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Exhibit 3 - Landscape Design Manual.pdf

Corona City Council
July 1, 2026

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Exhibit 3 - Landscape Design Manual.pdf
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July 1, 2026
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Corona City Council
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Text extracted from the city's file for reading and search. Open the original on pub-corona.escribemeetings.com. That file is the official record.

City of Corona

LANDSCAPE

DESIGN MANUAL
June 2026
i Landscape Design Manual, City of Corona
City of Corona

LANDSCAPE DESIGN MANUAL
June 2026
Landscape Design Manual, City of Corona ii
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Overview....................................................................................................................................... 2

1.2 Organization.............................................................................................................................. 3

1.3 Context........................................................................................................................................ 3

1.4 General Provisions................................................................................................................ 5

1.5 Administration .......................................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER 2: RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN

2.1 Purpose & Applicability ...................................................................................................... 7

2.2 Front Yard.................................................................................................................................... 7

2.3 Side & Rear Yard.......................................................................................................................... 8

2.4 Trash Enclosure & Mechanical Units........................................................................... 8

2.5 Parking Lots.................................................................................................................................. 9

2.6 Slopes................................................................................................................................................... 9

2.7 Parkways......................................................................................................................................... 20 CHAPTER 3: NON-RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN

3.1 Purpose & Applicability ..................................................................................................... 13

3.2 Front, Side & Rear Yards.................................................................................................. 13

3.3 Landscape Materials & Elements .................................................................................. 13

3.4 Parking Lots................................................................................................................................... 15

3.5 Entries & Focal Ponts.......................................................................................................... 16

3.6 Storage & Loading Areas, Trash Enclosures & Mechanical Units..............17

TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 4: WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE DESIGN

4.1 Purpose & Applicability.................................................................................................. 24

4.2 Prescriptive Compliance Option............................................................................. 24

4.3 Performance Compliance: Landscape Documentation............................ 25

4.4 Performance Compliance: Irrigation & Maintenance ................................. 32

4.5 Performance Compliance: Certificate of Completion................................. 34

4.6 Additional Provisions ........................................................................................................... 34

APPENDICES
APPENDIX A: Definitions......................................................................................................... 39 APPENDIX B: Landscape Design Resources.................................................................. 46 APPENDIX C: Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet ................................................. 47 APPENDIX D: Certificate of Completion ........................................................................... 49 TABLE 4.1 Reference Evapotranspiration (ETo)................................................................. 31

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES
iii Landscape Design Manual, City of Corona
Landscape Design Manual, City of Corona 1

1.1 Overview ...................................................................................................................................2

1.2 Organization ............................................................................................................................3

1.3 Context .......................................................................................................................................3

1.4 General Provisions ................................................................................................................5

1.5 Administration .........................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Landscape Design Manual, City of Corona
1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 OVERVIEW
INTENT
The City of Corona (“City”) Landscape Design Manual (“Manual”) provides procedural and design guidance for landscape installation and rehabilitation projects. It is intended for use by project applicants to prepare suitable landscape design documentation and to establish criteria the City will use in evaluating landscape design proposals.

The design goal is for landscape projects to contribute to an inviting and attractive community and to create appealing and sustainable living, shopping, and working environments.

This Manual’s standards and guidelines 1) complement the site development regulations and design guidelines contained in the City’s Zoning Ordinance and adopted Specific Plans; and 2) address the State’s requirement for water efficient landscapes by implementing the locally adopted Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (“WELO”).

1.2 ORGANIZATION
The Manual is organized by chapter to provide separate design criteria for residential and non-residential landscape installation and rehabilitation projects. It also includes water efficient landscape design requirements applicable to all project types.

CHAPTER 1: Introduction provides an overview of the Manual.

CHAPTER 2: Residential Landscape Design presents design standards and guidelines applicable to landscape installation and rehabilitation projects on residential properties, including mixed-use developments containing a residential component.

