CC - Item 6C - Municipal Code Amendment 09-02 Chapter 13.08 - Water Efficient Landscaping Regulation - SB 1881ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JEFF ALLRED, CITY MANAGER
DATE: NOVEMBER 17, 2009
SUBJECT: MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT 09 -02, AMENDING CHAPTER 13.08
OF THE ROSEMEAD MUNICIPAL CODE (WATER EFFICIENT
LANDSCAPING REGULATIONS) TO COMPLY WITH STATE
ASSEMBLY BILL 1881
SUMMARY
The Water Conservation in Landscaping Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill 1881, Laird) requires
local agencies to adopt landscape water conservation ordinances by January 1, 2010.
Pursuant to this law, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has prepared a Model
Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Model Ordinance) for use by local agencies. The
State's Model Ordinance has been attached as Exhibit "A." Local agencies may adopt
the Model Ordinance, or create an ordinance to fit local conditions that is "at least as
effective" as the Model Ordinance in regards to water conservation. Each local agency
has until January 31, 2010, to either notify DWR that it has adopted the state's Model
Ordinance; or submit to DWR a copy of its adopted water efficient landscape ordinance.
Municipal Code Amendment 09 -02 is a City initiated amendment that proposes to amend
Chapter 13.08 of the Rosemead Municipal Code (Water Efficient Landscaping
Regulations) to comply with Assembly Bill 1881. The proposed Water Efficient
Landscape Ordinance (Ordinance 885) and associated guidelines (Guidelines for
Implementation of the City of Rosemead Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance) have
been attached as Exhibits "B" and "C," respectively. The proposed ordinance and
guidelines will support the City's Water Conservation Ordinance as well as comply with
State regulations.
On November 2, 2009, the Planning Commission was presented with this issue and
adopted Resolution No. 09 -21 recommending approval of the ordinance to the City
Council. The Planning Commission staff report, Resolution No. 09 -21, and draft
meeting minutes have been attached to this report (Exhibits "D" through "F"
respectively).
ITEM NO. k .
APPROVED FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA:
City Council Meeting
November 17, 2009
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Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council make the determination that the project is
exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per Section 15307 (14
Cal. Code Regs., § 15307), and introduce Ordinance No. 885 (Attachment A) for first
reading, approving Municipal Code Amendment 09 -02, modifying Chapter 13.08 of the
Rosemead Municipal Code with respect to water efficient landscaping regulations.
ANALYSIS
The proposed Ordinance will, among other things, allow the City to retain its control
over the water efficient landscape matters. It has been drafted to ensure as much
simplicity, efficiency, and flexibility as possible.
If adopted by the City Council, the Ordinance will apply to the following landscape
projects beginning January 1, 2010:
1. New landscape installations or landscape rehabilitation projects by public agencies
or private non - residential developers, except for cemeteries, with a landscaped area,
including water features but excluding hardscape, equal to or greater than 2,500
square feet;
2. New landscape installations or landscape rehabilitation projects by developers or
property managers of single - family and multi - family residential projects or complexes
with a landscaped area, including water features but excluding hardscape, equal to
or greater than 2,500 square feet; and
3. New landscape installations that are homeowner - installed, including homeowner -
hired, in single - family or multi - family residential lots with a total project landscaped
area equal to or greater than 5,000 square feet.
The cornerstone of the proposed City of Rosemead Water Efficient Landscape
Ordinance and Guidelines is a self - certification process that will streamline the
permitting process and reduce costs for applicants and the City. The self - certification
includes two steps. First, the landscape designer will sign a Certification of Design,
which includes their license number and /or professional stamp, stating that the
landscape design is in conformance with the city ordinance and guidelines. The permit
will not be issued unless the Landscape Documentation Package is complete, including
this certification. Second, once construction of the landscape is complete, the
installation contractor or designer will sign the Landscape Installation Certificate of
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November 17, 2009
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Completion stating that the installation is complete and is in substantial conformance
with the original plan. Once the Landscape Installation Certificate of Completion is
accepted by the city, the permit will be completed.
The Landscape Documentation Package proposed will include the following elements to
be submitted by the project applicant for permit issuance:
1. Project Information Summary
2. Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet
3. Soil Management Plan
4. Landscape Design Plan
5. Irrigation Design Plan
6. Grading Design Plan
7. Certification of Landscape Design
The Landscape Installation Certificate of Completion package will include:
1. Certification that the project was constructed per the approved plans;
2. Irrigation scheduling parameters used to set the controller;
3. Landscape and irrigation maintenance schedules;
4. An irrigation audit report, documentation of enrollment in regional or local water
purveyor(s)' water conservation programs, and /or documentation that the water
budget for the landscape project has been submitted to the local water purveyor,
may be required at the option of the City.
Rosemead's Proposed Ordinance versus the State Model
The following identifies the significant differences between the Rosemead's proposed
Ordinance and the State Model and provides justification for how Rosemead's Model is
"at least as effective" as the State's Model.
Issue 1: Maximum Applied Water Allowance Calculation
Justification:
The State Model requires the Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA) and
Estimated Applied Water Use (EAWU) calculations for each valve installed in a
landscape area. This requirement causes a significant amount of paperwork and labor
and does not increase water efficiency in the landscape. The proposed Ordinance
requires MAWA and EAWU calculations for each meter rather than each valve. This
simplifies the calculation process, while maintaining the "at least as effective" criteria of
AB -1881.
City Council Meeting
November 17, 2009
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Issue 2: Self Certification
2.4 Landscape Design. Plan Section 13; 2.5 Irrigation Design Plan Section 7; 2.6
Grading Design Plan Section 3
Justification:
Self certification is performed by a licensed professional that is authorized to perform
the tasks required in the Landscape Documentation Package and certifies that the
project is "at least as effective" as the State Model. Self certification provides a cost
effective method for the City to review plans without increasing the need for in -house
technical expertise.
Issue 3: Separation of Ordinance and Guidelines
Justification:
The State Model proposes to codify all regulations related to water efficient landscape.
While this is an acceptable way to address this issue, staff is proposing that the City
Council consider an alternative approach that would include adopting an ordinance that
describes the essential components of AB 1881 but would also require compliance with
guidelines that contain process oriented elements, equations, and technology related
components. This would allow for changes and /or amendments to landscape water
efficiency in the future to be addressed through amending the guidelines rather than the
lengthy code amendment process. This approach would also meet the State's "at least
as effective" criteria.
Issue 4: Water Purveyor's Water Waste Provisions
Staff has been in communication with all six water purveyors that service the City and
believes that their water waste provisions are sufficient to meet the "at least as effective
as" criteria.
Explanation:
Budget -based tiered -rate billing structures and enforcement of water waste prohibition
provisions are "at least as effective" at achieving outdoor water use efficiency as AB-
1881.
Justification:
The local water purveyors for the City of Rosemead are implementing budget -based
tiered -rate billing and /or enforcement of water waste prohibitions for all existing metered
landscape areas throughout its service area. Furthermore, the City of Rosemead
continues to enforce Chapter 13.04 of the Rosemead Municipal Code pertaining to
Water Conservation, which prohibits water users from wasting water from any source
and any person sanctioning such waste. In addition, Rosemead's current Water
Conservation Ordinance has strict penalties for violation of these provisions, which
include written warning notices up to punishment as provided in the Penal Code.
City Council Meeting
November 17, 2009
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Issue 5: 492.10 Irrigation Scheduling
Justification:
It is proposed that prescriptive elements for parameters used to set automatic
controllers be removed in order to defer to irrigation controller manufacturer
specifications.
Issue 6: 492.11 Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance Schedule
Justification:
The State's Model requires detailed and prescriptive landscape and irrigation
maintenance schedule parameters. Ordinance 885 proposes that landscapes must be
maintained to ensure water use efficiency in accordance with existing local agency
codes, which will be "at least as effective as" the State's Model.
Issue 7: Removal of 492.14 Recycled Water
Justification:
According to the State Model, all projects shall allow for the use of recycled water for
irrigation and water features unless written exemption is provided by the local water
agency stating that recycled water is not available. This section has been incorporated
by reference into the Guidelines for Implementation of City of Rosemead Water Efficient
Landscape Ordinance to defer to existing local and state recycled water regulations.
Issue 8: Removal of 492.15 Stormwater Management
Justification:
The State Model encourages stormwater management practices that minimize runoff
and increase water infiltration which recharges groundwater and improves water quality.
This section has been incorporated by reference into the Guidelines for Implementation
of City of Rosemead Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance to defer to existing National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and local stormwater
management code.
Issue 9: Removal of 493.2 Water Waste Prevention
Justification:
The State Model requires that local agencies prevent water waste by prohibiting runoff,
low head drainage, and over spray. Furthermore, penalties for violation of these
prohibitions are required to be established locally. This section has been incorporated
by reference into Ordinance 885 and the Guidelines for Implementation of City of
Rosemead Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance to defer to existing agency code on
water waste prevention. In addition, the local water purveyors for the City of Rosemead
are implementing budget -based tiered -rate billing and /or enforcement of water waste
provisions for all existing metered landscape areas throughout their service area. In
addition, the City continues to enforce Chapter 13.04 of the Rosemead Municipal Code
pertaining to water conservation. Pursuant to Rosemead Municipal Code Section
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November 17, 2009
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13.04.030, no water use shall waster water from any source nor shall any person
sanction such waste.
Issue 10: Removal of 494 Effective Precipitation
Justification:
Effective precipitation or "usable rainfall" refers to the portion of total precipitation which
becomes available for plant growth. The State Model states that a local agency may
consider effective precipitation (25% of annual precipitation) in tracking water use.
Since this section was considered optional in the State Model, it was removed from the
City's proposed Ordinance because the annual effective precipitation is not considered
adequate for the MAWA adjustment.
Issue 11: Certification of Completion (Now in Guidelines)
Justification:
The State Model requires the submittal of a Certificate of Completion. The elements of
the certificate consist of certification of installation, final soils information, irrigation
scheduling parameters, maintenance schedules, and an irrigation audit report. The
City's proposed ordinance requires enrollment in one of the local or regional water
budgeting programs, which fulfills the irrigation system audit report criteria. The water
budgeting programs are an in -depth and ongoing irrigation monitoring process that is "at
least as effective" as a one time irrigation system audit report.
Planning Commission Review
On November 2, 2009, the City of Rosemead Planning Commission conducted a duly
noticed public hearing. Upon hearing all testimonies from the public, the Commission
unanimously recommended approval of this municipal code amendment to the City
Council. The Planning Commission also made findings of environmental adequacy.
The Planning Commission staff report, Planning Commission Resolution, and Planning
Commission Minutes have been included in this report as Exhibits "D" through "F"
respectively.
Environmental Determination
Municipal Code Amendment 09 -02 is exempt from review under the California
Environmental Quality Act ( "CEQA ") (California Public Resources Code Section 21000
et seq.), because pursuant to State CEQA Regulation 15307 (14 Cal. Code Regs., §
15307), Municipal Code Amendment 09 -02 is covered by the CEQA Categorical
Exemption for actions taken to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or
protection of a natural resource where the regulatory process involves procedures for
protection of the environment. Municipal Code Amendment 09 -02 will result in the
enhancement and protection of water resources in the City, and will not result in
City Council Meeting
November 17, 2009
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cumulative adverse environment impacts. It is therefore exempt from the provisions of
CEQA.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process.
Prepared by:
!6�
Sheri Bermejo
Principal Planner
Sub i
n eki
Co' unity Development Director
Exhibits
A: State's Model Ordinance
B: Ordinance 885
C: Guidelines for Implementation of the City of Rosemead Water Efficient Landscape
Ordinance
D: Planning Commission Staff Report, dated November 2, 2009
E: Planning Commission Resolution 09 -21
F: Draft Planning Commission Minutes, dated November 2, 2009
r:IT,
Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
California Code of Regulations
Title 23. Waters
Division 2. Department of Water Resources
Chapter 2.7. Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
§ 490. Purpose.
(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
(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 model ordinance is to:
(1) promote the values and benefits of landscapes while recognizing the need to invest water and other
resources as efficiently as possible;
(2) establish a structure for planning, designing, installing, maintaining and managing water efficient
landscapes in new construction and rehabilitated projects;
(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;
(6) encourage local agencies and water purveyors to use economic incentives that promote the efficient
use of water, such as implementing a tiered -rate structure; and
(7) encourage local agencies to designate the necessary authority that implements and enforces the
provisions of the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance or its local landscape ordinance.
Note: Authority cited: Section 65593, Government Code. Reference: Sections 65591, 65593, 65596,
Government Code.
§ 490.1 Applicability
(a) After January 1, 2010, this ordinance shall apply to all of the following landscape projects:
(1) new construction and rehabilitated landscapes for public agency projects and private development
projects with a landscape area equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet requiring a building or
landscape permit, plan check or design review;
(2) new construction and rehabilitated landscapes which are developer - installed in single - family and
multi - family projects with a landscape area equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet requiring a
building or landscape permit, plan check, or design review;
(3) new construction landscapes which are homeowner - provided and/or homeowner -hired in single -
family and multi - family residential projects with a total project landscape area equal to or greater than
5,000 square feet requiring a building or landscape permit, plan check or design review;
(4) existing landscapes limited to Sections 493, 493.1 and 493.2; and
(5) cemeteries. Recognizing the special landscape management needs of cemeteries, new and
rehabilitated cemeteries are limited to Sections 492.4, 492.11 and 492.12; and existing cemeteries are
limited to Sections 493, 493.1 and 493.2.
(b) This ordinance 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) plant collections, as part of botanical gardens and arboretums open to the public.
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code.
§ 491. Definitions.
The terms used in this ordinance have the meaning set forth below:
(a) "applied water" means the portion of water supplied by the irrigation system to the landscape.
(b) "automatic irrigation controller" means an automatic timing device used to remotely control valves
that operate an irrigation system. Automatic irrigation controllers schedule irrigation events using either
evapotranspiration (weather- based) or soil moisture data.
(c) "backflow prevention device' 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.
(d) "Certificate of Completion" means the document required under Section 492.9.
(e) "certified irrigation designer' means a person certified to design irrigation systems by an accredited
academic institution a professional trade organization or other program such as the US Environmental
Protection Agency's WaterSense irrigation designer certification program and Irrigation Association's
Certified Irrigation Designer program.
(f) "certified landscape irrigation auditor' means a person certified to perform landscape irrigation
audits by an accredited academic institution, a professional trade organization or other program such as
the US Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense irrigation auditor certification program and
Irrigation Association's Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor program.
(g) "check valve' or "anti -drain valve" 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.
(h) "common interest developments" means community apartment projects, condominium projects,
planned developments, and stock cooperatives per Civil Code Section 1351.
(i) "conversion factor (0.62)" means the number that converts acre - inches per acre per year to gallons
per square foot per year
0) "drip irrigation" means any non -spray low volume irrigation system utilizing emission devices with a
flow rate measured in gallons per hour. Low volume irrigation systems are specifically designed to
apply small volumes of water slowly at or near the root zone of plants.
(k) "ecological restoration project" means a project where the site is intentionally altered to establish a
defined, indigenous, historic ecosystem.
(1) "effective precipitation' or "usable rainfall" (Eppt) means the portion of total precipitation which
becomes available for plant growth.
(m) "emitter' means a drip irrigation emission device that delivers water slowly from the system to the
soil.
(n) "established landscape' 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.
(o) "establishment period of the plants" 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.
i)
(p) "Estimated Total Water Use' (ETWU) means the total water used for the landscape as described in
Section 492.4.
(q) "ET adjustment factor" (ETAF) means a factor of 0.7, 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.
A combined plant mix with a site -wide average of 0.5 is the basis of the plant factor portion of this
calculation. For purposes of the ETAF, the average irrigation efficiency is 0.71. Therefore, the ET
Adjustment Factor is (0.7)= (0.5/0.71). ETAF for a Special Landscape Area shall not exceed 1.0. ETAF
for existing non - rehabilitated landscapes is 0.8.
(r) "evapotranspiration rate' means the quantity of water evaporated from adjacent soil and other
surfaces and transpired by plants during a specified time.
(s) "flow rate' 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.
(t) "hardscapes" means any durable material (pervious and non - pervious).
(u) "homeowner- provided landscaping" means any landscaping either installed by a private individual
for a single family residence or installed by a licensed contractor hired by a homeowner. A homeowner,
for purposes of this ordinance, is a person who occupies the dwelling he or she owns. This excludes
speculative homes, which are not owner- occupied dwellings.
(v) "hydrozone' means a portion of the landscaped area having plants with similar water needs. A
hydrozone may be irrigated or non - irrigated.
(w) "infiltration rate' means the rate of water entry into the soil expressed as a depth of water per unit of
time (e.g., inches per hour).
(x) "invasive plant species' 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. "Noxious weeds' means any weed
designated by the Weed Control Regulations in the Weed Control Act and identified on a Regional
District noxious weed control list. Lists of invasive plants are maintained at the California Invasive Plant
Inventory and USDA invasive and noxious weeds database.
(y) "irrigation audit' 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.
(z) "irrigation efficiency" (IE) 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 average irrigation efficiency
for purposes of this ordinance is 0.71. Greater irrigation efficiency can be expected from well designed
and maintained systems.
(aa) "irrigation survey' 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.
(bb) "irrigation water use analysis' means an analysis of water use data based on meter readings and
billing data.
(cc) "landscape architect' means a person who holds a license to practice landscape architecture in the
state of California Business and Professions Code, Section 5615.
(dd) "landscape area" 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).
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(ee) "landscape contractor" means a person licensed by the state of California to construct, maintain,
repair, install, or subcontract the development of landscape systems.
(ff) "Landscape Documentation Package" means the documents required under Section 492.3.
(gg) `landscape project" means total area of landscape in a project as defined in "landscape area" for the
purposes of this ordinance, meeting requirements under Section 490.1.
(hh) `lateral line" means the water delivery pipeline that supplies water to the emitters or sprinklers from
the valve.
(ii) "local agency' means a city or county, including a charter city or charter county, that is responsible
for adopting and implementing the ordinance. The local agency is also responsible for the enforcement
of this ordinance, including but not limited to, approval of a permit and plan check or design review of a
project.
Oj) `local water purveyor" means any entity, including a public agency, city, county, or private water
company that provides retail water service.
(kk) "low volume irrigation" 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, and bubblers. Low volume
irrigation systems are specifically designed to apply small volumes of water slowly at or near the root
zone of plants.
(11) "main line" means the pressurized pipeline that delivers water from the water source to the valve or
outlet.
(mm) "Maximum Applied Water Allowance" (MAWA) means the upper limit of annual applied water
for the established landscaped area as specified in Section 492.4. 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.
(nn) "microclimate" 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.
(oo) "mined -land reclamation projects" means any surface mining operation with a reclamation plan
approved in accordance with the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975.
(pp) "mulch" means any organic material such as leaves, bark, straw, compost, or inorganic mineral
materials such as rocks, gravel, and 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.
(qq) "new construction" means, for the purposes of this ordinance, a new building with a landscape or
other new landscape, such as a park, playground, or greenbelt without an associated building.
(rr) "operating pressure" means the pressure at which the parts of an irrigation system are designed by
the manufacturer to operate.
(ss) "overhead sprinkler irrigation systems" means systems that deliver water through the air (e.g., spray
heads and rotors).
(it) "overspray' means the irrigation water which is delivered beyond the target area.
(uu) "permit" means an authorizing document issued by local agencies for new construction or
rehabilitated landscapes.
(vv) "pervious" means any surface or material that allows the passage of water through the material and
into the underlying soil.
(ww) "plant factor" or "plant water use factor" is a factor , when multiplied by ETo, estimates the
amount of water needed by plants. For purposes of this ordinance, the plant factor range for low water
use plants is 0 to 0.3, the plant factor range for moderate water use plants is 0.4 to 0.6, and the plant
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factor range for high water use plants is 0.7 to 1.0. Plant factors cited in this ordinance are derived from
the Department of Water Resources 2000 publication "Water Use Classification of Landscape Species".
(xx) "precipitation rate" means the rate of application of water measured in inches per hour.
(yy) "project applicant' ' means the individual or entity submitting a Landscape Documentation Package
required under Section 492.3, to request a permit, plan check, or design review from the local agency. A
project applicant may be the property owner or his or her designee.
(zz) "rain sensor" or "rain sensing shutoff device" means a component which automatically suspends an
irrigation event when it rains.
(aaa) "record drawing' or "as- builts" 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.
(bbb) "recreational area' means areas dedicated to active play such as parks, sports fields, and golf
courses where turf provides a playing surface.
(ccc) "recycled water', "reclaimed water", or "treated sewage effluent water' 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.
(ddd) "reference evapotranspiration" or "ETo" means a standard measurement of environmental
parameters which affect the water use of plants. ETo is expressed in inches per day, month, or year as
represented in Section 495.1, and 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.
(eee) "rehabilitated landscape' means any re- landscaping project that requires a permit, plan check, or
design review, meets the requirements of Section 490.1, and the modified landscape area is equal to or
greater than 2,500 square feet, is 50% of the total landscape area, and the modifications are completed
within one year.
(M) "runoff' 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.
(ggg) "soil moisture sensing device' or "soil moisture sensor" means a device that measures the amount
of water in the soil. The device may also suspend or initiate an irrigation event.
(hhh) "soil texture" means the classification of soil based on its percentage of sand, silt, and clay.
(iii) "Special Landscape Area" (SLA) means an area of the landscape dedicated solely to edible plants,
areas irrigated with recycled water, water features using recycled water and areas dedicated to active
play such as parks, sports fields, golf courses, and where turf provides a playing surface.
Ojj) "sprinkler head" means a device which delivers water through a nozzle.
(kkk) "static water pressure' means the pipeline or municipal water supply pressure when water is not
flowing.
(111) "station" means an area served by one valve or by a set of valves that operate simultaneously.
(mmm) "swing joint" 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.
(min) "turf' means a ground cover surface of mowed grass. Annual bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass,
Perennial ryegrass, Red fescue, and Tall fescue are cool - season grasses. Bermudagrass, Kikuyugrass,
Seashore Paspalum, St. Augustinegrass, Zoysiagrass, and Buffalo grass are warm - season grasses.
(000) "valve" means a device used to control the flow of water in the irrigation system.
(ppp) "water conserving plant species" means a plant species identified as having a low plant factor.
(qqq) "water feature' 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
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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.
(rrr) "watering window" means the time of day irrigation is allowed.
(sss) "WUCOLS" means the Water Use Classification of Landscape Species published by the University
of California Cooperative Extension, the Department of Water Resources and the Bureau of
Reclamation, 2000.
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Sections 65592, 65596,
Government Code.
§ 492. Provisions for New Construction or Rehabilitated Landscapes.
(a) A local agency may designate another agency, such as a water purveyor, to implement some or all of
the requirements contained in this ordinance. Local agencies may collaborate with water purveyors to
define each entity's specific responsibilities relating to this ordinance.
