AB325, the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act, required unchartered cities to meet or exceed the landscaping regulations set forth in a Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance created by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) along with stakeholders. Provisions included:

• Calculations of the maximum applied water allowance, applied water use, and total water use

• An ET, or evapo-transpiration adjustment factor (which is used to calculate the landscape water budget) of 0.8

• Submittal of a landscape and irrigation design plan including irrigation and maintenance schedules

• A grading Design Plan

• Soil Analysis

• A certificate of Substantial Completion (once the project has been installed)

2004-2005: Assembly Bill No. 2717

AB2717, (Laird, 2004) designated the CaliforniaUrban Water Conservation Council to review and update the DWR Model- Local Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. The AB2717 Task Force developed a series of recommendations that are incorporated into Water Smart Landscapes for California

2006: Assembly Bill No. 1881

AB1881,(Laird, 2006) the Water Conservation in Landscaping bill, was signed by the Governor on September 28, 2006. The legislation’s key provisions include:

• By January 1, 2010, local landscaping ordinances must be “at least as effective as” the State Model Ordinance (SMO), which is being created by the California Department of Water Resources. The new SMO is based on recommendations set forth in the Landscape Task Force report, Water Smart Landscapes for California, and will be distributed by January 1, 2009. Proposed SMO requirements include:

  • Adopting water conserving rate structures

  • Reducing the ET Adjustment factor, used in the calculation of a the water budget, to at least 0.7

  • Enforce and monitor compliance with local and Model Ordinances

  • Promote the use of recycled water in urban landscapes

  • Increase the public’s awareness of the importance of landscape water use efficiency and inspire them to action

  • Require Smart Controllers

  • Adopt and enforce statewide prohibitions on overspray and runoff

  • Provide training and certification opportunities to landscape and irrigation professionals

• New performance standards and labeling requirements for landscape irrigation controllers and moisture sensors are being developed by the California Energy Commission. The new requirements must be adopted by 2012.

• Water purveyors are required to separate landscape water meters for new development with landscaped areas greater than 5,000 square feet by 2008, excluding single-family homes

• Common interest development groups (homeowner associations) and municipalities shall not prohibit the use of low water-using plants

Sample Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance

• Riverside County