24.02.205 Landscape and irrigation water budgeting requirements.
A. Applicability. The water budgeting requirements of this section shall apply to new or modified landscaping whenever new or modified landscaping is required by the Land Use Code or proposed by the property owner except that the following shall be exempt from such requirements:
1. Single-family residential lots; provided, that community area landscaping installed by the developer is not exempt.
2. Any project with a total landscape area of less than 500 square feet. If a project is constructed in phases, the total landscape area shall include the total area of all phases.
3. Those portions of a site irrigated with water that is not supplied by the utility.
4. Turf portions of public athletic facilities where turf provides a playing surface and turf portions of public access land used for purposes of public recreation and activities, such as but not limited to outdoor assemblies, picnicking, unstructured sports fields and sunbathing. However, this exemption applies only if the applicant submits a statement designating such turf areas and specifying additional water needs above the irrigation water budget. The additional irrigation water needs shall be based upon the evapotranspiration information for the turf-grass species or species mix designated for the turf area.
5. Those portions of privately owned properties where athletic and recreation facilities, as identified by subsection (A)(4) of this section, are installed for use by the general public. However, this exemption applies only if the applicant submits a statement designating such area(s) as open to the public.
B. Water Budget Requirements. For each proposed landscape design not exempted by subsection A of this section, a state-registered landscape architect, Washington-certified nurseryman (WCN) or Washington-certified landscaper (WCL) shall certify that the estimated annual water use will not exceed the irrigation water budget, as calculated pursuant to the methodology contained in the engineering standards. Copies of the supporting calculations shall be submitted to the utility.
C. Landscape Management. All landscaped areas designed to meet water budget requirements shall be installed, operated and maintained such that the allowed annual water use is not exceeded.
D. All proposed new irrigation systems that will be connected to the public water system shall be designed in accordance with the engineering standards. (Ord. 5963 § 1, 2010.)