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code.
§492.1 Compliance with Landscape Documentation Package.
(a) Prior to construction, the local agency shall:
(1) provide the project applicant with the ordinance and procedures for permits, plan checks, or design
reviews;
(2) review the Landscape Documentation Package submitted by the project applicant;
(3) approve or deny the Landscape Documentation Package;
(4) issue a permit or approve the plan check or design review for the project applicant; and
(5) upon approval of the Landscape Documentation Package, submit a copy of the Water Efficient
Landscape Worksheet to the local water purveyor.
(b) Prior to construction, the project applicant shall:
(1) submit a Landscape Documentation Package to the local agency.
(c) Upon approval of the Landscape Documentation Package by the local agency, the project applicant
shall:
(1) receive a permit or approval of the plan check or design review and record the date of the permit in
the Certificate of Completion;
(2) submit a copy of the approved Landscape Documentation Package along with the record drawings,
and any other information to the property owner or his/her designee; and
(3) submit a copy of the Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet to the local water purveyor.
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code.
§ 492.2 Penalties.
(a) A local agency may establish and administer penalties to the project applicant for non - compliance
with the ordinance to the extent permitted by law.
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code.
§ 492.3 Elements of the Landscape Documentation Package.
(a) The Landscape Documentation Package shall include the following six (6) 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) and identify the local retail water purveyor if the
applicant is not served by a private well
(G) checklist of all documents in Landscape Documentation Package
(II) project contacts to include contact information for the project applicant and property owner
(1) applicant signature and date with statement, "I agree to comply with the requirements of the water
efficient landscape ordinance and submit a complete Landscape Documentation Package ".
(2) Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet;
(A) hydrozone information table
(B) water budget calculations
1. Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA)
2. Estimated Total Water Use (ETWU)
(3) soil management report;
(4) landscape design plan;
(5) irrigation design plan; and
(6) grading design plan.
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code.
§ 492.4 Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet.
(a) A project applicant shall complete the Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet which contains two
sections (see sample worksheet in Appendix B):
(1) a hydrozone information table (see Appendix B, Section A) for the landscape project; and
(2) a water budget calculation (see Appendix B, Section B) for the landscape project. For the calculation
of the Maximum Applied Water Allowance and Estimated Total Water Use, a project applicant shall use
the ETo values from the Reference Evapotranspiration Table in Appendix A. For geographic areas not
covered in Appendix A, use data from other cities located nearby in the same reference
evapotranspiration zone, as found in the CMS Reference Evapotranspiration Zones Map, Department
of Water Resources, 1999.
(b) Water budget calculations shall adhere to the following requirements:
(1) The plant factor used shall be from WUCOLS. The plant factor ranges from 0 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.
(2) 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.
(3) All Special Landscape Areas shall be identified and their water use calculated as described below.
(4) ETAF for Special Landscape Areas shall not exceed 1.0.
(c) Maximum Applied Water Allowance
The Maximum Applied Water Allowance shall be calculated using the equation:
MAWA = (ETo) (0.62) [(0.7 x LA) + (0.3 x SLA)]
The example calculations below are hypothetical to demonstrate proper use of the equations and do not
represent an existing and /or planned landscape project. The ETo values used in these calculations are
from the Reference Evapotranspiration Table in Appendix A, for planning purposes only. For actual
irrigation scheduling, automatic irrigation controllers are required and shall use current reference
evapotranspiration data, such as from the California Irrigation Management Information System
(CIMIS), other equivalent data, or soil moisture sensor data.
(1) Example MAWA calculation: a hypothetical landscape project in Fresno, CA with an irrigated
landscape area of 50,000 square feet without any Special Landscape Area (SLA= 0, no edible plants,
recreational areas, or use of recycled water). To calculate MAWA, the annual reference
evapotranspiration value for Fresno is 51.1 inches as listed in the Reference Evapotranspiration Table in
Appendix A.
MAWA = (ETo) (0.62) [(0.7 x LA) + (0.3 x SLA)]
MAWA = Maximum Applied Water Allowance (gallons per year)
ETo = Reference Evapotranspiration (inches per year)
0.62 = Conversion Factor (to gallons)
0.7 = ET Adjustment Factor (ETAF)
LA = Landscape Area including SLA (square feet)
0.3 = Additional Water Allowance for SLA
SLA = Special Landscape Area (square feet)
MAWA = (51.1 inches) (0.62) [(0.7 x 50,000 square feet) + (0.3 x 0)]
= 1,108,870 gallons per year
To convert from gallons per year to hundred - cubic -feet per year:
= 1,108;870/748 = 1,482 hundred - cubic -feet per year
(100 cubic feet = 748 gallons)
(2) In this next hypothetical example, the landscape project in Fresno, CA has the same ETo value of
51.1 inches and a total landscape area of 50,000 square feet. Within the 50,000 square foot project, there
is now a 2,000 square foot area planted with edible plants. This 2,000 square foot area is considered to
be a Special Landscape Area.
MAWA = (ETo) (0.62) [(0.7 x LA) + (0.3 x SLA)]
MAWA = (51.1 inches) (0.62) [(0.7 x 50,000 square feet) + (0.3 x 2,000 square feet)]
= 31.68 x [35,000 + 600] gallons per year
= 31.68 x 35,600 gallons per year
= 1,127,808 gallons per year or 1,508 hundred - cubic -feet per year
(d) Estimated Total Water Use.
The Estimated Total Water Use shall be calculated using the equation below. The sum of the Estimated
Total Water Use calculated for all hydrozones shall not exceed MAWA.
ETITTU = (ETo)(0.62) P I IM + SLAI
Where: l
ETWU = Estimated Total Water Use per year (gallons)
ETo = Reference Evapotranspiration (inches)
PF = Plant Factor from WUCOLS (see Section 491)
HA = Hydrozone Area [high, medium, and low water use areas] (square feet)
SLA = Special Landscape Area (square feet)
0.62 = Conversion Factor
IE = Irrigation Efficiency (minimum 0.71)
(1) Example ETWU calculation: landscape area is 50,000 square feet; plant water use type, plant factor,
and hydrozone area are shown in the table below. The ETo value is 51.1 inches per year. There are no
Special Landscape Areas (recreational area, area permanently and solely dedicated to edible plants, and
area irrigated with recycled water) in this example.
Hydrozone
Plant Water
Use Type(s)
Plant
Factor
(PF*
Hydrozone
Area (HA)
(square feet
PF x HA
(square feet
1
High
0.8
7,000
5,600
2
High
0.7
10,000
7,000
3
Medium
0.5
16,000
8,000
4
Low
0.3
7,000
2,100
5
Low
0.2
10,000
2,000
Sum
24,700
*Plant Factor from WUCOLS
ETWU= (.i1.1)(0.62�24,700 +01
0.71 J
= 1,102,116 gallons per year
Compare ETWU with MAWA: For this example MAWA = (51.1) (0.62) [(0.7 x 50,000) + (0.3 x 0)] _
1,108,870 gallons per year. The ETWU (1;102,116 gallons per year) is less than MAWA (1,108,870
gallons per year). In this example, the water budget complies with the MAWA.
(2) Example ETWU calculation: total landscape area is 50,000 square feet, 2,000 square feet of which is
planted with edible plants. The edible plant area is considered a Special Landscape Area (SLA). The
reference evapotranspiration value is 51.1 inches per year. The plant type, plant factor, and hydrozone
area are shown in the table below.
Hydrozone
Plant Water
Use Type(s) )
Plant
Factor
(PF)*
Hydrozone
Area (HA)
(square feet)
PF x HA
(square feet)
1
High
0.8
7,000
5,600
2
High
0.7
9,000
6,300
3
Medium
0.5
15,000
7,500
4
Low
0.3
7,000
2,100
5
Low
0.2
10,000
2,000
Sum
23,500
6
SLA
1.0
2,000
2,000
*Plant Factor from WUCOLS
ETWU = (51.1)(0.62)( 23,500 + 2,000
l 0.71
_ (31.68) (33,099 + 2,000)
= 1,111,936 gallons per year
10
Compare ETWU with MAWA. For this example:
MAWA = (51.1) (0.62) [(0.7 x 50,000) + (0.3 x 2,000)]
= 31.68 x [35,000 + 600]
= 31.68 x 35.600
= 1,127,808 gallons per year
The ETWU (1,111,936 gallons per year) is less than MAWA (1,127,808 gallons per year). For this
example, the water budget complies with the MAWA.
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code.
§492.5 Soil Management Report.
(a) In order to reduce runoff and encourage healthy plant growth, a soil management report shall be
completed by the project applicant, or his/her 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.
(B) The soil analysis may include:
1. soil texture;
2. infiltration rate determined by laboratory test or soil texture infiltration rate table;
3. pH;
4. total soluble salts;
5. sodium;
6. percent organic matter; and
7. recommendations.
(2) The project applicant, or his/her 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 local
agency as part of the Landscape Documentation Package; or
(B) If significant mass grading is planned, the soil analysis report shall be submitted to the local agency
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.
(4) The project applicant, or his/her designee, shall submit documentation verifying implementation of
soil analysis report recommendations to the local agency with Certificate of Completion.
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code.
§ 492.6 Landscape Design Plan.
(a) For the efficient use of water, a landscape shall be carefully designed and planned for the intended
function of the project. 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 may be selected for the landscape, providing the Estimated Total Water Use in the
landscape area does not exceed the Maximum Applied Water Allowance. To encourage the efficient use
of water, the following is highly recommended:
1. protection and preservation of native species and natural vegetation;
2. selection of water- conserving plant and turf species;
11
3. selection of plants based on disease and pest resistance;
4. selection of trees based on applicable local tree ordinances or tree shading guidelines; and
5. selection of plants from local and regional landscape program plant lists.
(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 Section 492.7(a)(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. To encourage the efficient use of water, the
following is highly recommended:
1. 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;
2. 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]; and
3. consider the solar orientation for plant placement to maximize summer shade and winter solar gain.
(D) Turf is not allowed on slopes greater than 25% where the toe of the slope is adjacent to an
impermeable hardscape and where 25% means I foot of vertical elevation change for every 4 feet of
horizontal length (rise divided by run x 100 = slope percent).
(E) 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 highly flammable mulches.
(F) The use of invasive and/or noxious plant species is strongly discouraged.
(G) 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) Mulch and Amendments
(A) A minimum two inch (2 ") 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.
(B) Stabilizing mulching products shall be used on slopes.
(C) The mulching portion of the seed /mulch slurry in hydro- seeded applications shall meet the mulching
requirement.
(D) Soil amendments shall be incorporated according to recommendations of the soil report and what is
appropriate for the plants selected (see Section 492.5).
(b) The landscape design plan, at a minimum, shall:
(1) delineate and label each hydrozone by number, letter, or other method;
(2) 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;
(3) identify recreational areas;
(4) identify areas permanently and solely dedicated to edible plants;
(5) identify areas irrigated with recycled water;
(6) identify type of mulch and application depth;
(7) identify soil amendments, type, and quantity;
(8) identify type and surface area of water features;
(9) identify hardscapes (pervious and non - pervious);
12
(10) identify location and installation details of any applicable stormwater best management practices
that encourage on -site retention and infiltration of stormwater. Stormwater best management practices
are encouraged in the landscape design plan and examples include, but are not limited to:
(A) infiltration beds, swales, and basins that allow water to collect and soak into the
ground;
(B) constructed wetlands and retention ponds that retain water, handle excess flow, and filter pollutants;
and
(C) pervious or porous surfaces (e.g., permeable pavers or blocks, pervious or porous concrete, etc.) that
minimize runoff.
(11) identify any applicable rain harvesting or catchment technologies (e.g., rain gardens, cisterns, etc.);
(12) 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
(13) 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 Titlel6
of the California Code of Regulations, and Section 6721 of the Food and Agriculture Code.)
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code
and Section 1351, Civil Code.
§ 492.7 Irrigation Design Plan.
(a) For the efficient use of water, an irrigation system shall meet all the requirements listed in this
section 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) Dedicated landscape water meters are highly recommended on landscape areas smaller than 5,000
square feet to facilitate water management.
(B) Automatic irrigation controllers utilizing either evapotranspiration or soil moisture sensor data shall
be required for irrigation scheduling in all irrigation systems.
(C) The irrigation system shall be designed to ensure that the dynamic pressure at each emission device
is within the manufacturer's recommended pressure range for optimal performance.
1. if the static pressure is above or below the required dynamic pressure of the irrigation system,
pressure- regulating devices such as Wine pressure regulators, booster pumps, or other devices shall be
installed to meet the required dynamic pressure of the irrigation system.
2. 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) Sensors (rain, freeze, wind, etc.), 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.
13
(F) Backflow prevention devices shall be required to protect the water supply from contamination by the
irrigation system. A project applicant shall refer to the applicable local agency code (i.e., public health)
for additional backflow prevention requirements.
(G) High flow sensors that detect and report high flow conditions created by system damage or
malfunction are recommended.
(II) 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.
(I) Relevant information from the soil management plan, such as soil type and infiltration rate, shall be
utilized when designing irrigation systems.
(J) The design of the irrigation system shall conform to the hydrozones of the landscape design plan.
(K) The irrigation system must be designed and installed to meet, at a minimum, the irrigation efficiency
criteria as described in Section 492.4 regarding the Maximum Applied Water Allowance.
(L) It is highly recommended that the project applicant or local agency inquire with the local water
purveyor about peak water operating demands (on the water supply system) or water restrictions that
may impact the effectiveness of the irrigation system.
(M) In mulched planting areas, the use of low volume irrigation is required to maximize water
infiltration into the root zone.
(I) Sprinkler heads and other emission devices shall have matched precipitation rates, unless otherwise
directed by the manufacturer's recommendations.
(0) Head to head coverage is recommended. However, sprinkler spacing shall be designed to achieve
the highest possible distribution uniformity using the manufacturer's recommendations.
(P) Swing joints or other riser - protection components are required on all risers subject to damage that
are adjacent to high traffic areas.
(Q) Check valves or anti -drain valves are required for all irrigation systems.
(R) Narrow or irregularly shaped areas, including turf, less than eight (8) feet in width in any direction
shall be irrigated with subsurface irrigation or low volume irrigation system.
(S) Overhead irrigation shall not be permitted within 24 inches of any non - permeable surface. Allowable
irrigation within the setback from non - permeable surfaces may include drip, drip line, or other low flow
non -spray technology. The setback area may be planted or implanted. The surfacing of the setback may
be mulch, gravel, or other porous material. These restrictions may be modified if:
1. the landscape area is adjacent to permeable surfacing and no runoff occurs; or
2. the adjacent non - permeable surfaces are designed and constructed to drain entirely to landscaping; or
3. the irrigation designer specifies an alternative design or technology, as part of the Landscape
Documentation Package and clearly demonstrates strict adherence to irrigation system design criteria in
Section 492.7 (a)(1)(H). Prevention of overspray and runoff must be confirmed during the irrigation
audit.
(T) Slopes greater than 25% shall not be irrigated with an irrigation system with a precipitation 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) Hydrozone
(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.
(D) Individual hydrozones that mix plants of moderate and low water use, or moderate and high water
use, may be allowed if:
14
1. plant factor calculation is based on the proportions of the respective plant water uses and their plant
factor; or
2. the plant factor of the higher water using plant is used for calculations.
(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 Appendix B Section A). This table can also assist with the irrigation audit and programming the
controller.
(b) The irrigation design plan, at a minimum, shall contain:
(1) location and size of separate water meters for landscape;
(2) 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;
(3) static water pressure at the point of connection to the public water supply;
(4) flow rate (gallons per minute), application rate (inches per hour), and design operating pressure
(pressure per square inch) for each station;
(5) recycled water irrigation systems as specified in Section 492.14;
(6) the following statement: "I have complied with the criteria of the ordinance and applied them
accordingly for the efficient use of water in the irrigation design plan"; and
(7) 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.)
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code.
§ 492.8 Grading Design Plan.
(a) 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 local agency permits
satisfies this requirement.
(1) The project applicant shall submit a landscape grading plan that indicates finished configurations and
elevations of the landscape area including:
(A) height of graded slopes;
(B) drainage patterns;
(C) pad elevations;
(D) finish grade; and
(E) stormwater retention improvements, if applicable.
(2) To prevent excessive erosion and runoff,-it is highly recommended that project applicants:
(A) grade so that all irrigation and normal rainfall remains within property lines and does not drain on to
non - permeable hardscapes;
(B) avoid disruption of natural drainage patterns and undisturbed soil; and
(C) avoid soil compaction in landscape areas.
(3) The grading design plan shall contain the following statement: "I have complied with the criteria of
the ordinance and applied them accordingly for the efficient use of water in the grading design plan" and
shall bear the signature of a licensed professional as authorized by law.
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section.65596, Government Code.
15
§ 492.9 Certificate of Completion.
(a) The Certificate of Completion (see Appendix C for a sample certificate) shall include the following
six (6) elements:
(1) project information sheet that contains:
(A) date;
(B) project name;
(C) project applicant name, telephone, and mailing address;
(D) project address and location; and
(E) property owner name, telephone, and mailing address;
(2) certification by either the signer of the landscape design plan, the signer of the irrigation design plan,
or the licensed landscape contractor that the landscape project has been installed per the approved
Landscape Documentation Package;
(A) where there have been significant changes made in the field during construction, these "as- built" or
record drawings shall be included with the certification;
(3) irrigation scheduling parameters used to set the controller (see Section 492.10);
(4) landscape and irrigation maintenance schedule (see Section 492.11);
(5) irrigation audit report (see Section 492.12); and
(6) soil analysis report, if not submitted with Landscape Documentation Package, and documentation
verifying implementation of soil report recommendations (see Section 492.5).
(b) The project applicant shall:
(1) submit the signed Certificate of Completion to the local agency for review;
(2) ensure that copies of the approved Certificate of Completion are submitted to the local water
purveyor and property owner or his or her designee.
(c) The local agency shall:
(1) receive the signed Certificate of Completion from the project applicant;
(2) approve or deny the Certificate of Completion. If the Certificate of Completion is denied, the local
agency shall provide information to the project applicant regarding reapplication, appeal, or other
assistance.
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code.
§ 492.10 Irrigation Scheduling.
(a) 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 between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. unless weather conditions
prevent it. If allowable hours of irrigation differ from the local water purveyor, the stricter of the two
shall apply. 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, CMS) or soil moisture
sensor data.
(4) Parameters used to set the automatic controller shall be developed and submitted for each of the
following:
(A) the plant establishment period;
fly
(B) the established landscape; and
(C) temporarily irrigated areas.
(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; and
(K) irrigation uniformity or efficiency setting.
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code.
§492.11 Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance Schedule.
(a) Landscapes shall be maintained to ensure water use efficiency. A regular maintenance schedule shall
be submitted with the Certificate of Completion.
(b) A regular maintenance schedule shall include, but not be limited to, routine inspection; adjustment
and repair of the irrigation system and its components; aerating and dethatching turf areas; replenishing
mulch; fertilizing; pruning; weeding in all landscape areas, and removing and obstruction to emission
devices. Operation of the irrigation system outside the normal watering window is allowed for auditing
and system maintenance.
(c) Repair of all irrigation equipment shall be done with the originally installed components or their
equivalents.
(d) A project applicant is encouraged to implement sustainable or environmentally - friendly practices for
overall landscape maintenance.
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code.
§ 492.12 Irrigation Audit, Irrigation Survey, and Irrigation Water Use Analysis.
(a) All landscape irrigation audits shall be conducted by a certified landscape irrigation auditor.
(b) For new construction and rehabilitated landscape projects installed after January 1, 2010, as
described in Section 490.1:
(1) the project applicant shall submit an irrigation audit report with the Certificate of Completion to the
local agency that may include, but is not limited to: inspection, system tune -up, system test with
distribution uniformity, reporting overspray or run off that causes overland flow, and preparation of an
irrigation schedule;
(2) the local agency shall administer programs that may include, but not be limited to, irrigation water
use analysis, irrigation audits, and irrigation surveys for compliance with the Maximum Applied Water
Allowance.
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code.
17
§ 492.13 Irrigation Efficiency.
(a) For the purpose of determining Maximum Applied Water Allowance, average irrigation efficiency is
assumed to be 0.71. Irrigation systems shall be designed, maintained, and managed to meet or exceed an
average landscape irrigation efficiency of 0.71.
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code.
§ 492.14 Recycled Water.
(a) The installation of recycled water irrigation systems shall allow for the current and future use of
recycled water, unless a written exemption has been granted as described in Section 492.14(b).
(b) Irrigation systems and decorative water features shall use recycled water unless a written exemption
has been granted by the local water purveyor stating that recycled water meeting all public health codes
and standards is not available and will not be available for the foreseeable future.
(c) All recycled water irrigation systems shall be designed and operated in accordance with all
applicable local and State laws.
(d) Landscapes using recycled water are considered Special Landscape Areas. The ET Adjustment
Factor for Special Landscape Areas shall not exceed 1.0.
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code.
§492.15 Stormwater Management.
(a) 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 design plans to minimize runoff and to increase on -site retention and infiltration
are encouraged.
(b) Project applicants shall refer to the local agency or Regional Water Quality Control Board for
information on any applicable stormwater ordinances and stormwater management plans.
(c) Rain gardens, cisterns, and other landscapes features and practices that increase rainwater capture
and create opportunities for infiltration and /or onsite storage are recommended.
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code.
§ 492.16 Public Education.
(a) Publications. 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.
(1) A local agency shall provide information to owners of new, single - family residential homes
regarding the design, installation, management, and maintenance of water efficient landscapes.
(b) Model Homes. All model homes that are landscaped shall use signs and written information to
demonstrate the principles of water efficient landscapes described in this ordinance.
(1) 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.
(2) Information shall be provided about designing, installing, managing, and maintaining water efficient
landscapes.
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code
18
§492.17 ) Environmental Review.
(a) The local agency must comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as
appropriate.
Note: Authority cited: Section 21082, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 21080, 21082, Public
Resources Code.
§ 493. Provisions for Existing Landscapes.
(a) A local agency may designate another agency, such as a water purveyor, to implement some or all of
the requirements contained in this ordinance. Local agencies may collaborate with water purveyors to
define each entity's specific responsibilities relating to this ordinance.
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code.
§493.1 Irrigation Audit, Irrigation Survey, and Irrigation Water Use Analysis.
(a) This section, 493.1, shall apply to all existing landscapes that were installed before January 1, 2010
and are over one acre in size.
(1) For all landscapes in 493.l(a) that have a water meter, the local agency shall administer programs
that may include, but not be limited to, irrigation water use analyses, irrigation surveys, and irrigation
audits 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
Maximum Applied Water Allowance for existing landscapes shall be calculated as: MAWA = (0.8)
(ETo)(LA)(0.62).
(2) For all landscapes in 493.1(a), that do not have a meter, the local agency shall administer programs
that may include, but not be limited to, irrigation surveys and irrigation audits to evaluate water use and
provide recommendations as necessary in order to prevent water waste.
