San Francisco Administrative Code § 63.5 Regulation of Landscape Irrigation Efficiency

(a) Landscape projects shall be installed, constructed, operated, and maintained in accordance with this Chapter 63 and the rules and regulations adopted by the Public Utilities Commission that establish limits on water consumption for the purpose of irrigating landscape areas that are part of new construction, landscape rehabilitation projects, and existing landscapes.

(b) Landscape projects shall be planted and irrigated efficiently by complying with water efficient design and operation requirements developed by the General Manager, including but not limited to the use of low water use plants or climate appropriate plants, restrictions on turf areas over 25% of the total landscaped area or on steep slopes, irrigation system audits, and regular irrigation scheduling and maintenance practices.

(c) All landscape projects shall not exceed a Maximum Applied Water Allowance using the formulas developed by the General Manager for local climate conditions within the City and County of San Francisco.

(d) Landscape areas irrigated with non-potable water may have a Maximum Applied Water Allowance that exceeds those for landscapes irrigated with potable water.

(e) The architectural guidelines of a common interest development, which include community apartment projects, condominiums, planned developments, and stock cooperatives as defined in Section 1351 of the California Civil Code, shall not prohibit or include conditions that have the effect of prohibiting the use of low water use plants as a group.

(Added by Ord. 301-10, File No. 101079, App. 12/3/2010; amended by Ord. 24-16, File No. 151251, App. 3/4/2016, Eff. 4/3/2016)