This division shall be known as the "Vacaville Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance," and may be so cited.
(Ord. 1972, Repealed and Replaced, 02/22/2022)
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;
5. 
That landscape design, installation, maintenance and management can and should be water efficient; and
6. 
That Section 2 of Article X of the California Constitution specifies that the right to use water is limited to the amount reasonably required for the beneficial use to be served and the right does not and shall not extend to waste or unreasonable method of use.
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; and
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 this division, 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 aesthetic 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 rainwater and 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; and
5. 
Protecting existing habitat and creating new habitat by choosing local native plants, climate adapted nonnatives and avoiding invasive plants. Utilizing integrated pest management with least toxic methods as the first course of action.
(Ord. 1972, Repealed and Replaced, 02/22/2022)
A. 
After December 1, 2015, and consistent with Governor's Executive Order No. B-29-15, this division shall apply to all of the following landscape projects:
1. 
New development projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 500 square feet requiring a building or landscape permit, plan check or design review;
2. 
Rehabilitated landscape projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet requiring a building or landscape permit, plan check, or design review;
3. 
Existing landscapes limited to Chapter 14.27.040 of this code; and
4. 
Cemeteries. Recognizing the special landscape management needs of cemeteries, new and rehabilitated cemeteries are limited to Sections 14.27.030.050, 14.27.030.100, 14.27.030.110, and existing cemeteries are limited to Chapter 14.27.040 of this code.
B. 
Any project with an aggregate landscape area of 2,500 square feet or less may comply with the performance requirements of this division or conform to the prescriptive measures contained in Chapter 14.27.070 of this code.
C. 
For projects using treated or untreated graywater or rainwater captured on site, any lot or parcel within the project that has less than 2,500 square feet of landscape and meets the lot 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 14.27.070.010.B.5.
D. 
This division 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. 1972, Repealed and Replaced, 02/22/2022)
The Director of Community Development may approve an alternate method or exception to this division where it can be demonstrated that the exception or alternate is at least as effective in conserving water as adherence to the provisions of this division.
(Ord. 1972, Repealed and Replaced, 02/22/2022)