf courses - tees, fairways, roughs, surrounds, and greens.

RECYCLED WATER, RECLAIMED WATER, or TREATED SEWAGE EFFLUENT WATER. Treated or recycled waste water of a quality suitable for non-potable uses such as landscape irrigation and water features. This water is not intended for human consumption.

REFERENCE EVAPOTRANSPIRATION or ETo. A standard measurement of environmental parameters that affect the water use of plants. ETo is expressed in inches per day, month, or year as represented for the State of California in Appendix A of the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, and is an estimate of the evapotranspiration of a large field of four- to seven-inch tall, cool-season grass that is well-watered. REFERENCE EVAPOTRANSPIRATION is used as the basis for determining the maximum applied water allowance so that regional differences in climate can be accommodated. The ETo for the City of Tulare is 50.7.

REGIONAL WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE. A local ordinance adopted by two or more local agencies, water suppliers, and other stakeholders for implementing a consistent set of landscape provisions throughout a geographical region. Regional ordinances are strongly encouraged to provide a consistent framework for the landscape industry and applicants to adhere to.

REHABILITATED LANDSCAPE. Any re-landscaping project that requires a permit, plan check, or site plan review, meets the requirements of § 10.52.040, and the modified landscape area is equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet.

RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE. Landscapes surrounding single or multi-family homes.

RUNOFF. Water that is not absorbed by the soil or landscape to which it is applied and flows from the landscape area. For example, runoff may result from water that is applied at too great a rate (application rate exceeds infiltration rate) or when there is a slope.

SOIL MOISTURE SENSING DEVICE or SOIL MOISTURE SENSOR. A device that measures the amount of

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

SOIL TEXTURE. The classification of soil based on its percentage of sand, silt, and clay.

SPECIAL LANDSCAPE AREA (SLA). An area of the landscape dedicated solely to edible plants, recreational areas, and areas irrigated with recycled water.

SPRINKLER HEAD. A device that delivers water through a nozzle.

STATIC WATER PRESSURE. The pipeline or municipal water supply pressure when water is not flowing. STATION. An area served by one valve or by a set of valves that operate simultaneously.

SWING JOINT. An irrigation component that provides a flexible, leak-free connection between the emission device and lateral pipeline to allow movement in any direction and prevent equipment damage.

SUBMETER. A metering device to measure water applied to the landscape that is installed after the primary utility water meter.

TURF. A groundcover surface of mowed grass. Annual bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, red

fescue, and tall fescue are cool-season grasses. Bermudagrass, Kikuyugrass, Seashore Paspalum, St. Augustinegrass, Zoysiagrass, and Buffalo grass are warm-season grasses.

VALVE. A device used to control the flow of water in the irrigation system.

WATER CONSERVING PLANT SPECIES. A plant species identified as having a very low or low plant factor.

WATER FEATURE. A design element where open water performs an aesthetic or recreational function. WATER FEATURES include ponds, lakes, waterfalls, fountains, artificial streams, spas, and swimming pools (where water is artificially supplied). The surface area of water features is included in the high water use hydrozone of the landscape area. Constructed wetlands used for on-site wastewater treatment or stormwater best management practices that are not irrigated and used solely for water treatment or stormwater retention are not water features and, therefore, are not subject to the water budget calculation.

WATERING WINDOW. The time of day irrigation is allowed.

WUCOLS. The Water Use Classification of Landscape Species published by the University of California Cooperative Extension and the Department of Water Resources.

• (Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

(A) After December 1, 2015, and consistent with Executive Order No. B-29-15, this chapter shall apply to all of the following landscape projects:

• (1) New development projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 500 square feet require a building or landscape permit, plan check, or site plan review.

• (2) Rehabilitated landscape projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet require a building or landscape permit, plan check, or site plan review.

• (3) Existing landscapes limited to §§ 10.52.240, 10.52.250, and 10.52.260.

• (4) Cemeteries. Recognizing the special landscape management needs of cemeteries, new and rehabilitated

• cemeteries are limited to §§ 10.52.090, 10.52.170, and 10.52.180; and existing cemeteries are limited to §§ 10.52.240, 10.52.250, and 10.52.260.

• (B) Any project with an aggregate landscape area of 2,500 square feet or less may comply with the performance requirements of this chapter or conform to the prescriptive measures contained in § 10.52.080(A).

(C) For projects using treated or untreated graywater or rainwater captured on site, any lot or parcel within the project that has less than 2,500 square feet of landscape and meets the lot or parcel's landscape water requirement (estimated total water use) entirely with treated or untreated graywater or through stored rainwater captured on site is subject only to § 10.52.080(A)(5).

• (D) This chapter does not apply to:

• (1) Registered local, state, or federal historical sites.

• (2) Ecological restoration projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system.

• (3) Mined-land reclamation projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system.

• (4) Plant collections, as part of botanical gardens and arboretums open to the public.

• (Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

The City of Tulare designates the Community Services Department and the Planning Division of the Community Development Department to implement the requirements contained in this chapter.

