17.70.220 Water-efficient landscape standards.
A. Applicability.
1. The provisions of this section shall apply to the following landscape projects:
a. New residential, commercial, institutional, and multi-unit residential development projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than five hundred square feet subject to a building permit, plan check, or development review.
b. Rehabilitated landscapes for residential, institutional, commercial, and multi-unit residential development projects with a landscape area equal to or greater than two thousand five hundred square feet which are otherwise subject to a building permit or development review.
2. Homeowners associations and common interest developments’ architectural guidelines (i.e., CC&Rs) shall not prohibit or include conditions that have the effect of prohibiting the use of low water-using plants as a group. Furthermore, the guidelines shall not prohibit the removal of turf nor restrict or prohibit the reduction of turf in lieu of more water-efficient alternatives (California Civil Code Section 1353.8).
3. This section shall not apply to:
a. Registered local, state or federal historical sites;
b. Ecological restoration projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system; or
c. Plant collections that are part of botanical gardens and arboretums open to the public.
4. Words or phrases used in this section shall be interpreted so as to give them the meaning they have in common usage and to give this section its most reasonable application, and as defined in Chapter 17.158 (General Definitions) under “Water-Efficient Landscape Standards.”
B. Submittal Requirements.
1. Landscape Design Plan. For the efficient use of water, a landscape shall be designed and planned for the intended function of the project. For each landscape project subject to this section, applicants shall submit a landscape design plan that meets the maximum applied water allowance calculation (Section 17.158.050—W Definitions) and design criteria in the city engineering standards uniform design criteria for landscaping and irrigation.
2. Irrigation Design Plan. The irrigation system and its related components shall be planned and designed to allow for proper installation, management, and maintenance. For each landscape project subject to this section, applicants shall submit an irrigation design plan that is designed and installed to meet design and irrigation efficiency criteria as described in the city engineering standards uniform design criteria for landscaping and irrigation.
3. Soils Management Report. To reduce runoff and encourage healthy plant growth, soil amendment, mulching, and soil conditioning recommendations shall be prepared by a licensed landscape architect, licensed landscape contractor, licensed civil engineer, or licensed architect as described in the city engineering standards uniform design criteria for landscaping and irrigation.
4. Grading Design Plan. For the efficient use of water, grading of a project site shall be designed to minimize soil erosion, runoff, and water waste as described in the city engineering standards uniform design criteria for landscaping and irrigation.
5. Stormwater Management. Stormwater best management practices minimize runoff and increase infiltration, which recharges groundwater and improves water quality. Stormwater best management practices shall be implemented within the landscape and grading design plans to minimize runoff and to increase on-site retention and infiltration. Project applicants shall refer to Chapter 12.08 and the city engineering standards for stormwater quality requirements.
C. MAWA Calculation. Based upon the area’s reference evapotranspiration, the ET adjustment factor, and the size of the landscaped area. The estimated total water use shall not exceed the maximum applied water allowance (MAWA). 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.
D. Implementation Procedures.
1. Development Review Application. For projects that require development review, project applicants shall submit the following documentation:
a. A completed maximum applied water allowance for the conceptual landscape design.
b. A conceptual landscape design plan that demonstrates that the landscape will meet the landscape design specifications of the city engineering standards uniform design criteria for landscaping and irrigation.
c. A conceptual irrigation design plan that describes the irrigation methods and design actions that will be employed to meet the irrigation specifications of the city engineering standards uniform design criteria for landscaping and irrigation.
d. A grading plan that demonstrates the landscape will meet the specifications of the city engineering standards uniform design criteria for landscaping and irrigation.
2. Building Application. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, project applicants shall submit the following:
a. A completed maximum applied water allowance form (including appendices and city engineering standards) based on the final landscape design plan.
b. A final landscape design plan that includes all the criteria required in the city engineering standards uniform design criteria for landscaping and irrigation.
c. A final irrigation plan that includes all the criteria required in the city engineering standards uniform design criteria for landscaping and irrigation.
d. A soils management report that includes at a minimum the criteria required in the city engineering standards uniform design criteria for landscaping and irrigation.
e. A final grading plan that includes all the criteria required in the city engineering standards uniform design criteria for landscaping and irrigation.
3. Project Completion. Upon completion of the installation of the landscape and irrigation system and prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy, the project applicant shall submit the following:
a. A certification of completion (including appendices and city engineering standards) signed by the professional of record for the landscape and irrigation design certifying that the project was installed in compliance with the city-approved landscape design, irrigation and grading plans and meets or exceeds an average landscape irrigation efficiency of 0.71. The city reserves the right to inspect and audit any irrigation system that has received an approval through the provisions of this section.
b. The project applicant shall develop and provide to the owner or owner representative and the city an irrigation schedule that assists in the water management of the project and utilizes the minimum amount of water required to maintain plant health. Irrigation schedules shall meet the criteria in the city engineering standards uniform design criteria for landscaping and irrigation.
c. A regular maintenance schedule shall be submitted by the project applicant with the certificate of completion that includes: routine inspections, adjustment and repairs to the irrigation system, aerating and dethatching turf areas, replenishing mulch, fertilizing, pruning, and weeding. The maintenance schedule will be provided to the owner or owner representative. (Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018)