City of MurrietaCity of Murrieta

C5 – Water Efficient Landscape OrdinanceC5 – Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance

City CouncilCity Council

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January 19, 2010City of Murrieta City CouncilCity of Murrieta City Council

Water Efficient Landscape OrdinanceWater Efficient Landscape Ordinance

State experiencing drought-regulatory and naturally

Water Conservation in Landscaping Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill 1881 ) was enacted which required updates to the states Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.

AB 1881 also requires local agencies to adopt the updated state model ordinance or “as effective” ordinance by January 1, 2010.

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January 19, 2010City of Murrieta City CouncilCity of Murrieta City Council

What is its purpose?What is its purpose?

Conserve water by establishing standards that promote Conserve water by establishing standards that promote water efficient use in landscaping:water efficient use in landscaping:

Use of appropriate irrigation technologyUse of appropriate irrigation technology

Wise use of turf areasWise use of turf areas

Appropriate water management Appropriate water management practicespractices

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January 19, 2010City of Murrieta City CouncilCity of Murrieta City Council

WHO DOES IT AFFECT?WHO DOES IT AFFECT?

Private Properties that involves new construction.Private Properties that involves new construction.

New and rehabilitated landscape projects (commercial, New and rehabilitated landscape projects (commercial, office, industrial, etc.) with landscape areas 2,500 office, industrial, etc.) with landscape areas 2,500 square feet and greater.square feet and greater.

Home-owner provided and/or home-owner hired Home-owner provided and/or home-owner hired residential projects with a landscape area 5,000 square residential projects with a landscape area 5,000 square feet or greater.feet or greater.

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January 19, 2010City of Murrieta City CouncilCity of Murrieta City Council

WHO DOES IT AFFECT?WHO DOES IT AFFECT?

Public Properties that involves new Public Properties that involves new construction.construction.

Landscaping within right of wayLandscaping within right of way

ParksParks

ParkwaysParkways

City buildingsCity buildings

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January 19, 2010City of Murrieta City CouncilCity of Murrieta City Council

What are major changes?What are major changes?

Maximum water demand changes from 80% to 70% of Maximum water demand changes from 80% to 70% of evapotranspiration (efficiency).evapotranspiration (efficiency).

Places time of day limits for overhead irrigation usage. Places time of day limits for overhead irrigation usage.

Limits overhead irrigation placement .Limits overhead irrigation placement .

Limits use of turf as landscaping.Limits use of turf as landscaping.

New landscaping subject to an irrigation audit.New landscaping subject to an irrigation audit.

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January 19, 2010City of Murrieta City CouncilCity of Murrieta City Council

Why Interim Ordinance?Why Interim Ordinance?

Allow more time to prepare an ordinance that fully Allow more time to prepare an ordinance that fully satisfies AB 1881.satisfies AB 1881.

State Model Ordinance was not updated until September State Model Ordinance was not updated until September 2009 and city is required to have a Water Efficiency 2009 and city is required to have a Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance adopted by January 1, 2010.Landscape Ordinance adopted by January 1, 2010.

Staff utilized a model ordinance prepared by the Water Task Staff utilized a model ordinance prepared by the Water Task Force of Riverside County prior to completion of State Model Force of Riverside County prior to completion of State Model Ordinance.Ordinance.

Ensure changes to the Municipal Code and Ensure changes to the Municipal Code and Development Code are consistent. Development Code are consistent.

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January 19, 2010City of Murrieta City CouncilCity of Murrieta City Council

December 15, 2009 City Council MeetingDecember 15, 2009 City Council Meeting

Questions/concerns raised:Questions/concerns raised:

1.1. Regarding clarity of language limiting irrigation spray Regarding clarity of language limiting irrigation spray heads within 24 inches of impervious surfaces.heads within 24 inches of impervious surfaces.

2.2. That requiring a landscape irrigation auditor is That requiring a landscape irrigation auditor is creating creating a new a new industry.industry.

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January 19, 2010City of Murrieta City CouncilCity of Murrieta City Council

Ordinance ChangeOrdinance Change

Overhead irrigation shall not be permitted within 24 inches Overhead irrigation shall not be permitted within 24 inches of any non-permeable surface, of any non-permeable surface, unless:unless:

a.a. The landscape area is adjacent to permeable The landscape area is adjacent to permeable surfacing and no runoff to the public right of way or storm surfacing and no runoff to the public right of way or storm drain system occurs; ordrain system occurs; or

b. The adjacent non-permeable surfaces are designed and b. The adjacent non-permeable surfaces are designed and constructed to drain entirely to landscaping area. constructed to drain entirely to landscaping area.

c.c. Allowable irrigation within the setback from non-Allowable irrigation within the setback from non-permeable surfaces may include drip, drip line, or other low permeable surfaces may include drip, drip line, or other low flow non-spray technology. flow non-spray technology.

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January 19, 2010City of Murrieta City CouncilCity of Murrieta City Council

Conclusion:Conclusion:

Interim ordinance and staff will return with Development Code changes to implement the requirements of the state model ordinance within 90 days.

Of the changes, several requirements of the state are already a part of the development code in anticipation of this update and have been in practice.

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January 19, 2010City of Murrieta City CouncilCity of Murrieta City Council

RecommendationRecommendation

That the City Council ADOPT the interim ordinance.That the City Council ADOPT the interim ordinance.