Checking Landscape Plans for Compliance with the Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance (WELO) A presentation by: Wendy Williams, P.E., Senior Civil Engineer Chris Surawski, Landscape Inspector

City of West Sacramento’s WELO Background Original version adopted 9/21/11 Updated version adopted 12/16/15 Significant Differences: City WELO… Uses City weather station ETo values instead of the CIMIS regional value. Reserves the right for the City to approve plant/tree palettes in the City rights-of-way or easements. Requires that plants/trees comply with the City Landscape Development Guidelines and the Master Tree List. Struck references to collaboration on a regional ordinance, external water purveyor, and Fuel Modification Guideline as not applicable. Added definitions to distinguish between “subsurface drip irrigation” (in the ground) and “drip irrigation” (above the surface but possibly under mulch). Incorporated updated MWELO Appendix into text of City ordinance. Reordered MWELO sections to make sense to staff, but all aspects are still covered. Referenced penalties based on our existing Municipal Code.

In August 2011, City staff created an information and application package for project applicants to make the ordinance easier to understand. This document includes example calculations and all required forms that can be extracted from the document and filled out for submittal. Most of the wording except for the introduction and example calculations is actual ordinance language to avoid “interpretation” issues. Copies of the document are available on the City’s website, at the front counter, and may be ed to applicants upon request. Staff uses this document as our checklist since it is based on actual ordinance wording.

Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet The WUCOLS III manual can be accessed at the web address below. WUCOLS IV is available at This worksheet is almost identical to the State MWELO to make it easy for applicants.

Water Budget Calculations Our City WELO uses our own weather station value for both our north and south area ETo values since they are different. If using the State MWELO, there are Water Budget Calculators for both Residential and Non-Residential projects on DWR’s website at

COMPLIES with WELO

NON-COMPLIANT with WELO

Now you try… NON-COMPLIANT with WELO

L ANDSCAPE P LAN ( CONT ) Sight visibility obstructions— Do/will plants obstruct sight visibility on sidewalks, in driveways, parking lots, and other areas where pedestrians, bikes, and vehicles comingle? Check ultimate height/width of particular species if this is a concern. Potential conflicts with underground utilities— Will proposed plantings (especially trees) conflict with or cause future problems for underground utilities? Ask the designer to show all existing and proposed underground and above-ground utilities (whether City or third party). Site drainage— Do site conditions direct concentrated flow over areas which might wash the bark/mulch away or otherwise cause ponding or drainage concerns? Ask designer to show all drainage patterns. Rights-of-way and easements— Our City has more stringent requirements for landscaping and irrigation shown in City-owned rights-of-way and easements. Therefore, it is important to know where these are located. Other items to consider: Consistency with other plan sets— Landscape/irrigation plans must be consistent with other sets for the same project site—improvement plans, final or parcel maps, etc. Our Short List of landscape items to plan check: Any plants in R/W or City easement? Tree/plants species comply with City Master Tree List and Landscape Development Guidelines Water use for each plant is defined; like plants grouped together Amendments specified match Soils Report Compost incorporation at a minimum of 4cy/ksf at a depth of 6” or exempt per Soils Report Mulch min 3”

I RRIGATION P LAN ( CONT ) Our Short List of irrigation items to check: Point of connection—Water meter and backflow device sizes and locations are shown per City Standard and plan notes who will install. If noted ‘to be installed by others’, is this work noted on another set for the project? Check controller—Location; rain-sensing or soil-moisture-sensing; will not lose programming upon power failure. Look for gate valves, ball valves, remote control valves, shut-off valves, check valves, swing joints, master valve, flow sensor. Are low volume or drip systems used in low water use hydrozones? Any landscape areas < 10’ in width need drip system. OH irrigation not permitted within 2’ of a non-permeable surface. Any slopes > 1:4 may need further checking. Tree bubblers; on separate valve? Do hydrozones mix plants with different water uses? Hydrozones should be grouped correctly. Other items to consider: Appropriate sleeves should be provided where irrigation runs under sidewalk or other hardscape.

Prescriptive Compliance Option

Need more info on the controller and emitters to verify compliance. Controller must use evapotranspiration or soil moisture data, and not lose programming during power failure. Mfr spec sheet may suffice. Note controller make/model on plan. Show/note pressure regulating valves, shut-off valves, gate vales, etc. Note the required incorporation of compost at a rate of at least 4cy/ksf to a depth of 6”. According to WUCOLS, glossy abelia is medium, not low water use. Missing address and owner data. Show water meter/connection point. Any PUE/PSE along road R/W? Watch for potential utility conflicts with proposed landscaping/trees. Any wall/fence along side PL for ivy to climb on? Watch for height and sight visibility issues. This property is large. Is front yard the only area being landscaped? We would normally ask for a tree staking detail. Turf must be no more than 25% of total landscape area: 1432 – 320 – 100 – 100 = 912sf 365 / 912 = 40%; non-compliant. Min 3” layer of bark/mulch required What is existing or proposed along this PL? Sidewalk? Curb and gutter? Show it. complied How does lot drain? If by swale, how is bark/mulch prevented from moving with runoff? Missing signature of Applicant Prescriptive Compliance Option landscape plan check

Any questions before we get down to some plan checks? If you think of a question later, feel free to contact us: (916) (916)