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;
and
5.
That landscape design, installation, maintenance and management can
and should be water efficient; and
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
cross-sector 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 reduce water use
to the lowest practical amount;
5.
Promote the benefits of consistent landscape ordinances with neighboring
local and regional agencies.
C.
Landscapes
that are planned, designed, installed, managed and maintained with
the watershed based approach can improve California's environmental
conditions and 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
purpose of the 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 graywater wherever possible
and selecting climate appropriate 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
local native plants, climate adapted non-natives and avoiding invasive
plants. Utilizing integrated pest management with least toxic methods
as the first course of action.
(Ord. 11-11 § 2; Ord. 15-9 § 2)
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 five hundred square feet requiring a building or landscape
permit, plan check, or design review;
2.
Rehabilitated landscape projects with an aggregate landscape area
equal to or greater than two thousand five hundred square feet requiring
a building or landscape permit, plan check, or design review;
3.
Existing landscapes limited to Sections 13.04.1200 and 13.04.1210; and
4.
Cemeteries. Recognizing the special landscape management needs of cemeteries, new and rehabilitated cemeteries are limited to Sections 13.04.1120(C), 13.04.1130(C) and 13.04.1200; and existing cemeteries are limited to Sections 13.04.1200, and 13.04.1210.
B.
Any project with an aggregate landscape area of two thousand five hundred square feet or less may comply with the performance requirements of this chapter or conform to the prescriptive measures contained in Section 13.04.1140.
C.
For projects using treated or untreated graywater or rainwater captured on site, any lot or parcel within the project that has less than two thousand five hundred square feet of landscape and meets the lot's 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 Section 13.04.1140.
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; or
4.
Existing plant collections, as part of botanical gardens and arboretums
open to the public.
(Ord. 11-11 § 2; Ord. 15-9 § 2)
The terms used in this chapter have the meaning set forth below:
means the portion of water supplied by the irrigation system
to the landscape.
means 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.
means a safety device used to prevent pollution or contamination
of the water supply due to the reverse flow of water from the irrigation
system.
means the document required under Section 13.04.1130.
means 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
WaterSense irrigation designer certification program and Irrigation
Association's Certified Irrigation Designer program.
means 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 WaterSense irrigation auditor certification program and Irrigation
Association's Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor program.
means 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.
means community apartment projects, condominium projects,
planned developments, and stock cooperatives per Civil Code Section
1351.
means the safe and stable product of controlled biologic
decomposition of organic materials that is beneficial to plant growth.
means the number that converts acre-inches per acre per year
to gallons per square foot per year
means the measure of the uniformity of irrigation water over
a defined area.
means a method of micro-irrigation system (low pressure and
low volume) wherein water is applied to the soil surface as drops
or small streams through emitters. See also "Subsurface drip irrigation
system."
means a project where the site is intentionally altered to
establish a defined, indigenous, historic ecosystem.
means the portion of total precipitation which becomes available
for plant growth. The usable rainfall value shall be estimated as
twenty-five percent of the average annual rainfall. Average annual
rainfall amounts shall be determined by the city of West Sacramento
parks department, and based on a combination of data from the city's
weather stations, and regional California Irrigation Management Information
Systems (CIMIS) data.
means a drip irrigation emission device that delivers water
slowly from the system to the soil.
means 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.
means 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.
means the total water used for the landscape as described in Section 13.04.1120(C).
means a factor of 0.55 for residential areas and 0.45 for
nonresidential 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.
means the quantity of water evaporated from adjacent soil
and other surfaces and transpired by plants during a specified time.
See also "Reference evapotranspiration."
means 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.
means an inline device installed at the supply point of the
irrigation system that produces a repeatable signal proportional to
flow rate. Flow sensors must be connected to an automatic irrigation
controller, or flow monitor capable of receiving flow signals and
operating master valves.
means 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.
means 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.
means any durable material (pervious and non-pervious).
means a portion of the landscaped area having plants with
similar water needs and rooting depth. A hydrozone may be irrigated
or non-irrigated.
means the rate of water entry into the soil expressed as
a depth of water per unit of time (e.g., inches per hour).
means 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.
means 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.