CHAPTER 3: Non-Residential Landscape Design presents standards and guidelines applicable to landscape installation and rehabilitation projects on non-residential properties, including commercial, industrial and institutional developments.

CHAPTER 4: Water Efficient Landscape Design implements the City’s WELO by establishing procedures and design requirements that promote water conservation for all landscape installation and rehabilitation projects of a specified minimum area.

Appendices provides definitions for landscape terms used throughout the Manual, a list of helpful landscape design resources, and copies of forms that are required as part of the review and approval process. 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Landscape Design Manual, City of Corona
INTRODUCTION 1

1.3 CONTEXT

POLICY CONTEXT
This Manual implements State and local policies and regulations for landscape design and installation, including requirements for water efficient landscapes.

GENERAL PLAN 2020-2040
Corona’s land use policies require that development projects convey a high level of landscape quality and encourage sustainable practices for landscape design. Moreover, the Community Design Element promotes high quality and sustainable landscapes along Corona’s streets and within its public landscapes. It also acknowledges the importance of quality landscape design on private property in contributing to a sense of place and enhancing neighborhood character and livability.

STATE MODEL WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE (“MWELO”) Adopted by the State Department of Natural Resources to promote efficient water use in new and retrofitted landscapes, all local agencies must adopt, implement and enforce the State’s MWELO or a local WELO that is at least as effective as the MWELO. The purpose of a water efficient landscape ordinance is to reduce water use and improve environmental conditions in the built environment. The City of Corona has elected to adopt its own WELO to better address local conditions.

CITY LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE
Chapter 17.70 (Landscaping, Fences, Walls, Hedges) of the Corona Municipal Code (“CMC”) establishes minimum landscape requirements, including regulations for walls, fences, and hedges. The purpose of the ordinance is to apply the General Plan’s policies encouraging high quality and sustainable landscapes by establishing minimum requirements for landscape design, installation, and maintenance. Additionally, it incorporates the City’s WELO with reference to this Manual as a tool for its implementation.

DESIGN CONTEXT
This Manual supports regionally appropriate landscape design that reinforces the community’s overall quality and sense of place.

REGIONAL LANDSCAPE CHARACTER
Plant selection for any landscape installation and rehabilitation project should start with those species adapted to that location’s climate zone. The Sunset Western Climate Zone System places Corona within Climate Zones 18 and 19, which are classified as “interior” climates. A wide array of attractive and environmentally friendly plants that use less water than traditional landscapes are suitable for these semi-arid zones, while the selection of plants native to the region will achieve the most sustainable landscapes.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN RESOURCES
For information on Sunset Climate Zones and suitable plants for Corona’s climate zone, consult Sunset’s Western Garden Book. For information on native plants, the California Native Plant Society’s A Planting Guide for Riverside County is a recommended resource. Additional references to helpful landscape design resources are provided in Appendix B.
4 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Landscape Design Manual, City of Corona
1 INTRODUCTION 1
It is also noteworthy that Corona City Hall’s California Friendly Demonstration Garden offers a platform to educate and inspire businesses and residents to install landscapes that reflect the region’s unique aesthetic character and thrive in the Southern California environment.

WATER USE CLASSIFICATION OF LANDSCAPE SPECIES (WUCOLS)
WUCOLS is an online plant search database maintained by the California Center for Urban Agriculture at UC Davis and intended to help landscape professionals determine the water needs of various plant species and guide them in both plant selection and in developing irrigation schedules. Its extensive plant list identifies water needs for each plant by region according to the categories of High, Moderate, Low, and Very Low. WUCOLS locates Corona within Region 4 (South Inland Valley and Foothills), which encompasses Sunset Climate Zones 18 and 19.

Note that this Manual includes requirements for plant selection that reference the WUCOLS database.

