It shall be unlawful for any person to violate the following
restrictions concerning the use of water:
(Ord. 15-02 10-21-14)
The words used in this Article have the meaning set forth below:
means a valve located under a sprinkler head to hold water
in the system so it minimizes drainage from the lower elevation sprinkler
heads.
means the depth of water applied to a given area, usually
measured in inches per hour.
means the portion of water supplied by the irrigation system
to the landscape.
means the mechanical or solid state timer, capable of operating
valve stations to set the days and length of time of a water application.
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 a number that converts the maximum applied water allowance
from acre-inches per acre per year to gallons per square foot per
year. The conversion factor is calculated as follows:
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(325,829 gallons/43,560 square feet)/12 inches = (0.62)
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325,829 gallons = one acre foot
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43,560 square feet = one acre
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12 inches = one foot
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To convert gallons per year to 100-cubic feet per year, another
common billing unit for water, divide gallons per year by 748 (748
gallons = 100 cubic feet).
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means the Community Development and Housing Director who
is authorized to issue required water improvement or development permits.
means a project where the site is intentionally altered to
establish a defined, indigenous, historic ecosystem.
means the portion of total precipitation that is used by
the plants. Precipitation is not a reliable source of water, but can
contribute to some degree toward the water needs of the landscape.
means a drip irrigation fitting that delivers water slowly
from the system to the soil.
means the point at which plants in the landscape have developed
roots into the soil adjacent to the root ball.
means the first year after installing the plant in the landscape.
means the portion of the Estimated Total Water Use that is derived from applied water. The Estimated Applied Water Use shall not exceed the Maximum Applied Water Allowance. Estimated Applied Water Use may be the sum of the water used on system components recommended through the irrigation schedule, as referenced in Section 5-113.3.
means the annual total amount of water estimated to be needed
to keep the plants in the landscaped area healthy. It is based upon
such factors as the local evapotranspiration rate, the size of the
landscaped area, the types of plants, and the efficiency of the irrigation
system.
means a factor of 0.8 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.
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A combined plant mix with a site-wide average of 0.5 is the
basis of the plant factor portion of this calculation. The irrigation
efficiency for purposes of the ET Adjustment Factor is 0.625. Therefore,
the ET Adjustment Factor is (0.8) = (0.5/0.625).
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means the quantity of water evaporated from adjacent soil
surfaces and transpired by plants during a specific time.
means the rate at which water flows through pipes and valves
(gallons per minute or cubic feet per second).
means a portion of the landscaped area having plants with
similar water needs that are served by a valve or set of valves with
the same schedule. A hydrozone may be irrigated or nonirrigated. For
example, a naturalized area planted with native vegetation that will
not need supplemental irrigation once established is a nonirrigated
hydrozone. A hydropalette is a term applied to a selection of plants
used with a hydrozone.
means the rate of water entry into the soil expressed as
a depth of water per unit of time (inches per hour).
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 minimum irrigation efficiency for purposes
of this Article is 0.625. Greater irrigation efficiency can be expected
from well designed and maintained systems.
means a process to perform site inspections, evaluate irrigation
systems, and develop efficient irrigation schedules.
means the entire parcel less the building footprint, driveways,
nonirrigated portions or parking lots, hardscapes such as decks and
patios, and other nonporous areas. Water features are included in
the calculation of the landscaped area. Areas dedicated to edible
plants, such as orchards or vegetable gardens are not included.
means the water delivery pipeline that supplies water to
the emitters or sprinklers from the valve.
means the pressurized pipeline that delivers water from the
water source to the valve or outlet.
means, for design purposes, the upper limit of annual applied water for the established landscaped area as specified in Section 5-113.3. It is based upon the area's reference evapotranspiration, the ET Adjustment Factor and the size of the landscaped area. The Estimated Applied Water Use shall not exceed the Maximum Applied Water Allowance.
means any surface mining operation with a reclamation plan
approved in accordance with the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act
of 1975.
means any material such as leaves, bark, straw or other materials
left loose and applied to the soil surface to reduce evaporation.
means the pressure at which a system of sprinklers is designed
to operate, usually indicated at the base of a sprinkler.
means the water which is delivered beyond the landscaped
area, wetting pavements, walks, structures, or other nonlandscaped
areas.
means a factor that when multiplied by reference evapotranspiration,
estimates the amount of water used by plants. For purposes of this
Article, the average plant factor of low water using plants ranges
from 0 to 0.3; for average water using plants, the range is 0.4 to
0.6; and for high water using plants it is 0.7 to 1.0.