means 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 efficiencies for purposes
of this chapter are 0.75 for overhead sprinkler irrigation systems
and 0.81 for drip or subsurface drip irrigation systems.
means 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.
means an analysis of water use data based on meter readings
and billing data.
means a person who holds a license to practice landscape
architecture in the state of California Business and Professions Code,
Section 5615.
means 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).
means a person licensed by the state of California to construct,
maintain, repair, install, or subcontract the development of landscape
systems.
is a document published by the community development department
of the city of West Sacramento, which defines the development requirements
for trees, shrubs, and other plantings.
means the documents required under Section 13.04.1120.
means total area of landscape in a project as defined in "landscape area" for the purposes of this chapter, meeting requirements under Section 13.04.1100.
means 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.
means the water delivery pipeline that supplies water to
the emitters or sprinklers from the valve.
means 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, bubblers, and multi-stream, multi-trajectory
rotator sprinklers. Low volume irrigation systems are specifically
designed to apply small volumes of water not to exceed 0.75 inches
per hour precipitation rate.
means the pressurized pipeline that delivers water from the
water source to the valve or outlet.
is 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.
means the most current list of various tree species published
regularly by the city's parks and recreation department. Trees on
the list are approved for planting in the city of West Sacramento.
means the upper limit of annual applied water for the established landscaped area as specified in Section 13.04.1120(C). 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)], where ETAF is 0.55 for residential areas, or 0.45 for nonresidential areas.
is an area between opposing lanes of traffic that may be
unplanted or planted with trees, shrubs, perennials, and ornamental
grasses.
means 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.
means any surface mining operation with a reclamation plan
approved in accordance with the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act
of 1975.
means 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.
means, 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.
means 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.
means the pressure at which the parts of an irrigation system
are designed by the manufacturer to operate.
means systems that deliver water through the air (e.g., spray
heads and rotors).
means the irrigation water which is delivered beyond the
target area.
means an authorizing document issued by the city of West
Sacramento for new construction or rehabilitated landscapes.
means any surface or material that allows the passage of
water through the material and into the underlying soil.
is a factor, 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 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" or "WUCOLS." 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).
means the individual or entity submitting a landscape documentation package required under Section 13.04.1120, to request a permit, plan check, or design review from the city of West Sacramento. A project applicant may be the property owner or designee.
means a component which automatically suspends an irrigation
event when it rains.
means 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.
means 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.
means 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.
means a standard measurement of environmental parameters
which affect the water use of plants, expressed in inches per unit
of time. ETo 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 determination
of the maximum applied water allowance to accommodate regional differences
in climate. The reference evapotranspiration value is determined by
the city of West Sacramento Parks department as a combination of data
from the city's weather stations and regional California Irrigation
Management Information Systems (CIMIS) data.
means any re-landscaping project that requires a permit, plan check, or design review, meets the requirements of Section 13.04.1100, and where the modified landscape area is equal to or greater than two thousand five hundred square feet.
means landscapes surrounding single or multifamily homes.
means water which 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.
means a device that measures the amount of water in the soil.
The device may also suspend or initiate an irrigation event.
means the classification of soil based on its percentage
of sand, silt, and clay.
means an area of the landscape dedicated solely to edible
plants, recreational areas, areas irrigated with recycled water, or
water features using recycled water.
means a device which delivers water through a nozzle.
means the pipeline or municipal water supply pressure when
water is not flowing.
means an area served by one valve or by a set of valves that
operate simultaneously.
means 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.
means a metering device to measure water applied to the landscape
that is installed after the primary utility water meter.
means a method of micro-irrigation system (low pressure and
low volume) wherein water is applied below the soil surface through
emitters. See also "Drip irrigation system."
means a ground cover surface of mowed grass.
means a device used to control the flow of water in the irrigation
system.
means a plant species identified as having a very low or
low plant factor.
means 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.
means the time of day irrigation is allowed.
means the latest edition of the publication called "Water
Use Classification of Landscape Species" published by the University
of California Cooperative Extension and the Department of Water Resources.
(Ord. 11-11 § 2; Ord. 15-9 § 2)
A.
Process. Prior to construction, the project applicant shall submit a landscape documentation package (application) to the city of West Sacramento. Such application may be rejected unless it contains the minimum number of copies requested by city staff, of all required items, as noted in subsection B.
