HomeMy WebLinkAbout _ 4(a)--Adopt Ordinance No.2684 - Amending Title 16 Water Efficient LandscapingI T Y O F
' F 0 R N i AV
j CITY OF REDDING
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DATE: November 4, 2025
FROM: Sharlene Tipton, City Clerk
ITEM NO. 4(a)
***APPROVED
BY***
Shatl� � 9 ` tca 'y c Jerk 10/24/2425
teve a e, gat e 10/2.7/2025
stiptongeityofredding.org
sbadegcityofredding.org
SUBJECT: 4(a) --Adopt Ordinance No. 2684
Recommendation
Adopt Ordinance No. 2684, an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Redding, amending
Redding Municipal Code Title 16 (Buildings and Construction), Chapter 16.70 (Water Efficient
Landscape), all related to the California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
Attachments
"Ordinance No. 2684 - RMC Title 16 Water Efficient Landscaping
First reading done: 10/21/2025 JP
For adoption on: 11/04/2025 5-0
CC agenda item # 4(b)
ORDINANCE NO. 2684
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF REDDING AMENDING TITLE 16
(BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION), CHAPTER 16.70 (WATER EFFI-
CIENT LANDSCAPE), OF THE REDDING MUNICIPAL CODE
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDDING DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Title 16 (Buildings and Construction), Chapter 16. 70 (Water Efficient
Landscape), Sections 16.70.010 through 16.70.080 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Chapter 16.70 — Water Efficient Landscape
16.07.010 — Purpose.
This chapter is intended to comply with and implement the provisions of the California Model
Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, hereinafter referred to as MWELO, as may be amended
from time to time. The specific purposes of the MWELO and these regulations are to:
A. Promote the values and benefits of landscaping practices that integrate and go beyond the
conservation and efficient use of water;
B. Establish a structure for planning, designing, installing, maintaining and managing water
efficient landscapes in new construction and rehabilitated projects by encouraging the use
of a watershed approach that requires cross -sector collaboration of industry, government
and property owners to achieve the many benefits possible;
C. Establish provision for water management practices and water waste prevention for
existing landscapes;
D. Use water efficiently without waste by setting a maximum applied water allowance as an
upper limit for water use and reduce water use to the lowest practical amount;
E. Promote the benefits of consistent landscape ordinances with neighboring local and
regional agencies;
F. Encourage local agencies and water purveyors to use economic incentives that promote the
efficient use of water, such as implementing a tiered -rate structure; and
G. Encourage local agencies to designate the necessary authority that implements and enforces
the provisions of the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance or its local landscape
ordinance.
16.70.020 - MWELO Provisions Adopted.
In addition to the requirements of this chapter, the following sections of the state MWELO
(California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Division 2.7) are hereby adopted and incorporated by
reference, a copy of which is on file and open for inspection in the City of Redding Permit Center.
§ 490.
Purpose.
§ 490.1.
General Provisions.
§ 490.2.
Definitions.
§ 491.
Applicability.
§ 491.1.
Provisions for Existing Non -Rehabilitated Landscapes.
§ 491.2.
Provisions for New Construction or Rehabilitated Landscapes.
§ 491.3.
Compliance Responsibilities.
§ 491.4.
Elements of the Landscape Documentation Package.
§ 492.
Prescriptive Compliance Option.
§ 493.
Performance Compliance Option.
§ 493.1.
Soil Management Report.
§ 493.2.
Landscape Design Plan.
§ 493.2.1.
Grading Design Plan.
§ 493.2.2.
Irrigation Design Plan.
§ 493.3.
Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet.
§ 493.4.
Irrigation Scheduling.
§ 493.5.
Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance Schedule.
§ 493.6.
Irrigation Audit.
§ 494.
Certificate of Completion Package.
§ 495.
Reporting.
Appendix A.
Sample Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet
Appendix B.
Sample Certificate of Completion Package
Appendix C.
Reference Evapotranspiration (ETO) Table
1.6.70.030 — Applicability.
After December 1, 2015, and consistent with Executive Order No. B-29-15, this chapter shall apply
to all of the following landscape projects:
A. New construction projects with a landscape area as defined in Section 490.2(a)(41) equal
to or greater than 500 square feet requiring a building permit or landscape permit, plan
check, or design review;
B. Rehabilitated landscape projects with a landscape area as defined in Section 490.2(a)(41)
equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet requiring a building or landscape permit, plan
check, or design review;
C. Existing non -rehabilitated landscapes limited to Section 491.1;
First reading done: 10/21/2025 JP
For adoption on: 11/04/2025 5-0
CC agenda item # 4(b)
D. Cemeteries. Recognizing the special landscape management needs of cemeteries, new and
rehabilitated cemeteries are limited to Sections 493.3, 493.5, and 493.6; existing cemeteries
are limited to Sections 493 and Section 491.1;
E. Any project with a landscape as defined in Section 490.2(a)(41) of 2,500 square feet or less
may comply with either the performance requirements of this model ordinance, described
in Section 493, or conform to the prescriptive measures contained in Section 492;
F. For projects using treated or untreated graywater or rainwater captured on site, any lot or
parcel within the project that has less than 2,500 square feet of landscape and meets the lot
or parcel's landscape water requirement (Estimated Total Water Use) entirely with
graywater or through storm rainwater captured on site is subject only to Section 492(c)(2);
G. This chapter does not apply to:
1. Registered local, state, or federal historical sites;
2. Ecological restoration projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system;
3. Mined -land reclamation projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system;
or
4. Existing plant collections, as part of botanical gardens and arboretums open to the
public.