City Hall demonstration garden City Hall demonstration garden

1.4 GENERAL PROVISIONS
The following general provisions apply to all landscape installation and rehabilitation projects:
• All plants shall be selected from the WUCOLS IV plant list, or latest edition, with water needs of moderate or lower.
• On-site landscape with automatic irrigation shall be provided for all properties, subject to the requirements of the Landscape Ordinance and Manual; off-site landscape and irrigation (e.g., for parkways) may also be required.
• Landscapes shall be designed to use water efficiently without waste to the lowest practical amount and comply with the City’s WELO and the implementing guidelines contained within the Landscape Design Manual. • Landscape documentation for landscape installation and rehabilitation projects submitted under the Performance Compliance requirements of the WELO shall be prepared by, or under direct supervision of a registered Landscape Architect (State of California) and shall bear the Landscape Architects’ signature and seal. • Landscape documentation for all other submittals involving landscape installation and rehabilitation should be prepared by, or under the direct supervision of a registered Landscape Architect (State of California) or another qualified landscape professional with experience and knowledge in preparing landscape plans. 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Landscape Design Manual, City of Corona
INTRODUCTION 1

1.5 ADMINISTRATION

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
The Landscape Design Manual shall be administered by the Planning and Development Department under the guidance of the Planning and Development Director. Any decisions of the Planning and Development Director concerning the implementation of these guidelines may be appealed to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission’s decision may be further appealed to the City Council.

In the event of conflict with the provisions of an adopted specific plan, design guidelines, or similar planning and land use document, the more restrictive provision shall control.

REVIEW PROCEDURES
Review and approval of landscape installation and rehabilitation projects shall proceed as follows:

DISCRETIONARY REVIEW
Project proposals subject to Architectural Review, Precise Plan Review, and/or any discretionary approval as specified by the Zoning Code may require Landscape Plans as part of the submittal package to the Planning and Development Department. Landscape Plans shall undergo preliminary review for compliance with applicable landscape regulations and guidelines. Discretionary approvals shall attach a condition that the project conform to the City’s WELO prior to issuance of any permit to proceed with landscape installation or rehabilitation. A typical standard condition of approval reads:
“The project ‘s landscape shall be designed to comply with the landscape requirements of Chapter 17.70 of the Corona Municipal Code, including City’s Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) and the Landscape Design Manual.”

MINISTERIAL PERMITS
Prior to issuance of any ministerial permit to proceed, all landscape installation and rehabilitation projects subject to the City’s WELO shall submit a Landscape Documentation Package as described in Section

17.70.060(D) of the CMC for the Prescriptive Compliance Option and Section 17.70.060(E) for the Performance Compliance Option. The required documentation shall be reviewed by the Planning and Development Department for compliance with the Landscape Ordinance, Landscape Design Manual, and other applicable landscape regulations and guidelines, as well as conformance with any discretionary approvals or conditions of approval.

Landscape Design Manual, City of Corona 6

2.1 Purpose & Applicability ........................................................................................................7

2.2 Front Yard ...................................................................................................................................7

2.3 Side & Rear Yard........................................................................................................................8

2.4 Trash Enclosure & Mechanical Unit ..............................................................................8

2.5 Parking Lots.................................................................................................................................9

2.6 Slopes................................................................................................................................................9

RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN
CHAPTER 2

2.7 Parkways...........................................................................................................................................10 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Landscape Design Manual, City of Corona
2 RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN 1

2.1 PURPOSE & APPLICABILITY
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This chapter expands on the requirements of the City’s
Landscape Ordinance, establishing additional
standards and guidelines for landscape design and
installation on residential properties. Their general
purpose is for the design and installation of residential landscapes to help make attractive, livable, and
sustainable neighborhoods throughout the City.
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ThŝƐDĂŶƵĂůĂƉƉůŝĞƐto all residential landscape
installation and rehabilitation projects requiring
discretionary review and/or a ministerial permit,
including:
• Trees: Two 24-inch box trees or three 15-gallon trees for single family development; One 24-inch box tree
for every 500 square feet of front yard area in
multiple family development.
• Hardscape (excluding driveways): Up to 30%
maximum.
• Shrubs and/or Groundcover: Up to 45% maximum.
• Turfgrass: Up to 25% maximum for single family
development; no turf permitted in multifamily
development.
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• Hardscape materials shall not cover more than thirty
percent (30%) of the total front yard landscape area.
• Permissible hardscape materials include the
following: garden walkways, decorative pavers, and
stepping stones; decorative rocks (minimum 3”
diameter) and boulders; fountains and statues;
decomposed granite and other inorganic
groundcovers; mulch; and similar materials that
enhance the appearance of the front yard subject to
approval by the Planning and Development
Department.
• Hardscape materials should be limited to neutral,
earth tone or muted colors; no bright or neon
colored hardscape materials shall be allowed.

