Section 65596 Of Article 10.8. Water Conservation In Landscaping From California Government Code >> Division 1. >> Title 7. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 10.8.
65596
. The updated model ordinance adopted pursuant to Section
65595 shall do all the following in order to reduce water use:
(a) Include provisions for water conservation and the appropriate
use and groupings of plants that are well-adapted to particular sites
and to particular climatic, soil, or topographic conditions. The
model ordinance shall not prohibit or require specific plant species,
but it may include conditions for the use of plant species or
encourage water conserving plants. However, the model ordinance shall
not include conditions that have the effect of prohibiting or
requiring specific plant species.
(b) Include a landscape water budget component that establishes
the maximum amount of water to be applied through the irrigation
system, based on climate, landscape size, irrigation efficiency, and
plant needs.
(c) Promote the benefits of consistent local ordinances in
neighboring areas.
(d) Encourage the capture and retention of stormwater onsite to
improve water use efficiency or water quality.
(e) Include provisions for the use of automatic irrigation systems
and irrigation schedules based on climatic conditions, specific
terrains and soil types, and other environmental conditions. The
model ordinance shall include references to local, state, and federal
laws and regulations regarding standards for water-conserving
irrigation equipment. The model ordinance may include climate
information for irrigation scheduling based on the California
Irrigation Management Information System (Chapter 2 (commencing with
Section 10015) of Part 1.5 of Division 6 of the Water Code ).
(f) Include provisions for onsite soil assessment and soil
management plans that include grading and drainage to promote healthy
plant growth and to prevent excessive erosion and runoff, and the
use of mulches in shrub areas, garden beds, and landscaped areas
where appropriate.
(g) Promote the use of recycled water consistent with Article 4
(commencing with Section 13520) of Chapter 7 of Division 7 of the
Water Code.
(h) Seek to educate water users on the efficient use of water and
the benefits of doing so.
(i) Address regional differences, including fire prevention needs.
(j) Exempt landscaping that is part of a registered historical
site.
(k) Encourage the use of economic incentives to promote the
efficient use of water.
(l) Include provisions for landscape maintenance practices that
foster long-term landscape water conservation. Landscape maintenance
practices may include, but are not limited to, performing routine
irrigation system repair and adjustments, conducting water audits,
and prescribing the amount of water applied per landscaped acre.
(m) Include provisions to minimize landscape irrigation overspray
and runoff.