1.6.70.040 — Landscape Documentation Package Review and Approval Required.
A. A complete landscape documentation package meeting prescriptive or performance
compliance per Sections 492 or 493 must be submitted and found to satisfy the
requirements of this chapter prior to authorization for water service and the installation of
a new water meter or a change in water service. The application shall include an application
fee as may be required by resolution of the City Council.
The landscape documentation package shall include the following:
1. Prescriptive Compliance. Submit a landscape documentation package, which
includes;
a) Project information sheet with the following elements:
1) date the project information sheet is completed;
2) name of the project applicant;
3) contact information for the project applicant and property owner;
4) project address (if available, parcel and/or lot number(s));
5) total landscape area (square feet);
6) project type (e.g., institutional (i.e., public), private, cemetery,
homeowner -installed);
7) water supply type (e.g., potable, recycled, well) and identify the
local retail water purveyor if the applicant is not served by a private
well; and
8) applicant signature and date with statement: "I agree to comply with
the requirements of the prescriptive compliance option to the
MWELO."
b) A landscape design plan that includes:
1) Total landscape area (square feet); and
2) A breakdown of turfgrass and plant material (e.g., plant legend).
2. Performance Compliance. The Landscape Documentation Package shall include
the following six (6) elements:
a) Project information sheet that includes:
1) date the project information sheet is completed;
2) name of the project applicant;
3) contact information for the project applicant and property owner;
4) project address (if available, parcel and/or lot number(s));
5) total landscape area (square feet);
6) project type (e.g., new, rehabilitated, institutional (i.e., public),
private, cemetery, homeowner -installed);
7) water supply type (e.g., potable, recycled, well) and identify the
local retail water purveyor if the applicant is not served by a private
well;
8) checklist of all documents in Landscape Documentation Package;
and
9) applicant signature and date with statement: "I agree to comply with
the requirements for the performance compliance option of the
MWELO and submit a complete Landscape Documentation
Package."
b) Soil management report pursuant to Section 493.1;
C) Landscape design plan pursuant to Section 493.2;
d) Grading design plan pursuant to Section 493.2.1;
e) Irrigation design plan pursuant to Section 493.2.2; and
f) Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet pursuant to Section 493.3:
First reading done: 10/21/2025 JP
For adoption on: 11/04/2025 5-0
CC agenda item # 4(b)
1) Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA);
2) Estimated Water Use (EWU); and
3) Estimated Total Water Use (ETWU).
B. Upon approval of the landscape documentation package, the project applicant shall:
1. Receive a building permit and record the date of the permit on the certificate of
completion.
2. Provide a copy of the approved landscape documentation package to the property
owner or site manager.
3. Submit a copy of the water efficient landscape worksheet to the City.
C. In the event that a water -supply emergency is declared by a water purveyor, these
landscape requirements shall be deferred for those projects served within the impacted
area until such time as the water -supply emergency has been lifted.
16.70.050 — Certificate Of Completion.
A. Upon completion of the installation of landscape and irrigation systems in compliance
with the approved landscape design plan, a certificate of completion for prescriptive or
performance compliance shall be submitted to the City for review and to the owner of
record. The City shall review the certificate of completion and shall approve or deny the
certificate. The certificate of completion for the prescriptive compliance method shall be
limited to the first three elements listed below, and the performance method shall include
all six of the following elements:
1. Project information sheet that contains:
a) Date;
b) Project name;
C) Project applicant name, telephone, and mailing address;
d) Project address and location; and
e) Property owner name, telephone, and mailing address.
2. Certification by the designer of record that the landscape project has been
installed per the approved Landscape Documentation Package;
a) Where there have been significant changes made in the field during
construction, these "as -built" or record drawings shall be included with the
certification;
b) A diagram of the irrigation plan showing hydrozones shall be kept with
the irrigation controller for subsequent management purposes.