(b) All landscape irrigation audits shall be conducted by a certified landscape irrigation auditor.
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code
§ 493.2 Water Waste Prevention.
(a) Local agencies shall prevent water waste resulting from inefficient landscape irrigation by
prohibiting runoff from leaving the target landscape 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. Penalties for violation of these prohibitions shall be established locally.
(b) Restrictions regarding overspray and runoff may be modified if:
(1) the landscape area is adjacent to permeable surfacing and no runoff occurs; or
(2) the adjacent non - permeable surfaces are designed and constructed to drain entirely to landscaping.
Note: Authority cited: Section 65594, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code.
§ 494. Effective Precipitation.
(a) A local agency may consider Effective Precipitation (25% of annual precipitation) in tracking water
use and may use the following equation to calculate Maximum Applied Water Allowance:
MAWA= (ETo - Eppt) (0.62) [(0.7 x LA) + (0.3 x SLA)].
Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section 65596, Government Code.
19
Appendices.
Appendix A. Reference Evapotranspiration (ETo) Table.
Ca
Appendix A - Reference Evapotranspiration
(ETo) Table*
County and City
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Annual
ETo
ALAMEDA
Fremont
1.5
1.9
3.4
4.7
5.4 1
6.3
6.7
6.0
4.5 1
3.4
1.8
1.5
47.0
Livermore
1.2
1.5
2.9
4.4
5.9 1
6.6
7.4
6.4
5.3 1
3.2
1.5
0.9
47.2
Oakland
1.5
1.5
2.8
3.9
5.1
5.3
6.0
5.5 14.8
3.1
1.4
0.9
41.8
Oakland Foothills
1.1
1.4
2.7
3.7
5.1
6.4
5.8
4.9 1
3.6
1
2.6 1
1.4
1.0
39.6
Pleasanton
0.8
1.5
2.9
4.4
5.6
6.7
7.4
6.4 1
4.7
3.3
1.5
1.0
46.2
Union City
1.4
1.8 1
3.1
4.2
5.4
5.9
6.4
5.7
4.4
3.1
1.5
1.2
44.2
ALPINE
Markleeville
0.7
0.9
2.0 j
3.5
5.0
6.1
7.3
6.4
4.4
2.6
1.2
0.5
40.6
AMADOR
Jackson
1.2
1.5
2.8
4.4
6.0
7.2
7.9
7.2
5.3
3.2
1.4
0.9
48.9
Shanandoah Valley
1.0
1.7
2.9
4.4
5.6
6.8
7.9
7.1
5.2
3.6
1.7
1.0
48.8
BUTTE
Chico
1.2
1.8
2.9
4.7
6.1
7.4
8.5
7.3
5.4
3.7
1.7
1.0
51.7
Durham
1 1.1
1.8
3.2
5.0
6.5
7.4
7.8
6.9
5.3
3.6
1.7
1.0
51.1
Gridley
11. 2
1.8
3.0
4.7
1 6.1
7.7
8.5
7.1
5.4
377-F1.7
1.0
51.9
Oroville
1.2
T.7-2-8
4.7
6.1
7.6
8.5
7.3
5.3
3.7
1.7
1.0
51.5
CALAVERAS
I
i
San Andreas
1.2
1.5
2.8
4.4
6.0
7.3
7.9
1 7.0
5.3
13.2
1.4
0.7
48.8
COLUSA
Colusa
1.0
1.7
3.4
5.0
6.4
7.6
8.3
7.2
5.4
3.8
1.8
1 1.1
52.8
Williams
1.2
1.7
2.9
4.5
6.1
7.2
8.5
7.3
5.3
1 3.4
1.6
T1. 0
50.8
CONTRA COSTA
Benicia
1.3
1.4
2.7
3.8
4.9
5.0
6.4
5.5
4.4
2.9
1.2
0.7
40.3
Brentwood
1.0
1.5
2.9
4.5
6.1
7.1
7.9
6.7
5.2
3.2
1.4
0.7
48.3
Concord
1.1
1.4
2.4
4.0
5.5
5.9
7.0
6.0
4.8
3.2
1.3
0.7
43.4
Courtland
0.9
1.5
2.9
4.4
6.1
6.9
7.9
6.7
5.3
I3.2
1.4
0.7
48.0
Martinez
1.2
1.4
2.4
3.9
5.3
5.6
1 6.7
5.6
4.7
3.1
1.2
0.7
41.8
Moraga
1.2
1--
.5
3.4
4.2
15.5
6.1
6.7
5.9
4.6
3.2
1.6
1.0
44.9
Pittsburg
1.0
1.5
2.8
4.1
5.6
6.4
7.4
6.4
5.0
3.2
1.3
0.7
45.4
Walnut Creek
0.8
1.5
2.9
4.4
5.6
6.7
7.4
6.4
4.7
3.3
1.5
1.0
46.2
DEL NORTE
Crescent City
0.5
0.9
2.0
3.0
3.7
3.5
4.3
3U33..
0.9
0.5
27.7
EL DORADO
Camino
0.9
1.7
2.5
3.9
5.9
7.Z
7.8
61.5
0.9
47.3
FRESNO
Clovis
1.0
1.5
3.2
4.8
6.4
7.7
8.5
7
1.4
0.7
51.4
Coalinga
1.2
1.7
3.1
4.6
6.2
7.2
8.5
7
1.6
0.7
50.9
Firebaugh
1.0
1.8
3.7
5.7
7.3
8.1
8.2
7.2
1 5.5
13.9
2.0
1.1
1 55.4
FivePoints
1.3
2.0
4.0
1 6.1
7.7
8.5
8.7
8.0
6.2
14.5
2.4
1.2
1 60.4
FRESNO
I
Fresno
4.8
6.7
7.8
8.4
7.1
5.2
3.2
1.4
0.6
1 51.1
Fresno State
5.2
7.0
8.0
8.7
7.6
5.4
3.6
1.7
0.9
53.7
Friant
X1.53.1
1
4.7
6.4
7.7
8.5
7.3
5.3
3.4
1.4
0.7
51.3
Kerman
4.8
6.6
7.7
8.4
7.2
5.3
3.4
1.4
0.7
51.2
Kingsburg
4.8
6.6
7.7
8.4
7.2
5.3
3.4
1.4
0.7
51.6
Mendota
6
6.2
7.9
8.6
8.8
7.5
5.9
4.5
2.4
1.5
61.7
Orange Cove
1.2
1.9
3.5
4.7
7.4
8.5
8.9
7.9
5.9
3.7
1.8
1.2
56.7
Panoche
1.1
12.0
4.0
5.6
7.8
8.5
8.3
7.3
5.6
3.9
1.8
1.2
57.2
Parlier
1.0
1.9
3.6
5.2
6.8
7.6
8.1
7.0
5.1
3.4
1.7
0.9
52.0
Reedley
1.1
1.5
3.2
4.7
1 6.4
7.7
8.5
7.3
5.3
1 3.4
1.4
0.7
51.3
Westlands
0.9
I1.7
3.8
16.3
18.0
8.6
8.6
7.8
5.9
14.3
2.1
1.1
58.8
21
Appendix A - Reference Evapotranspiration
(ETo) Table*
County and City
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Tun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Annual
ETo
GLENN
Orland
1.1
1.8
3.4 1
5.0
6.4
7.5
7.9 1
6.7
5.3
3.9
1.8
1.4
52.1
Willows
1.2
1.7
2.9
4.7
6.1
7.2
8.5
7.3
5.3
3.6
1.7
1.0
51.3
HUMBOLDT
Eureka
0.5
1.1
2.0
3.0
3.7
3.7
3.7
3.7
3.0
2.0
0.9
0.5
27.5
Femdale
0.5
1.1
2.0
3.0
3.7
3.7
3.7 .
3.7
3.0
2.0
0.9
0.5
27.5
Garberville
0.6
1.2
2.2
3.1
4.5
5.0
5.5
4.9
3.8
2.4
1.0
0.7
34.9
Hoopa
0.5
1.1
2.1
3.0
4.4
5.4
6.1
5.1
3.8
2.4
0.9
0.7
35.6
IMPERIAL
Brawley
2.8
3.8
5.9
8.0
10.4
11.5
11.7
10.0
8.4
6.2
3.5
2.1
84.2
Callpatria /Mulberry
2.4
3.2
5.1
6.8
8.6
9.2
9.2
8.6
7.0
5.2
3.1
2.3
70.7
El Centro
2.7
3.5
5.6
7.9
10.1
11.1
11.6
9.5
8.3
6.1
3.3
2.0
81.7
Holtville
2.8
3.8
5.9
7.9
10.4
11.6
12.0
10.0
8.6
6.2
3.5
2.1
84.7
Meloland
2.5
3.2
5.5
7.5
8.9
9.2
9.0
8.5
6.8
5.3
3.1
2.2
71.6
Palo Verde II
2.5
1 3.3
5.7
6.9
8.5
8.9
8.6
7.9
6.2
4.5
2.91
2.3
68.2
Seeley
2.7
3.5
5.9
7.7
9.7
10.1
9.3
8.3
6.9
5.5
3.4
2.2
75.4
Westmoreland
2.4
3.3 -
5.3
6.9
8.7
9.6
9.6
8.7
6.9
5.0
3.0
2.2
71.4
Yuma
2.5
3.4
5.3
6.9
8.7
9.6
9.6
8.7
6.9
5.0
3.0
2.2
71.6
INYO
Bishop
1.7
2.7
4.8
6.7
8.2
10.9
7.4
9.6
7.4
4.8
2.5
1.6
68.3
Death Valley Jct
2.2
3.3
5.4
7.7
9.8
11.1
11.4
10.1
8.3
5.4
2.9
1.7
79.1
Independence
1.7
2.7
3.4
6.6
8.5
9.5
9.8
8.5
7.1
3.9
2.0
1.5
65.2
Lower Haiwee Res.
1.8
8.5
9.5
9.8
8.5
7.1
4.2
2.6
1.5
67.6
Oasis
2.7
10.4
11.7
11.6
10.0
8.4
6.2
3.4
2.1
83.1
KERN
W�:
Arvin
1.2
6.6
1 7.4
1 8.1
7.3
5.3
3.4
1.7
1.0
51.9
Bakersfield
1.0
6.6
7.7
8.5
7.3
5.3
3.5
1.6
0.9
52. 4
Bakersfield /Bonanza
1.2
2.2
3.7
5.7
7.4
8.2
8.7
7.8
5.7
4.0
2.1
1.2
57.9
Bakersfield /Greenlee
1.2
2.2
3.7
5.7
7.4
8.2
8.7
7.8
5.7
4.0
2.1
1.2
57.9
KERN
Belridge
1.4
2.2
4.1
5.5
7.7
8.5
8.6
7.8
6.0
3.8
2.0
1.5
59.2
Blackwells Corner
1.4
2.1
3.8
5.4
7.0
7.8
8.5
7.7
5.8
3.9
1.9
1.2
56.6
Buttonwillow
1.0
1.8
3.2
4.7
6.6
7.7
8.5
1 7.3
5.4
3.4
1.5
0.9
52.0
China Lake
2.1
3.2
5.3
7.7
9.2
10.0
11.0
9.8
7.3
4.9
2.7
1.7
74.8
Delano
0.9
1.8
3.4
4.7
6.6
7.7
8.5
7.3
5.4
3.4
1.4
0.7
52.0
Famoso
1.3
1.9
4.8
6.7
7.6
8.0
7.3
5.5
3.5
1.7
1.3
53.1
Grapevine
1.3
1.8
4.4
5.6
6.8
7.6
6.8
5.9
3.4
1.9
1.0
49.5
Inyokern
2.0
3.1
[28
7.3
8.5
9.7
11.0
9.4
7.1
5.1
2.6
1.7
72.4
Isabella Dam
1.2
1.4
4.4
5.8
7.3
7.9
7.0
5.0
3.2
1.7
0.9
48.4
Lamont
1.3
2.4
4.6
6.5
7.0
8.8
7.6
5.7
3.7
1.6
0.8
54.4
Lost Hills
1.6
2.2
5.1
6.8
7.8
8.7
7.8
5.7
4.0
2.1
1.6
57.1
McFarland /Kern
1.2
2.1
3.7
5.6
7.3
8.0
8.3
7.4
5.6
4.1
2.0
1.2
56.5
Shafter
1.0
1.7
1.4
5.0
6.6
7.7
1 8.3
7.3
5.4
3.4
1.5
0.9
52.1
Taft
1.3
1.8
3.1
4.3
6.2
7.3
8.5
7.3
5.4
3.4
1.7
1.0
51.2
Tehachapi
1.4
1.8
3.2
5.0
6.1
7.7
7.9
7.3
59
3.4
2.1
1.2
52.9
KINGS
1
Caruthers
1.6
2.5
4.0
5.7
7.8
8.7
9.3
8.4
6.3
4.4
2.4
1.6
62.7
Corcoran
1.6
Z.2
3.7
5.1
6.8
7.8
8.7
2.1
1.6
57.1
Hanford
0.9
1.5
3.4
5.0
6.6
7.7
8.3
1.4
0.7
51.5
Kettleman
1.1
2.0
4.0
6.0
7.5
8.5
9.1
W5.
2.2
1.1
60.2
Lemoore
0.9
1.5
3.4
5.0
6.6
7.7
8.3
1.4
0.7
51.7
Strafford
0.9
1.9
3.9
6.1
7.8
8.6
8.8
2.1
1.0
58.7
22
Appendix A - Reference Evapotranspiration
(ETo) Table*
County and City
]an
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Sun
Sul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Annual
ETo
LAKE
Lakeport
5.1
6.0
7.3
6.1
4.7
2.9
1.2
0.9
42.8
Lower Lake
1.2
1.4
2.7
4.5
5.3
6.3
7.4
6.4
5.0
3.1
1.3
0.9
45.4
LASSEN
Buntingville
1.0
1.7
3.5 14.9
1
6.2 1
7.3
8.4
7.5
5.4
3.4
1.5
0.9
51.8
Ravendale
0.6
1.1
2.3
4.1
5.6
6.7
7.9
7.3
4.7
2.8
1.2
0.5
44.9
Susanville
0.7
1.0
2.2
4.1
5.6
6.5
7.8
7.0
4.6
2.8
1.2
0.5
44.0
LOS ANGELES
Burbank
2.1
2.8
3.7
4.7
5.1
6.0
6.6
6.7
5.4
4.0
2.6
2.0
51.7
Claremont
Z.0
2.3
3.4
4.6
5.0
6.0
7.0
7.0
5.3
4.0
2.7
2.1
51.3
El Dorado
1.7
2.2
16
478
5.1
5.7
5.9
5.9
4.4
3.2
2.2
1.7
46.3
Glendale
2.0
2.2
j-.-3----3-.8--F4--7-T4
8
5.7
5.6
4.3
3.3
2.2
1.8
43.7
Glendora
2.0
-1-5-1.6
4.9 1
5.4 1
6.1
7.3
6.8
5.7
4.2
2.6
2.0
53.1
Gorman
1.6
2.2
3.4
4.6
5.5
7.4
7.7
7.1
5.-91-1-61
2.4
1.1
52.4
Hollywood Hills
2.1
2.2
3.8
5.4
6.0
6.5
6.7
6.4
5.2
3.7
2.8
2.1
52.8
Lancaster
2.1
3.0
4.6
5.9
8.5
9.7
11.0
9.8
7.3
4.6
2.8
1.7
71.1
Long Beach
1.8
2.1
3.3
3.9
4.5
4.3
5.3
4.7
3.7
2.8
1.8
1.5
39.7
Los Angeles
2.2
2.7
3.7
4.7
5.5
5.8
6.2
5.9
5.0
3.9
2.6
1.9
50.1
LOS ANGELES
Monrovia
2.2
2.3
3.8
4.3
5.5
5.9
1 6.9
6.4
5.1
3.2
2.5
2.0
50.2
Palmdale
2.0
1 2.6
4.6
6.2
7.3
8.9
9.8
9.0
6.5
4.7
2.7
2.1
66.2
Pasadena
2.1
12.7
3.7
4.7
5.1
6.0
7.1
6.7
5.6
4.2
2.6
2.0
52.3
Pearblossom
1.7
2.4
3.7
4.7
7.3
7.7
9.9
7.9
6.4
4.0
2.6
1 1.6
59.9
Pomona
1.7
2.0
3.4
4.5
5.0
5.8
6.5
1 6.4
4.7
1 3.5
2.3
1.7
47.5
Redondo Beach
2.2
2.4
3.3
3.8
4.5
4.7
5.4
4.8
4.4
2.8
2.4
2.0
1 42.6
San Fernando
2.0
2.7
3.5
1 4.6
5.5
1 5.9
1 7.3
6.7
5.3
3.9
2.6
2.0
1 52.0
Santa Clarita
2.8
2.8
4.1
5.6
6.0
1 6.8
7.6
7.8
5.8
5.2
3.7
3.2
61.5
Santa Monica
1.8
2.1
3.3
4.5
4.7
5.0
5.4
5.4
3.9
3.4
2.4
2.2
44.2
MADERA
Chowchilla
1.0
1.4
3.2
4.7
6.6
7.8
8.5
7.3
5.3
3.4
1.4
0.7
51.4
Madera
0.9
1.4
3.2
4.8
6.6
7.8
8.5
7.3
5.3
3.4
1.4
0.7
51.5
Raymond
1.2
1.5
3.0
4.6
6.1
7.6
8.4
7.3
5.2
3.4
1.4
MARIN
Black Point
1.1
1.7
3.0
4.2
5.2
6.2
6.6
5.8
4.3
2.8
1.3
Novato
1.3
1.5
2.4
3.5
'1
6.0
5.9
5.4
4.4
2.8
1.4
Point San Pedro
1.1
1.7
3.0
4.2
5.2
6.2
6.6
5.8
4.3
2.8
1.3
K50.5
San Rafael
1.2
1.3
2.4
3.3
4.0
4.8
4.8
4.9
4.3
2.7
1.3
MARIPOSA
Coulterville
1.1
1.5
4.4
5.9
7.3
8.1
7.0
5.3
3.4
1.4
Mariposa
1.1
1.5
2.8
4.4
5.9
7.4
8.2
7.1
5.0
3.4
1.4
Yosemite Village
0.7
1.0
2.3
3.7
5.1
6.5
7.1
6.1
4.4
2.9
1.1
0.6
41.4
MENDOCINO
Fort Bragg
0.9
1.3
2.2
3.0
3.7
3.5
3.7
3.7
3.0
1 2.3
112
0.7
29.0
Hopland
1.1
1.3
2.6
3.4
5.0
5.9
6.5
5.7
4.5
2.8
1.3
0.7
40.9
Point Arena
1.0
1.3
2.3
3.0
3.7
3.9
3.7
3.7
3.0
2.3
1.2
0.7
29.6
Sanel Valley
1.0
1.6
3.0
4.6
6.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
5.2
3.4
1.4
0.9
49.1
Ukiah
-F07-133-
2.6
3.3
5.0
5.8
6.7
5.9
4.5
2.8
1.3
0.7
40.9
MERCED
Kesterson
0.9
1.7
14
5.5
7.3
8.2
8.6
7.4
1 5.5
3.8
1.8
0.9
55.1
Los Banos
1.0
1.5
3.2
4.7
1 6.1
7.4
8.2
7.D
5.3
3.4
1.4
0.7
50.0
Merced
1.0
1.5
3.2
4.7
6.6
7.9
8.5
7.2
5.3
3.4
1.4
0.7
51.5
23
Appendix A - Reference Evapotranspiration
(ETo) Table*
County and City
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Annual
ETo
MODOC
Modoc /Alturas
0.9
1.4
2.8
3.7
5.1
6.2
7.5
6.6
4.6
2.8
1.2
0.7
43.2
MONO
Bridgeport
0.7
D.9
2.2
3.8
5.5
6.6
7.4
6.7
4.7
2.7
1.2
0.5
43.0
MONTEREY
Arroyo Seco
1.5
2.0
3.7
5_.4___0___7_.3
7.2
6.7
5.0 1
3.9
2.0
1.6
52.6
Castroville
1.4
1.7
3.0
4.2
4.6
4.8
4.0
3.8
3.0
2.6
1.6
1.4
36.2
Gonzales
1.3
1.7
3.4
4.7
5.4
6.3
6.3
5.9
4.4
3.4
1.9
1.3
45.7
MONTEREY
Greenfield
1.8
2.2
3.4
4.8
5.6
6.3
6.5
6.2
4.8
3.7
2.4
1.8
49.5
King City
1.7
2.0
3.4
4.4
4.4
5.6
6.1
6.7
6.5
5.2
2.2
1.3
49.6
King City -Oasis Rd.
