§ 24-6. Water-efficient landscaping.

(a)

Purpose. Because water restrictions have become a common occurrence in Central Florida, the county is incorporating water-efficient landscape standards into this section.

(b)

Water-efficient design. The following water-efficient principles shall be considered when designing a 40/40/20 landscape plan as described in section 24-4 of this Code:

(1)

Design. Tree and plant material shall be grouped into zones designated by the water requirements of the plants so that plants are grouped together by irrigation demand. The water use zones shall be delineated on the landscape plan. Newly installed trees may require regular watering for up to the first year to become established. Installed trees and vegetation shall be spaced and located to accommodate their mature size on the site. The water use zones are as follows:

a.

Higher water use zone. A zone containing plants which are generally associated with low to no drought tolerance and wet soils.

b.

Moderate water use zone. A zone containing plants which are generally associated with medium drought tolerance and medium drained soils.

c.

Low water use zone. A zone containing plants which are generally associated with high drought tolerance and well drained soil.

In all zones, the plant palette and irrigation system shall be appropriate for site and soil conditions.

(2)

Plant selection. In preparing the landscape plan, plant material shall be selected that is best suited to withstand the growing and soil conditions which are found in the microclimate of each particular location on a site. Plant species that are freeze and drought tolerant are preferred.

(3)

Turf grass. Turf grass areas shall be consolidated and limited to those areas on the site that receive pedestrian traffic, provide for recreational uses, provide soil erosion control such as on slopes or in swales, where turf grass is used as a design unifier, or other similar practical use. The landscape plan shall label the intended use of turf areas.

(4)

Mulch. A layer of organic mulch, installed to a minimum depth of two (2) inches, shall be specified on the landscape plans in plant beds and around individual trees in turf grass areas. Mulch shall not be required in annual beds.

(5)

Irrigation. Reuse water shall be used as defined in chapter 37 of this Code. The irrigation system shall be designed to correlate to the organization of plants into zones as described in subsection (b)(1) above. All irrigation systems shall conform to the requirements set forth in chapter 37 of this Code and shall be certified by the licensed contractor or licensed professional to be in compliance with chapter 37 irrigation system requirements in design; certification shall include language providing that the system shall be installed in compliance with the chapter 37 irrigation system requirements. This certification shall be submitted to the county on the landscape plan.

(6)

Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed to prohibit or be enforced to prohibit any property owner from implementing county-approved low impact development techniques for storm water management and capture or Florida friendly landscaping on his/her land.

(Ord. No. 92-42, § 1, 12-15-92; Ord. No. 2009-25 , § 4, 9-22-09)