HomeMy Public PortalAboutOrd. 1589ORDINANCE NO. 1589
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LYNWOOD
APPROVING ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 2006 -04 ADDING SECTION
25.45 TO THE LYNWOOD MUNICIPAL CODE SETTING FORTH REQUIREMENTS
AND STANDARDS FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND SUBSTANTIALLY
EXPANDED PROJECTS TO PROVIDE WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING AND
PERMANENT IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the Lynwood Municipal Code
currently does not set forth detailed standards for landscaping or permanent irrigation
systems; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the proposed amendments
would set forth landscaping standards to enhance the aesthetic quality of new projects
and ensure irrigation systems to maintain such landscaping; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the landscaping and irrigation
standards are in the best interests of the Lynwood residents and would protect the
public health, safety and general welfare., and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the landscaping and irrigation
amendments will further the goals and policies set forth in the Lynwood General Plan,
and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the landscaping and irrigation
standards will provide open space buffers and property values will be protected, and
WHEREAS, the.landscaping and irrigation ordinance is categorically exempt
from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines as
amended pursuant to Section 15308.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LYNWOOD DOES
HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 25.45 is hereby added to the Lynwood Municipal Code to
read as follows:
25.45.010 Purpose
The City Council finds and declares that it is in the interest of the public health, safety,
and welfare to promote water efficient landscape design, installation, and management
while ensuring that the aesthetic, recreational, functional, economic, environmental and
social benefits are achieved. The purpose of the regulations set forth in this Chapter is
to establish standards for designing, installing, and maintaining water efficient
landscapes in new and substantially altered or expanded existing development projects.
25.45.030 Applicability
This chapter shall apply to all new and substantially altered or expanded existing
development projects, except that the following projects shall be exempt from this
Chapter:
A. Development projects containing less than one thousand (1,000) square feet of
new or renovated irrigated landscaped area.
B. Homeowner - provided landscaping for a single - family lot or for a private yard
within a multi - family development.
C. Cemeteries.
D. Registered or City- designated historic districts, sites, and structures.
E. Ecological restoration projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system.
F. Landscaping that is irrigated solely with reclaimed water or well water, where an
irrigation connection to the City water is not proposed.
G. Public parks and recreation areas, golf courses, and school playgrounds.
25.45.030 Definitions
The terms used in this article shall be defined as follows:
A. "Anti -drain valve" means a valve located under a sprinkler head to hold water in
the system so it minimizes drainage from the lower elevation sprinkler heads.
B. "Application rate" means the. depth of water applied to a given area, usually
measured in inches per hour.
C. "Applied water" means the portion of water supplied by the irrigation system to
the landscape.
D. "Backflow prevention device" means a safety device used to prevent pollution or
contamination of the water supply due to the reverse flow of water from the
irrigation system.
E. "Bubbler" means an irrigation head that delivers water to the root zone by
flooding the planted area, usually measured in gallons per minute. Bubblers
exhibit a trickle, umbrella, or short stream pattern.
F. "Conversion factor (0.62)" means a number that converts the Landscape Water
Allowance and Estimated Water Use from acre- inches per acre to gallons per
square foot per year.
G. "Drip Emitter" means drip irrigation fittings that deliver water slowly at the root
zone of the plant, usually measured in gallons per hour.
H. "Drought tolerant plant" means a plant that can survive without irrigation
throughout the years once established, although supplemental water may be
desirable during drought periods for improved appearance and disease
resistance.
"Estimated Landscape Water Use" means the annual total amount of water
estimated to be needed to keep the plans in the landscape area healthy. It is
based upon the local reference evapotranspiration rate, the size of the landscape
area, the types of plants, and the efficiency of the irrigation system, as described
in Section 25.45.070.
J. "ET adjustment factor" a factor applied to reference evapotranspiration, that
adjusts for plant factors and irrigation efficiency, two major influences upon the
amount of water that needs to be applied to the landscape. For the purpose of
this Chapter, the plant factor shall be 0.5 and irrigation efficiency shall be 0.625.
