Irrigation Checklist

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MINNEOLA, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 110 OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE OF THE CITY OF MINNEOLA TO REVISE IRRIGATION REQUIREMENTS; PROVIDING FOR CONDITIONS; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

WHEREAS, the St. John's Water Management District (the "District") has the responsibility and exclusive authority under Chapter 373, Florida Statutes, for regulating the consumptive use of water; and

WHEREAS, the City of Minneola (the "City") is in the process ofrenewing and amending its consumptive use of water permit issued by the District; and

WHEREAS, the District, as provided for by 40C-2.042(2), Florida Administrative Code and Section 373.609, Florida Statutes, has requested the City assist the District by implementing and enforcing the District's landscape irrigation limitations; and

WHEREAS, the City's Conservation Element of the Comprehensive Plan, Policy 5-1.3.5 requires the City to use and/or preserve native or drought-resistant vegetation for landscaping to the greatest reasonable extent and promote water conservation; and

WHEREAS, the City of Minneola desires to amend its Land Development Code to establish requirements for irrigation consistent with the water conservation measure of the District; and

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Minneola finds it in the public interest to preserve the health, welfare, and safety of the citizens of the City of Minneola by implementing such water conservation methods.

Section I.         Recitals. The above are true and correct and incorporated herein as legislative findings of the City Council.

Section 2.       Implementation. Chapter 110 of the Minneola Land Development Code shall be amended as follows:

(Words in skt:tek thFet:tgh are deletions from existing law; Words in underscored type are additions)

Sec. 1 I0- 7. - Irrigation. Newly systems shall meet or exceed the criteria for the Florida Water Starcertification program. Applicants who use the Florida Water Star program are required to provide City staff with a copy of the certification issued by the St. Johns Water Management District (SJRWMD) for each parcel. If Florida Water Star certification from SJRWMD is not provided, an affidavit for each parcel listing all the criteria in section {b) and stating that it has been met must be provided to City.

1. All new irrigation systems installed must meet the following criteria:
   1. In-ground irrigation for residential properties is limited to front and side yards only. The maximum irrigated area shall not exceed 60% of the lot size or up to 1/2 acre, whichever is less. Backyards, as measured from the rear house to the property line, shall be planted with Florida Friendly vegetation or drought tolerate grasses such as Bahia, Bermuda, or Centipede.
   2. For lots over 1/8 acres in size. high-volume irrigation shall not exceed 40% of the total front and side yards.
   3. Narrow yards, four feet or less, shall not be irrigated unless micro-irrigation is properly installed and used.
   4. High volume irrigation shall not be used for trees, shrubs, or groundcover beds.
   5. Irrigation zones shall be divided according to vegetated groupings (i.e. turfgrass, shrubs, trees, etc.) and the water requirements of the landscape.
   6. Sprinkler head types (i.e. spray heads and rotors). are not mixed in the same zone.
   7. Distribution equipment in each zone has matched precipitation rates.
   8. Rotors and sprays sprinkler heads in turfgrass areas are spaced to provide head-to-head coverage. unless using valve-in-head sprinklers using multi­ stream nozzles.
   9. There is a minimum separation of four inches between distribution equipment and the pavement.
   10. There is a minimum separation of twelve inches between distribution equipment and vertical structures.
   11. Installation of a rain sensor device has been correctly installed. Types include Rain Sensor; Soil Moisture Sensor; ET Sensor.
   12. The automatic controller can be programmed in minutes, by day of week. season. time of day. and can accommodate multiple start times. programs. and power outages.
   13. Check valves which can hold a minimum of a five-foot head were used in low­ lying areas to prevent head drainage (unless using valve-in-head sprinklers.) 
   14. Irrigation system equipment is installed in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. .There is no direct spray onto walkways. buildings. roadways. and drives. 
   15. Pipelines are designed to provide the system with appropriate pressure.
   16. All irrigation system underground piping shall have a minimum soil cover of six inches.

Sec. 110-9. - Xeriscape.

1. Purpose. Xeriscape is a set of landscape design and maintenance principles which promote good horticultural practice and the economic and efficient use of water.The term xeriscape is the registered trademark of Denver Water and means water conserving, drought tolerant landscaping or simply the use of appropriate plant materials that do not require special attention and which require little supplemental water to grow properly. Xeriscape designs do not resemble desert landscapes, but reflect the lush traditional appearance of Florida gardens. Because water restrictions have become a common occurrence in Central Florida, theity is incorporating water conserving landscape standards into this chapter.