§ 82-26.404. Requirements.

(a)

Turf Maximums. Turf areas shall not exceed twenty-five percent of planted area in all developments subject to this chapter. Where turf is an essential part of the development, as in school playing fields or in public parks, a higher percentage may be allowed. No turf shall be allowed in median strips or in areas less than eight feet wide.

(b)

Drought-Tolerant Plants. At least ninety percent of the plants in a nonturf area shall be low-water-requiring, drought-tolerant plants approved by the community development department. A low-water-using, drought-tolerant plant includes species suited to local climate and requires little or no irrigation in order to thrive. The remaining planted area (up to ten percent) can be used for non-drought-tolerant varieties if they are grouped together and can be irrigated separately.

(c)

Mulch. A minimum of two inches of mulch shall be added to the soil surface after planting. Nonporous material shall not be placed under the mulch.

(d)

Irrigation.

(1)

Sprinklers and sprays shall not be used in areas less than eight feet wide. Drip and bubbler systems shall not exceed one-and one-half gallons per minute per device.

(2)

Sprinkler heads with a precipitation rate of .85 inch per hour or less shall be used in slopes exceeding fifteen percent or slopes exceeding ten percent within ten feet of hardscape to minimize runoff.

(3)

Valves and circuits shall be separated based on amounts of water required for each area.

(4)

Drip or bubbler irrigation systems shall be required for trees that cannot be sustained by ground or rain water.

(5)

Sprinkler heads shall have matched precip- itation rates within each control valve circuit.

(6)

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

(7)

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

(8)

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

(e)

Ornamental Ponds. Foundations, ponds or other water bodies that are part of the landscaping for new developments are discouraged and shall be restricted as set forth in this subsection. Unless the water body is an integral part of the operation of the new development, the surface area of the water body shall be counted as turf in calculating maximum allowable turf for the landscaped area. Where well water or untreated water is used and the water supply is recirculated, the community development department may make allowances consistent with the other provisions of this chapter.

(f)

Landscape Plans. Landscape plans shall indicate the total landscape area, the area and percentage of drought-tolerant planting and the area and percentage of ornamental nondrought-tolerant plantings. The plans shall be certified as being in compliance with this chapter by a licensed landscape contractor, architect or other landscape professional whose qualifications have been approved by the community development department. Landscape plans shall include the following:

(1)

A water budget which includes estimated annual water use (in gallons) and the area (in square feet) to be irrigated;

(2)

Precipitation rates for each valve circuit;

(3)

A monthly irrigation schedule for the plant establishment period and the following year.

(g)

Additional Requirements in Residential Developments.

(1)

In residential developments with one or more model homes, at least one model home in the development must be planted with drought-tolerant plants with a maximum of twenty-five percent turf and/or water area.

(2)

The developers shall provide each buyer with sample landscape plans using drought-tolerant plants with a maximum of twenty-five percent turf area.

(3)

Subject to community development department approval, the developer shall distribute outdoor water conservation pamphlets to each buyer at the time property is sold. Such pamphlets may be obtained from local water districts, from the state Department of Water Resources, or from the community development department.

(Ord. 90-59).