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

Prior to construction, the City of Tulare shall:

• (A) Provide the project applicant with this chapter and procedures for permits, plan checks, or site plan reviews.

• (B) Review the Landscape Documentation Package submitted by the project applicant.

• (C) Approve or deny the Landscape Documentation Package.

• (D) Issue a permit or approve the plan check or site plan review for the project applicant.

• (E) Provide inspection of the irrigation system and plant species as approved under division (B).

• (F) Upon filing a certificate of completion by the project applicant, the project shall be accepted as complete.

• (Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

The City of Tulare may identify penalties to the project applicant for non-compliance with this chapter per the penalties enumerated in § 10.52.290.

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

(A) Projects 2,500 square feet or less. Projects 2,500 square feet or less may comply with the requirements of this chapter by conforming to the prescriptive measures below. Compliance with all of the following items is mandatory and must be documented on a landscape plan in order to use the prescriptive compliance option:

• (1) Submit a Landscape Documentation Package that includes the following elements:

• (a) Date.

• (b) Project applicant.

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

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

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

• (f) 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.

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

• (h) Applicant signature and date with the statement, "I agree to comply with the requirements of the prescriptive compliance option of the MWELO."

• (i) Incorporate compost at a rate of at least four cubic yards per 1,000 square feet to a depth of six inches into the landscape area (unless contraindicated by a soil test).

• (2) Plant material shall comply with all of the following:

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

(b) 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.

• (3) Turf shall comply with all of the following:

• (a) Turf shall not exceed 25% of the landscape area in residential areas, and there shall be no turf in nonresidential areas.

• (b) Turf shall not be planted on sloped areas that exceed a slope of one-foot vertical elevation change for every four feet of horizontal length.

(c) 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 that creates no overspray or runoff.

• (4) Irrigation systems shall comply with the following:

• (a) Automatic irrigation controllers are required and must use evapotranspiration or soil moisture sensor data.

• (b) Irrigation controllers shall be of a type that does not lose programming data in the event the primary power source is interrupted.

• (c) 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.

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

(e) All irrigation emission devices must meet the requirements set in the ANSI standard, ASABE/ICC 8022014, "Landscape Irrigation Sprinkler and Emitter Standard." All sprinkler heads installed in the landscape must document a distribution uniformity of a low quarter of 0.65 or higher using the protocol defined in ASABE/ICC 8022014.

(5) At the time of final inspection, the permit applicant must provide the owner of the property with a certificate of completion, certificate of installation, irrigation schedule, and a schedule of landscape and irrigation maintenance.

(B) Any project over 2,500 square feet. The Landscape Documentation Package shall include the following six elements:

• (1) Project information:

• (a) Date.

• (b) Project applicant.

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

• (d) Total landscape area (square feet).

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

• (f) 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.

• (g) Checklist of all documents in the Landscape Documentation Package.

• (h) Project contacts to include contact information for the project applicant and property owner.

• (i) Applicant signature and date with the statement, "I agree to comply with the requirements of the waterefficient landscape ordinance and submit a complete Landscape Documentation Package."

• (2) Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet:

• (a) Hydrozone information table.

• (b) Water budget calculations:

1. Maximum applied water allowance (MAWA).

2. Estimated total water use (ETWU).

3. Soil management report.

4. Landscape design plan.

5. Irrigation design plan.

6. Grading design plan.

• (Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

(A) A project applicant shall complete the Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet in Appendix A, attached to Ordinance 15-11 and incorporated by reference as if set forth in full herein, which contains information on the plant factor, irrigation method, irrigation efficiency, and the area associated with each hydrozone. Calculations are then made to show that the evapotranspiration adjustment factor (ETAF) for the landscape project does not exceed a factor of 0.55 for residential areas and 0.45 for non-residential areas, exclusive of special landscape areas. The ETAF for a landscape project is based on the plant factors and irrigation methods selected. The maximum applied water allowance is calculated based on the maximum ETAF allowed (0.55 for residential areas and 0.45 for non-residential areas) and expressed as annual gallons required. The estimated total water use (ETWU) is calculated based on the plants used and the irrigation method selected for the landscape design. ETWU must be below MAWA.

• (1) In calculating the maximum applied water allowance and estimated total water use in the City of Tulare, a project applicant shall use 50.6 as the ETo value.

• (B) Water budget calculations shall adhere to the following requirements:

(1) The plant factor used shall be from WUCOLS or from horticultural researchers with academic institutions or professional associations as approved by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). The plant factor ranges from 0 to 0.1 for very low water using plants, 0.2 to 0.3 for low water use plants, from 0.4 to 0.6 for moderate water use plants, and from 0.7 to 1.0 for high water use plants.

(2) 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) All special landscape areas shall be identified and their water use calculated as shown in Appendix A, attached to Ordinance 15-11 and incorporated by reference as if set forth in full herein.

• (4) ETAF for new and existing (non-rehabilitated special landscape areas shall not exceed 1.0).

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

In order to reduce runoff and encourage healthy plant growth, a soil management report shall be completed by the project applicant, or his/her designee, as follows:

• (A) Submit soil samples to a laboratory for analysis and recommendations.