1.4
1.9
3.6
5.3
6.5
7.3
7.4
6.8
5.1
4.0
2.0
1.5
52.7
Long Valley
1.5
1.9
3.2
4.1
5.8
6.5
7.3
6.7
5.3
3.6
2.0
1.2
49.1
Monterey
1.7
1.8
2.7
3.5
4.0
4.1
4.3
4.2
3.5
2.8
1.9
1.5
36.0
Pajaro
1.8
2.2
3.7
4.8
5.3
5.7
5.6
5.3
4.3
3.4
2.4
1.8
46.1
Salinas
1.6
1.9
2.7
3.8
4.8
4.7
5.0
4.5
4.0
2.9
1.9
1.3
39.1
Salinas North
1.2
1.5
2.9
4.1
4.6
5.2
4.5
4.3
3.2
2.8
1.5
1.2
36.9
San Ardo
1.0
1.7
3.1
4.5
5.9
7.2
8.1
7.1
5.1
3.1
1.5
1.0
49.0
San Juan
1.8
2.1
3.4
4.6
5.3
5.7
5.5
4.9
3.8
3.2
2.2
1.9
44.2
Soledad
1.7
2.0
3.4
4.4
5.5
5.4
6.5
6.2
5.2
3.7
2.2
1.5
47.7
NAPA
Angwin
1.8
1.9
3.2
4.7
5.8
7.3
8.1
7.1
5.5
4.5
2.9
2.1
54.9
Carneros
0.8
1.5
3.1
4.6
5.5
6.6
6.9
6.2
4.7
3.5
1.4
1.0
45.8
Oakville
1.0
1.5
2.9
437
51
6.9
7.2
6.4
4.9
3.5
1.6'
1.2
47.7
St Helena
1.2
1.5
2.8
3.9
5.1
6.1
7.0
6.2
4.8
3.1
1.4
0.9
44.1
Yountville
1.3
1.7
2.8
3.9
5.1
6.0
7.1
6.1
4.8
3.1
1.5
0.9
44.3
NEVADA
Grass Valley
1.1
1.5
12.6
4.0
5.7
7.1
7.9
7.1
5.3
3.2
1.5
0.9
48.0
Nevada City
1.1
1 1.5
2.6
3.9
5.8
6.9
7.9
7.0
5.3
3.2
1.4
0.9
47.4
ORANGE
Irvine
2.2
2.5
3.7
4.7
525-9-6
..3
6.2
4.6
3.7
2.6
2.3
49.6
Laguna Beach
2.2
2.7
3.4
3.8
4.6
4.6
4.9
4.9
4.4
3.4
2.4
Z.0
43.2
Santa Ana
2.2
Z.7
3.7
4.5
4.6
5.4
6.2
6.1
4.7
3.7
2.5
2.0
48.2
PLACER
Auburn
1.2
1.7
2.8
4.4
6.1
7.4
8.3
7.3
5.4
3.4
1.6
1.0
S0.6
Blue Canyon
0.7
1.1
2.1
3.4
4.8
6.0
7.2
6.1
4.6
2.9
0.9
0.6
40.5
Colfax
1.1
1.5
2.6
4.0
5.8
7.1
1 7.9
7.0
5.3
3.2
1.4
0.9
47.9
Roseville
1.1
1.7
3.1
4.7
6.2
7.7
8.5
7.3
5.6
3.7
1.7
1.0
52.2
Soda Springs
0.7
0.7
1.8
3.0
4.3
5.3
6.2
5.5
4.1
2.5
0.7
0.7
35.4
Tahoe City
0.7
0.7
1.7
3.0
4.3
5.4
6.1
5.6
4.1
2.4
0.8
0.6
35.5
Truckee
0.7
0.7
1.7
3.2
4.4
5.4
6.4
5.7
4.1
2.4
0.8
0.6
36.2
PLUMAS
Portola
0.7
0.9
1.9
3.5
4.9
5.9
7.3
5.9
4.3
2.7
0.9
0.5
39.4
Quincy
0.7
0.9
2.2
3.5
4.9
5.9
7.3
5.9
4.4
2.8
1.2
0.5
40.2
RIVERSIDE
Beaumont
2.0
2.3
3.4
4.4
6.1
7.1
7.6
7.9
6.0
3.9
2.6
1.7
55.0
Blythe
2.4
3.3
5.3
6.9
8.7
9.6
9.6
8.7
6.9
5.0
3.0
2.2
71.4
Cathedral City
1.6
2.2
1 3.7
1 5.1
6.8
7.8
8.7
7.8
5.7
4.0
2.1
1.6
57.1
Coachella
2.9
4.4
1 6.2
1 8.4
10.5
11.9
12.3
10.1
8.9
6.2
3.8
2.4
F88.1
24
Appendix A - Reference Evapotranspiration
(ETo) Table*
County and City
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Annual
ETo
RIVERSIDE
Desert Center
2.9
4.1
6.4
8.5
11.01
12.1
12.2
11.1
9.0
6.4
3.9
2.6
90.0
Elsinore
2.1
2.6
3.9
4.4
5.9
7.1
7.6
7.0
5.8
3.9
2.6
1.9
55.0
Indio
3.1
1.6
6.5
8.3
10.5
11.0
10.8
9.7
8.3
5.9
3.7
2.7
83.9
La Quinta
2A
2.8
5.2
6.5
8.3
8.7
8.5
7.9
6.5
4.5
2.7
2.2
66.2
Mecca
-T-6-3.3--5.-7-17-.-2-9-6-
.6
3.3
5.7
7.2
86
9.0
8.8 1
8.2 1
6.8
5.0 1
3.2
2.4
70.8
Oasis
19
-TT
5.3
6.1
9-.5-R-9
8.7 1
7.9
6.9
4.8
2.3
68.4
Palm Deser
2.5
3.4
5.3
6.9
8.7
9.6
9.6
8.7
6.9
5.0
t2.
2.2
71.6
Palm Springs
2.0
2.9
4.9
7.2
8.3
8.5
11.6
8.3
7.2
5.9
1.7
71.1
Rancho California
1.8
2.2
3.4
4.8
5.6
6.3
6.5
6.2
4.8
3.7
1.8
49.5
Rancho Mirage
2.4
3.3
5.3
6.9
8.7
9.6
9.6
8.7
6.9
5.0
3.0
2.2
71.4
Ripley
2.7
3.3
5.6
7.2
8.7
8.7
8.4
7.6
6.2
4.6
2.8
2.2
67.8
Salton Sea North
2.5
3.3
5.5
7.2
8.8
9.3
9.2
8.5
6.8
5.2
3.1
2.3
71.7
Temecula East II
2.3
2.4
4.1
4.9
6.4
7.0
7.8
7.4
5.7
4.1
2.6
2.2
56.7
Thermal
2.4
13
5.5
7.6
9.1
9.6
9.3
8.6
7.1
5.2
3.1
2.1
72.8
Riverside UC
2.5
2.9
4.2
5.3
5.9
6-.67.2-6.9
6.9
5.4 1
4.1
2.9 1
2.6
56.4
Winchester
2.3
2.4
4.1
4.9
6.4
6.9
7.7
7.5
6.0
3.9
2.6
2.1
56.8
SACRAMENTO
Fair Oaks
1.0
1.6
3.4
4.1
6.5
1 7.5
8.1
7.1
5.2
3.4
1.5
1.0
50.5
Sacramento
1.0
1.8
3.2
4.7
6.4
7.7
8.4
7.2
5.4
3.7
1.7
0.9
51.9
Twitchell Island
1.2
1.8
3.9
5.3
7.4
8.8
9.1
7.8
5.9
3.8
1.7
1.2
57.9
SAN BENITO
Hollister
1.5
1.8
3.1
4.3
5.5
5.7
6.4
5.9
5.0
3.5
1.7
1.1
45.1
San Benito
1.2
1 1.6
3.1
4.6
5.6
6.4
6.9
6.5
4.8
3.7
1.7
1.2
47.2
San Juan Valley
1.4
1.8
3.4
4.5
6.0
1 6.7
7.1
6.4
5.0
3.5
1.8
1.4
49.1
SAN BERNARDINO
Baker
2.7
3.9
6.1
8.3
10.4
11.8
12.2
11.0
8.9
6.1
3.3
2.1
86.6
Barstow NE
2.2
2.9
5.3
6.9
9.0
10.1
9.9
8.9
6.8
4.8
2.7
2.1
71.7
Big
Bear Lake
1.8
2.6
4.6
6.0
7.0
7.6
8.1
7.4
i 5.4
1 4.1
2.4
1.8
58.6
Chino
2.1
2.9
3.9
4.5
537
6.5
7.3
7.1
5.9
4.2
2.6
2.0
54.6
Crestline
1.5
1.9
3.3
4.4
5.5
6.6
7.8
7.1
5.4
3.5
2.2
1.6
50.8
Lake Arrowhead
1.8
2.6
4.6
6.0
7.0
7.6
8.1
7.4
5.4
4.1
2.4
1.8
58.6
Lucerne Valley
2.2
2.9
5.1
6.5
9.1
11.0
11.4
9.9
7.4
5.0
3.0
1.8
75.3
Needles
3.2
4.2
16.6
8.9
11.0
12.4
12.8
11.0
8.9
6.6
4.0
2.7
92.1
Newberry Springs
2.1
2.9
5.3
8.4
9.8
10.9
11.1
9.9
7.6
5.2
3.1
2.0
78.2
San Bernardino
2.0
2.7
3.8
4.6
5.7
6.9
7.9
7.4
5.9
4.2
2.6
2.0
55.6
Twentynine Palms
2.6
3.6
5.9
7.9
10.1
11.2
11.2
10.3
8.6
5.9
3.4
2.2
82.9
Victorville
2.0
2.6
4.6
6.2
7.3
8.9
1 9.8
9.0
6.5
4.7
2.7
2.1
66.2
SAN DIEGO
Chula Vista
2.2
2.7
3.4
3.8
4.9
4.7
5.5
4.9
4.5
3.4
2.4
2.0
44.2
Escondido SPV
2.4
2.6
3.9
4.7
5.9
6.5
7.1
6.7
53
3.9
f 2.8
2.3
54.2
SAN DIEGO
Miramar
2.3
2.5
3.7
4.1
5.1
5.4
6.1
5.8
4.5
3.3
2.4
2.1
47.1
Oceanside
2.2
2.7
3.4
3.7
4.9
4.6
4.6
5.1
4.1
3.3
2.4
2.0
42.9
Otay Lake
2.3
2.7
3.9
4.6
5.6
5.9
6.2
6.1
4.8
3.7
2.6
2.2
50.4
Pine Valley
1.5
2.4
3.8
5.1
6.0
7.0
7.8
7.3
6.0
4.0
2.2
1.7
54.8
Ramona
2.1
2.1
3.4
4.6
5.2
6.3
6.7
6.8
5.3
4.1
2.8
2.1
51.6
San Diego
2.1
2.4
3.4
4.6
5.1
5.3
5.7
5.6
4.3
3.6
2.4
2.0
46.5
Santee
2.1
2.7
3.7
4.5
5.5
6.1
6.6
6.2
5.4
18
2.6
2.0
51.1
Torrey Pines
2.2
2.3
3.4
3.9
4.0
4.1
4.6
4.7
3.8
2.8
2.0
2.0
39.8
Warner Springs
1.6
2.7
3.7
4.7
1 5.7
1 7.6
8.3
1 7.7
6.3
4.0
2.5
1.3
56.0
W,
Appendix A - Reference Evapotranspiration
(ETo) Table*
I
I
I
I
County and City
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Annual
ETo
SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco
1.5
1.3
2.4
3.0
3.7
4.6
4.9
4.8
4.1
2.8
1.3 10.7
35.1
SAN JOAQUIN
Farmington
1.5
1.5
2.9
4.7
6.2
7.6
8.1
6.8
5.3
3.3
1.4
0.7
50.0
Lodi West
1.0
1.6
3.3
4.3
6.3
6.9
7.3
6.4
4.5
3.0
1.4
0.8
46.7
Manteca
0.9
1.7
3.4
5.0
6.5
7.5
8.0
7.1
5.2
3.3
1.6
0.9
51.2
Stockton
0.8
1.5
2.9
4.7
6.2
7.4
8.1
6.8
5.3
3.2
1.4
0.6
49.1
Tracy
1.0
1.5
2.9
4.5
6.1
7.3
7.9
6.7
5.3
3.2
1.3
0.7
48.5
SAN LUIS OBISPO
Arroyo Grande
2.0
2.2
3.2
3.8473-T4.7
4.3
4.6
3.8
3.2
2.4
1.7
40.0
Atascadero
1.2
1.5
2.8
3.9
4.5
6.0
6.7
6.2
5.0
3.2
1.7
1.0
43.7
Morro Bay
2.0
2.2
3.1
3.5
4.3
4.5
4.6
4.6
3.8
3.5
2.1
1.7
39.9
Nipomo
2.2
2.5
3.8
5.1
'S.7
6.2
6.4
6.1
4.9
4.1
2.9
2.3
52.1
Paso Robles
1.6
2.0
3.2
4.3
5.5
6.3
7.3
6.7
5.1
3.7
2.1
1.4
49.0
San Luis Obispo
2.0
2.2
3.2
4.1
4.9
5.3
4.6
5.5
4.4
3.5
2.4
1.7
43.8
San Miguel
1.6
2.0
3.2
4.3
5.0
6.4
7.4
6.8
5.1
3.7
2.1
1.4
49.0
San Simeon
2.0
2.0
2.9
3.5
4.2
4.4
4.6
4.3
3.5
3.1
2.0
1.7
38.1
SAN MATEO
Hal Moon Bay
1.5
-T.77-2-.4-
3.0
3.9
4.3
4.3
4.2
3.5
2.8
1.3
1.0
33.7
Redwood City
1.5
1.8
2.9
3.8
5.2
5.3
6.2
5.6
4.8
3.1
1.7
1.0
42.8
Woodside
1.8
2.2
3.4
4.8
5.6
6.3
6.5
6.2
4.8
3.7
2.4
1.8
49.5
SANTA BARBARA
Betteravia
2.1
2.6
4.0
5.2
6.0
5.9
5.8
5.4
4.1
3.3
2.7
2.1
49.1
Carpenteria
2.0
2.4
3.2
3.9
4.8
5.2
5.5
5.7
4.5
3.4
2.4
2.0
44.9
Cuyama
2.1
2.4
3.8
5.4
6.9
7.9
8.5
7.7
5.9
4.5
2.6
2.0
59.7
Goleta
2.1
2.5
3.9
S.1
5.7
5.7
5.4
5.4
4.2
3.2
2.8
2.2
48.1
Goleta Foothills
2.3
2.6
3.7
5.4
5.3
5.6
5.5
5.7
4.5
3.9
2.8
2.3
49.6
Guadalupe
2.0
2.2
3.2
3.7
4.9
4.6
4.5
4.6
4.1
3.3
2.4
1.7
41.1
Lompoc
2.0
2.2
3.2
3.7
4.8
4.6
4.9
4.8
3.9
3.2
2.4
1.7
41.1
Los Alamos
1.8
2.0
3.2
4.1
4.9
5.3
5.7
5.5
4.4
3.7
2.4
1.6
44.6
Santa Barbara
2.0
2.5
3.2
3.8
4.6
5.1
5.5
4.5
3.4
2.4
1.8
1.8
40.6
SANTA BARBARA
Santa Maria
1.8
2.3
3.7
5.1
5.7
5.8
5.6
5.3
4.2
3.5
2.4
1.9
47.4
Santa Ynez
1.7
2.2
3.5
5.0
5.8
6.2
6.4
6.0
4.5
3.6
2.2
1.7
48.7
Sisquoc
2.1
2.5
3.8
4.1
6.1
6.3
6.4
5.8
4.7
3.4
2.3
1.8
49.2
Solvang
2.0
2.0
3.3
4.3
S.0
5.6
6.1
S.6
4.4
3.7
2.2
1.6
45.6
SANTA CLARA
Gilroy
1.3
1.8
3.1
4.1
5.3
5.6
6.1
5.5
4.7
3.4
1 1.7
171
43.6
Los Gatos
1.5
1.8
2.8
3.9
5.0
5.6
6.2
5.5
4.7
3.2
1.7
1.1
42.9
Morgan Hill
1.5
1.8
3.4
4.2
6.3
7.0
7.1
6.0
5.1
3.7
1.9
1.4
49.5
Palo Alto
1.5
1.8
2.8
3.8
5.2
5.3
6.2
5.6
5.0
3.2
1.7
11.0
43.0
San Jose
1.5
1.8
3.1
4.1
5.5
5.8
5.2
3.3
1.8
1.0
45.3
SANTA CRUZ
De Laveaga
1.4
1.9
3.3
4.7
4.9
5.3
3.6
3.0
1.6
1.3
(40.8
Green Valley Rd
1.2
1.8
3.2
4.5
4.6
5.4
R5.65.3
3.7
3.1
1.6
1.3
40.6
Santa Cruz
1.5
1.8
2.6
3.5
4.3
4.4
3.8
2.8
1.7
1.2
36.6
Watsonville
1.5
1.8
2.7
3.7
4.6
4.5
4.0
2.9
1.8
1.2
37.7
Webb
1.6
2.2
3.7
4.8
5.3
5.7
4.3
3.4
2.4
1.8
1 46.2
26
Appendix A - Reference Evapotranspiration
(ETo) Table*
I
I
--- 11
County and City
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Annual
E o
SHASTA
Burney
0.7
1.0
2.1
3.5
4.9
5.9
7.4
6.4
4.4
2.9
0.9
0.6
40.9
Fall River Mills
0.6
1.0
2.1
3.7
5.0
6.1
7.8
6.7
4.6
2.8
0.9
0.5
41.8
Glenbum
0.6
1.0
2.1
3.7
5.0
6.3
7.8
6.7
4.7
2.8
0.9
0.6
42.1
McArthur
0.7
1.4
2.9
4.2
5.6
6.9
8.2
7.2
5.0
3.0
1.1
0.6
46.8
Redding
1.2
1.4
2.6
4.1
5.6
7.1
8.5
7.3
5.3
3.2
1.4
0.9
48.8
SIERRA
Downieville
0.7
1.0
2.3
3.5
5.0
6.0
7.4
6.2
4.7
2.8
0.9
0.6
41.3
Sierraville
0.7
1.1
2.2
3.2
4.5
5.9
7.3
6.4
4.3
2.6
0.9
0.5
39.6
SISKIYOU
11
Happy Camp
0.5
0.9
2.0
3.0
4.3
5.2
6.1
5.3
1 4.1
2.4
0.9
0.5 1
35.1
MacDoel
1.0
1.7
3.1
4.5
5.9
7.2
8.1
7.1
1 5.1
3.1
1.5
1.0
49.0
Mt Shasta
0.5
0.9
2.0
3.0
4.5
5.3
6.7
5.7
1 4.0
2.2
0.7
0 .5
36.0
Tule lake FS
0.7
1.3
2.7
4.0
5.4
6.3
7.1
6.4
4.7
218
1.0
O.6
42.9
Weed
0.5
0.9
2.0
2.5
4.5
5.3
6.7
S.5
3.7
2.0
0.9
0.5
34.9
Yreka
0.6
0.9
2.1
3.0
4.9
5.8
7.3
6.5
4.3
2.5
0.9
0.5
39.2
SOLANO
Dixon
0.7
1.4
3.2
1 5.2
6.3
7.6
8.2
7.2
5.5
4.3
1.6
1.1
52.1
Faifeld
1.1
1.7
2.8
4.0
5.5
6.1
7.8
6.0
4.8
3.1
1.4
0.9
45.2
Hastings Tract
1.6
2.2
3.7
5.1
( 6.8
7.8
8.7
7.8
1 5.7
4.0
2.1
1.6
57.1
Putah Creek
1.0
1.6
3.2
4.9
6.1
7.3
7.9
7.0
5.3
3.8
1.8
1.2
51.0
Rio Vista
0.9
1.7
2.8
4.4
5.9
6.7
7.9
6.5
5.1
3.2
1.3
0.7
47.0
Suisun Valley
0.6
1.3
3.0
4.7
5.8
7.0
7.7
6.8
5.3
3.8
1.4
0.9
48.3
Winters
0.9
1.7
3.3
5.0
6.4
7.5
7.9
7.0
5.Z
3.5
1.6
1.0
51.0
SONOMA
Bennett Valley
1.1
1.7
3.Z
4.1
5.5
6.5
6.6
5.7
4.5
3.1
1.5
0.9
44.4
Cloverdale
1
2.6
3.4
5.0
5.9
6.2
5.6
4.5
2.8
1.4
0.7
40.7
Fort Ross
2.2
3.0
3.7
4.5
4.2
4.3
3.4
2.4
1.2
0.5
31.9
Healdsburg
2.4
3.5
5.0
5.9
6.1
5.6
4.5
2.8
1.4
0.7
40.8
Lincoln
$1.21.4
2.8
4.7
6.1
7.4
8.4
7.3
5.4
3.7
1.9
1.2
51.9
Petaluma
2.8
3.7
4.6
5.6
4.6
5.7
4.5
2.9
1.4
0.9
39.6
Santa Rosa
2.8
3.7
5.0
6.0
6.1
5.9
4.5
2.9
1.5
0.7
42.0
Valley of the Moon
3.0
4.5
5.6
6.6
7.1
6.3
4.7
3.3
1.5
1.0
46.1
Windsor
1 0.9
1.6
3.0
4.5
5.5
6.5
6.5
5.9
4.4
3.2
1.4
1.0
44.2
Denair
1 1.0
1.9
3.6
4.7
7.0
7.9
8.0
6.1
5.3
3.4
1.5
1.0
51.4
La Grange
1.2
1.5
3.1
4.7
6.2
7.7
8.5
7.3
5.3
3.4
1.4
0.7
51.2
Modesto
0.9
1.4
3.2
4.7
6.4
7.7
8.1
6.8
5.0
3.4
1.4
0.7
49.7
Newman
1.0
1.5
3.2
4.6
6.2
7.4
8.1
6.7
5.0
3.4
1.4
0.7
49.3
STANISLAUS
Oakdale
1.2
1.5
3.2
4.7
6.2
7.7
8.1
7.1
5.1
3.4
1.4
0.7
ff
Patterson
1.3
2.1
4.2
5.4
7.9
8.6
8.2
6.6
5.8
4.0
1.9
1.3
Turlock
0.9
1.5
3.2
4.7
6.5
7.7
8.2
7.0
5.1
3.4
1.4
0.7
SUTTER
Nicolaus
0.9
1.6
3.2
4.9
6.3
7.5
8.0
6.9
5.2
3.4
1.5
0.9
50.2
Yuba City
1.3
2.1
2.8
4.4
5.7
7.2
7.1
6.1
4.7
3.2
1.2
1 0.9
1 46.7
TEHAMA
Corning
1.2
1.8
2.9
4.5
6.1
7.3
8.1
7.2
5.3
3.7
1.7
1.1
50.7
Gerber
1.0
1.8
3.5
5.0
6.6
7.9
8.7
7.4
5.8
4.1
1.8
1.1
54.7
Gerber Dryland
0.9
1.6
3.2
4.7
6.7
8.4
9.0
7.9
6.0
4.2
2.0
1.0
55.5
Red Bluff
1.2
1 1.8
1 2.9
1 4.4
1 5.9
1 7.4
8.5
7.3
5.4
3.5
1.7
1.0
51.1
27
Appendix A - Reference Evapotranspiration
(ETo) Table*
County and City
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Annual
ETo
TRINITY
Hay Fork
0.5
1.1
2.3
3.5
4.9
5.9
7.0
6.0
4.5
2.8
0.9
0.7
40.1
Weaverville
0.6
1.1
2.2
3.3
4.9
5.9
7.3
6.0
4.4
2.7
0.9
0.7
40.0
TULARE
Alpaugh
0.9
1.7
3.4
4.8
6.6
7.7
8.2
7.3
5.4
3.4
1.4
0.7
51.6
Badger
1.0
1.3
2.7
4.1
6.0
7.3
7.7
7.0
4.8
3.3
1.4
0.7
47.3
Delano
1.1
1.9
4.0
4.9
7.2
7.9
8.1
7.3
5.4
3.2
1.5
1.2
53.6
Dinuba
1.1
1.5
3.2
4.7
6.2
7.7
8.5
7.3
5.3
3.4
1.4
0.7
51.2
Lindcove
0.9
1.6
3.0
4.8
6.5
7.6
8.1
7.2
5.2
3.4
1.6
0.9
50.6
Porterville
1.2
1.8
3.4
4.7
6.6
7.7
8.5
7.3
5.3
3.4
1.4
0.7
52.1
Visalia
0.9
1.7
3.3
5.1
6.8
7.7
7.9
6.9
4.9
3.2
1.5
0.8
50.7
TUOLUMNE
Groveland
1.1
1.5
2.8
4.1
5.7
7.2
7.9
6.6
5.1
3.3
1.4
0.7
47.5
Sonora
1.1
1.5
2.8
4.1
5.8
7.2
7.9
6.7
5.1
3.2
1.4
0.7
47.6
VENTURA
Camarillo
2.2
2.5
3.7
4.3
5.0
5.2
5.9
5.4
4.2
3.0
2.5
2.1
46.1
Oxnard
2.2
2.5
3.2
3.7
4.4
4.6
5.4
4.8
4.0
3.3
2.4
2.0
42.3
Piru
2.8
2.8
4.1
5.6
6.0
6.8
7.6
7.8
5.8
5.2
3.7
3.2
61.5
Port Hueneme
2.0
2.3
3.3
4.6
4.9
4.9
4.9
5.0
3.7
3.2
2.5
2.2
43.5
Thousand Oaks
2.2
2.6
3.4
4.5
5.4
5.9
6.7
6.4
5.4
3.9
2.6
2.0
51.0
Ventura
2.2
2.6
3.2
3.8
4.6
4.7
5.5
4.9
4.1
3.4
2.5
2.0
43.5
YOLO
Bryte
0.9
1.7
3.3
5.0
6.4
7.5
.7.9
7.0
5.2
3.5
1.6
1.0
51.0
Davis
1.0
3.3
5.0
6.4
7.6
8.2
7.1
5.4
4.0
1.8
1.0
52.5
Esparto
1.0
3.4
5.5
6.9
8.1
8.5
7.5
5.8
4.2
2.0
1.2
55.8
Winters
1.7
2.9
4.4
5.8
7.1
7.9
6.7
5.3
3.3
1.6
1.0
49.4
Woodland
1.0
r1.7
3.2
4.7
6.1
7.7
8.2
7.2
5.4
3.7
1.7
1.0
51.6
Zamora
1.1
3.5
5.2
6.4
7.4
7.8
7.0
5.5
4.0
1.9
1.2
52.8
YUBA
Browns Valley
1.0
1.7
3.1
4.7
6.1
7.5
8.5
7.6
5.7
4.1
2.0
1.1
52.9
Brownsville
1.1
1.4
2.6
4.0
5.7
6.8
7.9
6.8
5.3
3.4
1.5
0.9
47.4
* The values in this table were derived from:
1) California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS);
2) Reference EvapoTranspiration Zones Map, UC Dept. of Land, Air
& Water Resources and
California Dept of Water Resources 1999; and
3) Reference Evapotranspiration for California, University of California, Deparbnent of Agriculture
and Natural Resources (1987) Bulletin 1922 4) Determining Daily Reference Evapotranspiration,
Cooperative Extension UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (1987),
Publication Leaflet 21426
28
Appendix B — Sample Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet.
WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE WORKSHEET
This worksheet is filled out by the project applicant and it is a required element of the Landscape Documentation Package.
Please complete all sections (A and B) of the worksheet.
SECTION A. HYDROZONE INFORMATION TABLE
Please complete the hydrozone table(s) for each hydrozone. Use as many tables as necessary to provide the
square footage of landscape area per hydrozone.
:one or
Valve
Total
• Hydrozone
"Irrigation Method
HW = High Water Use Plants
MS = Micro-spray
MW = Moderate Water Use Plants
S = Spray
LW = Low Water Use Plants
R = Rotor
B= Bubbler
D= Drip
0 = Other
9fl
SECTION B. WATER BUDGET CALCULATIONS
Section B1. Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA)
The project's Maximum Applied Water Allowance shall be calculated using this equation:
MAWA = (ETo) (0.62) [(0.7 x LA) + (0.3 x SLA)]
where:
MAWA = Maximum Applied Water Allowance (gallons per year)
ETo = Reference Evapotranspiration from Appendix A (inches per year)
0.7 = ET Adjustment Factor (ETAF)
LA = Landscaped Area includes Special Landscape Area (square feet)
0.62 = Conversion factor (to gallons per square foot)
SLA = Portion of the landscape area identified as Special Landscape Area (square feet)
0.3 = the additional ET Adjustment Factor for Special Landscape Area (1.0 - 0.7 = 0.3)
Maximum Applied Water Allowance =
Show calculations.
Effective Precipitation (Eppt)
per year
If considering Effective Precipitation, use 25% of annual precipitation. Use the following equation to calculate
Maximum Applied Water Allowance:
MAWA= (ETo — Eppt) (0.62) [(0.7 x LA) + (0.3 x SLA)]
Maximum Applied Water Allowance =
Show calculations.
peryear
30
Section B2. Estimated Total Water Use (ETWU)
The project's Estimated Total Water Use is calculated using the following formula:
ETW-U = (M)(0.62)I P IE A + SLA I
where:
ETWU = Estimated total water use per year (gallons per year)
ETo = Reference Evapotranspiration (inches per year)
PF = Plant Factor from WUCOLS (see Definitions)
HA = Hydrozone Area [high, medium, and low water use areas] (square feet)
SLA = Special Landscape Area (square feet)
0.62 = Conversion Factor (to gallons per square foot)
IE = Irrigation Efficiency (minimum 0.71)
Hydrozone Table for Calculating ETWU
Please complete the hydrozone table(s). Use as many tables as necessary.
Hydro one
Plant Water
Use Type(s)
Plant
Factor PF
Area (HA)
(square feet
PF x HA
(square feet
Sum
SLA
Estimated Total Water Use =
Show calculations.
31
Appendix C — Sample Certificate of Completion.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
This certificate is filled out by the project applicant upon completion of the landscape project.
PART 1. PROJECT INFORMATION SHEET
Date
Parcel, tract or lot number, if available.
Project Name
Latitude/Longitude (optional)
Name of Project Applicant
Telephone No.
Fax No.
Title
Email Address
Company.
Street Address
City
State
Zip Code
Proiect Address and Location:
Street Address
Parcel, tract or lot number, if available.
City
Latitude/Longitude (optional)
State
Zip Code
Prooertv Owner or his /her designee:
Name
Telephone No.
Fax No.
Title
Email Address
Company
Street Address
City
State
Zip Code
Property Owner
Twe certify that I /we have received copies of all the documents within the Landscape Documentation Package
and the Certificate of Completion and that it is our responsibility to see that the project is maintained in
accordance with the Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance Schedule."
Property Owner Signature
Date
Please answer the questions below:
1. Date the Landscape Documentation Package was submitted to the local agency
2. Date the Landscape Documentation Package was approved by the local agency
3. Date that a copy of the Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet (including the Water Budget Calculation) was
submitted to the local water ourvevor
32
PART 2. CERTIFICATION OF INSTALLATION ACCORDING TO THE LANDSCAPE
DOCUMENTATION PACKAGE
"I /we certify that based upon periodic site observations, the work has been substantially completed in accordance
with the ordinance and that the landscape planting and irrigation installation conform with the criteria and
specifications of the approved Landscape Documentation Package."
Signature`
Date
Name (print)
Telephone No.
Fax No.
Title
Email Address
License No. or Certification No.
Company
Street Address
City
State
Zip Code
Signer or me ianascape aesign plan, signer of the irrigation plan, or a licensed landscape contractor.
PART 3. IRRIGATION SCHEDULING
Attach parameters for setting the irrigation schedule on controller per ordinance Section 492.10.
PART 4. SCHEDULE OF LANDSCAPE AND IRRIGATION MAINTENANCE
Attach schedule of Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance per ordinance Section 492.11.
PART S. LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION AUDIT REPORT
Attach Landscape Irrigation Audit Report per ordinance Section 492.12.
PART 6. SOIL MANAGEMENT REPORT
Attach soil analysis report, if not previously submitted with the Landscape Documentation Package per ordinance
Section 492.5.
Attach documentation verifying implementation of recommendations from soil analysis report per ordinance
Section 492.5.
33
EXHIBIT B
ORDINANCE NO. 885
AN ORDINANCE OF THE ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL,
AMENDING CHAPTER 13.08 OF THE ROSEMEAD MUNICIPAL
CODE TO ESTABLISH WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE
REGULATIONS
THE ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION ONE: The City Council of the City of Rosemead does hereby find, determine
and declare that:
A. The State Legislature made findings in AB 1881, chaptered in 2006, related to
water use, waste, conservation and efficiency.
B. Pursuant to AB 1881, the California Department of Water Resources has
developed a Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
C. The City Council intends to amend Chapter 13.08 of the Rosemead Municipal
Code so that it is "at least as effective as" the State Model Water Efficient
Landscape Ordinance, which is required by AB 1881.
D. All water services within the City are metered.
E. Pursuant to State legislation, all new irrigation controllers sold in the City after
2012 will be smart automatic irrigation controllers.
F. The local water purveyors for the City of Rosemead are implementing budget -
based tiered -rate billing and /or enforcement of water waste prohibitions for all
existing metered landscaped areas throughout their service area, which combined
includes the entire City of Rosemead. In addition, the City of Rosemead continues
to enforce Chapter 13.04 of the Rosemead Municipal Code pertaining to Water
Conservation. Pursuant to Rosemead Municipal Code Section 13.04.030, no water
user shall waste water from any source nor shall any person sanction such waste.
SECTION TWO: Chapter 13.08 is repealed in its entirety and replaced with the
following:
WATER EFFICEINT LANDSCAPES
§ 13.08.010 PURPOSE.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish water efficient landscape regulations that are at
least as effective in conserving water as the State Model Water Efficient Landscape
Ordinance, in the context of conditions in the City, in order to ensure that landscapes are
planned, designed, installed, maintained, and managed in a manner that uses water
efficiently, encourages water conservation, and prevents water waste. The provisions of
this chapter shall be deemed to be controlling over the subject matter herein in the event of
any conflict between this Chapter and any other provision in the Municipal Code.
§ 13.08.020 DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this chapter and the Guidelines for the implementation of this chapter, the
following terms are defined:
City means the City of Rosemead
City Manager means the City Manager of the City of Rosemead or his or her designee
Applicant means the person submitting a landscape documentation package. Applicants can be
the property owner or his or her designee.
Applied water means the portion of water supplied by the irrigation system to the landscape.
Budget -based tiered -rate structure means tiered or block rates for irrigation accounts charged by
the local water purveyor(s) in which the block definition for each customer is derived from lot
size or irrigated area and the evapotranspiration requirements of landscaping.
Ecological restoration project means a project where the site is intentionally altered to establish
a defined, indigenous, historic ecosystem.
Estimated Applied Water Use or EAWU means the average annual total amount of water
estimated to be necessary to keep plants in a healthy state, calculated as provided in the
Guidelines. It is based on the reference evapotranspiration rate, the size of the landscape area,
plant water use factors, and the relative irrigation efficiency of the irrigation system.
Evapotranspiration adjustment factor or ET adjustment factor or ETAF is equal to the plant
factor divided by the irrigation efficiency factor for a landscape project, as described in the
Guidelines. The ETAF is calculated in the context of local reference evapotranspiration, using
site- specific plant factors and irrigation efficiency factors that influence the amount of water that
needs to be applied to the specific landscaped area. A combined plant mix with a site -wide
average plant factor of 0.5 (indicating a moderate water need) and average irrigation efficiency
of 0.71 produces an ET adjustment factor of (0.7) = (0.5/0.71), which is the standard of water use
efficiency generally required by this chapter and the Guidelines, except that the ETAF for a
special landscaped area shall not exceed 1.0.
Guidelines refers to the Guidelines for Implementation of the Water Efficient Landscape
Ordinance, as approved by the City, which describes procedures, calculations, and requirements
for landscape projects subject to this chapter.
Hardscapes means any durable material or feature (pervious and non - pervious) installed in or
around a landscaped area, such as pavements or walls. Pools and other water features are
considered part of the landscaped area and are not considered hardscapes.
Homeowner - installed means any landscaping either installed by a private individual for a single
family residence or installed by a licensed contractor hired and paid directly by a homeowner. A
homeowner, for purposes of this chapter, is a person who occupies the dwelling he or she owns.
This definition excludes speculative homes, which are not owner - occupied dwellings and which
are subject under this chapter to the requirements applicable to developer - installed residential
landscape projects.
Hydrozone means a portion of the landscaped area having plants with similar water needs and
typically irrigated by one valve /controller station. A hydrozone may be irrigated or non -
irrigated.
Irrigation Efficiency or IE means the measurement of the amount of water beneficially used
divided by the amount of water applied to the landscaped area. Irrigation efficiency is derived
from measurements and estimates of irrigation system characteristics and management practices.
The minimum average irrigation efficiency for purposes of this chapter is 0.71. Greater irrigation
efficiency can be expected from well- designed and maintained systems.
Landscape Documentation Package means the documents required to be provided to the City
for review and approval of landscape projects subject to this chapter, as described in the
Guidelines.
Landscape professional means a licensed landscape architect, licensed landscape contractor, or
any other person authorized to design a landscape pursuant to Sections 5500.1, 5615, 5641,
5641.1, 5641.2, 5641.3, 5641.4, 5641.5, 5641.6, 6701, 7027.5 of the California Business and
Professions Code, Section 832.27 of Titlel6 of the California Code of Regulations, and Section
6721 of the California Food and Agriculture Code.
Landscape project means total area of landscape in a project, as provided in the definition of
"landscaped area," meeting the requirements under Section 13.08.030 of this chapter.
Landscape rehabilitation means any re- landscaping project that meets the applicability criteria
of Section 13.08.030(A) of this chapter, where the modified landscape area is greater than 2,500
square feet or where the cumulative modified area is greater than 2,500 square feet if the
modifications are planned to occur incrementally within one year.
Landscaped Area means all the planting areas, turf areas, and water features in a landscape
design plan subject to the Maximum Applied Water Allowance and Estimated Applied Water
Use calculations. The landscaped 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).
Local Agency means a city or county, including a charter city or charter county, or local water
purveyor that is authorized by the City to implement, administer, and /or enforce any of the
provisions of this chapter on behalf of the City. The local agency may be responsible for the
enforcement or delegation of enforcement of this chapter including, but not limited to, design
review, plan check, issuance of permits, and inspection of a landscape project.
Local Water Purveyor means any entity, including a city, county, public agency, or private water
company that provides retail water service. Local water purveyor shall also mean any entity that
provides wholesale water service, for the purpose of Section 13.08.050(b)(1) and Section
13.08.070.
Maximum Applied Water Allowance or MA WA means the upper limit of annual applied water
for the landscaped area as specified in Section 2.2 of the Guidelines. 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 MAWA.
Mined -land reclamation projects means any surface mining operation with a reclamation plan
approved in accordance with the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975.
New landscape 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.
Non - pervious means any surface or natural material that does not allow for the passage of water
through the material and into the underlying soil.
Person means any individual, firm, joint venture, joint stock company, partnership, public or
private association, company, corporation, business trust, organization, public or private agency,
government agency or institution, school district, college, university, any other user of water
provided by the local water purveyor, or the manager, agent, officer, or employee thereof, or any
other entity which is recognized by law as the subject of rights or duties.
Pervious means any surface or material that allows the passage of water through the material and
into the underlying soil.
Permit means an authorizing document issued by a local agency for new construction or
rehabilitated landscape.
Plant Factor or Plant Water Use Factor is a factor, when multiplied by ETo, that estimates the
amount of water needed by plants. For purposes of this chapter, the plant factor range for low
water use plants is 0 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 Department of Water Resources 2000 publication "Water Use Classification of
Landscape Species."
Recycled water or reclaimed water 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.
Reference evapotranspiration or ETo means a standard measurement of environmental
parameters which affect the water use of plants. ETo is given expressed in inches per day,
month, or year as represented in the Guidelines, and 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 Allowances.
Smart automatic irrigation controller means an automatic timing device used to remotely
control valves that operate an irrigation system and which schedules irrigation events using
either evapotranspiration (weather- based) or soil moisture data.
Special landscape area or SLA means an area of the landscape dedicated solely to edible plants
such as orchards and vegetable gardens; areas irrigated with recycled water; water features using
recycled water; and areas dedicated to active play where turf provides a playing surface, such as
parks, sports fields, and golf courses.
Turf means a ground cover surface of mowed grass. Annual bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass,
Perennial ryegrass, Red fescue, and Tall fescue are cool - season grasses. Bermudagrass,
Kikuyugrass, Seashore Paspalum, St. Augustinegrass, Zoysiagrass, and Buffalo grass are warm -
season grasses.
Valve means a device used to control the flow of water in an irrigation system.
Water Feature 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 landscaped area. Constructed wetlands used for
on -site wastewater treatment, habitat protection or storm water best management practices that
are not irrigated and used solely for water treatment or storm water retention are not water
features and, therefore, are not subject to the water budget calculation.
13.08.030. APPLICABILITY.
A. Beginning January 1, 2010, this chapter applies to the following landscape projects:
1. New landscape installations or landscape rehabilitation projects by public
agencies or private non- residential developers, except for cemeteries, with a landscaped area,
including water features but excluding hardscape, equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet, and
which are subject to a discretionary approval of a landscape plan, or which otherwise require a
ministerial permit for a landscape or water feature.
2. New landscape installations or landscape rehabilitation projects by developers or
property managers of single- family and multi - family residential projects or complexes with a
landscaped area, including water features but excluding hardscape, equal to or greater than 2,500
square feet, and which are subject to a discretionary approval of a landscape plan, or which
otherwise require a ministerial permit for a landscape or water feature.
3. New landscape installations that are homeowner- installed, including homeowner -
hired, in single - family or multi- family residential lots with a total project landscaped area equal
to or greater than 5,000 square feet, and which are otherwise subject to a discretionary approval
of a landscape plan, or which otherwise require a ministerial permit for a landscape or water
feature.
B. Section 13.08.060(b) of this chapter regarding water waste applies to all landscaped areas
installed prior to or after January 1, 2010.
C. Section 13.08.060(c) of this chapter regarding water efficiency programs applies to all
existing landscapes installed before January 1, 2010 that are greater than one acre in size and are
served by a dedicated landscape water meter.
13.08.040. EXEMPTIONS.
A. 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. Plant collections, as part of botanical gardens and arboretums open to the public.
B. The requirements of this chapter may be partially or wholly waived, at the discretion of
the City Manager or his /her designee, for landscape rehabilitation projects that are limited to
replacement of plantings with equal or lower water needs and where any modifications to the
irrigation system do not require ministerial permits and the irrigation system is found to be
designed, operable, and programmed consistent with minimizing water waste in accordance with
local water purveyor(s)' regulations or programs.
13.08.050. IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES.
A. A Landscape Documentation Package is required to be submitted to the City for review
and approval prior to the issuance of permits and prior to the start of construction. Any
Landscape Documentation Package submitted to the City must comply with provisions of this
chapter and the Guidelines.
B. The Landscape Documentation Package must include a certification by a landscape
professional stating that the landscape design plan, soil management report, irrigation design
plan, and water calculations have been prepared by or under the supervision of the landscape
professional and are certified to be in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
1. Landscape and irrigation plans must be submitted to the City for review and approval
with appropriate water use calculations. Water use calculations must be consistent with
calculations contained in the Guidelines.
2. A Certification of Completion is required to verify compliance with the approved
plans and must be obtained in conjunction with a Certificate of Use and Occupancy or a Permit
Final, as provided in the Guidelines.
13.08.060. LANDSCAPE WATER USE STANDARDS.
A. For applicable new landscape or landscape rehabilitation projects subject to Section
13.08.030(A) of this chapter, the Estimated Applied Water Use allowed for the landscaped area
may not exceed the MAWA calculated using an ET adjustment factor of 0.7, except for the
portion of the MAWA applicable to any special landscaped areas within the landscape project,
which may be calculated using an ETAF of 1.0. Where the design of the landscaped area can be
otherwise shown to be equivalently water efficient, the applicant may submit alternative or
abbreviated information supporting the demonstration that the annual EAWU is less than the
MAWA, at the discretion of and review and approval of the City.
B. Irrigation of all landscaped areas must be conducted in a manner conforming to the rules
and requirements, and is subject to penalties and incentives for water conservation and water
waste prevention as determined and implemented by the local water purveyor(s) or as mutually
agreed by local water purveyor(s) and the City.
C. For all existing landscapes installed before January 1, 2010 that are greater than one acre
in size and are served by a dedicated landscape water meter, the City and/or local water
purveyor(s) must administer programs to achieve landscape water use efficiency community -
wide.
13.08.070. DELEGATION.
The City may delegate to, or enter into an agreement with, one or more local agencies to
implement, administer, and /or enforce any of the provisions of this chapter on behalf of the City.
SECTION THREE: The City Council hereby determines that this Ordinance is exempt from
review under the California Environmental Quality Act ( "CEQA ") (California Public Resources
Code Section 21000 et sue), because pursuant to State CEQA Regulation 15307 (14 Cal. Code
Regs., § 15307), this Ordinance is covered by the CEQA Categorical Exemption for actions
taken to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of a natural resource
where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment. The
adoption of this ordinance will result in the enhancement and protection of water resources in the
City, and will not result in cumulative adverse environment impacts. It is therefore exempt from
the provisions of CEQA. The City Council hereby directs the City Manager or designee to
prepare and file a Notice of Exemption as soon as possible following adoption of this Ordinance.
SECTION FOUR: This Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force and operation thirty
(30) days after adoption.
SECTION FIVE: If any section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, or portion of this
ordinance, is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of
competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of the
ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted this ordinance, and each
section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion thereof, irrespective of the
fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, phrases, or portions thereof be
declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION SIX: The city clerk shall certify to the adoption of this ordinance and shall cause the
same to be published in accordance with law.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this _ day of , 2009.
Margaret Clark, Mayor
ATTEST:
Gloria Molleda, City Clerk
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the above and foregoing ordinance was duly passed and adopted by
the Rosemead City Council at its regular meeting held on of
2009, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES;
NOES;
ABSENT:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Joseph M. Montes, City Attorney
EXHIBIT C
GUIDELINES
FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
CITY OF ROSEMEAD
WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE
ORDINANCE
DRAFT
LA #4813- 2422 -9380 v
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section
1. Purpose and Applicability
Page No.
1.1
Purpose ......................................................................... ..............................1
1.2
Applicability ............................................................... ...............................
1
2. Submittal Requirements for New Landscape Installations or Landscape
Rehabilitation Projects ............................................................ ...............................
2
2.1
Landscape Documentation Package ........................... ...............................
2
2.2
Water Efficient Landscape Calculations and Alternatives ........................
3
2.3
Soil Management Report ............................................ ...............................
5
2.4
Landscape Design Plan ............................................... ...............................
6
2.5
Irrigation Design Plan ................................................. ...............................
9
2.6
Grading Design Plan ................................................. ...............................
13
2.7
Certification of Completion ........................ .............................14
2.8
Post - Installation Irrigation Scheduling ..................... ...............................
15
2.9
Post - Installation Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance .........................
15
3. Provisions
for Existing Landscapes ...................................... ...............................
