Chapter 19.570 - Water Efficient Landscaping, Section 19.570.020 - Applicability

Other

• Irrigation scheduling window

  Overhead irrigation shall be scheduled between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. unless weather conditions prevent it.

• Maximum evapotranspiration adjustment factor for existing landscapes0.8 ratio

  The ETAF for existing, non-rehabilitated landscapes is 0.8.

• Maximum Applied Water Allowance factor for existing landscapes0.8 ratio

  The MAWA for existing landscapes shall be calculated as: MAWA = (0.8)(ETo)(LA)(0.62).

• Maximum evapotranspiration adjustment factor for nonresidential areas0.45 ratio

  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 nonresidential areas) and expressed as annual gallons required.

• Maximum evapotranspiration adjustment factor for residential areas0.55 ratio

  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 nonresidential areas) and expressed as annual gallons required.

• Maximum evapotranspiration adjustment factor for special landscape areas1 ratio

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

• Maximum irrigation application rate on slopes greater than 25%0.75 inches per hour

  Slopes greater than 25 percent shall not be irrigated with an irrigation system with an application rate exceeding 0.75 inches per hour.

• Maximum landscape area that may be left without mulch5 pct

  To provide habitat for beneficial insects and other wildlife, up to five percent of the landscape area may be left without mulch.

• Maximum slope for turf25 pct

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

• Maximum width for subsurface irrigation requirement10 ft

  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.

• Minimum compost application rate4 cubic yardscubic yard (cy)A unit of earth volume used in grading limits — roughly one dump-truck scoop. per 1000 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  For landscape installations, compost at a rate of a minimum of four cubic yards per 1,000 square feet of permeable area shall be incorporated to a depth of six inches into the soil.

• Minimum distribution uniformity for sprinkler heads0.65 ratio

  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.

• Minimum landscape area for new development requiring compliance500 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  New development projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 500 square feet requiring a building or landscape permit, plan check or design review.

• Minimum landscape area for rehabilitated projects requiring compliance2,500 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Rehabilitated landscape projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet requiring a building or landscape permit, plan check or design review.

• Minimum nonresidential landscape area requiring a meter1,000 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

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

• Minimum residential landscape area requiring a meter5,000 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

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

• Minimum mulch depth3 inches

  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.

• Minimum setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. for overhead irrigation from non-permeable surface24 inches

  Overhead irrigation shall not be permitted within 24 inches of any non-permeable surface.

• High water use plants prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance. in street medians

  High water use plants, characterized by a plant factor of 0.7 to 1.0, are prohibited in street medians.