Such application shall also comply with all other city and state
ordinances as appropriate including specifically, but not limited
to, the city's Landscape Development Guidelines, and Master Tree List.
Where this chapter conflicts with the City's Landscape Development
Guidelines, Master Tree List, or other regulation documents, the most
restrictive requirement(s) shall apply.
City staff will review the application (landscape documentation)
package, and may request additional information from the applicant
at any time in order to obtain sufficient information to verify compliance
with this chapter.
If all required components have been submitted, and the package
complies with all requirements of this chapter, the landscape documentation
package shall be approved by the city, and the applicant will be notified
of how to obtain a permit for construction. The applicant shall not
commence installation without the proper permit(s).
If city staff determines that the requirements of this chapter
have not been met by the applicant through his or her landscape documentation
package and any additional information supplied, the application shall
be denied, and the applicant will be notified of the city's determination,
as well as the reason for denial. The applicant shall also be informed
of re-application and/or appeal procedures, as appropriate.
Upon approval of the landscape documentation package and issuance
of the proper permit(s), the project applicant shall:
B.
Elements
of a landscape documentation package. 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).
g.
Checklist of all documents in 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 City of West Sacramento's Water Efficient
Landscape Ordinance and submit a complete Landscape Documentation
Package."
3.
Soil analysis/report.
4.
Landscape plan.
5.
Irrigation plan.
6.
Grading plan.
C.
Water
Efficient Landscape Table. A project applicant shall complete the
Water Efficient Landscape Table which contains information on the
plant factor, irrigation method, irrigation efficiency, and area associated
with each hydrozone. Calculations are then made to show that the evapotranspiration
adjustment factor (ET-AF) for the landscape project does not exceed
a factor of 0.55 for residential areas and 0.45 for nonresidential
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
ET-AF allowed (0.55 for residential areas and 0.45 for nonresidential
areas) and expressed as annual gallons required. The estimated total
water use (ETWU) is calculated based on the plants used and irrigation
method selected for the landscape design. ETWU must be below the MAWA.
1.
Water Efficient Landscape Table. A water efficient landscape table
should contain at least the following information:
a.
Hydrozone/planting area—zone or valve designations, or other
designations corresponding to the landscape plan.
b.
Irrigation method—Micro-spray, spray, rotor, bubbler, drip,
subsurface drip, etc.
c.
Irrigation efficiency—0.75 for spray, or 0.81 for drip.
d.
Plant Factor. The plant factor used shall be from WUCOLS. The plant
factor ranges from 0 to 0.1 for very low water use plants, 0.1 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.
e.
ETAF—Plant factor (PF) divided by the irrigation efficiency
(IE) for each hydrozone area.
f.
Landscape area of each hydrozone area in square feet.
g.
ETAF multiplied by landscape area for each hydrozone area.
|
See the example water efficient landscape table below for a
residential project:
|
|
Hydrozone/ Planting Area Description
|
Irrigation Method
|
Irrigation Efficiency (IE)
|
Plant Factor (PF)
|
ETAF (PF/IE)
|
Landscape Area (LA) (sq. ft.)
|
ETAF x LA (sq. ft.)
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
Sub Drip
|
0.81
|
0.1
|
0.123
|
7,000
|
864
|
|
2
|
Rotor
|
0.75
|
0.7
|
0.933
|
9,000
|
8,400
|
|
3
|
Spray
|
0.75
|
0.5
|
0.667
|
15,000
|
10,000
|
|
4
|
Drip
|
0.81
|
0.3
|
0.370
|
7,000
|
2,590
|
|
5
|
Low Flow
|
0.75
|
0.2
|
0.267
|
10,000
|
2,667
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sum
|
(A)
|
(B)
|
|
6/SLA
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
1.0
|
2,000
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sum
|
(C)
|
(D)
|
2.
Water Budget Calculations. Water budget calculations for a landscape
project compare the maximum applied water allowance (MAWA) to the
estimated total water use (ETWU). For all landscape projects under
this chapter, ETWU shall be less than MAWA.
For both the ETWU and MAWA calculations, project applicants
shall use the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) value as determined
by the city of West Sacramento parks department.
a.