3. Irrigation scheduling parameters used to set the controller (see Section 493.4 of
the MWELO);
4. Landscape and irrigation maintenance schedule (see Section 493.5 of the
MWELO);
5. Irrigation audit report (see Section 493.6 of the MWELO); and
6. Soil management report, if not submitted with landscape documentation package,
and documentation verifying implementation of soil report recommendations (see
Section 493.1 of the MWELO).
B. The project applicant shall:
1. Submit the signed certificate of completion to the City for review; and
2. Ensure that copies of the approved certificate of completion are submitted to the
local water agency and property owner or his or her designee.
C. The City of Redding will approve or deny the certificate of completion. If the certificate
of completion is denied, the City will provide information to the project applicant
regarding reapplication, appeal, or other assistance.
16.70.060— Irrigation Audit, Irrigation Survey, And Irrigation Water Use Analysis.
All landscape irrigation audits shall be conducted by a certified landscape irrigation auditor. All
landscape irrigation audits required by the MWELO shall not be conducted by the person who
designed or installed the landscape. In large projects or projects with multiple landscape
installations (i.e. production home developments) an auditing rate of one in seven lots or
approximately fifteen percent will satisfy the auditing requirement.
A. For new construction and rehabilitated landscape projects installed after December 1,
2015, the project applicant shall submit an irrigation audit report with the certificate of
completion to the City that may include, but is not limited to: inspection, system tune-
up, system test with distribution uniformity, reporting overspray or run off that causes
overland flow, and preparation of an irrigation schedule, including configuring irrigation
controllers with application rate, soil types, plant factors, slope, exposure and any other
factors necessary for accurate programming.
The City or appropriate water district will administer programs that may include, but not
be limited to, irrigation water use analysis, irrigation audits, and irrigation surveys for
compliance with the maximum applied water allowance.
B. The following shall apply to all existing non -rehabilitated landscapes that were installed
before December 1, 2015,.and are over one acre in size;
First reading done: 10/21/2025 JP
For adoption on: 11/04/2025 5-0
CC agenda item # 4(b)
1. For landscapes that have a water meter, the City or appropriate water district will
administer programs that may include, but not be limited to, irrigation water use
analyses, irrigation surveys, and irrigation audits to evaluate water use and
provide recommendations as necessary to reduce landscape water use to a level
that does not exceed the maximum applied water allowance for existing
landscapes. The maximum applied water allowance for existing non -rehabilitated
landscapes shall be calculated as: MAWA=(ETo) x (0.62) x (0.8 x RLA + 1.0 x
SLA).
2. For landscapes that do not have a meter, the City or appropriate water district will
administer programs that may include, but not be limited to, irrigation surveys
and irrigation audits to evaluate water use and provide recommendations as
necessary in order to prevent water waste.
16.70.70 — Water Waste Prevention/Penalties.
A. The City will prevent water waste resulting from inefficient landscape irrigation by
prohibiting runoff from leaving the target landscape due to low head drainage, overspray,
or other similar conditions where water flows onto adjacent property, non -irrigated areas,
walks, roadways, parking lots, or structures. The City may establish and administer
penalties to the project applicant for non-compliance with the chapter to the extent
permitted by law.
B. Restrictions regarding overspray and runoff may be modified if:
The landscape area is adjacent to permeable surfacing and no runoff occurs; or
2. The adjacent non -permeable surfaces are designed and constructed to drain
entirely to landscaping.
16.70.080— Public Education.
The City will provide information to owners of permitted renovations and new, single-family
residential homes regarding the design, installation, management, and maintenance of water
efficient landscapes based on a water budget.
A. Model Homes. All model homes that are landscaped shall use signs and written
information to demonstrate the principles of water efficient landscapes described in this
chapter. The signs shall be used to identify the model as an example of a water efficient
landscape featuring elements such as hydrozones, irrigation equipment, and others that
contribute to the overall water efficient theme. Signage shall include information about
the site water use as designed per the local ordinance; specify who designed and installed
the water efficient landscape; and demonstrate low water use approaches to landscaping
such as using native plants, graywater systems, and rainwater catchment systems.
Information shall also be provided about designing, installing, managing, and
maintaining water efficient landscapes.
Section 2. The passage of this Ordinance is not a "project" according to the definition in
the California Environmental Quality Act, and therefore is not subject to the provisions requiring
environmental review.
Section 3. Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof to
any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the Ordinance and the application of such
provision will remain in effect to the extent permitted by law.
Section 4. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) calendar days after the date of its
adoption, and the City Clerk shall certify to the adoption thereof and cause publication according to
law.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing ordinance was introduced and read by the City Council of
the City of Redding at a regular meeting on the 21st day of October, 2025, and was duly read and
adopted at a regular meeting on the 4th day of November, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSTAIN:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ATTEST:
SHARLENE TIPTON, City Clerk
JACK MUNNS, Mayor
CHRISTIAN M. CURTIS, City Attorney