K. "Evapotranspiration" means the quantity of water evaporated from adjacent soil
surfaces and transpired by plants during a specific time, expressed in inches per
day, month, or year.
L. "Flow Rate" means the rate at which water flows through pipes and valves
(gallons per minute or cubic feet per second).
M. " Hydrozone" means a portion of the landscaped area having plans with similar
water needs that are served by a valve or set of valves with the same schedule.
A hydrozone may be irrigated or non - irrigated. For example, a naturalized area
planted with native vegetation that will not need supplemental irrigation once
established is a non - irrigational hydrozone.
N. "Irrigated Landscape area" means all portions of a development site to be
improved with planting and irrigation. Natural open space areas shall not be
included in the irrigated landscaped area.
O. "Irrigation efficiency" means the measurement of the amount of water beneficially
used by plants divided by the amount of water applied. Irrigation efficiency is
derived from measurements and estimates of irrigation system characteristics
and management practices. The minimum irrigation efficiency for purposes of
this ordinance is 0.625. Greater irrigation efficiency can be expected from well
designed and maintained systems.
P. "Landscape Area" means the parcel minus building pad(s), driveways, parking
areas, impervious hardscapes such as decks and patios, and other non - porous
walkways and natural areas. A natural area is one occupied by mature plants,
native or acclimated plants growing on undisturbed grades.
Q. Maximum Applied Water Allowance" means for design purposes, the upper limit
of annual applied water for the established landscaped area as specified in
Section 25.45.070. It is based upon the area's reference evapotranspiration, the
ET Adjustment Factor, and the size of the landscaped area. The Estimated
Applied Water Use shall not exceed the Maximum Applied Water Allowance.
R. "Mulch" means any material such as leaves, bark, straw or other materials left
loose and applied to the soil surface to reduce evaporation.
S. "Non- drought tolerant plant" means a plant that will require regular irrigation for
adequate appearance, growth, and disease resistance.
T. "Plant factor" means a factor that when multiplied by reference
evapotranspiration, estimates the. amount of water used by plants. For purposes
of this ordinance, the average plant factor of low water using plants is 0.3, for
moderate water using plans is 0.5, and for high water using plants is 0.7.
U. "Precipitation rate" means the depth of water applied to a given area, usually
measures I inches per hours.
V. "Rain shut -off or rain sensing device" means a device wired to the automatic
controller that shuts off the irrigation system when it rains.
W. "Recycled water, reclaimed water or treated sewage effluent water" means
treated or recycled waste water of a quality suitable for nonpotable uses such as
landscape irrigation, not intended for human consumption.
X. "Reference evapotranspiration (ET) means a standards measurement of
environmental parameters which affects the water use of plants. ET is measured
in inches per day, month, or year and is derived from measurements of
evapotranspiration from a test plot of four to seven -inch tall turf in an open field
that is well watered.
Y. "Spray sprinkler" means an irrigation head that sprays water through a nozzle.
Z. "Stream Sprinkler" means an irrigation head that projects water through a gear
rotor in single or multiple streams.
AA. "Turf" means a surface layer of earth containing mowed grass with its roots.
25.45.040 Review and Approval Requirements
A. Prior to issuance of a building pe"rmit for a project, the following landscaping
documents shall be submitted for review and approval by the Development
Services Director of his /her designee-
1 . Landscape Planting Plan.
2. Irrigation Design Plan.
3. Landscape Water Use Statement, except for developer - installed
landscaping on single- family lots.
4. Soils report, if required per Section 25.45.080.
5. A Certificate of Compliance.
B. Prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for a development project, an
Irrigation Schedule, and a Certificate of Substantial Completion shall be
submitted to the Director of Development Services or his /her designee for review
and approval.
