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Rock and stone or pervious design features such as decomposed granite ground cover that are adjacent to a vegetated area may be (but are not required to be) included in the calculation of the MAWA and ETWU provided the features are integrated into the design of the landscape area and the primary purpose of the feature is decorative.
The total of all water features for a project, except for a swimming pool or spa, shall be limited to 15 percent of the total landscaped area of the project, or as determined by the Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet. Recirculating water systems must be used for all water features. Where available, recycled water shall be used as a source of water for decorative water features.
The following regulations shall apply to the use of turf on a project subject to this chapter:
(a) Irrigated turf shall not exceed 25 percent of the total aggregate landscaped area for single family residences and multi-family residential projects.
(b) No irrigated turf is allowed in non-residential areas unless included in a special landscape area. In multi-family residential areas turf is only allowed where it is readily useable by residents and serves more than just an ornamental function.
(c) Only subsurface irrigation or other means that produces no runoff or overspray shall be used for turf in a landscaped area where any dimension of the turf area is less than ten feet wide.
(d) Turf and all other high water use plants, characterized by a plant factor of 0.7 to 1.0 are prohibited in street medians.
(e) Turf shall not be allowed on slopes greater than 25 percent grade where the toe of the slope is adjacent to an impermeable hardscape.
(f) A ball field, park, golf course, cemetery and other similar use shall be designed to limit irrigated turf in any portion of a landscaped area not essential for the operation of the facility. Non-irrigated synthetic turf would be acceptable in these locations.
(g) No turf shall be allowed in a landscaped area if the turf cannot be irrigated without causing runoff, overspray or other wasteful water uses.
A person submitting an application for a Major Use Permit for a cemetery shall also submit the following:
(a) A concept plan, as described in section 86.704(b)(2).
(b) A water efficient irrigation worksheet that calculates the MAWA for the project with the application that complies with section 86.711.
(c) A landscape and irrigation maintenance schedule that complies with section 86.727.
A person who obtains a permit to construct a single family residential development that contains one or more landscaped model homes shall use signs and written information to demonstrate the principles of water efficient landscapes and provide education on water efficient behaviors described in this ordinance.
(a) 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.
(b) Signs shall include information about the site water use as designed per this ordinance; specify who designed and installed the water efficient landscape; and demonstrate low water use approaches to landscaping such as using native plants, graywater systems, and rainwater catchment systems. Signs shall also include information about how the project is addressing carbon sequestration, harvesting rainwater with rain barrels to reduce demand on outdoor potable water use, the description and use of vegetated structural BMPs, or any other vegetated BMPs, installed to meet stormwater requirements to reduce pollutant load, and the placement of trees to provide summer shading and light during winter months to reduce demand on the use of electricity.
(c) Information shall be provided about designing, installing, managing, and maintaining water efficient landscapes. Provide copies of all information as part of the Landscape Documentation Package.
(d) Plans shall show the locations of all signs and provide construction details of each sign along with a copy of the specific text included on each sign.
(e) Plans shall show location of two trees for each model home for compliance with Section 86.709(b)(10).
(Amended by Ord. No. 10224 (N.S.), effective 10-25-12)
(a) A person who obtains a permit for a project that is subject to this chapter shall use recycled water for irrigation when tertiary treated recycled water is available from the water purveyor who supplies water to the property for which the County issues a permit.
(b) A person using recycled water from a public water purveyor shall install a distribution system that separates recycled water from potable water. Pipes carrying recycled water shall be purple and areas accessible to the public shall be posted with signs per the requirements of Title 22 California Code of Regulations.
(c) Landscapes using recycled water are considered Special Landscape Areas. The ET Adjustment Factor for new and existing (non-modified) Special Landscape Areas shall not exceed 1.0.
(d) This section does not excuse a person using recycled water from complying with all State and local laws and regulations related to recycled water use.
(a) Graywater systems promote the efficient use of water and are encouraged to assist in on-site landscape irrigation. All graywater systems shall conform to the California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5, Chapter 16).
(b) Graywater shall only be used for subsurface although, graywater can be discharged to the ground surface in a mulch basin as long as it remains covered with at least two inches of mulch, rock, or soil. Graywater systems may include tanks, filters, pumps, and piping for subsurface landscape irrigation through mulch basins, disposal trenches, or subsurface drip irrigation fields.
(c) Graywater can be used to irrigate fruit trees, ornamental trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and lawns. Graywater shall not be used in vegetable gardens where the food is a root crop or touches the ground surface.
(d) Graywater does not include captured rainwater.
(Added by Ord. No. 10427 (N.S.), effective 5-27-16)
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