How do I comply?
A project applicant must submit a Landscape Documentation Package to the Planning Department when applying for a permit.
Once the permit is issued the applicant must submit a copy of the Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet to the City of Vacaville or the local water purveyor. The documentation package requires information on: total landscape area, project type, and water supply type. These factors impact the requirements. The Worksheet provides equations to determine the water budget calculation, including Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA) and Estimated Total Water Use (ETWU). MAWA is calculated based on the maximum evapotranspiration adjustment factor allowed, these are set rates based on whether the project is residential, commercial or industrial. ETWU is calculated based on the plants used and irrigation method selected. Both calculations adjust for Evapotranspiration, which is based on average annual rainfall. Estimated Total Water Use must be less than the Maximum Applied Water Allowance, as determined by the worksheet.
To monitor compliance, non-residential irrigated landscapes between 1,000-5,000 square feet require a dedicated water meter(s) for the irrigation system. The same is true for residential landscaping of 5,000 square feet or more.
