R-10442City Council Meeting 11-24-09
Santa Monica, California
RESOLUTION NUMBER to44z (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
SETTING STANDARDS FOR WATER-EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE AND IRRIGATION,
EFFECTIVE February 1, 2010
WHEREAS, the proposed modifications to Chapter 8.108, Subpart B, of the
Santa Monica Municipal Code require all landscaping and irrigation system projects to
comply with an adopted Water-Efficient Landscape and Irrigation Standards; and
WHEREAS, in recent years there has been both worldwide and local concerns
raised about escalating water costs and the effects of global warming;
WHEREAS, the State of California, including the City of Santa Monica, suffers
from recurring severe drought conditions and even during non-drought periods water is
a scarce resource throughout Southern California.
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica receives on average less than 15 inches of
precipitation annually and in some years precipitation can be as little as 3 inches; and
WHEREAS, in recent years the City of Santa Monica has relied almost
exclusively on water imported from Northern California or from the Colorado River to
meet its water needs; and
WHEREAS, the imported water supply from Northern California and from the
Colorado River cannot be reliably depended upon by the City of Santa Monica due to
reoccurring drought conditions throughout the western United States, and due to federal
and state regulations limiting such water for urban uses; and
WHEREAS, conservation of water is critically important if the City of Santa
Monica is to sustain itself, survive drought as well as emergencies and natural
disasters; and
WHEREAS, water shortage conditions within the State of California and within
the City of Santa Monica can arise on short notice as a result of drought, natural
disaster, or other emergency events that critically impact the availability of water. As a
result, the residents and business operators of the City of Santa Monica live under an
almost constant threat of water shortage.
WHEREAS, inefficient irrigation devices and watering practices, particularly
related to maintenance of landscapes, result in the waste of ever scarcer water
resources;
WHEREAS, high water-demanding plant materials represent enormous drains on
the City's already limited water resources;
WHEREAS, the City is committed to reducing inefficient use of water resources
for irrigation so as to maximize the availability of potable water for essential residential
and business uses;
WHEREAS, the standards and requirements set forth in this regulation are
consistent in principle with the goals, objectives, policies, land uses and programs
specified in the adopted General Plan and the proposed updates to Chapter 8.180,
Subpart B of the Santa Monica Municipal Code;
WHEREAS. Government Code Section 65595 mandates the creation of an
updated state-wide model water efficient landscape ordinance, which would apply to all
municipalities in California, unless a local agency adopted a local water efficient
landscape ordinance that is, based on evidence in the record, at least as effective in
conserving water as the updated state-wide model ordinance;
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica has a long standing commitment to
leadership in water and other resource conservation;
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica is committed to exceeding the standards
set out in the state model water efficient landscape ordinance
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1
The Water-Efficient Landscape and Irrigation Standards, as set forth in
Attachment A, are hereby adopted.
SECTION 2
Any other resolution adopting, amending, or relating to the Water-Efficient
Landscape and Irrigation Standards authorized by Chapter 8.108, Subpart B, is hereby
repealed in its entirety as of February 1, 2010.
SECTION 3
The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution and the same shall
be in full force and effect on February 1, 2010.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
~u ~r ~
MA HA O ES MO IE
City Attorney
Attachment AWater-Efficient Landscape and Irrigation Standards
Water-Efficient Landscape and
Irrigation Standards
Revised 71 /3/09
The following standards are required for the design, installation and
maintenance of landscape and irrigation systems in the City of Santa Monica
per the Santa Monica Municipal Code (SMMC) 8.108.
These requirements are based on the California Department of Water Resources State Model Water
Efficient Landscape Ordinance and the Irrigation Association's Turf & Landscape Irrigation Best
Management Practices, 2005 edition and tailored fo the ordinances,. policies and climate of the City of
Santa Monica.
