City of Palo Alto Website - Updates to Landscape Efficiency Standards

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Updates to Landscape Efficiency Standards

Changes for Water Use on New and Renovated Landscapes. State law now requires all cities to adopt more stringent water use requirements for renovations to residential and commercial landscapes. The City of Palo Alto enforces these state requirements via the State Department of Water Resources Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. The new water use calculations that comply with the state ordinance the state ordinance are available here.

FAQ's about the state law and requirements are also available.

In 2006, the California Legislature directed the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to update the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. In September 2009, DWR adopted this Model Ordinance. The state law (AB 1881) requires cities and counties, no later than January 1, 2010, to adopt DWR's Model Ordinance or an equivalent ordinance which is "at least as effective" in reducing landscape water usage. If cities and counties did not take such action, the DWR Model Ordinance was automatically adopted by statute.

The DWR Model Ordinance requirement is in effect.

For further questions regarding the updated water-efficient landscape requirements, please contact our Water Conservation Specialist at (650) 329-2417.

Additional Information on Water Saving Landscapes:

City of Palo Alto rebates with the Santa Clara Valley Water District to replace your landscaping or install weather based irrigation systems:

Residents

Businesses

If you are interested at landscaping with plants that due well in a high saline environment, such as may be the case when using recycled water, check this website.
General information on water-efficient landscapes: www.water.ca.gov/wateruseefficiency/docs/water_efficient_landscapes.pdf
Guide for estimating the water needs of plants: ww.water.ca.gov/wateruseefficiency/docs/wucols00.pdf
Residential landscapes: www.water.ca.gov/wateruseefficiency/docs/ResidentialLandscapes-2005.pdf or www.water.ca.gov/wateruseefficiency/docs/toolkit.pdf
Parks and Commercial landscapes: www.water.ca.gov/wateruseefficiency/docs/parkscomm.pdf

California invasive plant material list and recommendations: www.cal-ipc.org
Reference evapotranspiration information: http://wwwcimis.water.ca.gov/cimis/welcome.jsp

Irrigation controller information: www.water.ca.gov/wateruseefficiency/docs/irrigation_controllers_0903.pdf

BayFriendly gardening practices: www.StopWaste.org
Guides to pest control and more: www.ourwaterourworld.org

Recycled Water Ordinance in Effect

On May 12, 2008, the Palo Alto City Council approved a recycled water ordinance that requires projects, new and remodeled, to be constructed in a manner to readily accept recycled water for irrigation use when it becomes available. These requirements are necessary because it is far cheaper to build in these features during initial construction than to retrofit them later. Single-family homes are exempt from the recycled water ordinance, but all commercial, industrial and institutional projects with over 1,500 square feet of landscape are eligible. Effective June 12, 2008, projects submitted for a building permit will need to show a separate irrigation system with the required recycled water infrastructure.

For more information on planning for recycled water use in your project, please contact (650) 329-2214.

Acceptable Use Policy

City of Palo Alto City Hall - 250 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301 | Main Telephone Number 650-329-2100 8am-5pm M-Th, Alt Fridays