TREES
• At least one 24-inch box tree shall be provided for
every 500 square feet of front yard area in a multiple
family residential development.
• At least two (2) trees that are 24-inch box in size
shall be installed in each front yard of a production
home development; alternatively, three (3) trees
that are 15-gallon container size may be installed if
the front yard will comfortably accommodate that
number of trees.
• All 24-inch box trees shall be double staked, and
15-gallon trees shall be single staked; all trees shall be tied to stakes with a rubber “cinch tie” or equal,
and all trees located in turf areas shall require arbor guards.

Attractive combination of hardscape and landscape
• Single family homes
• Production tract homes
• Multiple family developments
• Mixed-use developments that include a residential
component
Residential landscape projects shall also comply with
the requirements of Chapter 4: Water Efficient
Landscape Design.

2.2 FRONT YARD
Residential front yards shall be landscaped per the
following criteria:

DISTRIBUTION OF LANDSCAPE MATERIALS
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Landscape Design Manual, City of Corona
RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN 2

2.3 SIDE AND REAR YARD
• Required side and rear yard setbacks of multi-family
developments shall be fully landscaped with an
attractive combination of trees, shrubs,
groundcovers, and other suitable landscape
materials.
• Builders and developers shall not be responsible for
the landscape of side and rear yards of individual
lots within production home developments, except
for a required street side yard setback and slopes
over 4 feet in height for erosion control.
• Street side yards situated between a fence/wall and
the sidewalk shall be planted with shrubs and
groundcovers; shrubs should be provided at a
minimum five (5) gallon container size.
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• Turfgrass is prohibited within the front yards of
multiple family residential developments and shall
not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the total
front yard area for a single-family home within a
production home development; turfgrass shall be
limited to warm season varieties.
• Artificial or synthetic turf as defined in Appendix A of this Manual is allowed within a front yard area in lieuof turfgrass and shall be installed per manufacturer’s
recommendations; a hard barriersuch as a concrete
mow strip or bender board shall separate artificial turf from an area planted with shrubs and groundcover,
while trees and large shrubs should be placed at least three feet (3’) distance from artificial turf.
• Turfgrass shall not be planted on sloped areas which exceed one (1) foot of vertical elevation change for
every four (4) feet of horizontal length.

2.4 TRASH ENCLOSURE &

MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT
Trash enclosures and above-ground mechanical
equipment shall comply with the following:
• Trash enclosure walls shall be shielded from public
view using evergreen plantings; planter areas
accommodating trees, shrubs, and vines shall be
located adjacent to trash enclosures.
• No above-ground mechanical equipment shall be
located within any required front yard setback area
or required street side yard setback that is visible
from a street, including but not limited to air
conditioning units, pool equipment, heat pumps,
generators, and water softeners.
• Equipment, cabinets, meters, transformers,
pedestals, vaults, or similar infrastructure installed, owned, or required by the City, a public utility or
franchised service provider may be within the front
yard setback area, provided the equipment is
installed in compliance with applicable standards,
easement requirements, or other governmental
regulations.
• Above-ground mechanical equipment shall be
screened using plantings and other suitable
landscape materials; nonetheless, plantings shall not
impede access to maintenance of such equipment.

