§ 15.28.070. Landscape and irrigation development standards.

Development standards for projects which qualify pursuant to Section 15.28.030 of this chapter are as follows:

(1)

Landscape Coverage. Except where additional turf area is determined needed for passive or active recreational use by the design review board, no more than 25 percent of the project site covered by irrigated landscaping shall be devoted to turf. At least 50 percent of the project site covered by irrigated landscaping shall be drought tolerant/low water use plants, as suggested by the Sunset Western Garden Book or equivalent publication. The remaining nonturf plants which are nondrought tolerant variety, shall be grouped together by hydrozone and shall be irrigated separately.

(2)

Use of Turf. Turf shall be discouraged in median areas, in parkway areas less than six feet in width and on slopes of ten percent or greater. Turf shall be prohibited within the drip line of native oak trees. Turf areas exceeding 1,000 square feet or used as an essential part of development, such as golf courses or playing fields, shall utilize soil moisture sensors as part of their irrigation system.

(3)

Mulch Coverage. All planted areas, except those with lawns, native forested areas, established groundcover or other low lying shrub areas shall include mulch material to an average thickness of at least two inches throughout, except in the immediate vicinity of plant stems.

(4)

Permanent Irrigation System Design. Irrigation systems shall be designed to prevent over-spray, run-off, low-head drainage or other similar conditions where water flows onto adjacent property, nonirrigated areas, walks, roadways or structures. Drip, trickle or other low volume irrigation methods are encouraged. All irrigation systems shall incorporate automatic controllers and be designed such that there are separate valves serving each of the following areas:

a.

Turf areas;

b.

Areas planted with drought tolerant/low water use plants;

c.

Areas planted with nondrought tolerant plants.

(5)

Temporary Irrigation System Design. Use of temporary irrigation for open space or hydroseeded areas shall be removed after the establishment period.

(Ord. 586B §2(part), 1992)