Second Reading of Ord Amending Town Holidays Page 1 of 1
STAFF REPORT
T
O: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Farhad Mortazavi, APA, City Planner
Lorraine Weiss, APA, Principal Planner
VIA: Dan Barros, City Manager
MEETING DATE: October 8, 2025
SUBJECT: Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance Amending Subchapter 5.11 Related to Water Efficient Landscaping
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the following ordinance:
ORDINANCE AMENDING SUBCHAPTER 5.11 OF THE COLMA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING
TO THE WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE REGULATIONS PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES 15378 AND 15308.
COUNCIL ADOPTED VALUES
T
he staff recommendation is consistent with the Council adopted values of:
• Responsibility and vision: Adoption of the ordinance and adoption of the resolution furthers the Tonw’s efforts to reduce water use, ensures regulations are consistent with state law, and streamlines compliance requirements for development projects.
ANALYSIS
At the September 24, 2025 meeting, the City Council introduced Ordinance No. 827, amending Subchapter 5.11 Related to Water Efficient Landscaping of the Colma Municipal Code.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the ordinance.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Ordinance Amending Subchapter 5.11 Related to Water Efficient Landscaping AGENDA ITEM #4
Ord. --, Amending Subchapter 5 - Zoning Page 1 of 4
ORDINANCE NO. 827
O
F THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF COLMA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SUBCHAPTER 5.11 TOF THE COLMA MUNICIPAL
CODE IN FURTHERANCE OF THE MODEL WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE, PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINE 15378 & 15308
The City Council of the Town of Colma does hereby ordain as follows:
ARTICLE 1. RECITALS.
T
he City Council of the Town of Colma finds:
(a) Pursuant to the Town’s police power, as granted broadly under Article XI, Section 7 o
f the California Constitution, the City Council has the authority to enact and enforce ordinances and regulations for the public peace, health, safety, and welfare of the Town and its residents; and
(b) The City Council wishes to amend and update the Town’s planning, zoning, and land use regulations codified at Subchapters 5. 11 of Chapter 5 ( Planning, Zoning, Use & Development of Land & Improvements ) of the Colma Municipal Code to ensure compatibility with the State of California Model Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance codified under Title 22, Division 2, Chapter 2.7 of the California Code of Regulations; and (d) The Zoning Code Amendment is necessary to ensure consistency with state law; and (e) T
he City Council conducted a duly noticed public hearing on September 10, 2025, at wh
ich time the City Council fully considered all oral and written testimony and facts and opinions offered at the aforesaid public hearing; and
(f) It is expected that the ordinance will be exempt from further CEQA review pursuant to Section 15378 as it is more akin to general policy and procedure making not directly related to any specific activity or project. It is also exempt on a separate and independent basis under CEQA Guideline 15308 as a regulation authorized by state law and local ordinance for the protection of water resources.
(g) The requested amendments are desirable for the development of the community because it is consistent with and/or implements the General Plan goals and policies, including:
1. G
oal LU-1: New development should complement existing development to create a distinctive community.
2. P
olicy LU-1-5: Clear and Predictable Development Standards. Strive to adopt and communicate clear and predictable development standards to ensure new development meets the expectations of the Town.
ATTACHMENT A
Ord. --, Amending Subchapter 5 - Zoning Page 2 of 4
3. Policy LU -2-2: Water Efficient Landscape. Apply the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance to new development and projects that include a qualifying amount of replacement or new landscaping
(h) This Ordinance is a matter of citywide importance and necessary for the preservation and protection of the public peace, health, safety, and welfare of the community and is a valid exercise of the local police power and in accord with State law; and (i) All legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Ordinance have occurred.
ARTICLE 2. INCORPORATION OF RECITALS.
The City Council hereby finds that all of the foregoing recitals and the staff report presented herewith are true and correct and are hereby incorporated and adopted as findings of the City Council as if fully set forth herein.
ARTICLE 3. AMENDMENT.
The Colma Municipal Code Subchapter 5.11 is hereby amended as set forth in the attached Exhibit “A,” incorporated by this reference.
ARTICLE 4. SEVERABILITY. Each of the provisions of this Ordinance is severable from all other provisions. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.
ARTICLE 5. CEQA. It is expected that the ordinance will be exempt from further CEQA review for pursuant to Section 15378 as it is more akin to general policy and procedure making not directly related to any specific activity or project. It is also exempt on a separate and independent basis under CEQA Guideline 15308 as a regulation authorized by state law and local ordinance for the protection of water resources.
ARTICLE 6. NOTICE OF DETERMINATION . Town staff is hereby authorized and directed to prepare, file, and post a Notice of Determination pursuant to CEQA with respect to the adoption of this Ordinance.