C. The documents listed in Section 25.45.040 (A) shall be prepared by a landscape
architect, or certified irrigation designer, except that the soils report shall be
prepared by a qualified soil and plant laboratory. The documents listed in
Section 25.45.040 (B) may be prepared by a licensed landscape contractor.
25.45.050 Landscape Planting Plan
A detailed landscape planting plan shall be submitted that includes:
A. Designation of all hydrozones.
B. Landscape materials, trees, shrubs, groundcover, turf, and other vegetation.
Planting symbols shall be clearly drawn and plants labeled by botanical name,
common name, container size, spacing, and quantities of each group of plants
indicated.
C. Property lines and street names.
D. Streets, driveways, and other paved areas.
E. Pools, ponds, water features, fences, and retaining walls.
F. Existing and proposed buildings, structures including elevation, if possible.
G. Existing trees and plant materials to be removed or retained.
H. Natural features including, but not limited to, rock outcroppings, existing trees,
and shrubs that will remain.
Details and specifications for tree staking, soil preparation, and other applicable
planting work.
J. Where landscaped areas exceed ten percent (10 %) slope, contour lines and /or
spot elevations as necessary for the proposed finished grade.
K. A calculation of the total landscaped area in square feet.
25.45.060 Irrigation Design Plan
A detailed irrigation plan shall be drawn at the same scale as the landscape planting
plan and shall contain the following information:
A. Layout of the irrigation system and a legend summarizing the type and size of all
components of the irrigation system, including manufacturer name and model
numbers.
B. All irrigation systems shall be designed to avoid runoff, low head drainage,
overspray, or other similar conditions where water flows onto adjacent property,
non - irrigated areas, walks, roadways, or structures. Proper irrigation equipment
shall be used to closely match application rates to infiltration rates therefore
minimizing runoff.
C. A maximum water allowance shall be established. For the purpose of
determining the maximum water allowance, irrigation efficiency is assumed to be
0.625. Irrigation systems shall be designed, maintained, and managed to meet
or exceed 0.625 efficiency.
D. A separate water meter shall be installed to irrigate each approved landscape.
This meter shall be designated as an irrigation account and no other utilities will
be billed on such accounts.
25.45.070 Landscape Water Use Statement
The following Landscape Water Use Statement shall contain the following information:
A. Maximum Applied Water Allowance
MAWA = (ET) (0.8) (LA) (0.62) where
MAWA = Maximum Applied Water Allowance (gallons per year)
ET = Reference evapotranspiration Rate (ET) for the Lynwood area (in inches
per year) is 42
0.8 = ET Adjustment Factor
0.62 = Conversion Factor (to gallons per square feet)
LA = Total Irrigated Landscaped Area (square feet)
B. Estimated Landscape Water Use. The Estimated Landscape Water Use (ELWU)
for the site shall be based on the landscape planting and irrigation design plans
prepared for the development project.
The total ELWU for a site shall consist of summing the ELWU for all landscape
zones within the irrigated landscape area. The ELWU for each hydrozone shall
be calculated using the following formula:
ELWU = (ET) (PF) (HA) (0.62), where (IE)
ELWU = Estimated Landscape Water Use (gallons per year)
ET = Reference Evapotranspiration (inches per year)
PF = Plant factor
HA = Hydrozone area
0.62 = Conversion factor
IE = Irrigation efficiency
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
) SS.
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
I, the undersigned, City Clerk of the City of Lynwood, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Ordinance was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of
Lynwood at a regular meeting held on the .16TH day of JANUARY , 2006.
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS, JOHNSON, PEDROZA, SANTILLAN, VASQUEZ, AND BYRD
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
Andrea L. Hooper, City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
) SS.
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
I, the undersigned City Clerk of the City of Lynwood, and the Clerk of the City
Council of said City, do hereby certify that the above foregoing is a full, true and correct
copy of Ordinance No. 1589 on file in my office and that said Ordinance
was adopted on the date and by the vote therein stated.
Dated this 16TH day of JANUARY , 2006.