• (1) Soil sampling shall be conducted in accordance with laboratory protocol, including protocols regarding adequate sampling depth for the intended plants.

• (2) The soil analysis shall include:

• (a) Soil texture.

• (b) Infiltration rate determined by laboratory test or soil texture infiltration rate table.

• (c) pH.

• (d) Total soluble salts.

• (e) Sodium.

• (f) Percent organic matter.

• (g) Recommendations.

(3) In projects with multiple landscape installations (i.e., production home developments), a soil sampling rate of one in seven lots or approximately 15% will satisfy this requirement. Large landscape projects shall sample at a rate equivalent to one in seven lots.

• (B) The project applicant, or his or her designee, shall comply with one of the following:

• (1) If significant mass grading is not planned, the soil analysis report shall be submitted to the City of Tulare Community Development Department as part of the Landscape Documentation Package.

• (2) If significant mass grading is planned, the soil analysis report shall be submitted to the City of Tulare Community Development Department as part of the certificate of completion.

(C) The soil analysis report shall be made available, in a timely manner, to the professionals preparing the landscape design plans and irrigation design plans to make any necessary adjustments to the design plans.

(D) The project applicant, or his or her designee, shall submit documentation verifying the implementation of soil analysis report recommendations to the City of Tulare with a Certificate of Completion.

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

(A) For the efficient use of water, a landscape shall be carefully designed and planned for the intended function of the project. A landscape design plan meeting the following design criteria shall be submitted as part of the Landscape Documentation Package.

• (1) Plant material.

(a) Any plant may be selected for the landscape, providing the estimated total water use in the landscape area does not exceed the maximum applied water allowance. To encourage the efficient use of water, the following is highly recommended:

1. Protection and preservation of native species and natural vegetation.

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

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

4. Selection of trees based on applicable local tree ordinances or tree shading guidelines; and size at maturity as appropriate for the planting area.

5. Selection of plants from local and regional landscape program plant lists.

6. Selection of plants from local Fuel Modification Plan Guidelines.

• (b) Each hydrozone shall have plant materials with similar water use, with the exception of hvdrozones with plants of mixed water use, as specified in § 10.52.120.

(c) Plants shall be selected and planted appropriately based on their adaptability to the climatic, geologic, and topographical conditions of the project site. Methods to achieve water efficiency shall include one or more of the following:

1. 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.

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

3. Consider the solar orientation for plant placement to maximize summer shade and winter solar gain.

• (d) Turf is not allowed on slopes greater than 25% where the toe of the slope is adjacent to an impermeable hardscape and where 25% means one foot of vertical elevation change for every four feet of horizontal length (rise divided by run x 100 = slope percent).

• (e) High-water plants, characterized by a plant factor of 0.7 to 1.0, are prohibited in street medians.

(f) 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 Cal. Public Resources Code § 4291(a) and (b). Avoid fireprone plant materials and highly flammable mulches. Refer to the local Fuel Modification Plan guidelines.

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

(h) The architectural guidelines of common interest development that 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) Water features.

• (a) Recirculating water systems shall be used for water features.

• (b) Where available, recycled water shall be used as a source for decorative water features.

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

• (d) Pool and spa covers are highly recommended.

• (3) Soil preparation, mulch, and amendments.

• (a) Prior to the planting of any materials, compacted soils shall be transformed to a friable condition. On engineered slopes, only amended planting holes need to meet this requirement.

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

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

(d) 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. To provide habitat for beneficial insects and other wildlife, up to 5% of the landscape area may be left without mulch. Designated insect habitat must be included in the landscape design plan as such.

• (e) Stabilizing mulching products shall be used on slopes that meet current engineering standards.

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

(g) 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. Organic mulches are not required where prohibited by local Fuel Modification Plan guidelines or other applicable local ordinances.

• (B) The landscape design plan, at a minimum, shall:

• (1) Delineate and label each hydrozone by number, letter, or other method.

• (2) Identify each hydrozone as low, moderate, high water, or mixed water use. Temporarily irrigated areas of the landscape shall be included in the low water use hydrozone for the water budget calculation.

• (3) Identify recreational areas.

• (4) Identify areas permanently and solely dedicated to edible plants.

• (5) Identify areas irrigated with recycled water.

• (6) Identify type of mulch and application depth.

• (7) Identify soil amendments, type, and quantity.

• (8) Identify type and surface area of water features.

• (9) Identify hardscapes (pervious and non-pervious).

(10) Identify location and installation details, as well as 24-hour retention or infiltration capacity of any applicable stormwater best management practices that encourage on-site retention and infiltration of stormwater. Project applicants shall refer to the local agency or regional Water Quality Control Board for information on any applicable stormwater technical requirements. Stormwater best management practices are encouraged in the landscape design plan, and examples are provided in § 10.52.210.

(11) Identify any applicable rain harvesting or catchment as discussed in § 10.52.210 and their 24-hour retention or infiltration capacity.

