A.
The California State Legislature has found that the limited supply of state waters are subject to ever increasing demands; that California's economic prosperity depends on adequate supplies of water; that state policy promotes conservation and efficient use of water; that landscapes provide recreation areas, clean the air and water, prevent erosion, offer fire protection, and replace ecosystems displaced by development; and that landscape design, installation, and maintenance can and should be water efficient. Consistent with the legislative findings, the purpose of this section is to promote the values and benefits of landscapes while recognizing the need to use water and other resources as efficiently as possible; to establish a structure for designing, installing, and maintaining water efficient landscapes, and to establish provisions for water management practices and water waste prevention.
B.
A landscape plan that complies with the City's Water Efficient Landscape Standards, as adopted by resolution of the City Council, must be submitted by the project applicant and approved by the City before commencement of construction of a development or redevelopment project that requires a landscape plan under any provision of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code other than this section, or when a building permit or design review approval is required for the following projects:
1.
Construction of a new building that exceeds 500 square feet;
2.
Substantial redevelopment of a building, as described in Section 30.140.200 of this Code, that exceeds 500 square feet;
3.
Addition of more than 500 square feet of floor area to an existing building;
4.
Projects where a landscape plan is required by any City design review or land use review body, including, but not limited to, the Architectural Board of Review, Historic Landmarks Commission, Single Family Design Board, Staff Hearing Officer, or the Planning Commission.
C.
Compliance with subsection B of this section is required as a condition of City water service to a parcel. The City will not provide water service or provide evidence of an ability or commitment to provide water service for a parcel located outside of the City's jurisdictional limits unless the owner of the parcel submits an agreement to comply with the requirements of this section in a form satisfactory to the Public Works Director.
(Ord. 4787, 1992; Ord. 5460, 2008; Ord. 5847, 2018; Ord. 6101 §2, 2023)