15
Appendix A — Example Certification of Design ............................. ............................... A -1
Appendix B — Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet .................... ............................... B -1
Appendix C — Reference Evapotranspiration (ETo) Table ............. ............................... C -1
Appendix D — Example Installation Certificate of Completion ...... ............................... D -1
Appendix E - Definitions ............. ............................... ............................E -1
i
LA 44813- 2422 -9380 V
1. Purpose and Applicability
1.1 Purpose
(a) The primary purpose of these Guidelines is to provide procedural and design
guidance for applicants proposing new landscape. or landscape rehabilitation
projects that are subject to Chapter 13.08 of the City of Rosemead Municipal
Code. This document is also intended for use and reference by City staff in
reviewing and approving designs and verifying compliance with Chapter 13.08.
(b) Other regulations affecting landscape design and maintenance practices are
potentially applicable and should be consulted for additional requirements. These
regulations include but may not be limited to:
(1) State of California Assembly Bill 1881 (Laird, Water Conservation),
Chapter No. 559;
(2)
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit(s) for the Municipal
Separate Storm Sewer System;
(3)
Los Angeles County Fire Code Regulations in Title 32 for fuel
modification in landscapes;
(4)
Water Conservation, Water Supply Shortage, and Drought Response
Regulations of the Local Water Purveyor(s) and those contained in
Sections 13.04.040 — 13.04.060 of Chapter 13.04 (Water Conservation) of
the Rosemead Municipal Code pertaining to Phase I, II, and III water
shortage regulations;
(5)
Local and State Regulations governing use of Recycled Water;
(6)
Rosemead Municipal Code;
(7)
Zoning Code;
(8)
Building Code;
(9)
Specific Plans, Master Plans, General Plan, or similar land use and
planning documents; and
(10)
Conditions of approval for a specific project
1.2 Applicability
See Section 13.08.030 of Chapter 13.08 of the City of Rosemead Municipal Code.
1
LA #4813- 2422 -9380 v1
2. Submittal Requirements for New Landscape Installations or Landscape Rehabilitation
Projects
(a) Discretionary approval is typically required for landscape projects that are subject
to site plan reviews, or where a variance from a local building code is requested,
or other procedural processes apply such that standard or special conditions of
approval may be required by the City. Discretionary projects with conditions of
approval may be approved administratively by city staff, or acted on formally by
the Planning Commission, City Council, or other jurisdictional authority. A
typical standard condition of approval reads:
"Landscaping for the project shall be designed to comply with the City's
Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and with the Guidelines for
Implementation of the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance."
Landscape or water features that typically require a ministerial permit (i.e., a
building, plumbing, electrical, or other similar permit), thereby triggering
compliance with the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance requirements
independently of the need for discretionary approval include, but are not limited
to, swimming pools, fountains or ponds, retaining walls, and overhead trellises.
2.1 Landscape Documentation Package
(a) A Landscape Documentation Package is required to be submitted by the applicant
for review and approval prior to the issuance of ministerial permits and prior to
the start of construction. Unless otherwise directed by the City, the Landscape
Documentation Package must include the following elements either on plan sheets
or supplemental pages as directed by the City:
(1) Project Information, including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) date;
(b) project name;
(c) project address, parcel, and /or lot number(s);
(d) total landscaped area (square feet) and rehabilitated landscaped
area (if applicable);
(e) project type (e.g., new, rehabilitated, public, private, cemetery,
homeowner-installed);
(1) water supply type (e.g., potable, recycled, or well) and
identification of the local retail water purveyor if the project
applicant is not served by a private well;
M
LA #4813 - 2422 -9380 vl
(g) checklist or index of all documents in the Landscape
Documentation Package;
(h) project contacts, including contact information for the project
applicant and property owner;
(i) a Certification of Design in accordance with Exhibit A of these
Guidelines that includes a landscape professional's professional
stamp, as applicable, signature, contact information (including
email and telephone number), license number, and date, certifying
the statement that "The design of this project complies with the
requirements of the City's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance"
and shall bear the signature of the landscape professional as
required by law; and
(j) any other information the City Manager or his or her designee
deems relevant for determining whether the landscape project
complies with the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and these
Guidelines.
(2) Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA) and Estimated Applied
Water Use (EAWU) expressed as annual totals including, but not limited
to, the following:
(a) a Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet for the landscape project;
(b) water budget calculations for the landscape project
(c) hydrozone information table for the landscape project; and
(3) A soil management report or specifications, or specification provision
requiring soil testing and amendment recommendations and
implementation to be accomplished during construction of the landscape
project.
(4) A landscape design plan for the landscape project.
(5) An irrigation design plan for the landscape project.
(6) A grading design plan, unless grading information is included in the
landscape design plan for the landscape project or unless the landscape
project is limited to replacement planting and/or irrigation to rehabilitate
an existing landscaped area.
2.2 Water Efficient Landscape Calculations and Alternatives
(a) The applicant must provide the calculated Maximum Applied Water Allowance
(MAWA) and Estimated Applied Water Use (EAWU) for the landscaped area as
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LA 44813- 2422 -9380 v1
part of the Landscape Documentation Package submittal to the City. The MAWA
and EAWU shall be calculated based on completing the Water Efficient
Landscape Worksheets (in accordance with the sample worksheets in Appendix
B).
(b) The EAWU allowable for the landscaped area may not exceed the MAWA. The
MAWA must be calculated using an evapotranspiration adjustment factor (ETAF)
of 0.7 except for the portion of the MAWA applicable to any special landscaped
areas within the landscape project, which must be calculated using an ETAF of
1.0. Where the design of the landscaped area can otherwise be shown to be
equivalently water - efficient, the applicant may submit alternative or abbreviated
information supporting the demonstration that the annual EAWU is less than the
MAWA, at the discretion of and for the review and approval of the City.
(c) Water budget calculations must adhere to the following requirements
(1) The MAWA must be calculated using the Water Efficient Landscape
Worksheets and equation presented in Appendix B on page B -1. The
example calculation on page B -1 is a hypothetical example to demonstrate
proper use of the equation.
(2) The EAWU must be calculated using the Water Efficient Landscape
Worksheets and equation presented in Appendix B on page B -2. The
example calculation on page B -2 is a hypothetical example.
(3) For the calculation of the MAWA and EAWU, a project applicant must use
the ETo values from the closest location listed the Reference
Evapotranspiration Table in Appendix C. For geographic areas not
covered in Appendix C, data from other cities located nearby in the same
reference evapotranspiration zone may be used, as found in the CIMIS
Reference Evapotranspiration Zones Map, Department of Water
Resources, 1999.
(4) For calculation of the EAWU, the plant water use factor must be
determined as appropriate to the project location from the Water Use
Efficiency of Landscape Species ( WUCOLS) Species Evaluation List.
The plant factor is 0.1 for very low water use plants, 0.2 to 0.3 for low
water use plants, 0.4 to 0.6 for moderate water use plants, and 0.7 to 1.0
for high water use plants.
(5) For calculating the EAWU, the plant water use factor must be determined
for each valve hydrozone based on the highest- water -use plant species
within the zone. The plant factor for each hydrozone may be required to
be further refined as a "landscape coefficient," according to protocols
defined in detail in the WUCOLS document, to reflect planting density
and microclimate effects on water need at the option of the applicant or
the City.
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LA 44813- 2422 -9380 vi
(6) For calculation of the EAWU, the area of a water feature is defined as a
high water use hydrozone with a plant factor of 1.0.
(7) For calculation of the EAWU, a temporarily irrigated hydrozone area,
such as an area of highly drought - tolerant native plants that are not
intended to be irrigated after they are fully established, is defined as a very
low water use hydrozone with a plant factor of 0.1.
(8) For calculation of the MAWA, the ETAF for special landscaped areas is
set at 1.0. For calculation of the EAWU, the ETAF for special landscaped
areas is calculated as the special landscaped area (SLA) plant factor
divided by the SLA irrigation efficiency factor.
(9) Irrigation efficiency must be calculated using the worksheet and equation
presented in Appendix B on page B -2.
(d) The Maximum Applied Water Allowance must adhere to the following
requirements:
(1) The Maximum Applied Water Allowance must be calculated using
the equation presented in Appendix B. The example calculation in
Appendix B is hypothetical to demonstrate proper use of the
equation and does not represent an existing and/or planned
landscape project. The reference evapotranspiration (ETo) values
used in this calculation are from the Reference Evapotranspiration
Table in Appendix C and are for planning purposes only. For
actual irrigation scheduling, automatic irrigation controllers are
required and must use current ETo data, such as from the
California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS),
other equivalent data, or soil moisture sensor data.
2.3 Soil Management Report
(a) In order to reduce runoff and encourage healthy plant growth, a soil management
report must be completed by the applicant, or his/her designee, as follows:
(1) Submit soil samples to a certified agronomic soils laboratory for analysis
and recommendations.
(a) Soil sampling must be conducted in accordance with laboratory
protocol, including protocols regarding adequate sampling depth
for the intended plants.
(b) The soil analysis may include:
1. soil texture;
LA #4813- 2422 -9380 v
G
2. infiltration rate determined by laboratory test or soil texture
infiltration rate table;
3. pH;
4. total soluble salts;
5. sodium;
6. percent organic matter; and
7. recommendations.
(2) The applicant, or his/her designee, must comply with one of the following:
(a) If significant mass grading is not planned, the soil analysis report
must be submitted to the local agency as part of the Landscape
Documentation Package; or
(b) If significant mass grading is planned, the soil analysis report must
be submitted to the City as part of the Certification of Completion.
(c) The soil analysis report must be made available, in a timely
manner, to the professionals preparing the landscape design plans
and irrigation design plans in order to make any necessary
adjustments to the design plans.
(d) The applicant, or his/her designee, must submit documentation
verifying implementation of soil analysis report recommendations
to the local agency with the Certification of Completion.
2.4 Landscape Design Plan
(a) For the efficient use of water, a landscape must be carefully designed and planned
for the intended function of the project. The following design criteria must be
submitted as part of the Landscape Documentation Package.
(1) Plant Material
(a) Any plant may be selected for the landscaped area provided the
EAWU in the landscaped area does not exceed the MAWA. To
encourage the efficient use of water, the following is highly
recommended:
1. protection and preservation of non- invasive water - conserving
plant species and water - conserving turf:
2. selection of water- conserving plant species and water -
conserving turf-
1.4
LA #4813- 2422 -9380 vl
3. selection of plants based on disease and pest resistance;
4. selection of trees based on applicable City and local tree
ordinances or tree shading guidelines; and
5. selection of plants from local and regional landscape program
plant lists.
(b) Each hydrozone must have plant materials with similar water use, with the
exception of hydrozones with plants of mixed water use, as specified in Section
2.5(a)(2)(D) of these Guidelines.
(e) Plants must be selected and planted appropriately based upon their adaptability to
the climatic, geologic, and topographical conditions of the project site. To
encourage the efficient use of water, the following is highly recommended for
inclusion in the landscape design plan:
(1) 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;
(2) 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, and power lines); and
(3) consider the solar orientation for plant placement to maximize summer
shade and winter solar gain.
(d) Turf is discouraged on slopes greater than 25% where the toe of the slope is
adjacent to an impermeable hardscape and where 25% means 1 foot of vertical
elevation change for every 4 feet of horizontal length (rise divided by run x 100 =
slope percent).
(e) A landscape design plan for projects in fire -prone areas and fuel modification
zones shall comply with requirements of Los Angeles County, where applicable.
When conflicts between water conservation and fire safety design elements exist,
the fire safety requirements have priority.
(f) The use of invasive plant species and/or noxious plant species is strongly
discouraged.
(g) The architectural guidelines of a common interest development, which include
community apartment projects, condominiums, planned developments, and stock
cooperatives, may not prohibit or include conditions that have the effect of
prohibiting the use of water efficient plant species as a group.
(1) Water Features
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LA #4813- 2422 -9380 v
(a) Recirculating water systems must be used for water features.
(b) Where available and consistent with public health guidelines,
recycled water must be used as a source for decorative water
features.
(c) The surface area of a water feature must be included in the high
water use hydrozone area of the water budget calculation.
(d) Pool and spa covers are highly recommended.
(2) Mulch and Amendments
(a) A minimum two inch (2 ") layer of mulch must 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.
(b) Stabilizing mulching products must be used on slopes.
(c) The mulching portion of the seed/mulch slurry in hydro- seeded
applications must meet the mulching requirement.
(d) Soil amendments must be incorporated according to
recommendations of the soil report and what is appropriate for the
plants selected (see Section 2.3 of these Guidelines).
(h) The landscape design plan, at a minimum, must:
(1) delineate and label each hydrozone by number, letter, or other method;
(2) identify each hydrozone as low, moderate, high water, or mixed water use.
Temporarily irrigated areas of the landscaped area must be included in the
low water use hydrozone for the water budget calculation;
(3) identify recreational areas;
(4) identify areas permanently and solely dedicated to edible plants;
(5) identify areas irrigated with recycled water;
(6) identify type of mulch and application depth;
(7) identify soil amendments, type, and quantity;
(8) identify type and surface area of water features;
(9) identify hardscapes (pervious and non - pervious);
LA 94813- 2422 -9380 vl
(10) identify location and installation details of any applicable storm water best
management practices that encourage on -site retention and infiltration of
storm water. Storm water best management practices are encouraged in
the landscape design plan and examples include, but are not limited to:
(a) infiltration beds, swales, and basins that allow water to collect and
soak into the ground;
(b) constructed wetlands and retention ponds that retain water, handle
excess flow, and filter pollutants; and
(c) pervious or porous surfaces (e.g., permeable pavers or blocks,
pervious or porous concrete, etc.) that minimize runoff.
(11) identify any applicable rain harvesting or catchment technologies (e.g.,
rain gardens, cisterns, etc.);
(12) contain the following statement: "I have complied with the criteria of the
City of Rosemead Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Rosemead
Municipal Code Chapter 13.08) and applied them for the efficient use of
water in the landscape design plan;" and
(13) bear the signature of a California - licensed landscape professional.
2.5 Irrigation Design Plan
(a) For the efficient use of water, an irrigation system must meet all the requirements
listed in this section and the manufacturer's recommendations. The irrigation
system and its related components must be planned and designed to allow for
proper installation, management, and maintenance. An irrigation design plan
meeting the following design criteria must be submitted as part of the Landscape
Documentation Package.
(1) System
(a) Dedicated landscape water meters are highly recommended on
landscaped areas smaller than 5,000 square feet to facilitate water
management.
(b) Automatic irrigation controllers utilizing either evapotranspiration
or soil moisture sensor data are required for irrigation scheduling
in all irrigation systems.
(c) The irrigation system must be designed to ensure that the dynamic
pressure at each emission device is within the manufacturer's
recommended pressure range for optimal performance.
0
LA 44813- 2422 -9380 v1
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 must be installed to meet the required dynamic
pressure of the irrigation system.
2. Static water pressure, dynamic or operating pressure, and flow
reading of the water supply must be measured at the point of
connection. These pressure and flow measurements must be
conducted at the design stage. If the measurements are not
available at the design stage, the measurements must be
conducted at installation.
(d) Sensors (rain, freeze, wind, etc.), either integral or auxiliary, that
suspend or alter irrigation operation during unfavorable weather
conditions are 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) are 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.
(i) Backflow prevention devices are required to protect the water
supply from contamination by the irrigation system. A project
applicant must refer to the applicable City code (i.e., public health)
for additional backflow prevention requirements.
(g) High flow sensors that detect and report high flow conditions
created by system damage or malfunction are recommended.
(h) The irrigation system must 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.
(i) Relevant information from the soil management plan, such as soil
type and infiltration rate, must be utilized when designing
irrigation systems.
(j) The design of the irrigation system must conform to the
hydrozones of the landscape design plan.
(k) Average irrigation efficiency for the project must be determined in
accordance with the EAWU calculation sheet in Appendix B.
Unless otherwise indicated by the irrigation equipment
manufacturer's specifications or demonstrated by the project
10
LA #4813- 2422 -9380 vl
applicant, the irrigation efficiency of the irrigation heads used
within each hydrozone shall be assumed to be:
Pop -up stream rotator heads = 75%
Stream rotor heads = 75%
Microspray = 75%
Bubbler = 80%
Drip emitter = 85%
Subsurface irrigation = 90%
(1) It is highly recommended that the project applicant or local agency
inquire with the local water purveyor about peak water operating
demands (on the water supply system) or water restrictions that
may impact the effectiveness of the irrigation system.
(m) In mulched planting areas, the use of low volume irrigation is
required to maximize water infiltration into the root zone.
(n) Sprinkler heads and other emission devices must have matched
precipitation rates, unless otherwise directed by the manufacturer's
recommendations.
(o) Head to head coverage is recommended. However, sprinkler
spacing must be designed to achieve the highest possible
distribution uniformity using the manufacturer's recommendations.
(p) Swing joints or other riser - protection components are required on
all risers subject to damage that are adjacent to high traffic areas.
(q) Check valves or anti -drain valves are required for all irrigation
systems.
(r) Narrow or irregularly shaped areas, including turf, less than eight
(8) feet in width in any direction must be irrigated with subsurface
irrigation or a low volume irrigation system.
(s) Overhead irrigation is not permitted within 24 inches of any non -
permeable surface. Allowable irrigation within the setback from
non - permeable surfaces may include drip, drip line, or other low
flow non -spray technology. The setback area may be planted or
implanted. The surfacing of the setback may be mulch, gravel, or
other porous material. These restrictions may be modified if:
1. the landscaped area is adjacent to permeable surfacing and no
runoff occurs; or
2. the adjacent non - permeable surfaces are designed and
constructed to drain entirely to landscaping; or
I1
LA 84813- 2422 -9380 v
3. the irrigation designer for the landscape project specifies an
alternative design or technology, as part of the Landscape
Documentation Package, and clearly demonstrates strict
adherence to the irrigation system design criteria in Section 2.5
(a)(1)(H) hereof. Prevention of overspray and runoff must be
confirmed during an irrigation audit.
4. Slopes greater than 25% may not be irrigated with an irrigation
system with a precipitation rate exceeding 0.75 inches per
hour. This restriction may be modified if the landscape
designer of the landscape project 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) Hydrozone
(a) Each valve must 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 must be selected based
on what is appropriate for the plant type within that hydrozone.
(c) Where feasible, trees must be placed on separate valves from
shrubs, groundcovers, and turf.
(d) Individual hydrozones that mix plants of moderate and low water
use or moderate and high water use may be allowed if:
1. the plant factor calculation is based on the proportions of the
respective plant water uses and their respective plant factors; or
2. the plant factor of the higher water using plant is used for the
calculations.
(e) Individual hydrozones that mix high and low water use plants are
not permitted.
(i) On the landscape design plan and irrigation design plan, hydrozone
areas must 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.
(g) The irrigation design plan, at a minimum, must contain:
1. the location and size of separate water meters for landscape;
12
LA 44813- 2422 -9380 v1
2. the 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;
3. static water pressure at the point of connection to the public
water supply;
4. flow rate (gallons per minute), application rate (inches per
hour), and design operating pressure (pressure per square inch)
for each station;
5. irrigation schedule parameters necessary to program smart
timers specified in the landscape design;
6. the following statement: "I have complied with the criteria of
the City of Rosemead Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
(Rosemead Municipal Code Chapter 13.08) and applied them
accordingly for the efficient use of water in the irrigation
design plan;" and [Same comment as above.]
7. the signature of a California - licensed landscape professional.
[Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code.
Reference: Section 65596, Government Code.]
2.6 Grading Design Plan
(a) For the efficient use of water, grading of a landscape project site must be designed
to minimize soil erosion, runoff, and water waste. Finished grading configuration
of the landscaped area, including pads, slopes, drainage, post- construction erosion
control, and storm water control Best Management Practices, as applicable, must
be shown on the Landscape Plan unless this information is fully included in
separate Grading Plans for the project, or unless the project is limited to
replacement planting and /or irrigation to rehabilitate an existing landscaped area.
The Landscape Grading Design Plan shall be prepared in compliance with the
City of Rosemead Building Code or comply with Section 2.6 (b) and (c).
(b) The applicant must submit a landscape grading plan that indicates finished
configurations and elevations of the landscaped area including:
(1) height of graded slopes;
(2) drainage patterns;
(3) pad elevations;
13
LA #4813- 2422 -9380 VI
(4) finish grade; and
(5) storm water retention improvements, if applicable.
(c) To prevent excessive erosion and runoff, it is highly recommended that the
project applicant:
(1) grade so that all irrigation and normal rainfall remains within property
lines and does not drain on to non - permeable hardscapes;
(2) avoid disruption of natural drainage patterns and undisturbed soil; and
(3) avoid soil compaction in landscaped areas.
(d) The Grading Design Plan must contain the following statement: "I have complied
with the criteria of the Rosemead Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
(Rosemead Municipal Code Chapter 13.08) and applied them accordingly for the
efficient use of water in the grading design plan" and shall bear the signature of
the landscape professional, as required by law.
[Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference: Section
65596, Government Code.]
2.7 Certification of Completion
(a) Landscape project installation may not proceed until the Landscape
Documentation Package has been approved by the City and any ministerial
permits required are issued.
(b) The applicant must notify the City at the beginning of the installation work and at
intervals, as necessary, for the duration of the landscape project work to schedule
all required inspections.
(c) Certification of Completion of the landscape project must be obtained prior to
Planning and Building Department final inspection approvals.. The requirements
for the Final Inspection and Permit Closure include submittal of:
(1) A Landscape Installation Certificate of Completion in the form included as
Appendix D of these Guidelines, which must include: (i) certification by a
landscape professional that the landscape project has been installed per the
approved Landscape Documentation Package; and (ii) the following
statement: "The landscaping has been installed in substantial conformance
to the design plans, and complies with the provisions of the Water
Efficient Landscape Ordinance for the efficient use of water in the
landscape."
(2) Documentation of the irrigation scheduling parameters used to set the
controller(s);
14
LA #4813- 2422 -9380 v1
(3) An irrigation audit . report from a certified irrigation auditor,
documentation of enrollment in regional or local water purveyor(s)' water
conservation programs, and/or documentation that the MAWA and
EAWU information for the landscape project has been submitted to the
local water purveyor, may be required at the option of the City.
[Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference:
Section 65596, Government Code.]
2.8 Post - Installation Irrigation Scheduling
(a) For the efficient use of water, all irrigation schedules must be developed,
managed, and evaluated to utilize the minimum amount of water required to
maintain plant health. Irrigation schedules must meet the following criteria:
(1) Irrigation scheduling must be regulated by automatic irrigation controllers.
(2) Overhead irrigation must be in accordance with the Chapter 13.04 of the
Rosemead Municipal Code and local water purveyor(s)' Water
Conservation Ordinance. In addition, for purposes of the Water Efficient
Landscape Ordinance, operation of overhead irrigation systems shall only
be allowed between the hours of 5:00 pm and 9:00 am. Operation of the
irrigation system outside the normal watering window is allowed for
auditing and system maintenance. [Currently restrictions in this area
are voluntary. See Section 492.10 in the State Model.]
[Note: Authority Cited: Section 65595, Government Code. Reference:
Section 65596, Government Code.]