(12) Identify any applicable graywater discharge piping, system components, and area(s) of distribution.

(13) Contain the following statement: "I have complied with the criteria of the ordinance and applied them for the efficient use of water in the landscape design plan."

(14) Bear the signature of a licensed landscape architect, licensed landscape contractor, or any other person authorized to design a landscape. (See Cal. Business and Professions Code §§ 5500.1, 5615, 5641, 5641.1, 5641.2, 5641.3, 5641.4, 5641.5, 5641.6, 6701, 7027.5, Cal. Code of Regulations, Title 16, § 832.27, and Cal. Food and Agricultural Code § 6721.)

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

(A) This section applies to landscaped areas requiring permanent irrigation, not areas that require temporary irrigation solely for the plant establishment period. For the efficient use of water, an irrigation system shall meet all the requirements listed in this section and the manufacturers' recommendations. The irrigation system and its related components shall be planned and designed to allow for proper installation, management, and maintenance. An irrigation design plan meeting the following design criteria shall be submitted as part of the Landscape Documentation Package.

• (1) System.

(a) Landscape water meters, defined as either a dedicated water service meter or private submeter shall be installed for all non-residential irrigated landscapes of 1,000 square feet but not more than 5,000 square feet (the level at which Cal. Water Code § 535 applies) and residential irrigated landscapes of 5,000 square feet or greater.

1. A customer service meter dedicated to landscape use provided by the local water purveyor.

2. A privately owned meter or submeter.

(b) Automatic irrigation controllers utilizing either evapotranspiration or soil moisture sensor data utilizing nonvolatile memory shall be required for irrigation scheduling in all irrigation systems.

(c) 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.

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

2. 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, they shall be conducted at installation.

(d) 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.

(e) Manual shut-off valves (such as a gate valve, ball valve, or butterfly valve) shall be required, as close as possible to the point of connection of the water supply, to minimize water loss in case of an emergency (such as a mainline break) or routine repair.

(f) Backflow prevention devices shall be required to protect the water supply from contamination by the irrigation system. A project applicant shall refer to the applicable local agency code (i.e., public health) for additional backflow prevention requirements.

(g) Flow sensors that detect high flow conditions created by system damage or malfunction are required for all non-residential landscapes and residential landscapes of 5,000 square feet or larger.

(h) 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.

(i) The irrigation system shall be designed to prevent runoff, low head drainage, overspray, or other similar conditions where irrigation water flows onto non-targeted areas, such as adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, hardscapes, roadways, or structures.

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

(k) The design of the irrigation system shall conform to the hvdrozones of the landscape design plan.

(l) The irrigation system must be designed and installed to meet, at a minimum, the irrigation efficiency criteria as described in § 10.52.090 regarding the maximum applied water allowance.

(m) All irrigation emission devices must meet the requirements set out 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.

(n) It is highly recommended that the project applicant or local agency inquire with the City of Tulare Water Utility about peak water operating demands (on the water supply system) or water restrictions that may impact the effectiveness of the irrigation system.

(o) In mulched planting areas, the use of low-volume irrigation is required to maximize water infiltration into the root zone.

(p) Sprinkler heads and other emission devices shall have matched precipitation rates unless otherwise directed by the manufacturer's recommendations.

(q) Head-to-head coverage is recommended. However, sprinkler spacing shall be designed to achieve the highest possible distribution uniformity using the manufacturer's recommendations.

(r) 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 or turf grass.

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

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

(u) Overhead irrigation shall not be permitted within 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 implanted. The surfacing of the setback may be mulch, gravel, or other porous material. These restrictions may be modified if:

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

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

3. 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 § 10.52.120(A)(1)(h). Overspray and runoff prevention must be confirmed during the irrigation audit.

(v) Slopes greater than 25% shall not be irrigated with an irrigation system with an application rate exceeding three-quarter 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.

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

• (b) Sprinkler heads and other emission devices shall be selected based on what is appropriate for the plant type within that hydrozone.

(c) Where feasible, trees shall be placed on separate valves from shrubs, groundcovers, and turf to facilitate the appropriate irrigation of trees. The nature, size, and extent of the root zone shall be considered when designing irrigation for the tree.

• (d) Individual hydrozones that mix plants of moderate and low water use, or moderate and high water use, may be allowed if:

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

2. The plant factor of the higher water-using plant is used for calculations.

• (e) Individual hydrozones that mix high- and low-water use plants shall not be permitted.

• (f) On the landscape design plan and irrigation design plan, hvdrozone areas shall be designated by number, letter, or other designation. On the irrigation design plan, designate the areas irrigated by each valve, and assign a number to each valve. Use this valve number in the Hvdrozone Information Table (see Appendix B Section A). This table can also assist with the irrigation audit and programming of the controller.

• (B) The irrigation design plan, at a minimum, shall contain:

• (1) Location and size of separate water meters for landscape.

(2) Location, type, and size of all components of the irrigation system, including controllers, main and lateral lines, valves, sprinkler heads, moisture sensing devices, rain switches, quick couplers, pressure regulators, and backflow prevention devices.