Published by the City of Santa Monica
Office of Sustainability and the Environment
Watershed Management Section
200 Santa Monica Pier, Suite C
Santa Monica, CA 90401 any ar
www.sustainablesm.org/landscape Santa. Monfca®
WnTer-Efficieair l.cvnelsca~e ans3 Irric7rti~sn STanelcrr~s
Table of Contents
2
Title Page ...............................................................................:........................................................ 1
Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................:..... 2
Section t: Definitions ..................:.................................................................:............................... 4
Section 2: Plnn Submittal Requirements for Major Remodel, Substantial Remodel or New
Construction Projects ...................................................................................................................... 5
A. Landscape Plan ....:........................................................:..............................5
B. Irrigation Plan ...................................................:..........................................6
C. Grading Plan ...............................................................................................7
D. Urban Runoff Reduction Plan ..........................................................................7
E. Streef Tree Protection Plan ..............................................................................7
Section 3: Requirements for New Landscaped Areas for Major Remodel, Substantial Remodel
or New Construction Projects ......................................................................................................... 8
A. Plant Material Requirements .............................................................................................:.... 8
B. Amendments and Mulch Requirements .............................:................:.........................:........ 8
C. Irrigation System Requirements ............................................................................................. 8
a. General Irrigation Requirements .............................................. .............................................. 8
b. Water Supply &Meier :.............................................................. .............................................. 9
c. Pipes ...:.....................................................................:................ .............................................. 9
d. Automatic Irrigation Controller ............................:.................... ............................................ 10
e. Sprinkler Irrigation Requirements ............................................. ............................................ 10
f. Drip Irrigation Requirements .................................................... ............................................ 11
g. Installation Requirements ..................................................................................................... 11
h. As-Built Plans ........................................................................................................................ 12
Section 4: Modifications to Any Existing Landscaped Areas Excluding Major Remodel,
Substantial Remodel or New Construction Projects .................................................................... 13
A. New Landscaping Requirements - The following requirements apply when all new plant
materials are installed, excluding street trees :................................:.......................................... 13
a. Plant Material ........................................................................................................................ 13
b. Amendments and Mulch Requirements ............................................................................... 13
B. Existing landscaping Requirements .................................................................13
a. Plant Material ...........................................................................................13
b. Mulch Requirements .........................................:.................:......................1 4
c. Irrigation Requirements ...............................................................................1 4
Water-"efficient Lc~ndsca;~e cmc! Irrigation Si~anclcarcls 3
i. General System Requirements .....................................................................1 4
ii. Requirements for New Sprinkler Irrigation or Replacement of Existing Sprinkler Irrigation
14
iii. Requirements for New Drip Irrigation or Replacement of Existing Drip Irrigation........,... 15
Section 5 Water Features .............................................................................................................. 17
Section 6 Landscape and Irrigation System Maintenance .......................................................... 18
Appendix A: Green Building Ordinance Subpart B
~N C-}L'Y-tt#icient Landscape. and Irrigation Stc9ncl c: ~~cfs
4
Section 1: Definitions
For purposes of the Water-Efficient Landscape and Irrigation Standards, the following words or
phrases shall be defined as follows:
A. Anfi Siphon Valve. Backflow device configured with a single moving part, a float, which
moves up or down to allow atmospheric air into the piping system to prevent back
siphoning of water from sprinkler lines into the drinking water. Must be installed at least 6
inches above the highest sprinkler, elevated piping or emission outlet in the valve.
B. Bubbler. Water emission device that tends to bubble water directly to the ground or that
throw water a short distance, on the order of one foot, (300 mm) before water contacts
the ground surface.
C. Drip Irrigation. Method of micro irrigation wherein water is applied to the soil surface as
drops or small streams Through emitters on or within polyethylene tubing at less Than 2
gallons per hour.
D. In-line Remote Control Valve. Valve which is actuated by an automatic controller by
electric or hydraulic means.
E. Multi Ouilei EmiMer. A point source emission device consisting of two or more drip
emitters connected To 7 ~4 inch or 7 ~8 inch distribution tubing.