ARTICLE 7. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance, or a summary thereof prepared by the City Attorney, shall be posted on the three (3) official bulletin boards of the Town of Colma within 15 days of its passage and is to take force and effect thirty (30) days after its passage.
Ord. --, Amending Subchapter 5 - Zoning Page 3 of 4
I certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. --- was duly introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the Town of Colma held on September 24, 2025 and duly adopted at a regular meeting of said City Council held on October 8, 2025
Name Voting Present, Not Voting Absent
Aye No Abstain Not Participating
Ken Gonzalez, Mayor
Carrie Slaughter, Vice Mayor
Helen Fisicaro
Joanne F. del Rosario
Thomas Walsh
Voting Tally
Dated ______________________ ____________________________________ Ken Gonzalez, Mayor
Attest: _____________________________
Michelle Estabillo, City Clerk
Ord. --, Amending Subchapter 5 - Zoning Page 4 of 4
EXHIBIT “A”
Town of Colma
Guidelines for Implementation of the
Water Efficient Landscape Regulations
Town of Colma
Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
1198 El Camino Real, Colma, CA 94014
Phone: 650.757.8888
https://www.colma.ca.gov/
Guidelines for Implementation of the Water Efficient Landscape Regulations
Updated 7/30/25
Purpose
The Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) (Title 22, Division 2, Chapter 2.7 of the California Code of Regulations) is a statewide landscape water conservation law codified under Colma Municipal Code Section (CMC) 5.11. The purpose of WELO is to promote the design, installation, and maintenance of landscaping in a manner that conserves water resources, by ensuring that landscape projects are not unduly water -needy and that irrigation systems are appropriately implemented to minimize water waste . These Guidelines serve as the procedural guidance for project applicants proposing landscape installation or a rehabilitated landscape that are subject to the requirements of WELO.
Applicability
Under CMC 5.11, new landscaping projects that require WELO review fall into two categories:
• New Construction: new building with a landscape area or other new landscape project equal to or greater than 500 square feet, such as a park, playground, or greenbelt without an associated building.
• Rehabilitated Landscape: landscape renovation project that requires a permit, plan check, or design review where the modified landscape area is equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet.
Performance Pathway and Review Thresholds
To determine if a project complies with WELO, applicant s must chose one of two compliance pathways, “prescriptive” or “performance”. Larger projects must comply with the “performance” requirements which require a higher level of review and more detailed documentation. Smaller projects may opt to comply with “prescriptive ” requirements which is a checklist approach that primarily focuses on meeting water budgets. The required performance pathway is determined by the size and type of landscaping proposed. The thresholds for the performance pathways are as follows.
• Less than 500 sq. ft. of landscaping: MWELO compliance is not required • 500 – 2,499 sq. ft. of landscaping: Prescriptive or Performance Compliance required (new construction projects only)
• More than 2,500 sq. ft. of landscaping : Performance Compliance required (new construction and/or rehabilitated projects)
Submittal Documentation
Projects must either comply with the Prescriptive or Performance requirements, not both. The following sections identify the standards and requirements for both prescriptive and performance compliance pathways. The WELO submittal checklist (page 2) shall be completed upon project submittal and identifies the required submittal documents.
Town of Colma
Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
1198 El Camino Real, Colma, CA 94014
Phone: 650.757.8888
https://www.colma.ca.gov/
Guidelines for Implementation of the Water Efficient Landscape Regulations
Updated 7/30/25
WELO Submittal Checklist
Prescriptive Compliance (500-2,499 sq.ft. of new construction landscaping) • Prior to Permit Issuance
□ WELO Project Data Table (page 3)
□ Planting Plan with the following elements:
□ Total Landscape Area (in sq.ft.)