Water budget calculations shall adhere to the following requirements:
i.
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 use plants,
from 0.1 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.
ii.
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.
iii.
All special landscape areas shall be identified and their water
use calculated as described below.
iv.
ETAF for new and existing (non-rehabilitated) special landscape areas
shall not exceed 1.0.
b.
MAWA Calculation. The maximum applied water allowance may include
an adjustment for effective precipitation (Eppt), and be calculated
using the equation:
|
MAWA (gallons/yr) =
(ETo - Eppt) (0.62) [(ETAF) (LA) + (1 - ETAF) (SLA)]
|
|
|
|
Where:
|
|
ETo = Reference evapotranspiration rate (inches per year)
|
|
Eppt = 25% of the average rainfall (inches per year)
|
|
0.62 = Conversion factor (to gallons)
|
|
ETAF = ET adjustment factor = 0.55 residential, 0.45 nonresidential
|
|
LA = Landscape area including SLA (square feet)
|
|
SLA = Special landscape area (square feet)
|
c.
ETWU Calculation.
i.
The estimated total water use shall be calculated using the equation:
|
ETWU (gallons/yr) =
(ETo - Eppt) (0.62) [((ETAF) (LA)) + SLA]
|
|
|
|
Where:
|
|
ETo = Reference evapotranspiration (inches per year)
|
|
Eppt = 25% of the average rainfall (inches per year)
|
|
0.62 = Conversion factor
|
|
ETAF = ET adjustment factor = PF / IE
|
|
PF = Plant factor
|
|
IE = Irrigation efficiency
|
|
LA = Landscape area (square feet)
|
|
SLA = Special landscape area (square feet)
|
ii.
Average ETAF for regular (non-SLA) landscape areas (i.e., value B
divided by value A in the above example table) must be 0.55 or less
for residential areas, and 0.45 or less for nonresidential areas.
D.
Soil
Analysis/Report. In order to reduce runoff and encourage healthy plant
growth, a soil analysis and report shall be completed by the project
applicant, or designee, as follows:
1.
Submit soil samples to a laboratory for analysis and recommendations.
a.
Soil sampling shall be conducted in accordance with laboratory protocol,
including protocols regarding adequate sampling depth for the intended
plants.
c.
In projects with multiple landscape installations (i.e., production
home developments) a soil sampling rate of one in seven lots or approximately
fifteen percent will satisfy this requirement. Large landscape projects
shall sample at a rate equivalent to one in seven lots.
2.
The project applicant, or designee, shall comply with one of the
following:
a.
If significant mass grading is not planned, the soil analysis/report
shall be submitted to the city of West Sacramento as part of the landscape
documentation package; or
b.
If significant mass grading is planned, the soil analysis/report
shall be submitted to the city of West Sacramento as part of the certificate
of completion.
3.
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
based on information in the soil analysis report.
4.
The project applicant, or designee, shall submit documentation verifying
implementation of soil analysis/report recommendations to the city
of West Sacramento with the certificate of completion.
E.
Landscape
Design Plan. For the efficient use of water, a landscape shall be
carefully designed and planned for the intended function of the project.
To that end, 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 or tree conforming to the city's Landscape Development
Guidelines and the city's Master Tree List may be selected for the
landscape, providing the estimated total water use in the landscape
area does not exceed the maximum applied water allowance. Plants within
city rights-of-way or easements will be subject to review and approval
by the city. Methods to achieve water efficiency shall include one
or more of the following:
i.
Protection and preservation of native species and natural vegetation;
ii.
Selection of plants based on local climate suitability, disease and
pest resistance;
iii.
Selection of water-conserving plant, tree and turf species,
especially local native plants;
iv.
Selection of plants from local and regional landscape program plant
lists;
v.
Selection of trees based on the city's Master Tree List as appropriate
for the planting area.
b.
Each hydrozone shall have plant materials with similar water use, with the exception of hydrozones with plants of mixed water use, as specified in subsection (F)(2)(d).
c.
Plants shall be selected and planted appropriately based upon 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:
i.
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.
ii.
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); allow for adequate soil
volume for healthy root growth.
iii.