F. New Landscaped Area. Anew landscaped area or modifications to an existing
landscaped area as part of a major remodel or substantial remodel or new construction.
G. Plant Material. Living plants, trees, shrubs, groundcovers, grasses and edible plants.
H. Point of Connection. Location where irrigation system is connected to the water supply.,
I. Precipitation Rate. The rate at which water is applied to a landscape area by an
irrigation system or watering device measured in inches per hour.
J. Spray head. Sprinkler head that does not rotate.
K. Sprinkler. Any watering device which disTributes water by projecting it into the air.
L. Turfgrass. Any plant listed as turfgrass in WUCOLS.
M. Watering Device. Any device for distribution of pressurized water to landscaping.
N. WUCOLS. Water Use Classification of Landscape Species published by the California
Department of Water Resources.
O. Valve. A device that opens and closes to allow pressurized water to flow Through pipes.
Water-Efficient Landscape and Irrigation 5tanc3arcEs
5
The following items will be required prior to the issuance of a building permit. Any revisions to
the approved plans will require re-submittal and approval.
A. Landscape Plan.
a. The landscape plan may be designed by an unlicensed landscape designer,
licensed landscape architect, or licensed architect. The final landscape plan shall
be signed by a licensed landscape architect or architect prior to submittal for
approval
b. Include the name, size, quantity, location and water use needs of each plant;
specify soil amendments as necessary; mulch type, depth and location. Include
hydrozones for all plants.
c. Include the following measurements in square feet: parcel size including parkway,
total building footprints, total existing handscape, total existing landscape area,
and total area to be landscaped.
d. If using non-fruiting, non-invasive, sterile varieties or cultivars of invasive plants,
specify this on the plans.
e. Include planting specifications.
f. Include a Hydrozone Matrix with planting areas arranged into hydrozones
according to watering needs. Describe for each zone the following: the square
footage, percentage of total landscaped area, plant type, hydrozone basis,
hydrozone description, exposure or micro-climate, irrigation method, irrigation
devices (including manufacturer ~ model ~ number), zone pressure, precipitation
rates, zone gallons per minute, and controller station number, and total feet of
drip Tubing used.
g. Include a Soil Analysis Report which may include but is not limited to soil texture;
infiltration rate or soil texture infiltration rate table; pH; total soluble salts; sodium;
percent organic matter; and recommendations determined by laboratory test.
h. Submitted- plans must include the following notation:
i. "Landscape plans, when submitted, shall comply with SMMC
9.04.08.02.070(1)."
Water-Efficient Lanclsccrp- and Irric;atian Sttsnciarch
6
ii. "For open-trench and final inspections, call Building and Safety at (310)
458-8355:'
iii. "Parkway permits must be obtained from and approved by the Public
Works Department."
i. "Prior To construction of landscaped area or irrigation, the contractor must
obtain and review a copy of the Water-Efficient Landscape and Irrigation
Standards."
ii. "All landscaping and irrigation systems must comply with all local, state, and
federal laws and regulations:'
B. Irrigation Plan.
a. The irrigation plan may be designed by an unlicensed landscape designer,
unlicensed irrigation designer, licensed landscape architect, or licensed architect.
The final irrigation plan shall be signed by a licensed landscape architect or
architect prior to submittal for approval.
b. Include .point of connection, water supply type (potable, graywater, cistern,
recycled).
c. Include all parts and their make and model, including but not limited to: pressure
regulators, valves, backflow prevention devices, filters, piping and piping depth,
pressurized main lines and lateral lines, sprinkler heads showing head-to-head
coverage, drip irrigation components and drip irrigation layout.
d. Include a static pressure reading for the irrigation system measured from the point
of connection.
e. Include irrigation details, with applicable detailed drawings, and specifications.
f. Irrigation design shall accommodate hydrozones accordingly. For example;
separate zones may be required for trees, shrubs, flowers, shady or sunny areas,
drip irrigation and~or sprinklers.