means a system which automatically shuts off the irrigation
system 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 an area of active play or recreation such as sports
field, schoolyard, picnic grounds or other areas with intense foot
traffic.
means treated or recycled waste water of a quality suitable
for nonpotable uses such as landscape irrigation and not intended
for human consumption.
means a standard measure of environmental parameters which
affect the water use of plants. ETo is given in inches per day, month
or year. 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 of determining the
Maximum Applied Water Allowance so that regional differences in climate
can be accommodated.
means any relandscaping project that requires a permit.
means water which is not absorbed by the soil or landscape
to which it is applied, and flows from the area. For example, run-off
may result from water that is applied at too great a rate (application
rate exceeds infiltration rate) or when there is a severe slope.
means a device that measures the amount of water in the soil.
means the classification of soil based on the percentage
of sand, silt and clay in the soil.
means a device which sprays 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
operation simultaneously.
means a surface layer of earth containing mowed grass with
its roots. Annual bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, Perennial ryegrass,
Red fescue and Tall fescue are cool season grasses. Bermudagrass,
Kikuyugrass, Seashore paspalum, St. Augustine grass, Zoysia grass
and Buffalo grass are warm season grasses.
means a device used to control the flow of water in the irrigation
system.
means a one-page checklist and a narrative summary of the
project. A sample shall be referenced in the Design Guidelines of
Chapter 12.
(Ord. 91-6 3-5-91; Ord. 93-20 7-20-93; Ord. 96-21 9-24-96)
The purpose of this Section is the promotion of the value and
benefits of landscapes while recognizing the need to invest water
and other resources as efficiently as possible; the establishment
of a structure for designing, installing and maintaining water-efficient
landscapes in new projects; and the establishment of provisions for
water management practices and water waste prevention for established
landscapes.
(a)
Provisions of this Section shall be applicable, except as provided in subsection b of this section, to:
(b)
This
section shall not apply to:
(1)
Homeowner-provided
landscaping at single-family and multifamily projects of four or fewer
units if the landscaping is in accordance with the water-efficient
landscape design guidelines contained in the Site Plan Review procedures
of Chapter 12 of the Inglewood Municipal Code;
(2)
Any
project with a landscaped area less than two thousand five hundred
square feet only if developed or rehabilitated in accordance with
the water-efficient landscape design guidelines in Chapter 12, Site
Plan Review Procedures;
(3)
Cemeteries;
(4)
Registered
historical sites;
(5)
Ecological
restoration projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system;
(6)
Mined-land
reclamation projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system;
(7)
Public lands except to the extent feasible of incorporating water-efficient maintenance practices on a routine basis or a reclaimed water source is used as prescribed by Section 5-113;
(8)
New
subdivisions of up to ten units if a model home or a demonstration
garden is established in compliance with the adopted design guidelines
of Chapter 12, Site Plan Review Procedures;
(9)
Planted
areas of up to five thousand square feet where site design and conditions
permit a separate water meter to be installed and the planted areas
are designed, installed and maintained in accordance with the design
guidelines of Chapter 12, Site Plan Review Procedures;
(10)
Exemptions granted by the Director authorized to issue the required
permit to any of the design and improvement standards of this Chapter.
Such exemptions may be granted if the Director finds that the proposed
design or improvement is in substantial compliance with the purpose
and intent of this Chapter.
(Ord. 91-6 3-5-91; Ord. 93-20 7-20-93)
(a)
"Compost"
Definitions.
has the same meaning as in 14 CCR Section 17896.2(a)(4),
which stated, as of the effective date of the ordinance codified herein,
that "compost" means the product resulting from the controlled biological
decomposition of organic solid wastes that are source separated from
the municipal solid waste stream, or which are separated at a centralized
facility.
(b)
Property
owners or their building or landscape designers, including anyone
requiring a building or planning permit, plan check, or landscape
design review from the City, who are constructing a new (residential,
public, institutional, or commercial) project with a landscape area
greater than five hundred square feet, or rehabilitating an existing
landscape with a total landscape area greater than two thousand five
hundred square feet, shall comply with 23 CCR, Division 2, Chapter
2.7, Sections 492.6(a)(3)(B), (C), (D), and (G) of the Model Water
Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), including sections related
to use of compost and mulch as delineated in this Section.
(c)
The
following compost and mulch use requirements that are part of the
MWELO are now also included as requirements of this Section. Other
requirements of the MWELO are in effect and can be found in 23 CCR,
Division 2, Chapter 2.7.