Residential side and rear yards shall be landscaped per the following criteria:
9 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Landscape Design Manual, City of Corona
2 RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN 1

2.5 WZ</E'>Kd^
• Use hardscape, plantings, and other suitable landscape elements to enhance the visual appearance of parking
areas; planter areas shall be provided within and
adjacentsurface parking areas.
• A landscape buffershall be provided to screen parking areas from public streets; this buffer shall have a
minimum depth of five feet (5’) measured from the
back of sidewalk or edge of right-of-way as appropriate. • Parking lot buffers shall incorporate landscape
materials as needed to sufficiently screen the parking
area; screening may be accomplished with shrubs,
earth berms, and/or raised planters at a maximum
height of three feet (3’).
• Planter areas shall be provided at the end of each row of parking, and landscape islands or diamonds shall
divide long rows of parking; a landscape island shall be provided for every ten (10) parking stalls, or a
landscape diamond shall be provided for every six
stalls.
• A six inch (6”) raised concrete curb shall separate
landscape areas from parking areas and drive aisles to
protect plantings from encroaching vehicles and
contain landscape materials.
• Planter areas and landscape islands or diamonds within and adjacent parking lots shall have a minimum width
of five feet (5’) including concrete curb; the area
devoted to plantings shall have a minimum width of
four feet (4’), except as needed for a concrete step-out strip.
• A six-inch (6”) concrete step out strip shall be
positioned adjacent the curb to accommodate people
existing vehicles; to maximize the area devoted to
planting, the step out strip should not run the entire
length of the curb.
• Each planter area, landscape island and diamond shall incorporate a canopy shade tree, as well as low shrubs
or groundcover; turfgrass is prohibited within parking
areas.
• Canopy shade trees shall be placed within a parking
lot to reduce heat gain on paving and nearby
buildings; all trees shall be 24” box or larger size at time of installation and should be selected to
minimize litter and root intrusion.
• Inorganic ground covers such as decomposed
granite, crushed rock, etc. may be incorporated in
limited amounts within planter areas where
appropriate to the overall landscape design

2.6 ^>KW
^
• All natural and manufactured slopes over four feet
(4’) in height with a horizontal to vertical slope
greater than 1.5:1 shall be planted with a mixture of
trees, shrubs, and groundcover, and automatically
irrigated and mulched.
• Plant materials used on slopes shall have low water
requirements and rooting systems that will minimize
erosion and soil slippage.
• At least one (1) tree at a minimum 15-gallon
container size shall be provided for each 400 square
feet of slope; no less than fifty percent (50%) of the
trees shall be evergreen trees.
• At least two (2) shrubs shall be provided for each 60 square feet of slope; at least forty percent (40%) of
the shrubs shall be at least five-gallon container size, with the remainder of the shrubs at least one -gallon
container size.
• Groundcovers shall be planted to beautify the slope,
control erosion, and suppress weeds; groundcovers
may be provided as rooted cuttings planted at 12-24
inches (12” - 24”) on-center, triangular spaced.
• Slopes shall be landscaped with appropriate
plantings for immediate erosion control; jute netting
shall not be used for slope erosion control on
residential production slopes unless approved by the
Planning and Development Department.
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Landscape Design Manual, City of Corona
2 RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN 1

2.7 WZKWAYS
Water efficient landscaping is required for all new
construction projects for residential parkways. A
combination of water efficient plants, permitted types of hardscapes, and cedar mulch shall be installed in the
parkway. Parkways shall comply with the following:
• Turfgrass is prohibited in all new residential parkways.

Artificial turf may be permitted in place of turfgrass.

Approvalshall be on a case by case basis.
• Only water efficient groundcover and shrubsthat
grow no taller than 18 inches are permitted.
• Street trees shall be planted according to the location, spacing and selected species from the approved street
tree list as determined by the Community Services
Department.
• Street trees shall be a minimum of 24-inch box at the time of planting, or as required by the City.
• Fire hydrants shall be a 3-foot (on center) clear area surrounding them, where no planting shall be
permitted. This area shall be covered in mulch.
• Concrete, non-pervious pavers, or metal grates are
prohibited.
• Pervious decorative pavers are permitted.
• Colored mulch is prohibited. Only cedar mulch,
natural colored mulch, or bark is permitted (3 inches
minimum depth).
• Decorative rock, red rock, colored rocks, or pea gravel that are less than 3 inches are prohibited.
• Color rocks are prohibited regardless of size of rock. • Rocks that are 3 inches or larger are permitted (not
grouted in place).
• No structures except mailboxes and utilities are
allowed in the parkway.

