Vallejo Municipal Code Ch. 16.702 Water-Efficient Landscaping Terms and Definitions

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

"Automatic irrigation controller." 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 Section 16.608.06.

"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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Water Sense 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 other program such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Water Sense 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 Section 1351 of the Civil Code.

"Compost." The safe and stable product of controlled biologic 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 which 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 Section 16.504.13, Specific Requirements For Landscape Documentation Package.

"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 new and existing (non-rehabilitated) Special Landscape Areas shall not exceed 1.0. The ETAF for existing non-rehabilitated landscapes is 0.8.

"Evapotranspiration 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 flow rate. Flow sensors shall 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. Health and Safety Code Section 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 shall 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 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 test, and written recommendations to improve 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 state of California Business and Professions Code, Section 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 Section 16.504.13, Specific Requirements For Landscape Documentation Package.

"Landscape project." Total area of landscape in a project as defined in "landscape area" for the purposes of this ordinance..

"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 water purveyor." The water division in this chapter.

"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 Section 16.504.01, Purpose and Applicability. It is based upon the area's reference evapotranspiration, the ET adjustment factor, and the size of the landscape area. The estimated total water use shall not exceed the maximum applied water allowance. Special landscape areas, including recreation areas, areas permanently and solely dedicated to edible plants such as orchards and vegetable gardens, and areas irrigated with recycled water are subject to the MAWA with an ETAF not to exceed 1.0. MAWA = (ETo) (0.62) [(ETAF x LA) + ((1-ETAF) x SLA)].

"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.

"New construction." For the purposes of this ordinance, 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 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"" or ""overhead spray 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.

"Parkway." The area between a sidewalk and the curb or traffic lane. It may be planted or unplanted, and with or without pedestrian egress.

"Permit." An authorizing document issued by local agencies for new construction or rehabilitated landscapes.

"Plant factor" or ""plant water use factor." A factor, when multiplied by ETo, estimates the amount of water needed by plants. For purposes of this ordinance, the plant factor range for very low water use plants is 0 to 0.1, the plant factor range for low water use plants is 0.1 to 0.3, the plant factor range for moderate water use plants is 0.4 to 0.6, and the plant factor range for high water use plants is 0.7 to 1.0. Plant factors cited in this chapter are derived from the publication "Water Use 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 Section 16.504.13, Specific Requirements For Landscape Documentation Package, to request a permit, plan check, or design review from the city of Vallejo. A project applicant may be the property owner or his or her designee.

"Rain sensor" or ""rain sensing shutoff device." A component which automatically suspends an irrigation event when it rains.

"Record drawing" or "as-builts." A set of reproducible drawings which 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 unit residential areas designated for active play, recreation or public assembly in parks, sports fields, picnic grounds, amphitheaters or golf course tees, fairways, roughs, surrounds and greens.

"Recycled water, reclaimed water," or "treated sewage effluent water." Water treated or recycled wastewater of a quality suitable for nonpotable 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 which affect the water use of plants. ETo is expressed in inches per day, month, or year as represented in Appendix A, 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 of determining the maximum applied water allowance so that regional differences in climate can be accommodated.

"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 design review, meets the requirements of Section 16.504.09, Water-Efficient Landscape Requirements, and the modified landscape area is equal to or greater than twenty-five hundred square feet.

"Residential landscape." Landscapes surrounding single-unit or multiple-unit dwellings.

"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, areas irrigated with recycled water, or water features using recycled water.

"Sprinkler head" or "spray head." A device which 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 to prevent equipment damage.

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

"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 features." 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 2014.