2.9 Post - Installation Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance
(a) Landscapes must be maintained to ensure water use efficiency in accordance with
existing local agency code.
3. Provisions for Existing Landscapes
(a) Irrigation of all landscaped areas must be conducted in a manner conforming to
the rules and requirements and must be subject to penalties and incentives for
water conservation and water waste prevention, as determined and implemented
by the local water purveyor and as may be mutually agreed -upon by the City.
(b) The City and /or the regional or local water purveyor may administer programs
such as irrigation water use analyses, irrigation surveys and/or irrigation audits,
tiered water rate structures, water budgeting by parcel, or other approaches to
achieve landscape water use !efficiency community -wide to a level equivalent to
or less than would be achieved by applying a MAWA calculated with an ETAF of
0.8 .
15
LA #4813- 2422 -9380 v1
(c) The architectural guidelines of a common interest development, including
apartments, condominiums, planned developments, and stock cooperatives, may
not prohibit or include conditions that have the effect of prohibiting the use of
low -water use plants as a group.
16
LA #4813- 2422 -9380 vl
Appendix A
CERTIFICATION OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN
I hereby certify that:
(1) I am a professional appropriately licensed in the State of California to provide
professional landscape design services.
(2) The landscape design and water use calculations for the property located at
(provide street address or parcel number(s)) were prepared by me or under my supervision.
(3) The landscape design and water use calculations for the identified property comply with
the requirements of the City of Rosemead Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Municipal
Code Chapter 13.08) and the City of Rosemead Guidelines for Implementation of the City of
Rosemead Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
(4) The information I have provided in this Certificate of Landscape Design is true and
correct and is hereby submitted in compliance with the City of Rosemead Guidelines for
Implementation of the City of Rosemead Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
Print Name
Signature
Address
Telephone
Landscape Design Professional's Stamp
A -1
LA #4813- 2422 -9380 v1
Date
License Number
E -mail Address
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Appendix C
Reference Evapotranspiration (ETo) Table
Appendix C - Reference Eva otrans iration To Table*
County and City
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Annual
ETo
Los Angeles County
Pasadena
2.1
2.7
3.7
4.7
5.1
6.0
7.1
6.7
5.6
4.2
2.6
10
52.3
Monrovia
2.2
2.3
3.8
4.3
5.5
5.9
1 6.9
6.4
5.1
3.2
2.5
2.0
50.2
• The values in this table
were derived
from:l California Irrigation Management Information
System (CIMIS) 2) Reference
Eva oTrans iration Zones Map, UC Dept. of land, Air & Water Resources and California Dept of Water Resources 1999,
3 Reference Eva otrans iration for California, University of California, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
1987 Bulletin 1922 4 Determining Daily Reference Evapotranspiration, Cooperative Extension UC Division of
Agriculture and Natural Resources (1987), Publication Leaflet 21426
C-1
LA 44813- 2422 -9380 v]
Appendix D
LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
I hereby certify that:
(1) I am a professional appropriately licensed in the State of California to provide
professional landscape design services.
(2) The landscape project for the property located at
(provide street address or
parcel number(s)) was installed by me or under my supervision.
(3) The landscaping for the identified property has been installed in substantial conformance
with the approved Landscape Documentation Package and complies with the requirements of the
City of Rosemead Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 13.08 and the
City of Rosemead Guidelines for Implementation of the City of Rosemead Water Efficient
Landscape Ordinance for the efficient use of water in the landscape.
(4) The information I have provided in this Landscape Installation Certificate of Completion
is true and correct and is hereby submitted in compliance with the City of Rosemead Guidelines
for Implementation of the City of Rosemead Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
Print Name
Signature
Address
Date
License Number
Telephone E -mail Address
Landscape Design Professional's Stamp
(If Appropriate)
D -1
LA #4813- 2422 -9380 v1
Appendix E
Definitions
The terms used in these Guidelines have the meaning set forth below:
"Backflow prevention device" 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.
"Conversion factor" means the number that converts acre - inches per acre per year to gallons per
square foot per year.
"Check valve" or "anti -drain valve' 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.
"Certifled Landscape Irrigation Auditor" means person certified to perform landscape irrigation
audits by an accredited academic institution, a professional trade organization or other program
such as the US Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense irrigation auditor certification
program and Irrigation Association's Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor program.
"Certification of Design" means the certification included as Exhibit E of these Guidelines that
must be included in the Landscape Documentation Package pursuant to Section 2.1 of these
Guidelines.
"Common interest developments" means community apartment projects, condominium
projects, planned developments, and stock cooperatives per Civil Code Section 1351
"Distribution Uniformity" or "DU" is a measure of how uniformly an irrigation head applies
water to a specific target area and theoretically ranges form zero to, 100 percent.
"Drip irrigation" means any non -spray low volume irrigation system utilizing emission devices
with a flow rate measured in gallons per hour. Low volume irrigation systems are specifically
designed to apply small volumes of water slowly at or near the root zone of plants.
"Emitter" means a drip irrigation emission device that delivers water slowly from the system to
the soil.
"Evapotranspiration rate" means the quantity of water evaporated from adjacent soil and other
surfaces and transpired by plants during a specified time.
"Flow rate" 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.
"Infiltration rate" means the rate of water entry into the soil expressed as a depth of water per
unit of time (e.g., inches per hour).
"Invasive plants species" or "noxious" means species of plants not historically found in
California that spread outside cultivated areas and can damage environmental or economic
LA #4813- 2422 -9380 vl
resources. Invasive plant species may be regulated by county agricultural agencies as noxious
species.
"Irrigation audit" 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.
"Irrigation Management Efficiency" or "IME" means the measurement used to calculate the
irrigation efficiency of the irrigation system for a landscaped project. A 90% IME can be
achieved by using evaportranspiration controllers, soil moisture sensors, and other methods that
will adjust irrigation run times to meet plant water needs.
"Landscape coefficient" (KL ) is the product of a plant factor multiplied by a density factor and a
microclimate factor. The landscape coefficient is derived to estimate water loss from irrigated
landscaped areas and special landscaped areas.
"Landscape Installation Certificate of Completion " means the certificate included as Exhibit F
of these Guidelines that must be submitted to the City pursuant to Section 2.7(a)(1) of hereof.
"Lateral line" means the water delivery pipeline that supplies water to the emitters or sprinklers
from the valve.
"Low volume irrigation" 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, and bubblers.
Low volume irrigation systems are specifically designed to apply small volumes of water slowly
at or near the root zone of plants.
"Main line" means the pressurized pipeline that delivers water from the water source to the valve
or outlet.
"Maximum Applied Water Allowance" or "MAWA" means the upper limit of annual applied
water for the established landscaped area, as specified in Section 2.2 of these Guidelines. It is
based upon the area's reference evapotranspiration, the ETAF, and the size of the landscaped
area. The Estimated Applied Water Use shall not exceed the Maximum Applied Water
Allowance.
"Mulch" means any organic material such as leaves, bark, straw or 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.
"Operating pressure" means the pressure at which the parts of an irrigation system of sprinklers
are designed to operate at by the manufacturer
" Overspray" means the irrigation water which is delivered beyond the target area
LA 94813- 2422 -9380 v
"Precipitation rate" means the rate of application of water measured in inches per hour
"Recycled water" or "reclaimed water" 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.
"Runoff' means water which is not absorbed by the soil or landscape to which it is applied and
flows from the landscaped 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.
"Sprinkler head' means a device which delivers water through a nozzle.
"Static water pressure" means the pipeline or municipal water supply pressure when water is not
flowing.
"Station" means an area served by one valve or by a set of valves that operate simultaneously.
"Swing joint" 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.
"Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance" means City of Rosemead Ordinance No. and
codified in Chapter 15.26 of the City the Municipal Code.
"Water Efficient Landscape Worksheets" means the worksheets required to be completed
pursuant to Section 2.2 of these Guidelines and which are included in Appendix B hereof.
"Watering window" means the time of day irrigation is allowed.
"WUCOLS" means the Water Use Classification of Landscape published by the University of
California Cooperative Extension, the Department of Water Resources, and the Bureau of
Reclamation, 2000. www. owue.water.ca.gov /docs/wucols00
LA #4813- 2422 -9380 v
EXHIBIT D
ROSEMEAD PLANNING COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE CHAIRWOMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE
ROSEMEAD PLANNING COMMISSION
FROM: PLANNING DIVISION
DATE: NOVEMBER 2, 2009
SUBJECT: MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT 09 -02, AMENDING CHAPTER 13.08
OF THE ROSEMEAD MUNICIPAL CODE (WATER EFFICIENT
LANDSCAPING REGULATIONS) TO COMPLY WITH STATE
ASSEMBLY BILL 1881
SUMMARY
Municipal Code Amendment 09 -02 is a City initiated amendment that proposes to amend
Chapter 13.08 of the Rosemead Municipal Code (Water Efficient Landscaping
Regulations) to comply with State Assembly Bill 1881 (AB 1881). AB 1881 requires all
cities in the State to monitor the water use for irrigation of grass, trees and other plants
in landscaped areas on certain kinds of properties and public facilities. The proposed
municipal code amendment will be applicable to:
1. New landscape installations or landscape rehabilitation projects by public agencies
or private non - residential developers, except for cemeteries, with a landscaped area,
including water features but excluding hardscape, equal to or greater than 2,500 square
feet;
2. New landscape installations or landscape rehabilitation projects by developers or
property managers of single - family and multi- family residential projects or complexes
with a landscaped area, including water features but excluding hardscape, equal to or
greater than 2,500 square feet; and
3. New landscape installations that are homeowner - installed, including homeowner -
hired, in single - family or multi - family residential lots with a total project landscaped area
equal to or greater than 5,000 square feet.
Planning Commission Meeting
November 2, 2009
Page 2 of 10
Background
In 1992, the State of California enacted the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act,
(AB 325) requiring the adoption of a water efficient landscape ordinances by cities and
counties throughout the state. To assist local agencies, the California Department of
Water Resources (DWR) developed a Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance that
established water efficient landscape design standards for urban landscapes. This
Model Ordinance served as a template for local agencies to utilize in the development
of their own local water efficient landscape ordinance. Cities could adopt the DWR
model ordinance outright, modify it to meet a city's local needs, or adopt an entirely
different ordinance.
In 2004, the legislature passed Assembly Bill 2717 establishing a stakeholder -based
Landscape Taskforce charged with formulating recommendations to improve irrigation
efficiency in new and existing landscapes and to report their findings to the governor
and legislature by December 31, 2005. The report, "Water Smart Landscapes for
California: AB 2717 Landscape Task Force Findings, Recommendations, & Actions,"
contained 43 recommendations to achieve greater landscape water use efficiency.
In 2006, Governor Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 1881 (Laird, Water
Conservation) amending the Water Conservation in the Landscape Act (Act). The bill
requires two new things: 1) DWR is to update the original Model Water Efficient
Landscape Ordinance; and 2) cities and counties are to update local Landscape
Ordinances by January 1, 2010 so that, in conservation of water, they are "at least as
effective as" DWR's updated Model Ordinance. Because of the new "at least as
effective as" clause, meeting the requirements of AB 1881 will result in significant
changes to most landscape ordinances throughout the State of California. The State's
Model Ordinance has been attached as Exhibit A.
In response to the new landscape water efficiency requirements, both Planning Division
and Public Service's Field Service Division staff have attended several meetings
organized by the San Gabriel Council of Government (SGCOG) to analyze the
mandatory requirements of the State's Model Ordinance. Staff reviewed several model
ordinances that other counties have used, which included those of Orange County and
the Inland Empire. In addition, staff met with Rosemead's local water purveyors to
address the implementation and enforcement of these new regulations. Lastly, the City
Attorney assisted staff in developing an ordinance that meets the requirements of being
Planning Commission Meeting
November 2, 2009
Paae 3 of 10
"at least as effective" in conserving water as the State's Model, while ensuring
appropriateness for the City of Rosemead.
Environmental Determination
Municipal Code Amendment 09 -02 is exempt from review under the California
Environmental Quality Act ( "CEQA ") (California Public Resources Code Section 21000
et seq.), because pursuant to State CEQA Regulation 15307 (14 Cal. Code Regs., §
15307), Municipal Code Amendment 09 -02 is covered by the CEQA Categorical
Exemption for actions taken to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or
protection of a natural resource where the regulatory process involves procedures for
protection of the environment. Municipal Code Amendment 09 -02 will result in the
enhancement and protection of water resources in the City, and will not result in
cumulative adverse environment impacts. It is therefore exempt from the provisions of
CEQA.
Municipal Code Requirements
Section 17.116.010 of the Rosemead Municipal Code (RMC) authorizes the Planning
Commission to consider and recommend proposed municipal code amendments to the
City Council whenever the public necessity, convenience, general welfare or good
zoning practice justifies such action.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission ADOPT Resolution No. 09 -21, a
resolution recommending that the City Council ADOPT Ordinance No. 885 and
"Guidelines for the Implementation of the City of Rosemead Water Efficient Landscape
Ordinance ", amending Chapter 13.08 of the Rosemead Municipal Code with respect to
water efficient landscaping regulations.
ANALYSIS
Analysis of New Requirements
The proposed Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Ordinance 885) and associated
guidelines (Guidelines for Implementation of the City of Rosemead Water Efficient
Landscape Ordinance) have been attached as Exhibits "A" and "B," respectively. The
proposed ordinance and guidelines will support the City's Water Conservation
Ordinance as well as comply with State regulations.
Planning Commission Meeting
November 2, 2009
Page 4 of 10
If recommended for approval by the Planning Commission and adopted by the City
Council, the Ordinance will apply to the following landscape projects beginning January
1, 2010:
1. New landscape installations or landscape rehabilitation projects by public agencies
or private non - residential developers, except for cemeteries, with a landscaped area,
including water features but excluding hardscape, equal to or greater than 2,500
square feet;
2. New landscape installations or landscape rehabilitation projects by developers or
property managers of single - family and multi - family residential projects or complexes
with a landscaped area, including water features but excluding hardscape, equal to
or greater than 2,500 square feet; and
3. New landscape installations that are homeowner - installed, including homeowner -
hired, in single - family or multi - family residential lots with a total project landscaped
area equal to or greater than 5,000 square feet.
The Ordinance will not apply to registered local, state, or federal historical sites,
ecological restoration projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system, and
botanical gardens and arboretums open to the public.
Lastly, in evaluating the requirements of the new State Model Water Efficient
Landscape Ordinance, the following differences between the new requirements and the `
current regulations have been identified.
1. Jurisdictions must now utilize evapotranspiration based "Maximum Applied Water
Allowance" (MAWA) rates of 0.7 instead of 1.0. The use of the new MAWA rate
represents a 30% reduction in water allocation for new landscapes.
2. Water purveyors are now required to offer landscape surveys and /or incentive
programs targeting landscape irrigation efficiency for new and existing landscapes.
3. Local ordinances must now address smaller landscaping projects including single-
family residential projects.
Planning Commission Meeting
November 2, 2009
Page 5 of 10
4. Local jurisdictions must now regulate existing landscapes for water waste.
5. A local agency may designate another agency, such as a water purveyor, to
implement some or all of the requirements contained in the State Model.
Proposed Ordinance No. 885 and its associated guidelines incorporate provisions to
satisfy these new requirements.
Guidinq Principles for the City of Rosemead
Municipal Code Amendment 09 -02 proposes to amend the City's current Water Efficient
Landscape Ordinance instead of using the State's Model Ordinance for the following
reasons.
1) To protect local control and mitigate the creation of increased layers of government
and oversight.
a) While the State Model meets the requirements of the law, it goes a step further
by including detailed and prescriptive language identifying how local agencies will
meet targets. However, the law only requires that local agencies adopt an
ordinance that is "at least as effective" as the State Model in reaching targets.
b) Rosemead's proposed Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance separates the
"what" from the "how," by creating a simple, clear model ordinance and a
separate guidelines document that can be easily updated, edited, or augmented
as City sees fit for its particular situation.
2) To ensure as much simplicity, efficiency, and flexibility as possible.
a) The approach to protect local control also supports simplicity and efficiency.
While the State Model is over 30- pages, staff recommends an 8 -page Ordinance,
with a 16 -page guidelines (not including appendices and definitions) companion
document. The customizable guidelines document will provide flexibility and can
be easily updated as technologies and laws change.
b) The proposed ordinance for the City of Rosemead allows for self- certification,
eliminating the need for additional layers of government and review, minimizes
the cost of implementation.
Proposed City of Rosemead Approach
The State Model contained 33 pages of both policy issues and technical procedures.
The proposed Rosemead Model separates the policy issues and technical procedures
Planning Commission Meeting
November 2, 2009
Paae 6 of 10
into two documents; the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and Guidelines
respectively. This resulted in a succinct 8 -page ordinance supported by a 16 -page
guidelines document (not including appendices and definitions).
The cornerstone of the proposed City of Rosemead Water Efficient Landscape
Ordinance and Guidelines is a self - certification process that will streamline the
permitting process and reduce costs for applicants and the City. The self - certification
includes two steps. First, the landscape designer will sign a Certification of Design,
which includes their license number and /or professional stamp, stating that the
landscape design is in conformance with the city ordinance and guidelines. The permit
will not be issued unless the Landscape Documentation Package is complete, including
this certification. Second, once construction of the landscape is complete, the
installation contractor or designer will sign the Landscape Installation Certificate of
Completion stating that the installation is complete and is in substantial conformance
with the original plan. Once the Landscape Installation Certificate of Completion is
accepted by the city, the permit will be completed.
The Landscape Documentation Package proposed will include the following elements to
be submitted by the project applicant for permit issuance:
1. Project Information Summary
2. Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet
3. Soil Management Plan
4. Landscape Design Plan
5. Irrigation Design Plan
6. Grading Design Plan
7. Certification of Landscape Design
The Landscape Installation Certificate of Completion package will include:
1. Certification that the project was constructed per the approved plans;
2. Irrigation scheduling parameters used to set the controller;
3. Landscape and irrigation maintenance schedules;
4. An irrigation audit report, documentation of enrollment in regional or local water
purveyor(s)' water conservation programs, and /or documentation that the water
Planning Commission Meeting
November 2, 2009
Page 7 of 10
budget for the landscape project has been submitted to the local water purveyor,
may be required at the option of the City.
Issues and Justifications for the differences between the City of Rosemead
Ordinance and the State Model
AB 1881 also requires local agencies to include information in the record for any
approval that designates the locally- approved alternative to the States Model as
,.equally effective" in conserving landscaping irrigation water. With one exception, no
essential element of the States Model has been dropped, only re- organized to function
more efficiently. The one exception is the States Model requests a Grading Design
Plan for every application. The City of Rosemead Building Code, which includes the
grading regulations of the 2008 Los Angeles County Building Code and 2007 California
Building Code, already provides appropriate and more stringent regulation for managing
projects with significant grading elements.
The following identifies the significant differences between the Rosemead's proposed
Ordinance and the State Model and provides justification for how Rosemead's Model is
"at least as effective" as the State's Model.
Issue 1: Maximum Applied Water Allowance Calculation
Justification:
Calculation is simplified while still achieving "at least as effective" criteria. The State
Model requires the Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA) and Estimated Applied
Water Use (EAWU) calculations for each valve installed in a landscape area. This
requirement causes a significant amount of paperwork and labor and does not increase
water efficiency in the landscape. By requiring MAWA and EAWU calculations for each
meter rather than each valve, the calculations process is simplified while maintaining
the "at least as effective" criteria of AB -1881.
Issue 2: Self Certification
2.4 Landscape Design Plan Section 13; 2.5 Irrigation Design Plan Section 7; 2.6
Grading Design Plan Section 3
Justification:
Self certification is performed by a licensed professional that is authorized to perform
the tasks required in the Landscape Documentation Package. The licensed
professionals certifying the project have professional expertise necessary to ensure the
project is "at least as effective" as the State Model. Self certification provides a cost
Planning Commission Meeting
November 2, 2009
Page 8 of 10
effective method for the City to review plans without increasing the need for in -house
technical expertise.
Issue 3: Separation of Ordinance and Guidelines
Justification:
Implementing a new ordinance or updating an old one is a long and cumbersome
process. Staff proposes two separate documents; an Ordinance that describes the
essential components of AB 1881, and guidelines that contain the process- oriented
elements, equations, and technology - related components. Updating guidelines is a less
complicated process, which will better accommodate the rapidly evolving field of
irrigation technology.
Issue 4: Water Purveyor's Water Waste Provisions
Staff has been in communication with all six water purveyors that service the City and
believes that their water waste provisions are sufficient to meet the "at least as effective
as" criteria.
Explanation:
Budget -based tiered -rate billing structures and enforcement of water waste prohibition
provisions are "at least as effective" at achieving outdoor water use efficiency as AB-
1881.
Justification:
The local water purveyors for the City of Rosemead are implementing budget -based
tiered -rate billing and /or enforcement of water waste prohibitions for all existing metered
landscape areas throughout its service area, which combined includes the entire City of
Rosemead. Furthermore, the City of Rosemead continues to enforce Chapter 13.04 of
the Rosemead Municipal Code pertaining to Water Conservation, which prohibits water
users from wasting water from any source and any person sanctioning such waste. In
addition, Rosemead's current Water Conservation Ordinance has strict penalties for
violation of these provisions, which include written warning notices up to punishment as
provided in the Penal Code.
Issue 5: 492.10 Irrigation Scheduling
Justification:
Prescriptive elements for parameters used to set the automatic controller are removed
in order to defer to irrigation controller manufacturer specifications.
Planning Commission Meeting
November 2, 2009
Paae 9 of 10
.Issue 6: 492.11 Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance Schedule
Justification:
Prescriptive elements incorporated by reference to existing code in order to defer to
local agency code.
Issue 7: Removal of 492.14 Recycled Water
Justification:
Section incorporated by reference to defer to existing local and state recycled water
regulations.
Issue 8: Removal of 492.15 Stormwater Management
Justification:
Section incorporated by reference to defer to existing National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) permits and local stormwater management code.
Issue 9: Removal of 493.2 Water Waste Prevention
Justification:
Section incorporated by reference to defer to existing agency code on water waste
prevention.
Issue 10: Removal of 494 Effective Precipitation
Justification:
This section was considered optional in the State Model and was removed because the
annual effective precipitation is not considered adequate for MAWA adjustment.
Issue 11: 2.1 Section 5 Certification of Completion (Now in Guidelines)
Justification:
Enrollment in one of the local or regional water budgeting programs fulfills the irrigation
system audit report criteria. The water budgeting programs are an in -depth and
ongoing irrigation monitoring process that is "at least as effective" as a one time
irrigation system audit report.
Planning Commission Meeting
November 2, 2009
Page 10 of 10
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the required public posting requirements of the
regular agenda notification process.