g. Submitted plans must include the following notation:
i. "The irrigation system must comply with all local, state, and federal laws
and regulations."
ii. "The irrigation designer or landscape architect or landscape designer shall
perform one or more site observations during system installation to check
for adherence to the design, including the proper installation of The
?Nater-Efficient landscape anti Irrigation Standards
7
backflow prevention assembly, main line, laterals, valves, sprinkler heads,
drip irrigation equipment, control wire, controllers, and sensors and should
assure that the intent of the irrigation design has been preserved:'
C. Grading Plan.
a. A grading plan shall be prepared by a civil engineer.
b. Grade so that all-irrigation and rainfall remains within property lines and does not
sheet flow on to impermeable hardscapes.
c. The project applicant shall submit a landscape grading plan that indicates finished
configurations and elevations of the landscaped area including but not limited to:
i. Drainage patterns with arrows:
a. Slope of sire
b. Slope of landscaped area and paved areas
c. Height of graded slopes
ii. Pad elevations
iii. Finished grade
D. Urban Runoff Reduction Plan.
a. If urban runoff reduction is required per Section 7.10.050 no additional plans are
required for compliance with these Standards.
E. Tree Protection Plan.
a. Tree Protection Plan requirements can be found at on the City's website at
http:~~www0l .smgov.net~cmd~lan dsca pe.htm.
Water-Efficient Landscape and Irrigation Sfandards
8
A. Plant Material Requirements
a. The maximum area permitted for installation of turfgrass and high water need
plants defined for Region 3 in the current edition of The Water Use Classification
for Landscape Species (WUCOLS) issued by the Department of Water Resources
is twenty percent of the total landscaped area. Alternative documentation of
water use may be presented for plants not listed in WUCOLS. Public agencies are
exempt from this requirement.
b. turfgrass is not allowed on slopes greater than 25% where the toe of the slope is
adjacent to an impermeable hardscape and where 25% means 1 foot of vertical
elevation change for every 4 feet of horizontal length (rise divided by run x 7 00
=slope percent).
c. Plants listed in the current Invasive Plant Inventory for the southwest region by the
California Invasive Plant Council are prohibited, except for known non-fruiting,
non-invasive, sterile varieties or cultivars.
d. Multi-family property units and commercial property units are subject to the
requirements of SMMC Section 9.04.7 0.04.
e. Single family properties are not required to install plant material.
f. Plants shall be grouped together into hydrozones based on similar watering needs.
g. Root vegetables shall not be irrigated with graywater.
B. Amendments and Mulch Requirements
a. Soil amendments shall be added based upon soil analysis results and
recommendations performed by a soil laboratory.
b. A minimum two inch (2") layer of mulch shall be applied on all exposed soil
surfaces, except in areas covered by groundcovers.
c. No mulch shall be applied within twenty-four inches (24") of the base of trees.
C. Irrigation System Requirements
a. General Irrigation Requirements
i. Landscape areas may be watered by hand, manual or automatic irrigation
systems. Permanent irrigation systems are not required. Hoses shall be
equipped with an automated, shut off nozzle and a hose bibb vacuum
breaker.
ii. Irrigation systems must be designed and installed in such a manner that a
precipitation rate of 0.75 inches per hour is not exceeded in any portion of
the landscape.
iii. Sprinklers, drip irrigation and bubblers must be on separate valves.
iv. Design landscape and irrigation systems in parkways according to all local,
state, and federal laws and regulations. Installation of an irrigation system
Water-Ffticie~~4 I.andscaue and Irritation Standards
9
within a parkway cannot result in the damage of the roots of any existing
street trees.
v. Graywater irrigation systems must conform to Title 24, Part 5, Chapter
7 bA of the California Building Code as adopted by the City of Santa
Monica.
vi. Cistern irrigation systems must conform to all local, state, and federal laws
and regulations.
vii. Low head drainage is prohibited. Anti-drain valves or check valves in
sprinkler heads and drip emitter devices are required as necessary to
prevent low head drainage.