Consider the solar orientation for plant placement to maximize
summer shade and winter solar gain.
d.
Turf is not allowed on slopes greater than 1:4 where the toe of the
slope is adjacent to an impermeable hardscape and where 1:4 means
one foot of vertical elevation change for every four feet of horizontal
length.
e.
High water use 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 Public Resources Code Section 4291(a)
and (b). Avoid fire-prone plant materials and flammable mulches, especially
in and around parking lots.
g.
The use of invasive plant species, such as those listed by the California
Invasive Plant Council, is strongly discouraged. The use of invasive
plant species within city right-of-way or easements will not be permitted.
h.
The architectural guidelines of a common interest development, which
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 meet this requirement.
b.
Soil amendments shall be incorporated according to recommendations of the soil report and what is appropriate for the plants selected (see subsection D).
c.
For landscape installations, compost at a rate of a minimum of four
cubic yards per one thousand square feet of permeable area shall be
incorporated to a depth of six inches into the soil. Soils with greater
than six percent 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 five percent 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 made from recycled or post-consumer materials shall
take precedence over inorganic materials or virgin forest products
unless the recycled post-consumer organic products are not locally
available.
4.
Design Content. The landscape design plan shall, at a minimum:
a.
Delineate and label each hydrozone by number, letter, or other method;
b.
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;
c.
Identify recreational areas;
d.
Identify areas permanently and solely dedicated to edible plants;
e.
Identify areas irrigated with recycled water;
f.
Identify type of mulch and application depth;
g.
Identify soil amendments, type, and quantity;
h.
Identify type and surface area of water features;
i.
Identify hardscapes (pervious and non-pervious);
j.
Identify location and installation details, and twenty-four-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 city's municipal code, Chapter 13.10 Urban Stormwater Quality Management and Discharge Control, and the 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 Section 13.04.1180.
k.
Identify any applicable rain harvesting or catchment technologies as discussed in Section 13.04.1180 and their twenty-four-hour retention or infiltration capacity;
l.
Identify any applicable graywater discharge piping, system components
and area(s) of distribution;
m.
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"; and
n.
Bear the signature of a licensed landscape architect, licensed landscape
contractor, or any other person authorized to design a landscape.
(See Sections 5500.1, 5615, 5641, 5641.1, 5641.2, 5641.3, 5641.4,
5641.5, 5641.6, 6701, 7027.5 of the Business and Professions Code,
Section 832.27 of Title16 of the California Code of Regulations, and
Section 6721 of the Food and Agriculture Code.)
F.
Irrigation Design Plan. This subsection 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 subsection 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 submeter, shall be installed for all non-residential irrigated
landscapes of one thousand square feet but not more than five thousand
square feet (the level at which Water Code Section 535 applies) and
residential irrigated landscapes of five thousand square feet or greater.
A landscape water meter may be either:
b.
Automatic irrigation controllers utilizing either evapotranspiration,
soil moisture sensor data, or other such self-adjusting controllers,
utilizing non-volatile 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.
i.
If the static pressure is above or below the required dynamic pressure
of the irrigation system, pressure-regulating devices such as inline
pressure regulators, booster pumps, or other devices shall be installed
to meet the required dynamic pressure of the irrigation system.
ii.
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,
the measurements shall be conducted at installation.
d.
Rain sensors, 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 main line break) or routine repair.
f.
Backflow prevention devices shall be required to protect the water supply from contamination by the irrigation system. For additional backflow prevention requirements, the project applicant shall refer to the city's municipal code, Chapter 13.04 Water Service System, Article XI Protection of Drinking Water.
g.
Flow sensors that detect high flow conditions created by system damage
or malfunction are required for all nonresidential landscapes and
residential landscapes of five thousand 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 analysis report, 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 hydrozones
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 subsection C regarding the maximum applied water allowance.
m.
All irrigation emission devices must meet the requirements set 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.
The project applicant is encouraged to inquire with the city 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 recommended
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 of turf.
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 a drip irrigation system, subsurface drip irrigation system,
or other means that produces no runoff or overspray. Such areas that
fall within city rights-of-way or easements shall utilize low volume
irrigation, specifically multi-stream, multi-trajectory rotator heads,
or drip irrigation, if possible.
u.