Prepared and Submitted by:
Sheri Bermejo
Principal Planner
Exhibits:
A. State's Model Ordinance
B. Draft Ordinance 885
C. Draft Guidelines for Implementation of the City of Rosemead Water Efficient
Landscape Ordinance
D. Planning Commission Resolution No. 09 -21
EXHIBIT E
PC RESOLUTION 09 -21
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL AMEND CHAPTER 13.08
OF THE ROSEMEAD MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH WATER
EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE REGULATIONS
WHEREAS, the City currently has modest provisions in its Municipal Code to
enforce water efficient landscapes which were adopted on December 7, 1992, in
accordance with the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act (Assembly BIII 325); and
WHEREAS, in 2006, Governor Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 1881
(Laird, Water Conservation) amending the Water Conservation in the Landscape Act;
and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 1881 requires all cities in the State to update their
local landscape ordinances by January 1, 2010, so that they are "at least as effective
as" the State of California Department of Water Resources' updated Model Ordinance;
and
WHEREAS, the City desires to amend its current water efficient landscape
regulations (Chapter 13.08 of the Rosemead Municipal Code) to comply with the
provisions of Assembly Bill 1881; and
WHEREAS, Section 17.116.020 of the Rosemead Municipal Code sets forth
procedures and requirements for municipal code amendments; and
WHEREAS, Sections 17.116 of the Rosemead Municipal Code authorize the
Planning Commission to consider and recommend proposed municipal code
amendments to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, on October 23, 2009, a notice was published in the San Gabriel
Valley Tribune specifying the public comment period and the time and place for a public
hearing pursuant to California Government Code Section 65091(a)(3); and
WHEREAS, on November 2, 2009, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed
and advertised public hearing to receive oral and written testimony relative to Municipal
Code Amendment 09 -02; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City
of Rosemead as follows:
SECTION 1. Municipal Code Amendment 09 -02 is exempt from review under
the California Environmental Quality Act ( "CEQA ") (California Public Resources Code
Section 21000 et seq.), because pursuant to State CEQA Regulation 15307 (14 Cal.
Code Regs., § 15307), Municipal Code Amendment 09 -02 is covered by the CEQA
Categorical Exemption for actions taken to assure the maintenance, restoration,
enhancement, or protection of a natural resource where the regulatory process involves
procedures for protection of the environment. The approval proposed Ordinance No.
885 and guidelines will result in the enhancement and protection of water resources in
the City, and will not result in cumulative adverse environment impacts. It is therefore
exempt from the provisions of CEQA.
SECTION 2. The Planning Commission HEREBY FINDS AND DETERMINES
that Municipal Code Amendment 09 -02 is in the best interest of the public necessity and
general welfare, in that the change to the Rosemead Municipal Code will provide policy
to promote the conservation and efficient use of water and to prevent the waste of this
valuable resource in the City.
SECTION 3. The Planning Commission of the City of Rosemead does hereby
recommend that the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 885 and the "Guidelines for the
Implementation of the City of Rosemead Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance"
attached hereto as Exhibits "A" and "B."
SECTION 5. The Planning Commission HEREBY RECOMMENDS TO THE
CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL of Municipal Code Amendment 09 -02, amending Chapter
13.08 of the Rosemead Municipal Code to establish Water Efficient Landscape
regulations.
SECTION 6. 'This Resolution shall take effect immediately.
SECTION 7. This resolution is the result of an action taken by the Planning
Commission on November 2, 2009 by the following vote:
YES:
NO:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
SECTION 8. The secretary shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and
shall transmit copies of same to the applicant and the Rosemead City Clerk.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 2nd day of November 2009.
Diana Herrera, Chairwoman
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a resolution adopted by the Planning
Commission of the City of Rosemead at its regular meeting, held on 2nd day of
November, 2009, by the following vote:
YES:
NO:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Sheri Bermejo, Secretary
EXHIBIT F
Minutes of the
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
November 2, 2009
The regular meeting of the Rosemead Planning Commission was called to order by
Chairwoman Herrera at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard,
Rosemead, California.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Chairwoman Herrera
INVOCATION - Commissioner Eng
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS PRESENT - Commissioners Eng; ;Hunter, Ruiz, Vice -
Chairman Alarcon, Chairwoman Herrera
c.t
OFFICIALS PRESENT: City Attorney Greg Murphy Principal Plan -66(r B,ermejo,
Commission Secretary Lockwood
�3n�•�
1. EXPLANATION OF HEARING PROCEDURE - .ANDAP PEAL RIGHTS' °`r
Greg Murphy, City Attorney, presented the
appeal rights of the meeting.
Vote resulted in:
Yes:
Alarcon, Eng, Herrera, Hunter, Ruiz
No:
None
Abstain:
None
Absent:
None
1
al` Planner Bermejo. She
She also thanked her staff
)hs 6, 7, & 8, on page 4,
from the Chairwoman &
er Standardized Training.
Commissioner Victor
S.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT 09 -02, AMENDING CHAPTER 13.08 OF THE
ROSEMEAD MUNICIPAL CODE (WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING
REGULATIONS) TO COMPLY WITH STATE ASSEMBLY BILL 1881 -
Municipal Code Amendment 09 -02 is a City initiated amendment that
proposes to amend Chapter 13.08 of the Rosemead Municipal Code (Water
Efficient Landscaping Regulations) to comply with State Assembly Bill 1881
(AB 1881). AB 1881 requires all cities in the State to monitor the water use
for irrigation of grass, trees and other plants in landscaped areas on certain
kinds of properties and public facilities. The proposed municipal code
amendment will be applicable to:
New landscape installations or landscape rehal�ilita4ion projects by public
agencies or private non - residential developers excep -for cemeteries, with a
landscaped area, including water features but ezcluding''tardscape, equal to
or greater than 2,500 square feet;
New landscape installations or ; 9andscape 'rehabilitation %projects by
developers or property managers 6Urt,single} family and 'multi- family
la t
residential projects or complexes with a lands om
caped area, including water
features but excluding hardseape, equal to oFag`reater than 2,500 square feet;
S
and
3. New landscape installations 'A,that
homeowner - hired, in single- family.or
project landscaped ;area equal to; %c :
THE CITY
QII[t
rI
er- installed, including
dential lots with a total
greater: "than 5,000 square feet. PC
OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF
Y OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF
1T THE CITY COUNCIL AMEND
I MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH
ILATIONS.
Recommendation, -. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission ADOPT
Rwry
esolution No. 09''21, a 'resolution recommending that the City Council
ADOPT,Ordinanc4 No. 885 and "Guidelines for the Implementation of
the City -:of Rosemead ad Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance ", amending
Chapter "`'1:;3;08 of y,the Rosemead Municipal Code with respect to water
efficient larscapi'ng regulations.
Principal Planner Be�mejo presented a Power Point presentation and staff report. She
also stated that a sentence needs to be added to Draft Ordinance, Exhibit B, Section
13.08.010 Purpose, which states, 'The provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to be
controlling over the subject matter herein in the event of any conflict between this
Chapter and any other provision in the Municipal Code ". She also stated in the
Guidelines there is bold text on page13, under number 6, and on page 15, under 2.8
Post - Installation Irrigation Scheduling, that needs to be removed.
City Attorney Murphy stated that the addition of this sentence will make sure that the
new ordinance has superiority over any other provision in the Municipal Code that could
be in conflict with the new ordinance.
Chairwoman Herrera questioned staff if this draft ordinance was made to simplify the
states ordinance that they are proposing.
Principal Planner Bermejo replied yes, and confirmed that the proposed ordinance will
simplify the State's requirements.
Chairwoman Herrera questioned staff if the City of Rosemead already has a Water
Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
Principal Planner Bermejo stated the City does one. She also
void if the City does not amend it to incorporate the State's new
Chairwoman Herrera questioned staff if the old r
restrictive. She also questioned staff if the new
and architects to limit the amount of landscaping tt
Principal Planner Bermejo replied that
landscape requirements which will still be
Vice - Chairman Alarcon questioned staff if the cert
contractors or if they work for the water companies or
Principal Planner Bermejo stated theyywv6i li oe third
landscape architect professionals hired by property, ;, n
Vice - Chairman Ala
who will check the
Principal Planner Be
check the submittals.
Vice - Chairman Alarco "r
who was going to do a
Principal Planner Berrr
renovate over',51,000 sq
have to follow the'new
Vice - Chairman Ala
already has 5,000
staff if there was
nicipal
that it will become
out of date and less
ncourage developers
minimum
personnel are independent
contractors and
from the Planning Division
that Plannind, Division and Public Service staff will
estioned staff if these requirements would apply to someone
ode] onitheir home.
d "if the homeowner for a single family home was going
of their landscaped area, then the property owner would
wised his question and questioned staff if the existing home
feet, will they then have to follow the requirements.
Principal Planner Bermejo explained that the ordinance would only apply if the
homeowner renovates over 5,000 square feet of the landscaped area.
Commissioner Hunter stated that she wondered why our City does not have an
ordinance that requires alternate days for watering to save water, especially during the
summer. She also stated other cities have such requirements.
Principal Planner stated that the City of Rosemead does have a water conservation
ordinance, which is Chapter 13.04 of the Rosemead Municipal Code. She stated that
c
the ordinance provide several stages for water rationing, and that currently water
rationing is voluntary. She also stated that the City of Rosemead is in contact with the
water companies and officials from the water companies have indicated that our water
usage numbers are good. She also stated that the water companies use publications
and mailers to encourage property owners to conserve water.
Chairwoman Herrera stated that it must be working because she has seen a lot of
dry areas, so we must not be overwatering.
Commissioner Eng questioned staff if the ordinance will apply to existing projects and
irrigation systems in place that are over one acre.
rN
Principal Planner Bermejo stated that is correct. iytR
Commissioner Eng questioned staff how many of those do we hg,Vb;in the city.
Principal Planner Bermejo stated that there are only a'few existindYproperties over an
acre that would be potentially affected by the new ordinance. She said: hat the City of
Rosemead Parks, Southern California Edisoftnd Wa[Wart may be some' of those
large existing sites. She also stated that staff willtave toasurvey the City and work with
the water companies to monitor their water usage for,fandscaped areas. .
Commissioner Eng questioned staff ifO
will have time to become in compliance;
be in effect in January 2010.
Principal Planner Bermejo, replied that
required to re -do the i(-irrigation , systerr
them to make sure: re nWwastinc
water companies for moritoring aassistar
to givea time period so that people
inance. She "also stated that this will
3 landscapes over an acre will not be
also stated that they will be monitoring
She also stated they will work with the
CommissionerEng` stated sO`they ar e notveequired to submit this whole package that is
being proposed for tliecnew installation in order to become into compliance.
Principal:Planner Bermej6stated we will be looking at what their usage of water is and
working on,programs for th'etn.
Commissioner Eng questioned staff if we would be in compliance with this ordinance
if we let property owners;, who have the expertise, install their own irrigation system so it
is cost effective foraithem. She also stated that with this ordinance it states the
certification of completion needs to be signed off by a licensed architect.
Principal Planner Bermejo stated that under 1.2 Applicability in the guidelines they will
be able to do it themselves and there are other options of who would be able to sign off.
Commissioner Eng questioned staff if the building division inspectors would still inspect
projects for compliance.
Principal Planner Bermejo replied yes they will.
Commissioner Ruiz questioned staff if there will be a guideline so the homeowner
will have a step by step program to go by to get it certified.
Principal Planner Bermejo replied yes.
Commissioner Eng requested staff to clarify the grading requirement.
Principal Planner Bermejo stated that large projects, such commercial developments or
land subdivisions, will have to submit a formal grading plan, but smaller projects that do
not have to do significant grading may submit a simplified version..
Commissioner Eng referred to the draft ordinance in the applicability section and stated
that cemeteries are exempted in this ordinance. She ,question, ed staff if schools and
religious institutions are subject to this ordinance. ,C,
Principal Planner Bermejo stated that
temples would be subject to this ordinance,
State's requirements.
Chairwoman Herrera opened the Public Hearing
of the project.
Jim Flournoy questioned staff if this ordinance
project or if the two lots will be considered sep6rii
Principal Planner Bermejo-,,'.stated that
considered.
r
Jim Flournoy questione. d if
landscape area. in a project °;or=
Principal Planner'Ber'mejo que
Jim Flou'rpgy, stated he wM n
the Plannina3CommissiomAge
new
'schools, religioustinstitutions, and
public school would have to follow the
if there was anyone in favor
will consider +:two lots as one lot for a
ely.,
area of project site will be
project refers to the total new
Mr. Flournoy what he was referring too.
to number 3 on the bottom of the second page of
Principal Plannef; Bermejo =referred to an example she used earlier and stated if you had
8,000 square fe ofslandscaping and you modified 5,000 square feet of that you would
fall into that categoi d have to follow this ordinance.
Jim Flournoy questioned staff if orchards are categorized as edible plants.
Principal Planner stated yes they are.
Brian Lewin stated that he is glad to see an ordinance like this put into place considering
storm drains and all the water run off he sees. He also questioned if existing projects
will be grandfathered in, because there are a lot of irrigation run off issues. He also
questioned if existing businesses would eventually be required to modify their existing
irrigation systems to be in compliance with this ordinance.
5
City Attorney Murphy stated this actually is a question for the State and it is up to the
State at this point. He also stated we do not know what the State will do.
Brian Lewin questioned staff if the City has any plans at this time.
City Attorney Murphy and Principal Planner Bermejo stated no, not at this time.
Chairwoman Herrera stated is there anyone against this Ordinance.
None
Chairwoman Herrera closed the Public Hearing.
Commissioner Eng questioned staff if the square footage,'of 2;500 to 5,000 square feet,
is that the State's standard that we are following.
Principal Planner Bermejo replied yes..
Commissioner Victor Ruiz made a motion-,li onded by „Vice - Chairman William
Alarcon, recommending that the Planning Commission "ADOPT Resolution No. 09-
21, a resolution recommending that the City Couri ciI`ADOPT Ordinance No. 885
and "Guidelines for the Implementation of the CityFof Rosemead Water
Mae:
Efficient Landscape Ordinance ", amending Chaptee ,3 08 of the Rosemead
�M ici
Municipal Code with respect to water efficient landscapirig; regulations.
Vote resulted in:
Yes:
No:
Abstain:
5. MATTERS
R1
A. Annual
Principal Planner
E CHAIRWOMAN & COMMISSIONERS
THE. PRINCIPAL PLANNER & STAFF
presented her staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Chairwoman Herrera opened the item to the public and asked if there were any
questions.
Jim Flournoy stated that there are two items that he feels still need to be resolved; one is
the Alquist - Priolo report that was used and submitted to the State of California. He also
stated that Wal -Mart and the Panda Restaurant used the 1998 building code, but feels
that Wal -Mart did not meet the standards of the 1998 building code.
Brian Lewin stated that he would like to address the issue of signage and stated that he
feels that we still need signage at the intersections of Rush Street and San Gabriel
Boulevard and Rush Street and Walnut Grove Avenue. He also stated that the signage
should be northbound and southbound and that trucks are not to be on Rush Street ever
and requested this be added as a Condition of Approval.
Vice - Chairman Alarcon stated that he does not recall any problems with trucks using
Rush Street, and that the intent of the condition is not to let them use this driveway
entrance as a delivery route. He stated that it is a major street and they may need Rush
Street to get through to San Gabriel Boulevard.
Principal Planner Bermejo stated that on the May 18, 2009 staff provided the Planning
Commission with a report that provided an overview, of; all the Geological and
,..
Geotechnical Soils Investigation studies that had been completed prior to the issuance
of building permits. She also stated the City reviewed" the studies. and determined that
Wal -Mart was in compliance. She further stated,, witti',respect`t'o, the signage, staff
worked with our traffic consultant, Joanne Itagakiv'Sh'e'stated that Hie Wal -Mart trucks
are complying with entering the site at Walnut ,Grove Avenue, but on veryfew occasions
there will be a non -Wal -Mart driver that .will Tenter theaite using the Street
driveway. She also stated the previous signage atjhe Rush. Street driveway entrance
was not visible from the intersection where the signs[ light is located, and that the truck
driver could not really know that they could not tun. into that driveway until they
actually did the turn. She also stated' 'staff feels that thenew signage will improve the
situation and feels it is not appropriate to'install anyfuAhe,isignage on San Gabriel
Boulevard, Walnut Grove, and Rush Street. ShNalso stated7it would be appropriate to
wait and see if we receive any further complaints' andNif, :complaints are received the
matter it can be taken to the Traffic Commission.
v
Jennifer Guenther stated that she is here o6lbehalf of Wal -Mart, and she would like to
thank Principal Planners, ermejb for all the work she has done on this project and
concurs with Marlene Shmen s earlier comments. She also stated she would like to
address the comments that were made as well as discuss the proposed wall for
the transformer, and explain how they came to the conclusion that it should be adequate
mitigation. She also stated she would like to address the comments made by Jim
Flournoy .,regarding the transformer`'and the Alquist Priolo Act. She stated that there is
informationfih,.the file fro m,:Southern California Edison stating that undergrounding that
particular transformer at the Wal -Mart site is infeasible, and therefore what has been
done for the transformer is'`adequate with regard to Edison's specifications. She stated
that in regards t6, the,Alquist- Priolo Act, she would like to remind the Planning
Commission that Mr-."-,,Fl ournoy filed a law suit several years ago challenging this store
based upon that motion, and the court dismissed his action and then he entered into a
settlement agreement in which he agreed not to raise the issue again. She also stated
that she believes that the City has records of the settlement agreement. She also stated
that several noise studies have been done, the first one being commissioned by the
County of Los Angeles, which found that the noise levels did not exceed the noise
ordinance levels. She further stated that the City commissioned their own noise study,
which found that the store was generating noise levels that were above the City's code
requirements. A second study was also done by Dudek, which determined that
noise was coming from the roof top equipment, however after speaking with the
engineers at Wal -Mart she was told that it was unlikely that the noise was coming
from the roof top equipment. She said the only time that the development exceeds the
7
noise levels is in the early morning hours of between 4:00 a.m. - 5:00 a.m. Therefore,
Wal -Mart commissioned another study by Waylan Accoustics to pinpoint the exact
location the noise. The Waylan Acoustic study determined it came from the transformer.
Southern California Edison's Engineers were contacted to perform a test on the
transformer with the store's power shut down 4 hours. She stated that the report stated
that there was nothing wrong with the transformer, however when the store was
powered up in the morning it did exceed the noise level. Based on that study, they
designed the wall to reduce the noise and confirmed with Dudek that this would work.
She also stated she would like to request from the Planning Commission that they would
give her some assurance that this will be an investment well spent and that the noise
issue would be resolved.
Commissioner Ruiz questioned Jennifer Guenther, if the.analysis indicates what the
decibel readings would be once the wall is constructed.
Jennifer Guenther replied that the report states with the installation of the sound wall the
noise level is calculated to be 43 DBA or less, which complies with City. requirements.
Commissioner Ruiz questioned staff what the " City's, DBA requirement is.
Principal Planner Bermejo stated that between the'hou�s of 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. it is
.me
60 DBA and between the hours of 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a';it;is 45 DBA.
Commissioner Ruiz stated that this will comply with the City's requirements of noise
pollution.
Commissioner Eng stated "that the wall is :.not constructed yet and questioned Ms.
Guenther if the study_is'basedon the materials that will be used to construct the wall.
Jennifer Guenther rephed,_yes that is part of iff,and the other factor is the shape of the
wall. She also stated there, will b" reflection `abilities allowing the noise to go upward
instead of m the direction of the residents '
Jim Flournoy questioned'if the 6 foot.wall will be high enough so it will not affect the third
floor of the,condos.
Jennifer Guenther stated yes, 6 feet is adequate.
Vice - Chairman Alarcon questioned Jim Flournoy if he or anyone else had requested a
. ,tr.
noise study for the Pantla Restaurant or the Bank.
Jim Flournoy replied but his response was not audible.
Commissioner Eng stated she visited the site between 8:45 a.m. - 9:15 a.m., and while
walking on the sidewalk, she could hear the transformer noise. She also stated that a
single - family home can hear the transformer noise louder than the condo resident
because of the level of the transformer. She also stated that while sitting in her parked
car on the west side of Delta Avenue, with the windows closed, she could not hear the
transformer, but she could hear the traffic. She stated that with the windows down she
could hear the transformer noise. She also stated that she can see why some residents
would be concerned if they want to keep their windows open.
Commissioner Eng questioned if the installation of the 6 foot tall wall would result in a
wall that is taller than the condominium buildings.
Principal Planner Bermejo projected a photo of the transformer and the existing block
wall on the screen and indicated the location of the proposed block wall with her pointer.
She gave a description of the proposed wall and stated it will have a decorative trellis
top.
Commissioner Eng questioned staff about the proposed materials.
Principal Planner stated that staff would require that it be constructed of natural wood
materials and decorative block to match the development. ,;Lt
Commissioner Eng expressed her concern of adding�anotheRiBfeet to the wall, and
questioned if there would be a height issue.
Principal Planner Bermejo stated that staff was =concerned with this sarri& issue and the
residents are so far back that variable height should_ not besan issue.
Commissioner Eng questioned how long it would taketo "construct that wall.
Jennifer Guenther stated at this time she'did not have that iriformation.
Commissioner Eng stated that she would like to propose thatf'once the wall is built, the
Commission re- evaluate the noise issue�in 3 montf — ihstead of waiting for next year's
annual review.
Principal Planner Bermejo stated�that if we were to get a complaint staff would work with
Wal -Mart as soon as possible.. ;;She also stated that Wal -Mart is on top of their annual
reviews.
F.1
Commissioner Eng stated she'wouId like to thank Wal -Mart and stated that Wal -Mart
has worked in good faith to resolveaalhissues with residents' concerns.
;far
Commissioner Hunter stated that she would like Wal -Mart to check the parking lot in the
evening because there is 4$roblem with loitering. She stated they are selling food and
a man approa' ljgd her aril asked her for money last time she was there around 9:00
p.m. and she notced.,xtF`at security was not nearby and found that alarming, and
requested that Wal'NTart investigate the issue.
Commissioner Eng questioned staff if there was a typo in the response to Condition of
Approval No. 1, and asked if "2009" should be "2007 ". She also questioned staff why
Conditional of Approval No. 50, regarding the removal of graffiti, was written to require
removal within 48 hours instead of 24 hours. She questioned which one was correct,
since she commonly sees the standard condition requiring removal within 24 hours.
Principal Planner Bermejo stated that "2009" should be "2007." She also stated that the
condition of approval was written to require removal within 48 hours, and indicated that
staff has not seen any issues concerning graffiti.
Recommendations to move forward were made by Chairwoman Herrera and
Commissioner Eng. They stated that the noise issue should be reviewed after
completion of wall in 3 months and that the rest of the conditions will be reviewed at next
year's annual review.
Principal Planner Bermejo confirmed the recommendations by the Planning
Commission.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 16, 2009, at 7:00
p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
ATTEST:
Rachel Lockwood,
Commission Secretary
+a.
10