viii. Specify pressure regulation to insure that the dynamic pressure at each
emission device is within the manufacturer's recommended pressure range
for optimal performance.
ix. Pressure regulation may include a single master filter and/or master
pressure regulator may be used for the entire system, located after the
backflow device and/or master valve. In this case, if the system does not
include a master valve, heavy-duty grade filters and pressure regulators
that can tolerate constant pressurization must be used.
b. Water Supply &~ Meter
i. Manual shut-off valves (such as a gate valve, ball valve, or butterfly valve)
shall be required, as close as possible to the point of connection of the
water supply, to minimize water loss in case of an emergency (such as a
main line break) or routine repair.
ii. Cross-Connection Prevention (Backflow Prevention) as required by SMMC
Section 7.12.370.
c. Pipes
i. Specify main and lateral pipe sizes That will result in the velocity of water
moving through these pipes at a rate not exceeding 7.5 feet per second.
ii. Use Schedule 40 or Class 315 solvent weld-type PVC pipe for mains,
below grade laterals, or piping under roadways. Class 125 pipe is not
permitted.
iii. IPS Flexible PVC Pipe may be substituted for rigid PVC pipe below grade
(in lateral lines only) to avoid underground obstructions encountered during
trenching or tunneling.
iv. Above grade pipes use Schedule 80 or metal piping.
v. Pipe laid in the same trench must be laid side-by-side and not overlapped.
Provide 3 inch vertical and horizontal clearance between irrigation lines
and 6 inch clearance between lines of other work. Do not install parallel
lines directly over any other line.
vi. PVC fittings must beof the same chemical compound as pipe on which they
are installed.
VVcate~r-Ettici~nt Lnndscaue and Irrigation Standard;
to
vii. PVC cement must be of an appropriate chemical compound for the pipe on
which iT is used.
viii. Trench or tunnel depth must be sufficient to obtain a minimum depth of
cover over the installed pipe and control wire which conforms to the
following dimensions. Where pipe and~or conduit are placed below
paving or hardscape the minimum burial depths are:
1. Pressure Lines <_2 inches in landscaping 12"
2. Pressure Lines >2 inches in landscaping 18"
3. Pressure Lines under non-vehicular paving 18"
4. Pressure Lines under vehicular paving 24"
5. Non-pressure Lines <_2 inches in landscaping 8"
6. Non-pressure Lines >2 inches in landscaping 12"
7. Non-pressure Lines under non-vehicular paving 12"
8. Non-pressure Lines under vehicular paving 18"
9. Conduit in landscaping 12"
10. Conduit under non-vehicular paving 1 8"
1 1. Conduit under vehicular paving 24"
d. Automatic Irrigation Controller
i. Weather-based irrigation controllers (WBIC) are required. Only Smart
Water Application Technologies tested and published WBICs are
permitted.
e. Sprinkler Irrigation Requirements
i. Sprinklers shall have a minimum operational lower quarter distribution
uniformity of 71 %.
ii. No sprinklers shall be located within twenty-four inches (24") of any trees
or impermeable hardscape, including but not limited to sidewalks,
driveways, alleys, streets, walkways, fencing.
iii. Irrigation shall not runoff nor overspray onto impermeable surfaces
including but not limited to buildings, fencing, property line, public right-of-
way.
iv. Sprinkler heads on the same valve shall have matched precipitation rates.
The precipitation rate shall not exceed 0.75 inches per hour.
v. Spray heads with or without multi-stream, multi-trajectory rotating nozzles,
shall have built-in pressure regulation in the body or stem or shall have
pressure regulating swing joints.
vi. Sprinkler heads shall have swing joints or other riser-protection components.
vii. Sprinkler heads must have a minimum of head-to-head coverage (minimum.
of 50% of diameter). Wind derating, if used, should be based on wind
criteria for the time period that the system is normally operated.
