For purposes only of this chapter, the terms used in this chapter have the meaning set forth below:
Applied Water. The portion of water supplied by the irrigation system to the landscape.
Automatic Irrigation Controller. A timing device used to remotely control valves that operate an irrigation system. Automatic irrigation controllers are able to self-adjust and schedule irrigation events using either evapotranspiration (weather-based) or soil moisture data.
Backflow Prevention Device. A safety device used to prevent pollution or contamination of the water supply due to the reverse flow of water from the irrigation system.
Certificate of Substantial Completion. The document required under Section 16.28.050C 3.
Certified Irrigation Designer. 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 or the Irrigation Association's Certified Irrigation Designer program
Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor. A person certified to perform landscape irrigation 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 or the Irrigation Association's Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor program.
Check Valve or Anti-Drain Valve. 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.
Compost. The safe and stable product of controlled biologic decomposition of organic materials that is beneficial to plant growth.
Conversion Factor (0.62). The number that converts acre-inches per acre per year to gallons per square foot per year.
Distribution Uniformity. The measure of the uniformity of irrigation water over a defined area.
Drip Irrigation. 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.
Established Landscape. 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.
ET Adjustment Factor or ETAF. A factor of.55 for residential areas and .45 for non-residential areas, that, when applied to reference evapotranspiration, adjusts for plant factors and irrigation efficiency, two major influences upon the amount of water that needs to be applied to the landscape. The ETAF for new and existing (non-rehabilitated) Special Landscape Areas shall not exceed 1.0. The ETAF for existing non-rehabilitated landscapes is 0.8.
Evapotranspiration. The process by which a quantity of water evaporates from adjacent soil and other surfaces and is transpired by plants during a specified time.
Flow Sensor. An inline device installed at the supply point of the irrigation system that produces a repeatable signal proportional to flow rate. Flow sensors must be connected to an automatic combination flow sensor/controller may also function as a landscape water meter or submeter.
Fuel Modification Plan Guideline. Guidelines from the City of Murrieta Fire and Rescue to assist residents and businesses that are developing land or building structures in a fire hazard severity zone.
Hardscapes. Any durable material (pervious and non-pervious).
Hydrozone. A portion of the landscaped area having plants with similar water needs and rooting depth that are served by one irrigation valve or set of valves with the same schedule. A hydrozone may be irrigated or non-irrigated.
Invasive Species. Non-indigenous species (e.g., plants or animals) that adversely affect the habitats they invade economically, environmentally, or ecologically and includes those species listed within the Western Riverside County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan as such plan may be amended from time to time and any invasive species identified as such by the city. Lists of invasive plants are maintained at the California Invasive Plant Inventory and USDA invasive and noxious weeds database.
Irrigation Audit. An in-depth evaluation of the performance of an irrigation system conducted by a certified landscape irrigation auditor. An irrigation audit includes, but is not limited to: inspection, system tune-up, system test with distribution uniformity or emission uniformity reporting overspray or runoff that causes overland flow, and preparation of an irrigation schedule. The audit must be conducted in a manner consistent with the Irrigation Association's Landscape Irrigation Auditor Certification program or other U.S Environmental Protection Agency "Watersense" labeled auditing program.
Licensed landscape architect. A person who holds a license to practice landscape architecture in the State of California pursuant to the California Business and Professions Code section 5615.
Landscape Area or LA. 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 nonirrigated areas designated for non-development (e.g., open spaces and existing native vegetation). Landscape Area includes Special Landscape Areas as defined below.
Landscape Contractor. A person licensed by the State of California to construct, maintain, repair, install, or subcontract the development of landscape systems.
Local Water Purveyor. Any entity, including a public agency, city, county, or private water company that provides retail water service.
Low Volume Irrigation. 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.
Maximum Applied Water Allowance or MAWA. The upper limit of annual applied water for the established landscaped area calculated using the following formula:
MAWA = (ETo)(0.62)[(ETAF x LA) + ((1-ETAF) x SLA)]
MAWA = Maximum Applied Water Allowance (gallons per year)
ETo = Reference Evapotranspiration (inches per year) (55.0 for Murrieta)
0.62 = Conversion Factor (to gallons)
ET Adjustment Factor (ETAF) = .55 for residential areas and .45 for non-residential areas. The ETAF for new and existing (non-rehabilitated) Special Landscape Areas shall not exceed 1.0. The ETAF for existing non-rehabilitated landscapes is 0.8.
LA = Landscape Area including SLA (square feet)
SLA = Special Landscape Area (square feet)
Mulch. Any material placed on the soil to conserve soil moisture, moderate soil temperature, prevent soil erosion and/or prevent weed growth, including such materials as bark, wood chips, rock, gravel, decomposed granite, or other suitable material.
Non-Residential Landscape. Landscapes in commercial, institutional, industrial and public settings that may have areas designated for recreation or public assembly. It also includes portions of common areas of common interest development with designated recreational areas.
Overspray. The irrigation water which is delivered beyond the target area.
Pervious. Any surface or material that allows the passage of water through the material and into the underlying soil.
Plant Factor. Or "plant water use factor" is a value that, when multiplied by ETO, estimates the amount of water needed by plants. For purposes of this chapter, the plant factor range for very low water use plants is 0 to 0.1, the plant factor range for low water use plants is 0.1 to 0.3, the plant factor range for moderate water use plants is 0.4 to 0.6, and the plant factor range for high water use plants is 0.7 to 1.0. Plant factors used pursuant to the requirements of this chapter shall be derived from the publication "Water Use Classification of Landscape Species" as the same may be amended from time to time. Plant factors may also be obtained from horticultural researchers from academic institutions or professional associations as approved by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).
Recreational Area. Areas, excluding private single family residential areas, designated for active play, recreation or public assembly in parks, sports fields, picnic grounds, amphitheaters or golf courses, tees, fairways, roughs, surrounds and greens.
Recycled Water. Any kind of treated, reclaimed, 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. A standard measurement of environmental parameters which affect the water use of plants and is 55.0 inches per year for purposes of this chapter.
Rehabilitated Landscape. Any re-landscaping project that requires a permit, plan check, or design review, meets the applicability requirements of Section 16.28.020 and the modified landscape area is equal to or greater than two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet.
Residential Landscapes. Landscaping surrounding single or multi-family homes.
Runoff. 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.
Special landscape Area or SLA. An area of the landscape dedicated solely to edible plants, recreational areas, areas irrigated with recycled water, or water features using recycled water.
Synthetic Turf. An artificial product manufactured from synthetic materials that effectively simulate the appearance of natural turf, grass, sod, or lawn. The use of indoor or outdoor plastic or nylon carpet as a replacement of synthetic turf or natural turf shall be prohibited.
Water Feature. A design element where open water performs an aesthetic or recreational function. Water features include ponds, lakes, waterfalls, fountains, artificial streams, spas, and swimming pools (where water is artificially supplied). The surface area of water features is included in the high water use hydrozone of the landscape area. Constructed wetlands used for on-site wastewater treatment or stormwater best management practices that are not irrigated and used solely for water treatment or stormwater retention are not water features and, therefore, are not subject to the water budget calculation.
WUCOLS. The Water Use Classification of Landscape Species published by the University of California Cooperative Extension, and the Department of Water Resources as amended from time to time.
(Ord. 539 § 5, 2018; Ord. 443 § 3, 2010; Ord. 182 § 2 (part), 1997)