• (3) Static water pressure at the point of connection to the public water supply.

• (4) Flow rate (gallons per minute), application rate (inches per hour), and design operating pressure (pressure per square inch) for each station.

• (5) Recycled water irrigation systems as specified in § 10.52.200.

• (6) The following statement: "I have complied with the criteria of the ordinance and applied them accordingly for the efficient use of water in the irrigation design plan."

(7) The signature of a licensed landscape architect, certified irrigation designer, licensed landscape contractor, or any other person authorized to design an irrigation system. (See Cal. Business and Professions Code §§ 5500.1, 5615, 5641, 5641.1, 5641.2, 5641.3, 5641.4, 5641.5, 5641.6, 6701, 7027.5, Cal. Code of Regulations Title 16, § 832.27, and Cal. Food and Agricultural Code § 6721.)

• (Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

For the efficient use of water, the grading of a project site shall be designed to minimize soil erosion, runoff, and water waste. A grading plan shall be submitted as part of the Landscape Documentation Package. A comprehensive

grading plan prepared by a civil engineer for other local agency permits satisfies this requirement.

(A) The project applicant shall submit a landscape grading plan that indicates finished configurations and elevations of the landscape area, including:

• (1) Height of graded slopes.

• (2) Drainage patterns.

• (3) Pad elevations.

• (4) Finish grade.

• (5) Stormwater retention improvements, if applicable.

• (B) 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 onto nonpermeable hardscapes.

182Tulare - Zoning

• (2) Avoid disruption of natural drainage patterns and undisturbed soil.

• (3) Avoid soil compaction in landscape areas.

(C) The grading design plan shall contain the following statement: "I have complied with the criteria of the ordinance and applied them accordingly for the efficient use of water in the grading design plan" and shall bear the signature of a licensed professional as authorized by law.

• (Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

(A) The certificate of completion (see Appendix B, attached to Ordinance 15-11 and incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, for a sample certificate) shall include the following six elements:

• (1) Project information sheet that contains:

• (a) Date.

• (b) Project name.

• (c) Project applicant name, telephone, and mailing address.

• (d) Project address and location.

• (e) Property owner name, telephone, and mailing address.

• (2) Certification by either the signer of the landscape design plan, the signer of the irrigation design plan, or the

licensed landscape contractor that the landscape project has been installed per the approved Landscape Documentation Package:

(a) Where there have been significant changes made in the field during construction, these "as-built" or record drawings shall be included with the certification.

(b) A diagram of the irrigation plan showing hydrozones shall be kept with the irrigation controller for subsequent management purposes.

• (3) Irrigation scheduling parameters used to set the controller (see § 10.52.160).

• (4) Landscape and irrigation maintenance schedule (see § 10.52.170).

• (5) Irrigation audit report (see § 10.52.180).

• (6) Soil analysis report, if not submitted with Landscape Documentation Package, and documentation verifying implementation of soil report recommendations (see § 10.52.100).

• (B) The project applicant shall:

• (1) Submit the signed certificate of completion to the City of Tulare for review.

• (2) Ensure that copies of the approved certificate of completion are submitted to the City of Tulare Water Utility and property owner or his or her designee.

• (C) The City of Tulare shall:

• (1) Receive the signed certificate of completion from the project applicant.

• (2) Approve or deny the certificate of completion. If the certificate of completion is denied, the City of Tulare shall provide information to the project applicant regarding a reapplication, appeal, or other assistance.

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

All projects that require a landscaping and irrigation plan pursuant to this chapter shall comply with the following development standards.

• (A) General standards.

(1) All landscape development over 500 square feet (new) or 2,500 square feet (rehabilitated) that requires a permit, plan check, or site plan review shall meet the water efficiency and site design requirements detailed in other sections of this chapter. The project applicant, and owner (if different) shall sign the Landscape Documentation Package as required in § 10.52.080(B)(1)(i).

(2) All exterior areas not devoted to parking, storage, driveways, walkways, or loading areas shall be landscaped. A minimum of 5% of the gross lot area shall be landscaped unless the district in which the project is located does not require yard areas in which case only street trees are required.

(3) Landscaping shall be used to screen storage areas, trash enclosures, parking, public utilities, and other similar elements. The landscaping shall screen these elements within three years of installation.

(4) Planting and irrigation shall conform to the water use efficiency sections of this code in such a manner that the site-wide estimated total water use (ETWU) will be less than the maximum applied water allowance (MAWA). Landscape plans shall document compliance with the ordinance by submitting a Landscape Documentation Package and providing supporting documentation as required in the ordinance.

(5) All landscaping on the city-owned property shall conform to city landscaping and irrigation standards, including the City Services Department Improvements Standards; City of Tulare Parking Lot Tree Shading Design and Maintenance Guidelines; area-specific plans and other applicable documents, as may be updated from time to time.

(6) Certain landscapes (see § 10.52.040) are exempt from the water efficiency documentation requirements of this section. These landscapes must still comply with the development standards in § 10.52.150 as much as is practical.