Overhead irrigation shall not be permitted within twenty-four inches
of any non-permeable surface. Allowable irrigation within the setback
from non-permeable surfaces may include drip, subsurface drip, or
other low flow technology. The setback area may be planted or unplanted.
The surfacing of the setback area may be mulch, gravel, or other porous
material, subject to other applicable city regulations based on the
setback area location. These restrictions may be modified if:
i.
The landscape area is adjacent to permeable surfacing and no runoff
occurs; or
ii.
The adjacent non-permeable surfaces are designed and constructed
to drain entirely to landscaping; or
iii.
The irrigation designer specifies an alternative design or technology (including multi-stream, multi-trajectory rotator sprinklers), as part of the landscape documentation package and clearly demonstrates strict adherence to irrigation system design criteria in subsection (F)(1)(h). Prevention of overspray and runoff must be confirmed during the irrigation audit.
v.
Slopes greater than 1:4 shall not be irrigated with an irrigation
system with an application rate exceeding 0.75 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.
Hydrozones.
a.
Each valve shall irrigate a hydrozone with 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 mature 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:
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, hydrozone 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 Hydrozone Information Table (see subsection (C)(1). This table can also assist with the irrigation audit and programming the controller.
3.
Design Content. The irrigation design plan, at a minimum, shall contain:
a.
Location and size of separate water meters for landscape delineate
whether the landscape water supply is connected to, or separate from
the domestic supply;
b.
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;
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 (pressure per square inch) for each
station;
e.
Recycled water irrigation systems as specified in Section 13.04.1160;
f.
The following statement: "I have complied with the criteria of the
city of West Sacramento's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and
applied them accordingly for the efficient use of water in this irrigation
design plan"; and
g.
The signature of a licensed landscape architect, certified irrigation designer, licensed landscape contractor, or any other person authorized to design an irrigation system. (See Sections 5500.1, 5615, 5641, 5641.1, 5641.2, 5641.3, 5641.4, 5641.5, 5641.6, 6701, 7027.5 of the Business and Professions Code, Section 832.27 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations, and Section 6721 of the Food and Agricultural Code.)
G.
Grading
Plan. For the efficient use of water, 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
city permits may satisfy this requirement.
2.
To prevent excessive erosion and runoff, it is highly recommended
that project applicants:
3.
The grading design plan shall contain the following statement: "I
have complied with the criteria of the City of West Sacramento's Water
Efficient Landscaping Ordinance and applied them accordingly for the
efficient use of water in the grading plan" and shall bear the signature
of a licensed professional as authorized by law.
(Ord. 11-11 § 2; Ord. 15-9 § 2)
A.
General.
The certificate of completion shall include the following six elements:
2.
Mylar and digital "as-built" record drawings in a format acceptable
to the city shall be included with the certificate of completion unless
this requirement is waived in writing by the city.
3.
Certification by either the signer of the landscape plan, the signer
of the irrigation plan, or the licensed landscape contractor that
the landscape project has been installed per the approved landscape
documentation package;
7.
Soil analysis/report, if not submitted with the landscape documentation package, and documentation verifying implementation of soil report recommendations (see Section 13.04.1120(D)).
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The project applicant shall submit the signed certificate of
completion to the city of West Sacramento for review, and ensure that
copies of the approved certificate of completion are submitted to
the property owner or designee.
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Upon receipt of the signed certificate of completion from the
project applicant, the city of West Sacramento shall approve or deny
the certificate of completion. If the certificate of completion is
denied, the city of West Sacramento shall provide information to the
project applicant regarding reapplication, appeal, or other assistance.
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B.
Irrigation
Scheduling. 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:
1.
Irrigation scheduling shall be regulated by automatic irrigation
controllers.
2.
Overhead irrigation shall be scheduled as defined by the city's urban
water management plan, unless weather conditions prevent it. Operation
of the irrigation system outside the normal watering window is allowed
for auditing and system maintenance.
3.
For implementation of the irrigation schedule, particular attention
must be paid to irrigation run times, emission device, 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 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.
5.
Each irrigation schedule shall consider for each station all of the
following that apply:
a.
Irrigation interval (days between irrigation).
b.
