18.59.040   Performance standards.
   A.   Design Standards. The following standards shall control the design, maintenance and operation of golf courses:
      1.   Irrigation.
         a.   Required Water. A golf course zoned on or after January 1, 2007 shall utilize irrigation water, unless otherwise exempted by the board of supervisors. Where a golf course zoned prior to January 1, 2007 is not using irrigation water, water withdrawn for irrigation shall be offset by prior or concurrent recharge of an equivalent amount of CAP water in the Tucson Active Management Area.
         b.   Conversion. If at any time the board of supervisors determines that irrigation water has become available for purchase and a conveyance system for such directly served water is within three miles of the boundary of a golf course established prior to January 1, 2007, the board may direct the golf course to convert to irrigation water. The board may set a reasonable time for conversion;
      2.   Minimum irrigation of fairways and roughs;
      3.   Rough and fairway areas shall make maximum use of existing landforms and indigenous grasses and vegetation;
      4.   Use of "landing areas" rather than fully grassed fairways;
      5.   Landscaping shall be in harmony with the desert environment:
         a.   Trees, shrubs, and groundcovers shall be drought tolerant, non-invasive, low pollen-dispersing, and low water use,
         b.   Use of inorganic groundcovers, rather than turf, is encouraged;
      6.   Water features shall be in context with the area and shall utilize the same source as irrigation water, excluding swimming pools and spas;
      7.   Irrigation water shall be metered;
      8.   Provision shall be made for on-site storage of irrigation water. Storage ponds shall have sealed bottoms;
      9.   The most advanced water conserving irrigation systems shall be employed. Drip irrigation, where feasible, is the preferred method;
      10.   Natural drainageways shall be retained to the maximum extent;
      11.   Golf course design shall respond to the natural topography and drainageways of the site, and employ minimal clearing of native vegetation. Mass grading shall be avoided;
      12.   Buffers shall be provided to protect existing neighborhoods by mitigating the adverse impacts of sound, visibility, and traffic. Buffers may include landscaping, walls, fences, pathways, drainageways, natural features, existing vegetation and open space.
   B.   Off-street Parking. Off-street parking spaces shall be provided in adequate number to serve person employed, residing or visiting on the premises so as to prevent congestion of surrounding streets and promote the safety of the public.
(Ord. 2006-96 § 1 (part), 2006; Ord. 1999-22 § 1, 1999; Ord. 1998-47 § 1, 1998; Ord. 1995-65 § 1, 1995; Ord. 1985-82 (part), 1985)