• (B) Trees.

(1) Fifteen-gallon street trees shall be planted in the right-of-way along all public streets. The number of street trees required shall be determined by dividing the total street frontage measured at the property line by 30. Round up to whole trees. Actual spacing of trees can vary to accommodate driveways, buried and overhead utilities, and other obstructions. Trees shall be spaced at reasonable mature canopy width.

(2) Street tree location can be in the landscape parkway between the curb and sidewalk, in tree wells if approved in the site plan, or on the property side of the sidewalk as appropriate for the particular situation. The species selection shall respect the available root area in the planting zone.

(3) The front, rear, and side setbacks facing public streets shall be planted with trees and shrubs to provide an attractive buffer between the building and/or parking and the adjacent roadways and shade for walks and parking lots.

(4) Trees in the setback area, yards, and around the parking lot shall be 15 gallons or larger.

(5) Trees planted near sidewalks, curbs, or another hardscape shall be appropriately sized for the root area of the trees and shall be irrigated on a dedicated irrigation valve. If the center of the trunk of the tree is within eight feet of a curb, sidewalk, building, trash enclosure, or other hardscape improvement the tree shall be installed with an 18-inch by ten-foot root barrier installed in a linear fashion adjacent to the concrete improvement.

(6) Trees shall be planted in locations where they do not interfere with service lines, basic property rights of adjacent owners, or the right to solar access.

(C) Shrubs.

(1) Shrubs and living ground covers shall be used in the city right-of-way in lieu of turf. Spacing of shrubs shall not exceed 120% of the mature size stated for the shrubs in the current edition of the Sunset Western Garden Book.

(2) Front, side, and rear setback areas that abut public streets shall be planted with a combination of shrubs, groundcovers, and mulches in such a manner that the landscape meets the water efficiency requirements elsewhere in this section.

(3) Shrubs and ground covers in setbacks shall be spaced at no more than 120% of the mature size stated in the current edition of the Sunset Western Garden Book.

(4) Unplanted mulch areas may comprise no more than 30% of the planter area. Tree canopy over unplanted mulch areas is encouraged.

(5) Fifty of the shrubs and ground covers shall be five-gallon containers or larger; the remainder shall be from one-gallon containers.

(6) Vines that self-cling shall be planted on all frontage masonry walls for graffiti control. (D) Turf.

(1) Turf (as defined in § 10.52.030) is only allowable in cases where the water budget will demonstrate that adequate irrigation water is available.

(2) Concrete mow strips shall separate all turf areas from planter beds on city-owned property.

(3) Turf beds shall be a minimum of ten feet in width unless irrigated with subsurface irrigation; turf may not be used in storm drainage ponds with slopes steeper than 1:6 or on mounds or berms with slopes steeper than 1:8, except as provided for by the City Services Department.

(4) Use of artificial turf on city-owned property may be used subject to approval by the Community Services Director.

• (E) Irrigation.

(1) All components of the irrigation system and the irrigation design must meet the water efficiency requirements elsewhere in this section, including:

(a) Low-volume systems (drip, low-volume sprays, or individual bubblers) shall be used whenever feasible. In city-owned shrub areas low-volume irrigation shall be installed using hard pipe underground with low-volume sprays or bubblers above grade.

(b) Irrigation for sports turf and recreational turf may use overhead irrigation subject to the restrictions elsewhere in this chapter.

(c) All irrigation systems shall be equipped with an automatic Smart-controller with Et sensing, weathersensing and multiple cycle capabilities, and a flexible calendar program.

(d) Plants shall be grouped into hydrozones of like water requirements.

(e) Sprinkler heads must have matched application rates within each control valve.

(f) Sprinkler head spacing shall be designed for head-to-head coverage and placed at a maximum of 50% of the diameter of the throw for square spacing and 60% for triangular spacing.

(g) Overhead sprays shall not throw water onto hardscape, bare ground areas, or other non-planted areas, including sidewalks between landscaped areas. Irrigation water must stay in landscape areas and not drain off to storm drains or gutters.

(h) Pop-up sprinklers must have a six-inch pop-up height and must clear all plant material and obstacles in their throw zone.

(i) Automatic rain shut-off devices shall be required on all irrigation systems.

(j) One valve shall be dedicated to tree irrigation and shall be able to run independently of any other irrigation valve.

• (F) Mulch.

(1) As required elsewhere in this chapter, a minimum of three inches of mulch is required in all non-turf planters.

(2) Mulch may be organic (such as bark, compost, or straw) or mineral (such as cobble or decomposed granite).

(3) Mulch on city-owned property must be coarse ground cedar or redwood bark product. Dyed products are prohibited.

(4) Plastic or other non-porous sheeting is prohibited in city-owned landscape and lighting district planters and discouraged elsewhere.

(G) Mounding.

(1) Mounds that contain turf or groundcover shall be no steeper than 1:8 and 1:5, respectively. Slopes steeper than 1:8 may contain shrubs if this material is irrigated with a drip or other low-volume system.