Andrea L. Hooper, City Clerk
A. All irrigation systems shall include an electric automatic controller with multiple
program and multiple repeat cycle capabilities and a flexible calendar program.
B. On slopes exceeding fifteen percent (15 %), the irrigation system shall consist of
drip emitters, bubblers, or sprinklers with a maximum precipitation rate of 0.85
inches per hour.
C. Each valve shall irrigate an hydrozone with similar site, slope and soil conditions
and plant materials with similar watering needs. Turf and non -turf areas shall be
irrigated on separate valves. Drip emitters and sprinklers shall be placed on .
separate valves.
D. Drip emitters or a bubbler shall be provided to each tree. Bubblers shall not
exceed 1.5 gallons per minute per device.
E. Sprinklers shall have matched precipitation rates within each control valve circuit.
F. Sprinklers located next to paving shall be pop -up heads. Pop -up heads shall
have a minimum 4 -inch height in turf areas and a minimum 6 -inch height in
ground cover areas.
G. Check valves shall be required where elevation differences will cause low -head
drainage. Pressure compensating valves and sprinklers shall be required where
a significant variation in water pressure will occur within the irrigation system due
to elevation differences.
H. Sprinkler spacing shall be designed for head -to -head coverage (i.e. maximum
spacing of heads shall be equal to design radius of heads). The irrigation system
shall be designed for minimum run -off and overspray onto non - irrigated areas.
A rain shut -off device shall be installed to prevent irrigation during rainy weather.
J. A pressure regulator shall be provided when the static water pressure exceeds
the maximum recommended operating pressure of the irrigation system.
K. Drip irrigation lines shall be under ground, except for emitters and where
approved as a temporary installation.
L. Valves with sprinklers shall be scheduled to operate between 7 pm and 10 am to
reduce water loss from wind and evaporation.
25.45.140 Exceptions to Design Standards
Exceptions to the landscaping and irrigation standards contained in Section 25.45.110,
and Section 45.25.120 may be granted by the Development Services Director or his /her
designee where:
A. Unique soil, site conditions, or design constraints render compliance with certain
standards infeasible.
B. The functional or recreational purpose of the landscaping warrants exceptions to
specific standards.
C. Alternative water - efficient design techniques or materials are proposed to justify
exceptions to specific standards.
25.45.150 Administration and Appeal Process
The Development Services Director or his /her designee shall have the duty and
authority to administer and enforce this ordinance. The Director's action to approve,
conditionally approve, or disapprove landscaping documents required under this
Section may be appealed to the Planning Commission by the property owner or
applicant by filing written request with the Planning Department within 30 days of the
date of notification of said action. The Planning Commission shall hear an appeal as a
non public hearing item within 30 days of the receipt of the appeal application.
Section 2. The City Clerk is hereby directed to certify to the passage and
adoption of this ordinance and to cause it to be published or posted as required by law.
First read at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 2nd day of January,
2007 and adopted and ordered published at a regular meeting of said Council held on
the 16th day of January, 2007.
ATTEST:
L uIS BYRD, IVfay6r
ANDREA L. HOOPER, City Clerk
City of Lynwood
ARNOLDO BELTRAN, City Attorney
City of Lynwood
City of Lynwood
N. E OE MARTINEZ, City Manager
City of Lynwood
BRUCE ARNOLDUSSEN, ASSISTANT CITY MGR.
GRANT TAYLO irector
Development Services Department
C. For the purpose of this Chapter, the average Plant Factor (PF) shall be the
following for each type of plant material, which are based on an average density
planting and average climate conditions:
Plant Type Water Use Category Plant Factor
Turf High 0.7
Non - Drought Tolerant Trees, High 0.7
Shrubs, and Groundcover
Drought - Tolerant Trees, Moderate 0.5
Shrubs, and Groundcover
Extra Drought - Tolerant Low 0.3
Trees, shrubs and
Groundcover
D. For the purpose of this Chapter, the Irrigation Efficiency (EI) shall be the following
for the following irrigation type:
Irrigation Type
Bubblers
Drip Emitters
Stream Sprinklers
Spray Sprinklers in planter
Irrigation Efficiency (IF)
0.9
0.9
0.80
0.75
Sprinklers in planter strips 0.625
Less than 8 feet wide
E. The Estimated Applied Water Use shall not exceed the Maximum Applied Water
Allowance.