Wcitar-Efficient Landscape anti Irrie~cttion Stanclarcls
f. Drip Irrigation Requirements
11
i. Drip irrigation shall have a minimum operational lower quarter emission
uniformity of 80%.
ii. Drip irrigation is required for all plants one-gallon or larger in size.
Exception:. Tree Bubblers emitting 0.5 gallons per minute or less may be
used for 24" box or larger. Specify tree watering devices for below grade
installation. A precipitation rate of 0.75 inches per hour cannot be
exceeded.
iii. Trees shall be irrigated on a separate valve.
iv. Drip irrigation emitters shall emit no more than 2.0 gallons per hour.
v. Multi-outlet emitters are prohibited.
vi. Container Plantings and Raised Plant Beds may use 1 ~4" or 7 ~8" solid
tubing (also referred to as "spaghetti" tubing,) nowhere else may t/a" or
1 ~8" solid tubing be used for irrigation.
vii. Drip irrigation valve assemblies are. required for each drip zone and must
include:
1. Anti-siphon valve if a master backflow protection device is not
specified;
2. In-line remote control valves, only if there is a master backflow
prevention device at the Point of Connection;
3. pressure regulator;
4. Filter with a 150 - 200 mesh, wye or tee filter with a stainless steel
screen;
5. Pressure regulator and remote control valve must have a minimum
flow rate that is lower than the zone flow rate.
viii. "Twist-lock" type fittings are prohibited.
ix. Wire stakes shall be U-shaped. galvanized steel wire stakes and shall be
installed at minimum every 3 feet.
x. Drip tubing shall be made of polyethylene.
g. Installation Requirements
i. Contact all appropriate utility companies prior to beginning installation, to
locate underground utilities including gas lines, electrical, telephone, cable,
and so forth. State laws require anyone who digs to notify utility
companies before starting. The installation should not be started until all
underground utilities are located and marked and plans have been
approved.
ii. Install the irrigation system according to the approved design,
specifications and manufacturer's published performance standards.
iii. An open-trench inspection by city staff is required prior to covering below
grade pipes, laterals and mains.
iv. Installer shall test the irrigation system to verify that it meets the approved
design and specifications.
Wcrrer-Efficient lend=cape and Irri~~tion Sterexl7rds
72
v. Installer must program the WBIC.
vi. Final inspection by city staff is required prior to certificate of occupancy to
ensure that the system was built to approved plans and specifications.
vii. Provide the property owner or his~her agent with keys, tools, warranties
and operating instructions for all equipment.
h. As-Built Plans
i. Provide a complete As-Built set of plans To The properly owner.
Wcrter-Efficie~it l.cinclscape anal IrrigUtion Stcandarcls
13
A. New Landscaping Requirements - The following requirements apply when all
new plant materials are installed, excluding street trees:
a. Plant Material
i. When installing all new plant material in the landscaped area, excluding
street trees, the maximum area permitted for installation of turfgrass and
high water need plants defined for Region 3 in the current edition of the
Water Use Classification for Landscape Species (WUCOLS) issued by the
Department of Water Resources is twenty percent of the total landscaped
area. Alternative documentation of water use may be presented for plants
not listed in WUCOLS. Public agencies are exempt from This requirement.
ii. Turfgrass is not allowed on slopes greater than 25% where the toe of the
slope is adjacent to an impermeable hardscape and where 25% means 7
foot of vertical elevation change for every 4 feet of horizontal length (rise
divided by run x 700 =slope percent).
iii. Plants listed in the current Invasive Plant Inventory for the southwest region
by the California Invasive Plant Council are prohibited, except for known
non-fruiting, non-invasive, sterile varieties or cultivars.
iv. Planted areas shall be covered with a minimum of two inches (2") of
organic mulch, except in areas covered by groundcovers or within twenty-
four (24") inches of the base of a tree.
v. Root vegetables shall not be irrigated with graywater.
vi. Multi-family property units and commercial property units are subject to
the requirements of SMMC Section 9.04.10.04.
vii. Single family residences are not required to have plant material.
b. Amendments and Mulch Requirements
i. A minimum Two inch (2") layer of mulch shall be applied on all exposed soil
surfaces, except in areas covered by groundcovers.
ii. No mulch shall be applied within twenty-four inches (24") of the base of
trees:
B. Existing Landscaping Requirements -The following requirements apply when
existing plant materials are replaced, excluding street trees:
a. Plant Material
i. For commercial and multi-family properties, plant replacements must
comply with SMMC Section 9.04.7 0.04.7 00 (b).