Irrigation run times (hours or minutes per irrigation event to avoid
runoff).
c.
Number of cycle starts required for each irrigation event to avoid
runoff.
d.
Amount of applied water scheduled to be applied on a monthly basis.
e.
Application rate setting.
f.
Root depth setting.
g.
Plant type setting.
h.
Soil type.
i.
Slope factor setting.
j.
Shade factor setting.
k.
Irrigation uniformity or efficiency setting.
C.
Landscape
and Irrigation Maintenance Schedule. Landscapes shall be maintained
to ensure water use efficiency. A regular maintenance schedule shall
be submitted with the certificate of completion.
1.
A regular maintenance schedule shall include, but not be limited
to:
a.
Routine inspection.
b.
Auditing.
c.
Adjustment and repair of the irrigation system and its components.
d.
Aerating and dethatching turf areas.
e.
Topdressing with compost.
f.
Replenishing mulch.
g.
Fertilizing.
h.
Pruning.
i.
Weeding in all landscape areas.
j.
Removing obstructions to emission devices.
2.
Operation of the irrigation system outside the normal watering window
is allowed for auditing and system maintenance.
3.
Repair of all irrigation equipment shall be done with the originally
installed components or their equivalents or with components with
greater efficiency.
4.
Project applicants are encouraged to implement established landscape
industry sustainable best practices for all landscape maintenance
activities.
D.
Irrigation
Audit, Irrigation Survey, and Irrigation Water Use Analysis.
1.
All landscape irrigation audits shall be conducted by the city 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.
2.
In large projects or projects with multiple landscape installations
(i.e., production home developments) an auditing rate of one in seven
lots or approximately fifteen percent will satisfy this requirement.
3.
For new construction and rehabilitated landscape projects installed after December 1, 2015, as described in Section 13.04.1100:
a.
The project applicant shall submit an irrigation audit report with
the certificate of completion to the city of West Sacramento that
may include, but is not limited to:
i.
Inspection;
ii.
System tune-up;
iii.
System test with distribution uniformity, reporting overspray
or run off that causes overland flow; and
iv.
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.
b.
The city may administer programs that include, but are not limited
to, irrigation water use analysis, irrigation audits, and irrigation
surveys for compliance with the maximum applied water allowance.
(Ord. 11-11 § 2; Ord. 15-9 § 2)
For projects with an aggregate landscape area of two thousand
five hundred square feet or less, this section contains prescriptive
requirements which may be used as an alternative compliance option
to Sections 13.05.1120 and 13.04.1130 of this chapter. Compliance
with the following items is mandatory and must be documented on a
landscape plan in order to use this prescriptive compliance option.
1.
Submit
a landscape documentation package which 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 statement, "I agree to comply with
the requirements of the prescriptive compliance option to the City
WELO."
2.
Incorporate
compost at a rate of at least four cubic yards per one thousand square
feet to a depth of six inches into landscape area (unless contra-indicated
by a soil test).
3.
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 seventy-five percent of the plant area excluding edibles
and areas using recycled water; for nonresidential areas, install
climate adapted plants that require occasional, little or no summer
water average WUCOLS plant factor 0.3 for one hundred percent 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.
4.
Turf
shall comply with all of the following:
a.
Turf shall not exceed twenty-five percent 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 which 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 subsurface irrigation
or by other technology that creates no overspray or runoff.
5.
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 which 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
of the water supply.
e.
All irrigation emission devices must meet the requirements set in
the ANSI standard, 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 ASA-BE/ICC 802-2014.
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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.
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(Ord. 15-9 § 2)
For the purpose of determining estimated total water use, average
irrigation efficiency is assumed to be 0.75 for overhead spray devices
and 0.81 for drip system devices.
(Ord. 11-11 § 2; Ord. 15-9 § 2)
The installation of recycled water irrigation systems shall
allow for the current and future use of recycled water.
All recycled water irrigation systems shall be designed and
operated in accordance with all applicable local and state laws.
For public projects, irrigated areas within the city rights-of-way
and easements, and any other cases the city deems appropriate, the
city may require the use of purple irrigation piping to signify recycled
water usage, although recycled water may not be available at the time.
