(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 may be submitted for any project, but is not limited to the following information:
(1) Plant material.
(a) Any plant may be selected for the landscape, however the estimated total water use in the landscape area shall be considered with 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;
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.
(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 should not be allowed on slopes greater than 25% where the toe of the slope is adjacent to an impermeable hardscape and where 25% means one foot of vertical elevation change for every four 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 California Public Resources Code § 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.
(3) Mulch and amendments.
(a) A minimum two inch 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.
(B) The landscape design plan may, at a minimum, but not be limited to:
(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 private 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);
(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, and the like) that minimize runoff.
(11) Identify any applicable rain harvesting or catchment technologies (e.g., rain gardens, cisterns, and the like);
(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 §§ 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, § 832.27 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations, and § 6721 of the California Food and Agriculture Code.)
(Ord. 1005, passed 8-3-2010)