□ Location and Identification of landscaping and landscaping materials □ Plant Legend (identifies all plant materials, number and sizes of all proposed plants, and WUCOL factors)
• Prior to Permit Closeout
□ Certificate of Completion Package (page 7)
□ Project Information
□ Certificate of Installation
□ Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance Schedule
Performance Compliance (2,500+ sq.ft. of landscaping)
• Prior to Permit Issuance
□ WELO Project Data Table (page 3)
□ Performance Compliance WELO Worksheet (page 4)
□ Soil Management Report
□ Landscape Design Plan
□ Irrigation Design Plan
□ Grading Plan
• Prior to Permit Closeout
□ Certificate of Completion Package (page 7)
□ Project Information
□ Certification of Installation
□ Soil Management Report
□ Irrigation Schedule
□ Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance Schedule
□ Irrigation Audit Report
Town of Colma
Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
1198 El Camino Real, Colma, CA 94014
Phone: 650.757.8888
https://www.colma.ca.gov/
Guidelines for Implementation of the Water Efficient Landscape Regulations
Updated 7/30/25
WELO Project Data Table
Project Information
Date:___________________ Property Address: _____________________________________ APN(s): _______________ Total Landscape Area (in sq.ft.): ___________________________ Project Type (Cemetery, institutional, private, home owner):____________________________ Water Purveyor: _______________________________________________________________ Water Supply Type (Circle One): Potable / Recycled / Well / Other: ______________________ Project is Prescriptive or Performance ______________________________________________ Property Owner Information
Name:________________________________________________________________________ Address:_________________________City:________________State:_____Zip Code:________ Email:___________________________Phone:__________________________ Applicant Information (if different than owner)
Name:________________________________________________________________________ Address:_________________________City:________________State:_____Zip Code:________ Email:___________________________Phone:__________________________ Design Professional Information (if different than applicant) Landscape Architect or Designer Name: _____________________________________________ Address:_________________________City:________________State:_____Zip Code:________ Email:___________________________Phone:__________________________ Signature
In the following statement, circle the compliance path option designated above and sign and date this sheet: “The information provided herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I agree to comply with the requirements of the PRESCRIPTIVE / PERFORMANCE compliance option of the MWELO and submit a complete landscape documentation package.” ______________________________________ ___________________ Applicant Signature Date
Town of Colma
Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
1198 El Camino Real, Colma, CA 94014
Phone: 650.757.8888
https://www.colma.ca.gov/
Guidelines for Implementation of the Water Efficient Landscape Regulations
Updated 7/30/25
Performance Compliance WELO Worksheet
Instructions to fill out the Performance Compliance Worksheet can be found on page 5.
ETOa (in/year): _______________
MAWA = EToa x 0.62 x [ETAF x RLA + 1.0 x SLA] =
____________________________________________________________________________ The maximum ETAF allowed in the MAWA equation must be equal to 0.55 -- for residential regular landscape areas (RLA); 0.45 -- for non-residential regular landscape areas (RLA); 1.0 -- for special landscape areas (SLA)
A B C D E F
Hydrozone
(Number, letter,
or other
designation)
Plant
Factor b
“PF”
Irrigation
Efficiency
c “IE”
Evapotranspiration
Adjustment Factor ETAF
= PF / IE
Hydrozone
Area
(sq.ft.)
Estimated Water Use
“EWU” = D x E x ETOa x
.62 (gallons/year)
SLA NA NA 1.0
SLA NA NA 1.0
SLA NA NA 1.0
ETWU Total NA NA NA
MAWA NA NA NA
a Annual ETo for the nearest City
From Appendix C (Title 23
California Code of Regulations,
Division 2, Chapter 2.7)
b Plant Factor (PF) from WUCOLS:
Very Low = less than 0.1; Low = 0.1 -
0.3; Moderate = 0.4 - 0.6; High = 0.7 -
1.0 c Average Irrigation System
Overhead Irrigation = 0.75; Drip Irrigation =
0.81 Town of Colma
Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
1198 El Camino Real, Colma, CA 94014
Phone: 650.757.8888
https://www.colma.ca.gov/
Guidelines for Implementation of the Water Efficient Landscape Regulations
Updated 7/30/25
Performance Compliance MWELO Worksheet
Instructions
When the performance compliance option is selected, the project applicant or designee must complete the worksheet on page 4 . This form is required for submittal with the Landscape Documentation Package. Additional rows or multiple sheets should be used if there are more than 12 hydrozones. The ETWU (gallons per year) must be equal to or less than the MAWA (annual gallons allowed) to comply with MWELO.
Step 1: Reference Evapotranspiration.
Look up the Annual EToa value for the nearest City using the Reference Evapotranspiration (ETo) Table provided in Appendix C of Title 23 California Code of Regulations, Division 2, Chapter 2.7 and use this value in the EWU and MAWA calculations.
Step 2: Calculate the Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA).
1. RLA is the total regular landscape area in square feet.
2. SLA is the total special landscape area in square feet.
3. MAWA is calculated based on the maximum ETAF allowed for the type of landscape areas for the landscape project and is expressed as annual gallons allowed.
4. Effective Precipitation. Per Section 493.3(b)(5), a local agency may consider Effective Precipitation (Eppt), (25% of annual precipitation) in tracking water use and may use the following equation to calculate MAWA:
i. Residential landscapes: MAWA = (ETo - Eppt) x (0.62) x [0.55 x RLA + 1.0 x SLA]
ii. Non-residential landscapes: MAWA = (ETo - Eppt) x (0.62) x [0.45 x RLA + 1.0 x SLA]
Step 3: Calculate the Estimated Total Water Use (ETWU). (a) Column A -- List each hydrozone using the label corresponding to the Landscape Design Plan.