25.45.080 Soils Report
A soils report may be required where irrigated landscaped areas exceed 10,000 square
feet or where difficult soil or landscaping conditions exist at the project site. The soils
report shall describe the depth, composition, fertility, and landscaping suitability of the
soil at the project site, and shall include recommendations for soil amendment, fertilizer
and other items as needed. The landscape planting plan shall incorporate the
recommendations of the soils report into the planting specifications.
25.45.090 Certificate of Compliance
A certificate of compliance, stating full compliance with the landscape design standards,
and the irrigation design standards as in Section 25.45.050 and Section 25.45.060 of
the Lynwood Municipal Code, shall be signed by a landscape architect and submitted to
the City prior to issuance of a building permit.
25.45.100 Irrigation Schedule
A monthly irrigation schedule shall be prepared that covers the initial 90 day plant
establishment period and the following one year period. This irrigation schedule shall
consist of a table with the following information for each valve:
A. Plant type (i.e. turf, trees, water - conserving plants, non - drought tolerant plants,
etc.)
B. Irrigation type (i.e. sprinklers, drip, or bubblers)
C. Flow rate in gallons per minute.
D. Precipitation rate in inches per hour (for valves with sprinklers only).
E. Run times in minutes per day.
F. Number of watering days per week.
The irrigation schedule shall rely on the estimated Landscape Water Use (ELWU)
determined in Section 25.45.070 and the monthly ET data for the Lynwood area. The
amount of water applied per valve shall be adjusted as necessary for irrigation
efficiency, local rainfall, climate conditions, depth of root zone, soil conditions, and
slope.
25.45.110 Certificate of Substantial Completion
Upon completing the installation of the landscaping and the irrigation system, a licensed
landscape architect, or a certified irrigation designer shall conduct a final field
observation and shall provide a Certificate of Substantial Completion to the City. The
Certificate of Substantial Completion shall indicate that:
A. The landscaping has been installed in substantial conformance to the approved
landscape planting and irrigation plans and specifications.
B. The irrigation system has been adjusted to maximize irrigation efficiency and
minimize overspray and runoff.
C. The irrigation system has been adjusted to maximize irrigation efficiency and
minim9ize overspray and runoff.
D. A copy of the irrigation schedule has been given to the property owner.
25.45.120 Landscape Design Standards
Landscape design standards shall comply with the following:
A. Estimated Water Use — The Estimated Landscape Water Use (ILWU) shall not
exceed the Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA), as determined in
Sections 25.45.070 A & B. This standard shall not apply to developer - installed
front yard landscaping on single - family lots.
B. Plant Selection — Plants selected for non -turf areas shall consist of plants that are
well- suited to the climate and soil conditions at the project site. Plants with
similar water needs shall be grouped together as much as possible.
C. Turf Limitation and Type — Turf shall be a variety with a water requirement less
than or equal to Tall Fescue. Exceptions may be granted where turf will be
added contiguous to an existing turf area. Turf shall not be installed on slopes
exceeding 15 percent (15 %), unless justified to match existing conditions or
surrounding development. Developer installed front yard landscaping on single -
family lots shall be limited to 50 percent turf.
D. Mulch — After completion of all planting, all irrigated non -turf areas shall be
covered with a minimum two -inch layer of wood chip or bark to retain water,
inhibit weed growth, and moderate soil temperature. Non - porous material shall
not be placed under the mulch.
25.45.130 Irrigation Design Standards
Irrigation Design Standards shall comply with the following: