The purpose of this Chapter is to promote and encourage water conservation in landscaping and irrigation for new development projects.

(Ord. 1195 C.S. § 2, 1993.)

The requirements of this Chapter shall apply to all applications for architectural and site design review as set forth in Chapter 22.34. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the requirements of this Chapter shall not apply to applications for one (1) single family residence or to that portion of a site used for the irrigation of edible crops, or to that portion of a site on which reclaimed water is exclusively used. A variance from the requirements of this Chapter may be granted pursuant to Chapter 22.44.

(Ord. 1195 C.S. § 2, 1993.)

All uses of Water in the common open space of a new development project for ornamental purposes, such as ponds, lakes, or fountains, shall be supplied, operated, and maintained with reclaimed water or other alternative sources of water, to the extent available.

(Ord. 1195 C.S. § 2, 1993.)

No less than 90 percent of the plants selected in non-turf areas shall be suited to the climate of the region and require minimal water once established. No more than 10 percent of the plants may be of a non-drought tolerant variety as long as such plants are planted in close proximity to each other and can be irrigated separately from the drought-tolerant plants.

(Ord. 1195 C.S. § 2, 1993.)

A.

The combined turf and/or water area (such as pools, ponds and fountains) shall be limited to 25 percent of the landscaped areas.

B.

No turf shall be allowed in median strips in areas less than 8 feet wide, or on slopes greater than 4:1.

C.

This Section shall not apply to public parks, golf courses, cemeteries, and school and recreation areas.

(Ord. 1195 C.S. § 2, 1993.)

A.

A soils report shall be submitted with landscape plans, showing soil type, soil composition and pH. The soil shall be modified to comport with the recommendation of the soils report.

B.

A minimum of 2 inches of mulch shall be added in non-turf areas to the soil surface after planting. Non-porous material shall not be placed under the mulch.

(Ord. 1195 C.S. § 2, 1993.)

A.

Sprinklers and sprays shall not be used in areas less than 8 feet wide. Drip and bubblers that exceed 1.5 gallons per minute per device shall not be used.

B.

To minimize runoff, no sprinkler head shall be used on slopes exceeding 15 percent or exceeding 10 percent within 10 feet of hardscape, unless such sprinkler head has a precipitation rate of .85" per hour or less.

C.

Valves and circuits shall be separated based on hydrozones.

D.

Newly installed trees shall have drip or bubbler irrigation systems.

E.

Sprinkler heads shall have matched precipitation rates within each control valve circuit.

F.

Serviceable check valves shall be required where elevation differential may cause low head drainage.

G.

Sprinkler head spacing shall be designed for head-to-head coverage. The system shall be designed for minimum runoff and overspray onto non-irrigated areas.

H.

All irrigation systems shall be equipped with an automatic controller capable of dual or multiple programming Controllers shall have multiple cycle start capacity and flexible calendar program.

I.

Pop-up sprinklers in lawn areas shall have at least a 4" pop-up height.

J.

All irrigation systems shall be equipped with automatic rain shutoff devices.

K.

Irrigation plans shall include:

1.

Irrigated turf area (in square feet).

2.

Irrigated non-turf area (in square feet).

3.

Flow rate in gallons per minute per valve.

4.

Estimated water use per hydrozone in gallons. The formula for determining the estimated water use per hydrozone is set forth at Section 22.35.100.

5.

Estimated total water use in gallons (sum of hydrozones). The formula for determining the estimated total water use is set forth at Section 22.35.100.

L.

Upon completing the installation of the landscaping and irrigation system, a landscape irrigation audit shall be performed by a certified landscape irrigation auditor during the maintenance period. The results of the audit shall be used to produce an irrigation schedule.

(Ord. 1195 C.S. § 2, 1993.)

The applicant shall provide a certificate of substantial completion to the City, signed by (1) a licensed contractor and (2) a licensed landscape architect, certified irrigation designer, or other licensed or certified professional in a related field. Each of the signatories to the certificate of substantial completion shall certify that they conducted a final field observation prior to signing the certificate.

(Ord. 1195 C.S. § 2, 1993.)

The following terms as used in this Chapter shall have the meaning set forth below:

A.

"Automatic controller" means a mechanical or solid state timer, capable of operating valve stations to set the days and length of time of a water application.

B.