(2) Incorporate compost into the mounds prior to compaction per § 10.52.110(A)(3). Mounds shall be compacted prior to planting.

(H) Corner lots. Landscape and irrigation plans for any development involving corner lots at project entries shall include additional special design requirements, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Incorporate significant landscape or hardscape features, including specimen trees; wall breaks, angled walls or walls with different material treatments; special signing or lighting or statue.

(2) Specimen trees.

(3) Corner landscape and irrigation plans shall be designed so that proper sight lines across the corner are maintained consistent with the Traffic Safety Sight Area as defined in § 10.52.030 (Definitions).

(I) Walls. Plans for development project walls facing public streets should include the following special design requirements, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Wall material should vary. Caps, pilasters, or corner segments of the wall should vary in appearance from the primary portion of the wall.

(2) Masonry walls shall be planted with vines in order to soften the appearance of the wall and discourage graffiti.

(3) Non-masonry fences facing public streets or property shall be set back from the back of walk a minimum of three feet and planted with shrubs or other plant materials.

(J) Parking lots. Parking lot plans for non-residential developments serving 20 parking stalls or greater should include the following design requirements. These requirements will promote an attractive visual environment, promote a transition between land uses, reduce energy consumption in buildings adjacent to parking lots, and decrease glare and high summer temperatures community-wide by reducing the amount of exposed pavement.

(1) A combination of landscaping and/or low walls and/or mounding shall be installed between the parking lot and the street to screen the parking lot from view from the public right-of-way.

(2) All parking lots with a capacity of 20 cars or more shall contain shade trees, which within ten years from installation, shall shade 50% of the parking lot. All surfacing on which a vehicle can drive is subject to shade calculation, including parking stalls, drive aisles, and all maneuvering areas. Guidelines for shade calculations and a list of approved parking lot trees are contained in the Parking Lot Tree Shading Design Manual.

(3) For each ten parking spaces, a minimum of one 15-gallon or larger shade tree shall be installed, but more may be required to meet the 50% shading requirement. Trees shall be contained in tree wells or planters with an outside measurement of not less than five feet by five feet that are enclosed with a concrete curb not less than six inches high. Continuous planting islands between rows of cars are encouraged to allow for multiple tree plantings and increased soil volume for tree roots.

• (4) Shade trees planted within a parking lot should be evenly distributed throughout the lot.

(5) Shrubs and trees shall be planted in locations that do not conflict with the front of cars that extend into a planter area. If within eight feet of the curb, trees shall be located aligned with parking lot stripes and shall be provided with root barriers as in division (B)(5) above.

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

For the efficient use of water, all irrigation schedules shall be developed, managed, and evaluated to utilize the minimum amount of water required to maintain plant health. Irrigation schedules shall meet the following criteria:

• (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 the local water purveyor, the stricter of the two shall apply. Operation of the irrigation system outside the normal watering window is allowed for auditing and system maintenance.

(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 estimated total water use. Total annual applied water shall be less than or equal to the maximum applied water allowance (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 (days between irrigation).

• (2) Irrigation run times (hours or minutes per irrigation event to avoid runoff).

• (3) Number of cycle starts required for each irrigation event to avoid 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.

• (Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

(A) Landscapes shall be maintained to ensure water use efficiency. A regular maintenance schedule shall be submitted with the Certificate of Completion.

(B) A regular maintenance schedule shall include, but not be limited to, routine inspection; auditing; adjustment and repair of the irrigation system and its components; aerating and dethatching turf areas; topdressing with compost; replenishing mulch; fertilizing; pruning; weeding in all landscape areas, and removing obstructions to emission devices. Operation of the irrigation system outside the normal watering window is allowed for auditing and system maintenance.

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

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

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

(A) All landscape irrigation audits shall be conducted by a local agency landscape irrigation auditor or a third-party certified landscape irrigation auditor. Landscape audits shall not be conducted by the person who designed the landscape or installed the landscape.

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

(C) For new construction and rehabilitated landscape projects installed after December 1, 2015, as described in § 10.52.040:

(1) The project applicant shall submit an irrigation audit report with the certificate of completion to the City of Tulare that may include, but is not limited to inspection, system tune-up, system test with distribution uniformity, reporting overspray or runoff that causes overland flow, and 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) The City of Tulare shall administer programs that may include, but not be limited to, irrigation water use analysis, irrigation audits, and irrigation surveys for compliance with the maximum applied water allowance. (Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

For the purpose of determining estimated total water use, average irrigation efficiency is assumed to be 1.75 for overhead spray devices and 0.81 for drip system devices.

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

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

(B) All recycled water irrigation systems shall be designed and operated in accordance with all applicable local and state laws.

(C) Landscapes using recycled water are considered special landscape areas. The ET adjustment factor for new and existing (non-rehabilitated special landscape areas shall not exceed 1.0).

(D) Graywater systems promote the efficient use of water and are encouraged to assist in on-site landscape irrigation. All graywater systems shall conform to Cal. Plumbing Code, Title 24, Part 5, Chapter 16, and any applicable local ordinance standards. Refer to § 10.52.040(C) for the applicability of this chapter to landscape areas less than 2,500 square feet, with the estimated total water use met entirely by graywater.