(d)
Property owners or their building or landscape designers that meet the threshold for MWELO compliance outlined in subsection (b) above shall:
(1)
Comply with 23 CCR, Division 2, Chapter 2.7, Sections 492.6(a)(3)(B),
(C), (D) and (G) of the MWELO, which requires the submittal of a landscape
design plan with a soil preparation, mulch, and amendments section
to include the following:
(A)
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.
(B)
For landscape installations, 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.
(C)
Organic mulch materials 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. Organic mulches are not required where prohibited by local
fuel modification plan guidelines or other applicable local ordinances.
(e)
The
MWELO compliance items listed in this Section are not an inclusive
list of MWELO requirements; therefore, property owners or their building
or landscape designers that meet the threshold for MWELO compliance
outlined herein shall consult the full MWELO for all requirements.
(f)
If,
after the adoption of the ordinance codified in this Section, the
California Department of Water Resources, or its successor agency,
amends 23 CCR, Division 2, Chapter 2.7, Sections 492.6(a)(3)(B), (C),
(D), and (G) of the MWELO September 15, 2015 requirements in a manner
that requires the City to incorporate the requirements of an updated
MWELO in a local ordinance, and the amended requirements include provisions
more stringent than those required in this Section, the revised requirements
of 23 CCR, Division 2, Chapter 2.7 shall be enforced.
(Ord. 22-07 4-5-22)
Landscape plans shall be prepared in accordance with the standards
set forth herein and with any guidelines developed to implement the
provisions of this Chapter. Such plans shall be submitted and approved
prior to the issuance of building permits to comply with the requirements
of this Chapter.
(Ord. 93-20 7-20-93)
Prior to the issuance of a building permit, a Landscape Plan
Application shall be submitted and reviewed in accordance with this
Chapter, and those procedures found in Chapter 12, Site Plan Review.
Applications for landscape plan approval shall be filed by the owner
of the affected property or the owner's agent, or by a public entity
to which the provisions of this Chapter apply, on a form furnished
by the Planning and Building Department Director.
(Ord. 93-20 7-20-93; Ord. 08-05 4-22-08)
No Landscape Plan Application shall be approved unless the Planning
and Building Department Director finds that the plan compliments the
design of the project; is consistent with the provisions of this Chapter
and applicable landscape guidelines; is compatible with adjacent existing
or future public landscaped areas, and with the elevations and appearances
of existing structures located upon lots within the immediate vicinity
of the lot which is the subject of the application.
(Ord. 93-20 7-20-93; Ord. 08-05 4-22-08)
Each landscape plan shall consist of the elements described
in this Section and in accordance with applicable guidelines including,
but not limited to the following:
(a)
Water
Conservation Concept Statement. Each landscape plan shall include
a Concept Statement which serves as a checklist to verify that the
elements of the landscape plan have been completed. It shall include
a brief summary of the project. This statement shall include calculations
of the project's:
(b)
Portions
of landscaped areas in public and private projects such as parks,
playgrounds, sports fields, golf courses or school yards where turf
provides a playing surface or serves other recreational purposes may
require water in addition to the Maximum Applied Water Allowance.
A statement shall be included with the landscape design plan, designating
areas to be used for such purposes and specifying any needed amount
of additional water above the Maximum Applied Water Allowance.
(c)
Planting
Plan. The planting plan shall identify location, spacing, numbers
and container sizes of all plant materials including common and botanical
names, drawn on project base sheets in a clear and legible fashion
in accordance with the guidelines established to implement the provisions
of this Chapter.
(d)
Irrigation
Plan. The irrigation plan shall identify all components of the irrigation
system drawn on project base sheets in a clear and legible fashion
in accordance with the guidelines established to implement the provisions
of this Chapter.
(e)
Annual
Irrigation Schedule. The annual irrigation schedule shall be prepared
with a minimum four-season water schedule, for both the plant establishment
period and established landscape. The irrigation schedule shall include
run time and frequency of irrigation for each station.
(f)
Recycled
Water. The installation of recycled water irrigation systems (dual
distribution systems) shall be required to allow for the current and
future use of recycled water, unless an exemption has been granted
as described in the following section:
(1)
Irrigation systems shall make use of recycled water unless a written
exemption has been granted by the local water agency, stating that
recycled water meeting all health standards is not available and will
not be available in the foreseeable future.
(2)
The recycled water irrigation systems shall be designed and operated
in accordance with all local and State codes.
(g)
Soils
Test. The landscape plan shall include a report of soils test which
includes information on soil infiltration rate, soil texture and agricultural
suitability. No soil test shall be required if the soil type can be
determined by reference to resources available to the Director and
the soil is amended as required by the Director; provided, however,
a soils test shall be required if substantial amounts of soil are
imported to the property.
