Chapter 17.36 — WATER-EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING

Each landscape documentation package shall include a cover sheet, referred to as the water conservation concept statement similar to the following example. It serves as a check list to verify that the elements of the landscape documentation package have been completed and has a narrative summary of the project.

SAMPLE WATER CONSERVATION CONCEPT STATEMENT

Landscape Architect/Irrigation Designer:

Included in this project submittal package are:

(Check to indicate completion)

_______ 1. Estimated total water use: _______gallons/year (attach sheet showing method of calculation)

_______ 2. Landscape Design Plan

_______ 3. Irrigation Design Plan

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

(Briefly describe the planning and design actions that are intended to achieve conservation and efficiency in water use.)

Date: _____

Prepared by:

(Ord. 305-93 §1(part), 1993).

A.

A landscape design plan meeting the following requirements shall be submitted as part of the landscape documentation package:

1.

Recirculating water shall be used for decorative water features;

2.

Pool and spa covers are encouraged.

B.

The landscape design plan shall be drawn on project base sheets at a scale that accurately and clearly identifies:

1.

Property lines and street names;

2.

Streets, driveways, walkways and other paved areas;

3.

Pools, ponds, water features, fences and retaining walls;

4.

Existing and proposed buildings and structures including elevation, if applicable;

5.

Natural features including, but not limited to, rock outcroppings, existing six-inch diameter trees, shrubs that will remain;

6.

An estimate of the total landscaped area.

(Ord. 305-93 §1(part), 1993).

17.36.050 - Irrigation design plants and specifications.

A.

An irrigation design plan meeting the following conditions shall be submitted as part of the landscape documentation package:

1.

Runoff and Overspray. Soil types and infiltration rate shall be considered when designing irrigation systems. All irrigation systems shall be designed to avoid runoff, low-head drainage, overspray or other similar conditions where water flows onto adjacent property, nonirrigated areas, walks, roadways or structures. Proper irrigation equipment and schedules, including features such as repeat cycles, shall be used to closely match application rates to infiltration rates therefore minimizing runoff.

2.

Separate landscape water meters shall be installed for all projects except for single-family homes or any project with a landscaped area of less than one thousand square feet.

Automatic control systems shall be required for all irrigation systems and must be able to accommodate all aspects of the design.

4.

Irrigation systems shall be designed to be consistent with hydrozones.

5.

The irrigation design plan shall use the same format as the landscape design plan. The scale should be the same as that used for the landscape design plan.

6.

The irrigation design plan shall accurately and clearly identify:

a.

Location and size of separate water meters for the landscape if applicable;

b.

Location, type and size of all components of the irrigation system, including automatic controllers, main and lateral lines, valves, sprinkler heads, moisture sensing devices, rain switches, quick couplers and backflow-prevention devices;

c.

Static water pressure at the point of connection to the public water supply;

d.

Flow rate (gallons per minute), application rate (inches per hour) and design operating pressure (psi) for each station.

(Ord. 305-93 §1(part), 1993).

A.

Upon completing the installation of the landscaping and the irrigation system, an irrigation audit shall be conducted by the owner or a licensed landscape contractor.

B.

The owner, or a licensed landscape contractor, shall conduct a final field observation and shall provide a certificate of substantial completion to the city. The certificate shall specifically indicate that plants were installed as specified, that the irrigation audit has been performed, along with a list of any observed deficiencies.

C.

Certification shall be accomplished by completing a certificate of substantial completion or a form approved by the director of public works and delivering it to the city and to the owner of record.

(Ord. 305-93 §1(part), 1993).

17.36.070 - Provisions for existing landscapes.

A.

Water Management.

1.

All existing landscaped areas to which the city provides water that are one acre or more, including golf courses, green belts, common areas, multifamily housing, schools, businesses, parks, cemeteries and publicly owned landscapes shall be checked for water usage yearly.

2.

If the project's water bills indicate that they are using less than or equal to the total estimated water usage for that project, an audit shall not be required.

3.

Recognition of projects that stay within the maximum applied water allowance is encouraged.

B.

Water Waste Prevention.

1.

The city shall prevent water waste resulting from inefficient landscape irrigation by prohibiting runoff, lowhead drainage, overspray or other similar conditions where water flows onto adjacent property, nonirrigated areas, walks, roadways or structures.

(Ord. 305-93 §1(part), 1993).