In these cases, above-ground notifications regarding purple piping
(such as purple valve boxes, tags, and signage) need not be installed
until recycled water is actually run through the system.
Landscapes using recycled water are considered special landscape
areas. The ET adjustment factor (ETAF) for new and existing (non-rehabilitated)
special landscape areas shall not exceed 1.0.
(Ord. 11-11 § 2; Ord. 15-9 § 2)
Graywater systems promote the efficient use of water and are encouraged to assist in on-site landscape irrigation. All graywater systems shall conform to the California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5, Chapter 16) and any applicable local ordinance standards. Refer to Section 13.04.1100 for the applicability of this chapter to landscape areas less than two thousand five hundred square feet with the estimated total water use met entirely by graywater.
(Ord. 15-9 § 2)
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 plans to minimize runoff and to increase on-site rainwater
retention and infiltration are encouraged.
Applicants shall refer to the city's municipal code, Chapter 13.10 Urban Stormwater Quality Management and Discharge Control, for information on the city's stormwater technical requirements.
All planted landscape areas are required to have friable soil to maximize water retention and infiltration. Refer to Section 13.04.1120(E)(3).
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, twenty-four-hour rain event; the 85th percentile, twenty-four-hour
rain event; and/or additional capacity as required by any applicable
local, regional, state or federal regulation.
It is recommended that stormwater projects incorporate any of
the following elements to improve on-site stormwater and dry weather
runoff capture:
A.
Grade
impervious surfaces, such as driveways, during construction to drain
to vegetated areas.
B.
Minimize
the area of impervious surfaces such as paved areas, roof, and concrete
driveways.
C.
Incorporate
pervious or porous surfaces (e.g., gravel, permeable pavers or blocks,
pervious or porous concrete) that minimize runoff.
D.
Direct
runoff from paved surfaces and roof areas into planting beds or landscaped
areas to maximize site water capture and reuse.
E.
Incorporate
rain gardens, cisterns, and other rain harvesting or catchment systems.
F.
Incorporate
infiltration beds, swales, basins, and drywells to capture storm water
and dry weather runoff and increase percolation into the soil.
G.
Consider
constructed wetlands and ponds that retain water, equalize excess
flow, and filter pollutants.
(Ord. 11-11 § 2; Ord. 15-9 § 2)
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.
The city of West Sacramento will provide information to property
owners and managers regarding the design, installation, management,
and maintenance of water efficient landscapes via the city's website,
occasional neighborhood meetings, and other formats as the city deems
appropriate.
A.
Model
Homes.
1.
All model homes shall be landscaped and use signs and written information
to demonstrate the principles of water efficient landscapes described
in this chapter.
2.
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.
3.
Information shall be provided about designing, installing, managing,
and maintaining water efficient landscapes.
(Ord. 11-11 § 2; Ord. 15-9 § 2)
This section shall apply to all existing landscapes that were
installed before December 1, 2015 and are over one acre in size.
The maximum applied water allowance for existing landscapes
shall be calculated as:
MAWA = (ETo) (0.62) (0.8) (LA)
A.
Existing
Landscapes With a Water Meter. In order 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 city of West Sacramento may administer
programs that include, but need not be limited to:
B.
Existing
Landscapes Without a Water Meter. In order to evaluate water use and
prevent and minimize water waste, the city of West Sacramento may
administer programs that include, but need not be limited to:
(Ord. 11-11 § 2; Ord. 15-9 § 2)
No person shall cause or permit any water furnished to the person's
property by the city to run to waste due to inefficient landscape
irrigation, runoff due to low head drainage, overspray, or other similar
conditions where water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated
areas, walks, roadways, parking lots, or structures.
Restrictions regarding overspray and runoff may be modified
if:
A.
The
landscape area is adjacent to permeable surfacing and no runoff occurs;
or
B.
The
adjacent non-permeable surfaces are designed and constructed to drain
entirely to landscaping.
(Ord. 11-11 § 2; Ord. 15-9 § 2)
The requirements of this article may be enforced per the provisions of Articles IX and X of this chapter, Chapter 1.12; and any other applicable method to the extent permitted by law.
(Ord. 11-11 § 2; Ord. 15-9 § 2)