(Ord. 93-20 7-20-93)
Decorative water features such as pools, ponds and waterfalls
used in landscaped areas shall incorporate recycling of water, and
shall be designed and operated to minimize water loss.
(Ord. 93-20 7-20-93)
Each landscape irrigation system shall be metered for water
use, separately from domestic and other nonlandscape uses except for
single-family homes or any project with a landscaped area of less
that five thousand square feet.
(Ord. 93-20 7-20-93)
The property owner shall permanently and continuously maintain
all landscaping and irrigation in a neat, clean and healthy condition,
including removal of weeds and litter, proper pruning, mowing of lawns,
fertilizing and watering; and replacement of diseased and/or dead
plants and malfunctioning or missing irrigation system components.
(Ord. 93-20 7-20-93)
A schedule of landscape irrigation audits, for all nonexempt
projects, satisfying the following conditions shall be submitted to
the Planning and Building Department Director and part of the landscape
documentation package.
(a)
At
a minimum, audits shall be in accordance with the State of California
Landscape Water Management Program as described in the "Landscape
Irrigation Auditor Handbook," which is hereby incorporated by this
reference. (Landscape Irrigation Auditor Handbook, June 1990, version
5.5 (formerly Master Auditor Training).)
(b)
The
schedule shall provide for landscape irrigation audits to be conducted
by certified landscape irrigation auditors at least once every five
years.
(c)
Audits
shall be reviewed by the City Water Services Division and maintained
by the Planning Division.
(Ord. 93-20 7-20-93; Ord. 08-05 4-22-08)
(a)
Upon
completing the installation of the landscaping and the irrigation
system, an irrigation audit shall be conducted by a certified landscape
irrigation auditor prior to the final field observation. (See "Landscape
Irrigation Auditor Handbook" referenced in Section 5.116.1.)
(b)
A
licensed landscape architect or contractor, certified irrigation designer,
or other licensed or certified professional in a related field shall
conduct a final field observation. The certificate shall specifically
indicate that plants were installed as specified, that the irrigation
system was installed as designed, and that an irrigation audit has
been performed, along with a list of any observed deficiencies.
(c)
Certification
shall be accomplished by a completed certificate of substantial completion
to be delivered to the Planning Division, to the retail water supplier,
and to the owner of record. A sample of this form, which shall be
provided by the City, is contained in the Guidelines for Water Efficient
Landscapes of Chapter 12.
(d)
Failure
to comply with the above provisions shall be grounds for the Director
to withhold final approval of the project or utility service in accordance
with the authorized administrative policies and procedures of the
City of Inglewood.
(Ord. 93-20 7-20-93)
(a)
Information
shall be maintained about designing, installing and maintaining water-efficient
landscapes in the Main Library and in the Planning Division of the
Planning and Building Department.
(b)
Model
Homes. At least one model home that is landscaped in each project
consisting of ten or more homes shall demonstrate via signs and information
the principles of water-efficient landscape described in the Guidelines
for Water Efficient Landscapes in Chapter 12.
(1)
Signs shall be used to identify the model as an example of a water-efficient
landscape and featuring elements such as hydrozones, irrigation equipment
and other which contribute to the overall water efficiency.
(2)
Information shall be made available to prospective residents about
designing, installing and maintaining water-efficient landscapes.
(Ord. 93-20 7-20-93; Ord. 08-05 4-22-08)
Water Management. 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 have a landscape
irrigation audit at least every five years. At a minimum the audit
shall be in accordance with the California Landscape Water Management
program as described in the "Landscape Irrigation Auditor Handbook,"
which is hereby incorporated by this reference. (See "Landscape Irrigation
Auditor Handbook," Department of Water Resources, Water Conservation
Office, June 1990, version 5.5.)
(1)
If
the project's water bills indicate that water consumption is less
than or equal to the maximum applied water allowance for that project
site, an audit shall not be required. Reports and declarations of
compliance shall be reviewed by the Water Services Division.
(2)
Recognition
of projects that stay within the maximum applied water allowance is
encouraged.
(Ord. 93-20 7-20-93)
Violation of the provisions of this Article shall be considered
an infraction.
(Ord. 93-20 7-20-93)
The Recreation, Parks and Community Services Department shall
have the duties of investigation and enforcement of this Article and
shall have the authority to issue citations for water-efficient landscape
violations.
(Ord. 93-20 7-20-93; Ord. 99-1 1-26-99)
