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Water Efficient Landscape Standards
On April 1, 2015, in response to the ongoing drought, the Governor issued Executive Order B-29-15 which called for revising the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), which was originally adopted by the Town in September 2013, to increase water efficiency standards for new and retrofitted landscapes through more efficient irrigation systems, onsite stormwater capture, and by limiting the portion of landscape that can be covered in turf. It also requires reporting on the implementation and enforcement of local ordinances. The MWELO's major change is requiring that the ordinance also applies to single-family residential projects.
Staff reviewed the Town's 2013 adopted Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Development Code Section 18.40.060) for compliance with the revised MWELO and incorporated the following modifications for compliance:
- Included prescriptive requirements for projects with 500 square feet, but less than 2,500 square feet, including homeowner-provided landscaping;
- Exempted projects with less than 500 square feet of landscape area;
- Included reference to Worksheet C which provides prescriptive requirements, which would be adopted as a separate resolution by the Town Council;
- Updated the calculation worksheet to meet the requirements of the MWELO (Worksheet A - Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet);
- Updated Worksheet B - Certificate of Compliance; and
- Required soil reports for projects with greater than 2,500 square feet of landscaping;
- Included specifics on compost and mulch in addition to other new details added within the MWELO.
View the Town of Truckee's Recommended Plant List (PDF).
The Town Council adopted the updated ordinance on September 13, 2016, which went into effect on October 14, 2016 (Ordinance 2016-06).
For projects that require land use approvals separate from a building permit, reference Development Code Section 18.40.060 (Water Efficient Landscape Standards for Larger Projects) for a list of required documentation, including requirements for landscape design plan, irrigation design plan, soil report, and irrigation and maintenance schedule.
With the updated Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, residential projects that are not proposing any landscaping are required to sign and submit an exemption form; residential projects with less than 500 square feet of landscaping are required to submit an exemption form and a landscape plan for documentation. Projects with more than 500 square feet but less than 2,500 square feet of landscaping may use the prescriptive approach which requires applicants to fill out Worksheet C and identify specifications on landscape plans. Projects with more than 2,500 square feet of landscaping are required to meet performance requirements outlined within the Development Code.
In order to determine what tier a project falls into, please refer to the definition for "landscape area": All the planting areas, turf areas, and water features in a landscape design plan are subject to the Maximum Applied Water Allowance calculation. The landscape area does not include footprints of buildings or structures, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, decks, patios, gravel or stone walks, other previous or non-pervious hardscapes, and other non-irrigated areas designated for non-development (e.g., open spaces and existing native vegetation). All disturbed areas on the site shall be included in the landscape area calculation. To calculate the landscape area, first, calculate the total square footage for all disturbed areas on the site and then subtract any square footage within those areas for building footprints and impervious surfaces (walkways, driveways, etc.). The difference shall be the landscape area square footage.
For more information, contact the Planning Division at 530-582-7820, ext. 2.
For projects that are not proposing landscaping, including single-family residential homes:
- Indicate on the site plan: "This project does not include landscaping. I am aware that future landscape installations may be required to comply with the Town of Truckee Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance requirements (Development Code Section 18.40.060)."
- Submit a completed owner-signed Exemption Form (PDF).
For projects with less than 500 square feet of landscaping:
- Submit a Landscape Plan identifying locations and types of all plantings, turf/lawn, water features, etc.
- Note on the plans: "This project includes landscaping less than 500 square feet. I am aware that future landscape installations may be required to comply with the Town of Truckee Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance requirements (Development Code Section 18.40.060).
- Submit a completed owner-signed Exemption Form (PDF).
For projects with 500 square feet or more of landscaping, but less than 2,500 square feet of landscaping and where 75% of the landscape area includes low-water use plants, use the Prescriptive Approach described in Worksheet C:
- Submit a Landscape Plan identifying locations and types of all plantings, turf/lawn, water features, etc.
- Note on the plans: This project will incorporate more than 500 square feet of landscaping but less than 2,500 square feet of landscaping and the prescriptive approach identified in the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Worksheet C shall be used."
- Submit Worksheet C - Prescriptive Compliance Option Worksheet (PDF) (updated based on Ordinance 2021-08, adopted on November 9, 2021)
- 75% of the proposed landscape area must use low water use plants. If this cannot be met, use the Performance Approach described in the bullet point below.
- Reference this plant database to determine water use (Truckee is listed under the "Central Valley" drop-down list.
- Please reference Worksheet C - Supplemental Document for a Low Water Use-Low Fire Danger Plant List (PDF).
- For projects that do not follow the Prescriptive Approach, follow the Performance Approach outlined under the next tab - For Projects with 2,500 Square Feet or more of Landscaping, or Smaller Projects.
For projects with 2,500 s.f. or more of landscaping, or smaller projects that would like more flexibility in plant types (less than 75% low water use plants) the Performance Approach, identified in Development Code Section 18.42.060 (Water Efficient Landscape Standards for Larger Projects), shall be used:
- Prior to building permit issuance:
- Submit a Landscape Plan identifying hydrozones and locations and types of all plantings, turf/lawn, water features, etc.
- Submit an Irrigation Design Plan showing components of the irrigation system including location, types, and size, including automatic controllers, valves, sprinkler heads, etc.
- Submit a completed Worksheet A - Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet (XLSX). In order to area for the plants, draw a perimeter around the hydrozones.
- Reference this plant database to determine water use (Truckee is listed under the "Central Valley" drop-down list.
- For single-family residential projects: Note the following on the landscape plan: "This project includes 2,500 s.f. or more of landscaping. The Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Performance Approach will be used for this project. An irrigation schedule, maintenance schedule, and Certificate of Compliance (Worksheet B) shall be submitted to the owner prior to completion of the project."
- Prior to the building permit final:
- Submit a completed Worksheet B - Certificate of Compliance (PDF) prior to the building permit final.
- Submit an Irrigation Schedule including plant establishment schedules, irrigation run times, intervals, frequency, etc.
- Submit a Maintenance Schedule including routine inspections, winterization measures, replenishing mulch, fertilizing, pruning, and weeding.
- For single-family residential projects: Submit these documents (Certificate of Compliance, Irrigation Schedule, and Maintenance Schedule) to the owner. For all other projects, submit the documents to the Planning Division for review and approval.