V~fcrtzr-E~(ficient Landscape c~nd It~ri~ati~n Standards
14
ii. Single family residences are not required to have plant material.
iii. Root vegetables shall not be irrigated with graywater.
b. Mulch Requirements
i. A minimum two inch (2") layer of mulch shall be applied on all exposed soil
surfaces, except in areas covered by groundcovers.
ii. No mulch shall be applied within twenty-four inches (24") of the base of
trees.
c. Irrigation System Requirements
i. General System Requirements
1. Landscaped areas may be watered by hand, manual or automatic
irrigation systems. Hoses shall be equipped with an automated, shut
off nozzle and a hose bibb vacuum breaker.
2. All existing irrigation systems must conform to SMMC Section
7.12.370 Cross-Connection Prevention and SMMC 7:16.020 Water
Conservation Requirements.
3. Specify pressure regulation to insure that the dynamic pressure at
each emission device is within the manufacturer's recommended
pressure range for optimal performance.
4. Pressure regulation may include a single master filter and/or
master pressure regulator may be used for the entire system,
located after the backflow device and/or master valve. In this case,
if the system does not include a master valve, heavy-duty grade
fillers and pressure regulators that can tolerate constant
pressurization must be used.
5. Design landscape and irrigation systems in parkways according To
all bcal, state, and federal laws and regulations. Installation of am
irrigation system within a parkway cannot result in the damage of
the roots of any existing street trees.
6. New irrigation systems must be designed and installed in such a
manner that a precipitation rate of 0.75 inches per hour is not
exceeded in any portion of the landscape.
7. Low head drainage is prohibited. Anti-drain valves or check valves
in sprinkler heads and drip emitter devices are required as
necessary to prevent low head drainage.
ii. Requirements for New Sprinkler Irrigation or Replacement of Existing
Sprinkler Irrigation
1. No sprinklers shall be located within twenty-four inches (24") of any
trees or impermeable hardscape, including but not limited to
sidewalks, driveways, alleys, streets, walkways, fencing. Public
agencies are exempt from this requirement.
Water-Efficient landscape and Irric~atio3i Standarc3>
15
2. When a sprinkler head is changed, all of the sprinkler heads on the
same irrigation valve must be changed to the same manufacturer
make and type.
3. All new or replaced sprinkler heads on the same valve shall have
matched precipitation rates. The precipitation rate shall not
exceed 0.75 inches per hour.
4. All new or replaced sprinkler heads must have a minimum head-to-
head coverage (minimum of 50% of diameter). Wind derating, if
used, should be based on wind criteria for the time period that the
system is normally operated.
5. All new or replaced spray heads, with or without multi-stream,
multi-trajectory rotating nozzles, shall have built-in pressure
regulation in the body or stem or shall have pressure regulating
swing joints.
6. All new or replaced sprinkler heads shall have swing joints or other
riser-protection components.
iii. Requirements for New Drip Irrigation or Replacement. of Existing Drip
Irrigation
1. Drip irrigation emitters shall emit no more than 2.0 gallons per hour.
2. Drip irrigation is required for all new plant materials that are 1
gallon or larger in size within a new hydrozone. Exception: Tree
Bubblers emitting 0.5 gallons per minute or less may be used for
existing trees.