"Check valve" means a valve located under a sprinkler head to hold water in the system so as to minimize drainage from the lower elevation sprinkler heads.

C.

"Conversion factor" means a number that converts the estimated total water use from acre-inches per acre per year to gallons per square foot per year. The conversion factor is calculated as follows:

(325,529 gallons/43,560 square feet) / 12 inches = (0.62)

325,829 gallons = one acre foot

43,569 square feet = one acre

12 inches = one foot

Gallons per year may be converted to 100-cubic-feet per year (another common billing unit for water) by dividing gallons per year by 748 (748 gallons = 100 cubic feet).

D.

"Estimated total water use" means the annual total amount of water estimated to be necessary to keep the plants in the landscaped area healthy, as determined by the formula set forth at Section 22.35.100.

E.

"Evapotranspiration" means the quantity of water evaporated from adjacent soil surfaces and transpired by plants during a specific time.

F.

"Flow rate" means the rate at which water flows through pipes and valves (gallons per minute or cubic feet per second)

G.

"Hydrozone" means a portion of the landscape area having plants with similar water needs that are served by a valve or set of valves with the same schedule. A hydrozone may be irrigated or non-irrigated. For example, a naturalized area, planted with native vegetation that will not need supplemental irrigation once established is a non-irrigated hydrozone.

H.

"Irrigation efficiency" or "IE" means the measure of the amount of water beneficially used divided by the amount of water applied. Irrigation efficiency is derived from measurements and estimates of irrigation systems characteristics and management practices. For the purposes of this Chapter, the following factors shall be used:

I.

"Landscape irrigation audit" means a process to perform site inspections, evaluate irrigation systems, and develop efficient irrigation schedules.

J.

"Landscaped area" means the entire parcel other than the area occupied by the building footprint, driveways, non-irrigated portions of parking lots, and hardscapes, such as decks and patios, and other non-porous areas. Water features are included in the calculation of the landscaped area. Areas dedicated to edible plants, such as orchards or vegetable gardens are not included.

K.

"Mulch" means any material such as leaves, bark, straw or other materials left loose and applied to the soil surface to reduce evaporation.

L.

"Overspray" means the water which is delivered beyond the landscaped area, which wets pavements, walks, structures, or other non-landscaped areas.

M.

"Plant factor" or "PF" means a factor that when multiplied by reference evapotranspiration, estimates the amount of water used by plants. For purposes of this ordinance, the following plant factors shall apply:

These plant factors are based on the Water Use Classification of Landscape Species project (WUCOLS). The project list is intended solely as a guide to help landscape professionals identify irrigation water needs of landscape species. It is not intended to be used as a required, mandatory, approved or master list. The WUCOLS Project is available from the California Department of Water Resources or from the Contra Costa Water District.

N.

"Reclaimed water" means treated or recycled waste water of a quality suitable for nonpotable uses such as landscape irrigation.

O.

"Reference evapotranspiration" or "ETo" means a standard measurement of environmental parameters which affect the water use of plants. ETo is given in inches per day, month or year and is an estimate of the evapotranspiration of a large field of four- to seven-inch tall, cool-season grasses that is well watered. ETo is used as the basis of determining the estimated total water use so that regional differences in climate can be accommodated. ETo for Martinez based on historical averages is 41.8" per year.

P.

"Runoff" means water which is not absorbed by the soil or landscape to which it is applied and flows from the area. For example, runoff may result from water that is applied at too great a rate (i.e. the application rate exceeds the infiltration rate) or when water is applied to a severe slope.

Q.

"Soil Composition" means the classification of soil based on the percentage of sand, silt, and slay in the soil.

R.

"Sprinkler" means a device which sprays water through a nozzle.

S.

"Station" means an area served by one valve or by a set of valves that operate simultaneously.

T.

"Turf" means a surface layer of earth containing mowed grass with its roots. This can be either a cool season or warm season grass.

U.

"Valve" means a device used to control the flow of water in the irrigation system.

(Ord. 1195 C.S. § 2, 1993.)

The formula for determining estimated water use and estimated total water use shall, be as follows:

EXAMPLE: Martinez site with 2,500 square feet of turf irrigated with pop-up spray heads, and 7,500 square feet of low water using shrubs and groundcovers irrigated by a drip system.

(Ord. 1195 C.S. § 2, 1993.)