Sec. 13-5-30. Landscaping.
Any new lawn, garden or outside area that is to be watered, sprinkled or otherwise irrigated with water supplied through the municipal potable water delivery system shall comply with the provisions of this Section as a condition precedent to connecting any irrigation system or device to the municipal potable water supply.
(a) All grasses and plantings to be installed in any yard, garden or other outside area, excluding vegetables or other edible plants cultivated for human consumption, should be of a drought-tolerant, micro-climate suitable, or native species that requires minimal water irrigation. The Director of Parks and Recreation shall promulgate and periodically update an advisory list of drought-tolerant native species and acceptable mixtures of such species to guide landscape architects and other interested persons in the selection of acceptable plants and grasses. Xeriscaping shall be encouraged for all landscape plans. Landscaping shall:
(1) Take into account appropriate site selection, topography, and micro-climates;
(2) Group plants with similar water needs into the same irrigation zones;
(3) Include no more than 100 square feet of Kentucky bluegrass sod, except in public spaces. There shall be no limit to square footage of drought tolerant native grass seed or native wildflower seed;
(4) Exclude invasive species;
(5) Use no more than 8.0 gallons of water per square foot per season, except in public spaces and when a new tree is included as part of a landscape plan. Trees must be put on a separate irrigation zone.
Failure to comply with the provisions of (a)(1) in this Paragraph, TMC Section 13-5-30(a), shall not constitute a punishable offense under this Code, it being the intent of this Section to encourage, but not require, compliance with the provisions of (a)(3) in this Paragraph hereof.
(b) All new irrigation systems to be connected to the municipal potable water supply must incorporate the most water-conserving-type equipment and devices commercially available as of the time the system is submitted for approval, and no new irrigation system shall be connected to the municipal potable water supply without having first been approved by the Building Official. At a minimum, new irrigation systems shall meet the following requirements:
(1) All automatic systems shall be equipped with either an internet-based, weather-monitoring control technology or an onsite weather sensor, an exterior shutoff valve, and a master valve and pressure regulating heads.
(2) The systems shall be equipped with sprinkler spray heads of a type which provide the most uniform coverage and maximum feasible droplets sized to reduce evaporation and wind disturbance of the coverage (pulsating type).
(3) Where the slope gradient to be irrigated so requires, the systems shall be designed to control flow for the purpose of reducing runoff. Zone lateral elevation changes should be minimal. Where necessary, check valves shall be installed to retain water in the pipe when the zone is off.
(4) Where appropriate, drip irrigation shall be preferred.
(5) All new or remodeled landscapes must submit to the Planning and Building Department (i) an irrigation plan prepared by an irrigation specialist that includes a water budget evaluation determining the amount of water required for the health and survival of the landscaping; and (ii) the results of a water audit following completion of irrigation and landscape installation.
(6) The Town may administer programs that include, but are not limited to, irrigation water use analysis, irrigation audits, and irrigation surveys to ensure ongoing compliance with the maximum applied water budget of eight (8) gallons of water per square foot per season.
(c) Irrigation systems connected to the municipal potable water supply prior to the enactment of this Section, and which do not meet the provisions and requirements of this Section, shall be exempt herefrom; except that, in the event a preexisting irrigation system is to be removed and reinstalled, replaced or expanded, such system shall be brought into compliance with all of the requirements of this Section.
(d) No building permit shall be granted for the construction of a new residential, commercial or industrial building or structure unless the installation of all landscaping associated with such construction and devoted to the cultivation of grass or plantings for aesthetic purposes, and not for agricultural food production, includes proper soil preparation. Proper soil preparation shall consist of the removal of all construction debris and the addition to existing soils of a minimum of three (3) cubic yards per one thousand (1,000) square feet of organic matter introduced by tilling, discing or other suitable method to a minimum depth of four (4) inches. Acceptable organic matter shall include compost, aged manures, aged sawdust or any combination of the above.
(e) The use of raw water for the irrigation of yards, gardens and other outside areas is preferred to irrigation using potable water and, when available, shall be required in place of potable water.
(f) Use of municipal treated water for irrigation for any public or private lawns, gardens, trees, shrubs, plants, municipal or school fields, golf courses, cemeteries or similar grass areas shall occur only between the hours of 5:00 pm to 9:00 am daily from May 15 through October 15 with odd numbered properties irrigating on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and even numbered properties irrigating on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday regardless of irrigation type. Any property may irrigate on Sunday. This restriction shall not apply to watering for dust suppression during concerts and special events. Systems may be run before May 15 or after October 15 for the purposes of maintenance, testing, or repair only. Exemptions to this restriction are granted for newly planted lawns and landscaping in their first year only. Additional annual exemptions may be applied for if required for the establishment of plantings. The provisions herein shall be subject to the violations and penalties set forth in Section 13-5-50.
(g) The Town of Telluride Water Efficient Landscaping Standards will be subsequently approved by Town Staff and will serve as a supporting document to meet and expand on the landscaping standards defined in the Telluride Municipal Code Section 13-5-30. Any amendments or updates to the Water Efficient Landscaping Standards may be approved by Town Staff provided notice of the same is given to the Town Council. (Prior code 13.30.030; Ord. 1288 §1, 2008; Ord. 1508 §1, 2020; Ord. 1565 §1, 2023)