Landscape Design Manual, City of Corona 11

3.1 Purpose & Applicability .............................................................................13

3.2 Front, Side, & Rear Yards........................................................................13

3.3 Landscape Materials..................................................................................13

3.4 Parking Lots...............................................................................................15

3.5 Entries & Focal Points................................................................................16

3.6 Storage & Loading Areas, Trash Enclosures & Mechanical Units...............17

NON-RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN
CHAPTER 3

3.7 Additional Landscaping Requirements.....................................................18 12 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Landscape Design Manual, City of Corona
3 NON-RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN 1

3.1 PURPOSE & APPLICABILITY

PURPOSE
This chapter expands on the requirements of the City’s
Landscape Ordinance, establishing additional standards
and guidelines for landscape design on non-residential
properties, with a focus on the aesthetic character and function of landscapes within areas of industry and
commerce. These standards and guidelines are intended
to promote creative design rather than dictate a specific landscape design style or theme. Their general purpose is for non-residential landscapes to help make attractive
and engaging shopping and working environments.

APPLICABILITY
The design principles, standards, and guidelines
contained within this chapter are applicable to nonresidential landscape installation and rehabilitation projects that require discretionary review and/or a
ministerial permit, including commercial, industrial, and institutional development projects and sites. Note that non-residential landscape projects shall also comply with the requirements of Chapter 4: Water Efficient
Landscape Design.

Aesthetic Appeal
Project Identity
13 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Landscape Design Manual, City of Corona
NON-RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN 3

3.2 FRONT, SIDE, & REAR YARDS • The use of any palms on-site shall be no less than 15 feet Brown Trunk Height (BTH).
• A minimum of one 24-inch box tree shall be planted
for every 500 square feet of landscaping in all other
areas.
• Root panels and linear barriers are required for all
trees planted within a parkway or within 8 feet of
any walking or driveable surface.
• Trees shall not be placed where they interface
within site drainage or overhead and underground
utilities. All utilities shall be identified on the base plan.

3.3 LANDSCAPE MATERIALS &

• Shde trees must be provided for non-residential
parking lot and open space areas. Trees are
especially important to break up the massing and
reduce the scale of tilt-up and other tall industrial,
commercial, and institutional buildings, as well as to
provide shade, and reduce glare and reflection. The
trees shall be selected specifically for these
purposes. The palette shall include a balance of
evergreen and deciduous trees.
• A minimum of 24-inch box trees shall shall be
provided on the site based on the following formula:
one 24-inch box tree for every 10,000 square feet of
gross commercial or institutional building area; and
one 24-inch box tree for every 20,000 of gross.
• A mix of tree sizes shall include at least:
o 25% 15-gallon trees
o 70% 24-inch box trees
o 5% 36-inch box trees
• A minimum of 36-inch box accent trees (single or
multi-trunk specimens) or 12-foot (brown trunk)
palms are required on all corner planters including all vehicular entries and major corner intersection of
project area, building entries, plazas, courtyards, or
patio areas.
• The required front, side and rear yard setbacks shall be fully landscaped with an attractive combination
of approved hardscape features, trees, shrubs,
groundcover, and other suitable landscape
materials, excluding walkways and driveways that
afford access to the site. The landscaping shall be
according to the requirements in Chapter 3 of this
Manual.
• No parking or drive aisles shall encroach into the
required front yard setback area.
• The use of turfgrass is not permitted, and the use of warm season turf is only permitted when specified
for a functional or recreational use.
• Artificial or synthetic turf is allowed and must be
installed per manufacturer’s recommendations
including a 6-inch by six inch concrete mow curb
separating the synthetic turf from the adjacent
shrub plantin
• Approved turfgrass areas shall not exceed a slope of
four feet horizontal to one foot
vertical (4:1).