3. For existing plant material that is 1 gallon or larger and a new
irrigation system is installed for that hydrozone, the irrigation
system must be a drip irrigation system. Exception: Tree Bubblers
emitting 0.5 gallons per minute or less may be used for existing
trees.
4. Newly planted trees shall be irrigated on a separate irrigation
valve. Tree Bubblers emitting 0.5 gallons per minute or less may be
used for new trees 24 inch box or larger. Specify tree watering
devices for below grade installation. A precipitation rate of 0.75
inches per hour cannot be exceeded.
5. The installation of multi-outlet emitters is prohibited.
b. Container Plantings and Raised Plant Beds may use ~/a inch or 1 ~8
inch solid tubing (also referred to as "spaghetti" tubing,) nowhere
else may 1/a inch or 1 ~8 inch solid tubing be used for irrigation.
7. The installation of new drip irrigation systems require drip valve
assemblies for each drip zone and must include:
a. -Anti-siphon valve if a master backflow protection device is
not specified;
Winter-~Tficienr Landscape and Irvic7ation Sfaa7dczrrEt
16
b. In-line remote control valves only if there is a master
backflow prevention device at the Point of connection;
c. pressure regulator;
d. Filter with a 150 - 200 mesh, wye or tee filter with a
stainless steel screen;
e. Pressure regulator and remote control valve must have a
minimum flow rate that is lower than the zone flow rate.
8. "Twist-lock" type fittings are prohibited.
9. Wire stakes shall be U-shaped galvanized steel wire stakes and
installed every 3 feet.
7 0. Drip Tubing shall be made of polyethylene.
Writer-~fficieat Landscape ai~d_h~ric~atian Standards
17
Section 5 Water Features
A. All fountains, ponds or other decorative water features in the landscaped area, excluding
swimming pools or spas, shall have a maximum total cumulative exposed water surface
area of twenty-five square feet.
B. All allowed water features shall use a water recirculation system.
C. All water sprayed. into the air from allowed water features must remain within the water
feature and shall not be allowed to spray or run onto surrounding landscape or
impermeable hardscape areas.
D. Public agencies are exempt from all requirements of Section 5 of these Standards.
Water-E##icient Landsccpe anti Irric~a}ton Standards
la
Section 6 Lattdscape attd Irrigation System Maintenance
A. Irrigation systems must be maintained according to the manufacturers' specifications and in
accordance with all local, state and federal laws and regulations.
B. Landscapes shall be maintained to ensure water use efficiency using sustainable or
environmentally-friendly practices for overall landscape maintenance.
C. Repair of all irrigation equipment shall be done with the originally installed components or
their equivalents.
D. All landscaped areas shall be permanently maintained and kept free of weeds, debris,
and litter. For single family properties, all plant materials shall be maintained in a healthy
growing condition and diseased or dead plant materials shall be replaced, in kind,
pursuant to the approved plans within thirty days. Alternatively, diseased or dead plant
materials may be replaced with plant materials that have low water needs, as rated in
the current edition of The Water Use Classification of Landscape Species published by the
California Department of Water Resources, or equivalent documentation.
E. Multi-family property units and commercial property units are subject to the requirements
of SMMC Section 9.04.10.04.
F. Chemical products used for plant pest control or fertilizing plant material shall meet EPA
approval.
G. Maintenance of parkways is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner, in
accordance with SMMC 9.04.10.04.100]
Adopted and approved this 10t" day of November, 2009.
f ~'~-----"'
am O'Connor, Mayor Pro Tem
I, Maria Stewart, City Clerk of the City of Santa Monica, do hereby certify
that the foregoing Resolution No. 10442 (CCS) was duly adopted at a meeting of
the Santa Monica City Council held on the 24th day of November, 2009, by the
following vote:
Ayes: Council members: Bloom, Davis, McKeown
Mayor Pro Tem O'Connor
Noes: Council members: Holbrook
Abstain: Council members: None
Absent: Council members: Shriver
Mayor Genser
ATTEST:
a __
Maria M. Stewart, City Clerk