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DISCUSSION The significant revisions made to the 2015 MWELO are summarized as follows: Applicability (Section 490.1) The 2015 MWELO is applicable to new residential, commercial, industrial and institutional development projects that include landscape areas of 500 sq. ft. or more that require a permit, plan check, or design review. Any project with an aggregate landscape area of 500 to 2,500 sq. ft. or less can conform to a streamlined version of the ordinance, referred to as the Prescriptive Compliance Option (Appendix D of 2015 MWELO). (The previous landscape size threshold for new development projects ranged from 2,500 sq. ft. to 5,000 sq. ft.) The size threshold for existing landscapes that are being rehabilitated has not changed, remaining at 2,500 sq. ft. Only rehabilitated landscapes that are associated with a building or landscape permit, plan check, or design review are subject to 2015 MWELO. Furthermore, to encourage the use of graywater or captured rainwater, 2015 MWELO includes a streamlined process, in lieu of the full 2015 MWELO requirements for landscape projects under 2,500 sq. ft. that are irrigated entirely with graywater or captured rainwater. The City's BFB landscape requirements were applicable to the same landscape projects that fell under the 2009 MWELO requirements, and are recommended to transition into applicability to 2015 MWELO applicable projects. Reporting Requirements (Section 496) The 2015 MWELO requires all local agencies to report on implementation and enforcement of their landscape ordinance to DWR by December 31, 2015. Subsequently, reporting will be due by January 31St of each year to DWR. In turn, DWR will report to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWB) on the progress of agency actions and reporting. Increased Irrigation Efficiency Requirements (Section 492.7) The following irrigation efficiency requirements are included in 2015 MWELO: • Submeters are required for residential landscapes over 5,000 sq. ft. • Irrigation systems are required to have pressure regulators and master shut-off valves. • Landscape areas greater than 5,000 sq. ft. are required to have flow sensors that detect and report high flow conditions due to breaks and leaks. • The minimum width of areas that can be irrigated by overhead irrigation changed from 8 ft. to 10 ft. wide. Any area less than 10 ft. wide must be irrigated with subsurface drip or other technology that does not produce over spray. Page 3 of 4