§ 8178-8.5.1. Irrigation system standards.

a.

Dedicated landscape water meters, which may be provided by a local water purveyor or a privately owned meter or submeter, shall be required for the following:

1.

Irrigated landscapes of one thousand (1,000) square feet or more for non-residential developments.

2.

Irrigated landscapes of five thousand (5,000) square feet or greater for residential developments.

b.

At a minimum, landscape irrigation systems shall be designed and operated in conformance with the following requirements:

1.

A master valve shall be installed unless the sprinklers are individually controlled, pressurized, and equipped with low pressure shut down features.

2.

A pressure regulator and check valves shall be installed at the low end of the irrigation lines to prevent unwanted draining of irrigation lines.

3.

The system shall be equipped with automatic, self-adjusting irrigation controllers that automatically activate and deactivate the irrigation system based on changes in the weather or soil moisture.

4.

Sprinkler heads (micro-spray or drip) shall be located to minimize landscape water overspray onto unplanted areas or areas of dissimilar water demand.

5.

All sprinkler heads installed within the landscape area must have a documented distribution uniformity low quarter of 0.65 or higher.

6.

The irrigation system shall provide adequate coverage and sufficient water for the continued healthy growth of all proposed plantings.

7.

Low precipitation sprinklers shall be employed to conserve water and promote continued, healthy growth of the planting.

8.

To protect the irrigation equipment and ensure adequate water coverage, all sprinklers shall be placed outside of any parking space bumper overhangs.

c.

Prior to installation of plants, the soil shall be in a friable condition.

d.

Slopes that range from three (3) to five (5) feet in height, and that total less than one thousand (1,000) square feet in area, are not required to be equipped with a permanent irrigation system and may be irrigated with hose bibs located not more than fifty (50) feet from the area to be irrigated.

e.

Slopes that exceed five (5) feet in height, and that total more than 1,000 square feet in area, shall be equipped with a permanent irrigation system.

(Ord. No. 4492, § 6, 6-21-2016)