TITLE 16 FOOTNOTES

1. Ord. No. 1855 N.C. (2d), adopted June 22, 2021, repealed the former zoning code, Title 16, and adopted the new zoning code; in addition, said ordinance repealed the existing zoning map and adopted the new zoning map as part of the new zoning code project. Former Title 16 was derived from Ord. 558 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), adopted 1980; Ord. 578 N.C.(2d) §§ 1, 2, adopted 1980; Ord. 588 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), adopted 1980; Ord. 590 N.C.(2d) § 2, adopted 1981; Ord. 594 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), adopted 1981; Ord. 595 N.C.(2d) §§ 1, 5-12, 16, 18—20 (part), adopted 1981; Ord. 611 N.C.(2d) §§ 2, 3, adopted 1981; Ord. 618 N.C.(2d) §§ 2—5, adopted 1981; Ord. 627 N.C.(2d) §§ 1, 3, adopted 1981; Ord. 633 N.C.(2d) §§ 1, 2, 4, adopted 1982; Ord. 644 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1982; Ord. 645 N.C.(2d) §§ 2, 3, adopted 1982; Ord. 647 N.C.(2d) §§ 2—6, 8, adopted 1982; Ord. 649 N.C.(2d) §§ 1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12—15, 17—26, adopted 1982; Ord. 688 N.C.(2d) §§ 2, 3, adopted 1983; Ord. 691 N.C.(2d) §§ 2—4, adopted 1983; Ord. 693 N.C.(2d) §§ 1, 2, 1983; Ord. 695 N.C.(2d) §§ 6—8, adopted 1983; Ord. 714 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1983; Ord. 729 N.C.(2d) §§ 2, 4, 5, adopted 1984; Ord. 742 N.C.(2d) §§ 10—23, 26, adopted 1984; Ord. 792 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), adopted 1985; Ord. 828 N.C.(2d) § 1 (part), adopted 1985; Ord. 830 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1985; Ord. 838 N.C.(2d) §§ 1, 3—5, 23, adopted 1985; Ord. 839 N.C.(2d) §§ 2—6, adopted 1985; Ord. 840 N.C.(2d) §§ 2—6, adopted 1985; Ord. 848 N.C.(2d) §§ 1—4, adopted 1986; Ord. 858 N.C.(2d) §§ 1—4 (part), adopted 1986; Ord. 876 N.C.(2d) §§ 2—5, adopted 1986; Ord. 898 N.C.(2d) § 3, 1986; Ord. 900 N.C.(2d) § 5 (part), adopted 1986; Ord. 906 N.C.(2d) § 1, 1986; Ord. 923 N.C.(2d) §§ 1, 2, adopted 1987; Ord. 946 N.C.(2d) §§ 1, 3-12, adopted 1987; Ord. 947 N.C.(2d) § 1 (part), adopted 1987; Ord. 949 N.C.(2d) §§ 1 (part), 2 (part) adopted 1987; Ord. 133 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1989; Ord. 1018 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1989; Ord. 1020 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1989; Ord. 1028 N.C.(2d) § 2, adopted 1989; Ord. 1029 N.C.(2d) §§ 3—9, 11—16, adopted 1989; Ord. 1033 N.C.(2d) § 2, adopted 1989; Ord. 1036 N.C.(2d) §§ 2, 3, adopted 1989; Ord. 1061 N.C.(2d) § 1 (part), adopted 1989; Ord. 1065 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1989; Ord. 1066 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1989; Ord. 181 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1990; Ord. 1072 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1990; Ord. 1081 N.C.(2d) § 2, adopted 1990; Ord. 1110 N.C.(2d) § 2, adopted 1990; Ord. 1130 N.C.(2d) §§ 4-13, 15—17, adopted 1990; Ord. 1132 N.C.(2d) § 3, adopted 1990; Ord. 1148 N.C.(2d) §§ 1, 2, adopted 1991; Ord. 1161 N.C.(2d) § 1 (part), adopted 1991; Ord. 1165 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1991; Ord. 1195 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1991; Ord. 120 N.C.(2d) § 6, adopted 1992; Ord. 1200 N.C.(2d) §§ 1, 3-5, 7, 8, adopted 1992; Ord. 1209 N.C.(2d) § 1 (part), adopted 1992; Ord. 1210 N.C.(2d) §§ 1,2,4 (part), adopted 1992; Ord. 1249 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1992; Ord. 1250 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1992; Ord. 1260 N.C.(2d) §§ 1, 2, adopted 1993; Ord. 1261 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), adopted 1993; Ord. 1268 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1993; Ord. 1283 N.C.(2d) §§ 1—16, (part), adopted 1993; Ord. 1292 N.C.(2d) § 1 (part), adopted 1994; Ord. 1298 N.C.(2d) § 1 (part), adopted 1994; Ord. 1307 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1994; Ord. 1315 N.C.(2d) §§ 2, 3, adopted 1994; Ord. 1317 N.C.(2d) § 1 (part), adopted 1994; Ord. 1318 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), adopted 1994; Ord. 1327 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1995; Ord. 1328 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1995; Ord. 1329 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1995; Ord. 1332 N.C.(2d) §§ 1 (part), 5 (part), adopted 1995; Ord. 1345 N.C.(2d) §§ 1—5, adopted 1996; Ord. 1348 N.C.(2d) §§ 1, 2, adopted 1996; Ord. 1360 N.C.(2d) §§ 2—6, adopted 1996; Ord. 1367 N.C.(2d) §§ 4—17, adopted 1996; Ord. 1368 N.C.(2d) §§ 4, 5 (part), 7, 8, 10, 11 (part), 12 (part), 13 (part), 14 (part), 15 (part), 17—19 (part), adopted 1996; Ord. 1371 N.C.(2d) §§ 3—6, adopted 1997; Ord. 1375 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1997; Ord. 1381 N.C.(2d) § 1 (part), adopted 1997; Ord. 1385 N.C.(2d) § 1 (part), adopted 1997; Ord. 1388 N.C.(2d) §§ 1 (part), 4, 5, 6 (part)—16 (part), adopted 1998; Ord. 1399 N.C.(2d) § 5 (part), adopted 1998; Ord. 1410 N.C.(2d) § 1 (part), adopted 1999; Ord. 1419 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 1999; Ord. 1431 N.C.(2d) §§ 1—3, 5—7, adopted 2000; Ord. 1440 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 2000; Ord. 1442 N.C.(2d) §§ 2—4, adopted 2000; Ord. 1454 N.C.(2d) § 1 (part), adopted 2001; Ord. 1468 N.C.(2d) §§ 1 (part), 2 (part), adopted 2001; Ord. 1469 N.C.(2d) §§ 2 (part), 3—15, adopted 2001; Ord. 1480 N.C.(2d) § 2, adopted 2002; Ord. 1490 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 2002; Ord. 1508 N.C.(2d) §§ 1 (part), 2 (part), 3, 5, 7, 8, adopted 2003; Ord. 1524 N.C.(2d) §§ 2—7, adopted 2004; Ord. 1532 N.C.(2d) §§ 2 (part), 3, adopted 2004; Ord. 1538 N.C.(2d) § 1, adopted 2004; Ord. 1548 N.C.(2d) §§ 2, 3, adopted 2005; Ord. 1552 N.C.(2d) §§ 2—4 (part), adopted 2005; Ord. 1555 N.C.(2d) § 1 (part), adopted 2005; Ord. 1573 N.C.(2d) §§ 2—4, adopted 2006; Ord. 1584 N.C. (2d) §§ 1, 2, 2007; Ord. 1593 N.C. (2d) § 2, adopted 2007; Ord. 1600 N.C.(2d) §§ 3, 4, adopted 2007; Ord. 1601 N.C.(2d) §§ 1, 2, adopted 2007; Ord. 1627 N.C. (2d) §§ 1—5 (part), 7, adopted 2009; Ord. No. 1630 N.C.(2d), §§ 4—8, 10—16, adopted 12-8-2009; Ord. No. 1634 N.C.(2d), §§ 2—4, adopted 3-23-2010, Ord. No. 1658 N.C.(2d), §§ 1, 2, adopted 12-13-2011; Ord. No. 1667 N.C.(2d), §§ 1—6, adopted 7-10-2012; Ord. No. 1671 N.C.(2d), § 1, adopted 2-26-2013; Ord. No. 1675 N.C.(2d), §§ 1—4, adopted 5-28-2013; Ord. No. 1680 N.C.(2d), §§ 1—4, adopted 8-27-2013; Ord. No. 1684 N.C.(2d), §§ 1—4, adopted 8-27-2013; Ord. No. 1691 N.C.(2d), §§ 1—7, adopted 3-11-2014; Ord. No. 1700 N.C.(2d), § 1, 7-22-2014; Ord. No. 1705 N.C.(2d), §§ 1—3, adopted 3-10-2015; Ord. No. 1706 N.C.(2d), §§ 1—14 adopted 3-10-2015; Ord. No. 1717 N.C.(2d), §§ 1, 2, adopted 12-15-2015; Ord. No. 1718 N.C.(2d), §§ 1, 2, adopted 2-9-2016, Ord. No. 1733 N.C.(2d), §§ 1—3, 5, 6, adopted 6-14-2016; Ord. No. 1761 N.C. (2d), §§ 1—11, adopted 6-13-2017; Ord. No. 1773 N.C. (2d), §§ 1—3, adopted 9-26-2017; Ord.

0 N.C.(2d), § 1, 7-22-2014; Ord. No. 1705 N.C.(2d), §§ 1—3, adopted 3-10-2015; Ord. No. 1706 N.C.(2d), §§ 1—14 adopted 3-10-2015; Ord. No. 1717 N.C.(2d), §§ 1, 2, adopted 12-15-2015; Ord. No. 1718 N.C.(2d), §§ 1, 2, adopted 2-9-2016, Ord. No. 1733 N.C.(2d), §§ 1—3, 5, 6, adopted 6-14-2016; Ord. No. 1761 N.C. (2d), §§ 1—11, adopted 6-13-2017; Ord. No. 1773 N.C. (2d), §§ 1—3, adopted 9-26-2017; Ord. No. 1780 N.C. (2d), §§ 1—6, 8—19, adopted 12-12-2017; Ord. No. 1796 N.C. (2d), §§ 1—9, adopted 5-22-2018; Ord. No. 1805 N.C.(2d), §§ 1—7, 9 adopted 9-25-2018; Ord. No. 1810 N.C.(2d), §§ 1—19, adopted 12-18-2018.

2. Ord. No. 1875 N.C. (2d), § 8(Exh. D), adopted December 10, 2024, repealed the former Ch. 16.340, §§ 16.340.01—16.340.05, and enacted a new Ch. 16.340 as set out herein. The former Ch. 16.340 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from original source code.