(b) Columns B and C -- Complete the ETWU table for each hydrozone based on the plant factor (PF) and the average irrigation system efficiency (IE). The plant factor is found in Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS). (c) Column D -- calculate the ETAF for each hydrozone by dividing the PF (Column B) by the IE (column C); write the result in column D.
(d) Column E -- for each hydrozone measure and report:
i. Regular landscape area (RLA) as defined in Section 490.2(a)(72). i. Special landscape areas (SLA), as defined in Section 490.2(a)(79), are not included in RLA measurements.
Town of Colma
Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
1198 El Camino Real, Colma, CA 94014
Phone: 650.757.8888
https://www.colma.ca.gov/
Guidelines for Implementation of the Water Efficient Landscape Regulations
Updated 7/30/25
(e) Column F -- calculate the Estimated Water Use (EWU) for each hydrozone by multiplying columns D, E, EToa and 0.62 (conversion factor) and write the result in column F.
(f) ETWU -- is the sum of EWU for each hydrozone and is expressed as gallons per year.
Step 4: Compare ETWU with MAWA.
The ETWU (gallons per year) must be equal to or less than the MAWA (annual gallows allowed) to comply with MWELO.
Town of Colma
Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
1198 El Camino Real, Colma, CA 94014
Phone: 650.757.8888
https://www.colma.ca.gov/
Guidelines for Implementation of the Water Efficient Landscape Regulations
Updated 7/30/25
Certificate of Completion Package
This form must be completed and submitted to the Building Department prior to permit close- out. This certificate must be filled out by the project applicant or their landscape professional designee to certify that the landscape project has been installed in accordance with the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
1. Prescriptive compliance option:: complete Element(s) 1,2,4, and 5
2. Performance compliance option: complete all 6 elements.
Element 1
Project Information
Applicant Name: _______________________________ Company:________________________ Property Owner Name (if different):______________________________ Project Name:______________________________________
Address:_________________________City:________________State:_____Zip Code:________ Email:___________________________Phone:__________________________ Water Purveyor: _____________________________________________________________ Water Supply Type (Circle One): Potable / Recycled / Well / Other: ____________________ Project Information
Address:_________________________City:________________State:_____Zip Code:________ APN(s): _______________ Meter Number(s) (if available): _____________________________ Element 2
Certification of Installation According to the Landscape Documentation Package Certification by the designer of record that the landscape project has been installed per the approved Landscape Documentation Package per Section 491.4 and the applicable documents:
1. Where there have been significant changes made in the field during construction, these “as-built” or record drawings shall be included.
2. A diagram of the irrigation plan showing hydrozones shall be kept with the automatic irrigation controller for subsequent management processes “I/we certify that based upon periodic site observations, the work has been completed in accordance with the model ordinance and that the landscape planting and irrigation installation Town of Colma
Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
1198 El Camino Real, Colma, CA 94014
Phone: 650.757.8888
https://www.colma.ca.gov/
Guidelines for Implementation of the Water Efficient Landscape Regulations
Updated 7/30/25
conform with the criteria and specifications of the approved Landscape Documentation Package.”
______________________________________ ___________________ Primary Designer of Record Signature Date
______________________________________
Primary Designer of Record Name (print)
______________________________________ ___________________ Secondary Designer of Record Signature Date
______________________________________
Secondary Designer Name (print)
Element 3
Soil Management Report
Attach soil management report, if not previously submitted with the Landscape Documentation Package per model ordinance Section 491.4(b).
Attach documentation verifying implementation of recommendations from soil analysis management report per model ordinance Section 493.1.
Element 4
Irrigation Scheduling Parameters
Attach irrigation scheduling parameters used to set the automatic irrigation controller per model ordinance Section 493.4.
Element 5
Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance Schedule
Attach landscape and irrigation maintenance schedule per model ordinance Section 493.5.
Element 6
Irrigation Audit and Report
Attach Irrigation Audit Report per model ordinance Section 493.6.
Town of Colma
Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
1198 El Camino Real, Colma, CA 94014
Phone: 650.757.8888
https://www.colma.ca.gov/
Guidelines for Implementation of the Water Efficient Landscape Regulations
Updated 7/30/25
Project Applicant Signature
“I/we certify that I/we have received copies of all the documents within the Certificate of Completion Package and that it is our responsibility to see that the project is maintained in accordance with the Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance Schedule.”
______________________________________ ___________________ Project Applicant (or designee) Signature Date
Please answer the questions below:
1. Date the Landscape Documentation Package was submitted to the local agency __________
2. Date the Landscape Documentation Package was approved by the local agency __________
3. Date that a copy of the Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet (including the Water Budget Calculation) was submitted to the local water purveyor __________