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

(A) Stormwater management practices minimize runoff and increase infiltration, which recharges groundwater and improves water quality. Implementing stormwater best management practices into the landscape and grading design plans to minimize runoff and increase on-site retention and infiltration are encouraged.

• (B) Project applicants shall refer to the City of Tulare or the Regional Water Quality Control Board for information on any applicable stormwater technical requirements.

• (C) All planted landscape areas are required to have friable soil to maximize water retention and infiltration. Refer to § 10.52.110(A)(3).

(D) It is strongly recommended that 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 the one-inch, 24-hour rain event or the 85th percentile, 24-hour event, and/or additional capacity as required by any applicable local, regional, state or federal regulation.

• (E) It is recommended that stormwater projects incorporate any of the following elements to improve on-site stormwater and dry weather runoff capture and use:

• (1) Grade impervious surfaces, such as driveways, during construction to drain to vegetated areas.

• (2) Minimize the area of impervious surfaces such as paved areas, roofs, and concrete driveways.

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

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

• (5) Incorporate rain gardens, cisterns, and other rain harvesting or catchment systems.

• (6) Incorporate infiltration beds, swales, basins, and dry wells to capture stormwater and dry weather runoff and increase percolation into the soil.

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

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

(A) Publications. Education is a critical component to promote the efficient use of water in landscapes. The use of appropriate principles of design, installation, management, and maintenance that save water is encouraged in the community.

(1) The City of Tulare shall provide information to owners of permitted renovations and new, single-family residential homes regarding the design, installation, management, and maintenance of water-efficient landscapes based on a water budget.

(B) Model homes. All model homes shall be landscaped and shall use signs and written information to demonstrate the principles of water-efficient landscapes described in this chapter.

(1) Signs shall be used to identify the model as an example of a water-efficient landscape featuring elements such as hydrozones, irrigation equipment, and others that contribute to the overall water-efficient theme. Signage shall include information about the site water use as designed per the local ordinance; specify who designed and installed the water-efficient landscape and demonstrate low water use approaches to landscaping such as using native plants, graywater systems, and rainwater catchment systems.

(2) Information shall be provided about designing, installing, managing, and maintaining water-efficient landscapes.

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

The City of Tulare must comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as appropriate. (Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

The City of Tulare may, by mutual agreement, designate another agency to implement some or all of the requirements contained in this chapter. The City of Tulare may collaborate with other agencies to define each entity's specific responsibilities relating to this chapter.

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

(A) This section shall apply to all existing landscapes that were installed before December 1, 2015, and are over one acre in size.

(1) For all landscapes in division (A) that have a water meter, the City of Tulare shall administer programs that may include, but not be limited to, irrigation water use analyses, irrigation surveys, and irrigation audits to evaluate water use and provide recommendations as necessary to reduce landscape water use to a level that does not exceed the maximum applied water allowance for existing landscapes. The maximum applied water allowance for existing landscapes shall be calculated as MAWA = (0.8) (Eto)(LA)(0.62).

(2) For all landscapes in division (A), that do not have a meter, the City of Tulare shall administer programs that may include, but not be limited to, irrigation surveys and irrigation audits to evaluate water use and provide recommendations as necessary in order to prevent water waste.

(B) All landscape irrigation audits shall be conducted by a certified landscape irrigation auditor. (Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

(A) The City of Tulare shall prevent water waste resulting from inefficient landscape irrigation by prohibiting runoff from leaving the target landscape due to low head drainage and overspray, or other similar conditions where water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, walks, roadways, parking lots, or structures. Penalties are as defined in § 10.52.290.

(B) Restrictions regarding overspray and runoff may be modified if:

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

(2) The adjacent non-permeable surfaces are designed and constructed to drain entirely to landscaping. (Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

The City of Tulare may consider effective precipitation (25% of annual precipitation) in tracking water use and may use the following equation to calculate the maximum applied water allowance: MAWA= (ETo - Eppt) (0.62) [(0.55 x LA) + (.45 x SLA)] for residential areas. MAWA= (ETo - Eppt) (0.62) [(0.45 x LA) + (.55 x SLA)] for non-residential areas. The effective precipitation in the City of Tulare shall be considered to be 7.55. (Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

The City of Tulare hereby incorporates herein by reference Appendix A: Sample Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet and Appendix B: Sample Certificate of Completion attached to Ordinance No. 15-11. (Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

(A) No certificate of occupancy shall be issued for any development project for which a landscaping and irrigation plan is required pursuant to this chapter until all improvements shown on the plan have been installed and the certificate of completion has been accepted by the city. The Community Development Department may issue a temporary certificate of occupancy, where completion of the improvements has been delayed because of adverse weather. An extension may be granted upon execution of an agreement with the city and providing a cash deposit or letter of credit in an amount equal to the cost of completing the work.

(B) Violations of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to an administrative citation (Chapter 1.61). (Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)