Orange County Landscaping and Water Conservation Ordinance Presented to: Orange County Board of County Commissioners June 23, 2009

Purpose of Workshop Overview of the proposed landscape ordinance

Presentation Outline  State of Water Use in Orange County  2009 Legislative Actions  Implementation Strategies – Outreach and Education – Conservation Water Rate – Landscape Ordinance Revisions  Next Steps

Presentation Outline  State of Water Use in Orange County  2009 Legislative Actions  Implementation Strategies – Outreach and Education – Conservation Water Rate – Landscape Ordinance Revisions  Next Steps

 Water Sources – Ground Water (100%) – Reclaimed Water – Conservation  New Water Sources – More Conservation – Storm Water – Surface Water – Desalination State of Water Use

 Water demands double by 2025  Limits on the Floridan Aquifer  2 water management districts – Regulatory  Multiple users  Availability of the new sources  Proximity of new water sources  Potential Environmental Issues State of Water Use

 Consumptive Use Permits – Groundwater Allocation capped at 2013 demandsAllocation capped at 2013 demands One permit with SJRWMD (2026)One permit with SJRWMD (2026) Two permits with SFWMD (2022, 2027)Two permits with SFWMD (2022, 2027) State of Water Use St. Johns River WMD South Florida WMD

State of Water Use

Per Capita Water Use

Presentation Outline  State of Water Use in Orange County  2009 Legislative Actions  Implementation Strategies – Outreach and Education – Conservation Water Rate – Landscape Ordinance Revisions  Next Steps

Legislative Actions  Water related issues in the 2009 session: – Water Conservation through responsible landscape irrigation – Fertilizer Application – Florida Friendly Landscaping

Legislative Actions  Senate Bill 494 – Irrigation system requirements – Model irrigation ordinance – Model fertilizer ordinance  Senate Bill 2080 – Delegation of permitting authority – Long term permits for certain projects – Florida Friendly provisions

Presentation Outline  State of Water Use in Orange County  2009 Legislative Actions  Implementation Strategies – Outreach and Education – Conservation Water Rate – Landscape Ordinance Revisions  Next Steps

 Outreach and Education  Conservation Water Rate  Regulatory (Landscape Ordinance) Implementation Strategy

Partnerships  Homeowners Association  Home Builders Association Association  Landscaping Industry  Legislative and Regulatory Entities Regulatory Entities  Home Improvement Centers  All Water Users Outreach and Education

Water Use Efficiency  Water Use Efficiency  Ease of use by Residential and Commercial Customers  Cost of Operation  Maintenance Issues Smart Technology Study Outreach and Education

Turf Buy-Back Program  Minimum amount to turf to be converted  Maximum amount of turf allowed (50%)  Certain lot size to participate  Must make all repairs to irrigation system itself  Must use the Florida Friendly Plant list Outreach and Education

Mobile Irrigation System Audits Mobile Irrigation System Audits  Inspection of irrigation controller and hardware  Determination of landscape watering needs  Review of current irrigation schedules  Check Performance of Irrigation System  Report all Findings Outreach and Education

Media Campaign  Bill stuffers  Florida Friendly Workshops  Public Service Announcements  Media Campaign Partnerships – EPA Water Sense  Educational Materials  Website Outreach and Education

Rates that provide price signal to wisely use water to wisely use water – To promote efficient use of the limited resource – To recognize future water sources are more expensive Conservation Water Rate

Presentation Outline  State of Water Use in Orange County  2009 Legislative Actions  Implementation Strategies – Outreach and Education – Conservation Water Rate – Landscape Ordinance Revisions  Next Steps

Orange County Comprehensive Plan - Potable Water Element ; Objective Potable Water Element ; Objective Future Land Use Element ; Policy Conservation Element GOAL # 1 Landscape Ordinance

Surrounding Agency Initiatives Surrounding Agency Initiatives - Polk County Ordinance > Minimum turf island dimension > Preserve existing native plant material > Establishes maximum % of turf - Seminole County Ordinance > Low / Moderate / High water use percentages - Hillsborough County Ordinance > 50% Turf Restriction on non-residential - Lake County Ordinance # 2009 – 17 > Codifies SJRWMD CUP Rule # 40C > Establishes irrigation schedule - Volusia County “Water Wise Landscape Ordinance” Restriction on application rates > Restriction on application rates Landscape Ordinance

 Landscape plan submittal submittal requirements requirements Ordinance Highlights

 Turf grass restriction in residential common areas Ordinance Highlights Low-water use ground cover High-water use ‘thirsty’ turf

 Turf grass restriction in residential common areas Ordinance Highlights Low-water use ground cover High-water use ‘thirsty’ turf

 Turf grass prohibition in parking lot islands Ordinance Highlights No turf in parking lots Turf strips in parking lot islands

 Turf prohibition at ROW edge Ordinance Highlights Thin turf strips along the ROW Irrigationwateroverspray

 Restrictions on ‘Thirsty’ Plant Materials [ 40% / 40% / 20% ] Ordinance Highlights Florida Friendly Landscaping

 Reclaimed water required where available required where available Ordinance Highlights

 Three or Less Residential Units exempt Ordinance Highlights Smaller residential projects exempt Turf restrictions for PSP and multifamily

 Required Landscape Ordinance Compliance Certification Letter Ordinance Highlights

Presentation Outline  State of Water Use in Orange County  2009 Legislative Actions  Implementation Strategies –Outreach and Education –Enhanced Rate Structure –Landscape Ordinance Revisions  Next Steps

 Stakeholder meetings  DAB  LPA  BCC Adoption * * Enaction date delayed for 1 year ; education and outreach period Next Steps

Requested Action Proceed with Landscaping and Water Conservation Ordinance