A. The state legislature has found that:
1. The water of the state is of limited supply and is subject to ever increasing demands;
2. The continuation of California’s economic prosperity is dependent on the availability of adequate supplies of water for future uses;
3. 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. Landscapes are essential to the quality of life in California, by providing areas for active and passive recreation, as an enhancement to the environment by cleaning air and water, preventing erosion, offering fire protection and replacing ecosystems lost to development; and
5. Landscape design, installation, maintenance and management can and should be water efficient; and
6. 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 chapter is to:
1. Promote the values and benefits of landscaping practices that integrate and go beyond the conservation and efficient use of water;
2. Establish a structure for planning, designing, installing, maintaining and managing water efficient landscapes in new construction and rehabilitated projects by encouraging the use of a watershed approach that requires cross-sector collaboration of industry, government and property owners to achieve the many benefits possible;
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 the use economic incentives that promote the efficient use of water; and
7. Encourage implementation and enforcement of the provisions of the water conservation in landscaping ordinance.
C. Landscapes that are planned, designed, installed, managed and maintained with the watershed based approach can improve California’s environmental conditions and provide benefits and realize sustainability goals. Such landscapes will make the urban environment resilient in the face of climatic extremes. Consistent with the legislative findings and purpose of the ordinance, conditions in the urban setting will be improved by:
1. Creating the conditions to support life in the soil by reducing compaction, incorporating organic matter that increases water retention, and promoting productive plant growth that leads to more carbon storage, oxygen production, shade, habitat, and esthetic benefits.
2. Minimizing energy use by reducing irrigation water requirements, reducing reliance on petroleum based fertilizers and pesticides, and planting climate appropriate shade trees in urban areas.
3. Conserving water by capturing and reusing rainwater and graywater wherever possible and selecting climate appropriate plants that need minimal supplemental water after establishment.
4. Protecting air and water quality by reducing power equipment use and landfill disposal trips, selecting recycled and locally sourced materials, and using compost, mulch and efficient irrigation equipment to prevent erosion.
5. Protecting existing habitat and creating new habitat by choosing local native plants, climate adapted non-natives and avoiding invasive plants. Utilizing integrated pest management with the least toxic methods as the first course of action. (Ord. 2015-11-1481 § 1 (part))