The County of San Diego and cities in the Water Authority's service are in the process of adopting the regional efficient landscape ordinance as a result of Assembly Bill 1881. Doing this will create a long-term benefit by changing traditional outdoor water use in San Diego County through the design and installation of beautiful and water-efficient landscapes. Most new home, commercial, and public agency projects will be required to ensure their landscapes use water efficiently.
In 2006, AB 1881 added the Water Conservation Landscaping Act to the California Government Code, which required the Department of Water Resources to adopt a State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance by January 1, 2009. By January 1, 2010, all cities and counties were required to adopt a local ordinance that is at least as effective as the model ordinance. If a city or county does not adopt a local ordinance, it must enforce the State's model ordinance. The State adopted their model ordinance in October 2009, eight months behind schedule. Despite that, most of local jurisdictions in San Diego County are expected to complete adoption of their own ordinances by the first quarter of 2010.
The Water Authority has been actively working with the Conservation Action Committee, Ordinance Workgroup to develop a regional model for the San Diego Region. The workgroup includes representatives from the Water Authority, its member agencies, the local landscape industry, cities and the county. The Ordinance Workgroup is chaired by Scott Molloy of the Building Industry Association and Glen Schmidt of the Association of Landscape Architects. The regional efficient landscape ordinance will help lead residents, businesses, and public agencies in San Diego County to understanding the importance of creating efficient landscapes.
For more information go to waterconservationsummit.com.
