Water Efficient Landscape Standards

The City’s Landscape Design Standards were last revised in 2008; after 14 years the standards are due for an update, especially as irrigation technology has become more efficient. Additionally, the WELS 2023 Resolution updates more closely align with the California State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) which was revised in 2015. Please see below for a summary of the changes.

Applicability

• Clarified that WELS apply whenever a landscaping or irrigation plan is required by any section of City of Santa Barbara Municipal Code, or if required by and City design review or land use review body (adapted from MWELO § 490.1)
• Added several categories of projects that are exempt from the WELS

Definitions

• Placed definitions into alphabetical order and added to the list. Definitions that were added followed MWELO language (adapted from MWELO §491)

Plant Requirements

• Kept water wise requirements the same, but added option for applicants to submit MWELO calculations if they want to reach compliance in that way (adapted from MWELO, Appendix A, Sample Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet)
• Residential properties will still aim for 80% low water using plants, or a 0.5 ETAF
• Non-residential properties will still aim for 100% low water using plants, or a 0.037 ETAF
• We are undecided if we should keep the Santa Barbara Addendum to WUCOLS

Irrigation Requirements

• Added MWELO irrigation requirements (adapted from MWELO § 492.7). This category had the most additions including: drip emitters need to be 2 GPH or less and manual shut off valves and flow sensors are required for projects greater than 5,000 square feet.

Submission Requirements

• Clarified the planting, irrigation and hydrozone details that should be on each plan (adapted from MWELO § 492.6 and § 492.7)
• Clarified that all submittals need to include a completed and signed City Landscape Compliance Statement

Final Landscape Inspections

• Projects with < 5,000 sf of new/revised irrigated area will have a Final Inspection from City Staff
• Projects with > 5,000 sf or new/revised irrigated area will have a Final Inspection from City Staff and need to comply with MWELO § 492.12 and obtain a 3rd party irrigation audit.

A landscape plan that complies with the City’s WELS, as adopted by resolution of the City Council (Resolution No. 23-007), must be submitted by the project applicant and approved by the City before construction of a development or redevelopment project. For example, a landscape plan is required if:

1.  Construction of a new building exceeds 500 square feet;
2. Substantial redevelopment of a building, as described in Section 30.140.200 of this Code, exceeds 500 square feet;
3. Addition of more than 500 square feet of floor area to an existing building;
4. Projects where a landscape plan is required by any City design review or land use review body, including but not limited to, the Architectural Board of Review, Historic Landmarks Commission, Single Family Design Board, Staff Hearing Officer, or the Planning Commission.

A landscape plan may also be required if under any other provision of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code. For questions about whether your landscaping project on private property will need permitting, please contact or visit the Planning Counter at 630 Garden Street, (805) 564-5578. Also see the Landscape Plan Submittal Guide for more information on landscaping changes and relevant permitting triggers.

Landscaping projects in the public right-of-way or park strip/parkway/streetscape areas that are not affecting any street trees will generally not require a permit. However, they must comply with City street landscaping code, which limits plantings to 8” tall at maturity, to drought-tolerant species only (Suggested Parkway Plants), and to keeping plants trimmed back from blocking the free flow of vehicular and foot traffic or interfering with sight-lines. Please contact or visit the Public Works Counter at 630 Garden Street or call (805) 564-5377 for additional information or to confirm that your anticipated parkway landscaping project will not need permitting.

If your project will modify, plant or remove street trees in any way (including possible root damage), please contact the City Parks Division at (805) 564-5433 or visit the Urban Forestry webpage for more information on tree modification and removal. Street tree modification, planting or removal will require coordination and approval from the Parks Division.