Canopy trees shade parking lot

ELEMENTS
dREES
dURFGRASS
14 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Landscape Design Manual, City of Corona
3 RESIDENTIAL LAN DSCAPE DESIGN 1
• Designated landscape areas shall be covered in nonirrigated synthetic turf, groundcover, or mass planted shrubs grouped together based on their water, soil,
sun, and shade requirements and in relationship to
the buildings.
• Plants with different water needs shall be irrigated
separately.
• Plants with the following WUCOLS classifications shall be grouped accordingly: moderate and low, low, and
very low. Plants specified in a bioswale may have a
high water use rating. Deviations from these groups
shall not be permitted.
• Shrubs to be planted in the back or mid-ground of a
planter shall be a minimum of 5 gallons. Sub-shrubs
(maximum 18-inch diameter) shall be specified as
foreground planting and must be a minimum of 1
gallon size. All shrubs and sub-shrubs must be mass
planted and should utilize a variety of shrub species
selected from the WUCOLS plant list for Regional 4.
• Landscapes consisting of gravel, crushed rock, and/or decomposed granite and boulders with appropriate
low water shrub and tree plantings are encouraged.
• Three (3)-foot high berms or a solid hedge is required along the street setback areas in order to screen the
vehicle headlights projecting from parking areas. The
height of the berm and or hedge shall be measured
from the parking lot grade.
• All shrubs and sub-shrubs shall be triangular or linear spaced based on the mature diameter of the specified
shrubs. Shrubs shall be specified so as to fill the
planter when mature and not require shearing or
hedging.
• Trees and shrubs shall strategically be placed to
screen/conceal parking areas and truck loading
facilities from public view and to interrupt large wall expanses of buildings.
• A minimum of fifteen gallon shrubs will be required
to screen electrical transformers, a/c units,
backflow devices, trash enclosures, large screen
walls, interior truck and yard areas, and all other
maintenance (ground) equipment that may be
visible to the public. Shrubs are to be kept a
minimum of three feet from the doors of the
electrical unit or as specified by the utility agency.
• A non-planted 24 to 36 inch wide strip of stabilized
decomposed granite or crushed rock is permitted
around the foundation of buildings to facilitate
window washing and maintenance.
• All natural and manufactured slopes over four feet
(4’) in height shall be planted with a mixture of trees, shrubs, and groundcover, and automatically
irrigated.
• Plant materials used on slopes shall have low water
requirements and rooting systems that will minimize
erosion and soil slippage.
• At least one (1) tree at a minimum fifteen (15) gallon container size shall be provided for each 400 square
feet of slope; no less than fifty percent (50%) of the
trees shall be evergreen trees.
• Shrubs shall be mass planted on all slopes; a
minimum of five (5) gallon container size for all
shrubs with triangular spacing at seventy-five
percent (75%) of the mature diameter is required.
• Groundcover shall be planted at a minimum one
(1) gallon container size to beautify the slope,
control erosion, and suppress weeds; no
hydroseeding is permitted on manufactured or
natural slopes.
• Slopes shall be landscaped with appropriate
plantings for immediate erosion control; jute
netting is allowed on commercial/industrial slopes
with the approval of the Planning and
Development Director.

SHRUBS & GROUNDCOVER
SLOPES
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3.4 PARKING LOTS
Non-residential parking lots shall be landscaped
according to the following requirements:
• A landscape buffer shall be provided to screen
parking areas from public streets; this buffer shall
have a minimum depth of 5 feet measured from the
back of sidewalk or edge of right-of-way.
• Parking lot buffers shall incorporate landscape
materials to screen the parking area; screening may
be accomplished with shrubs, earth berms, and/or
raised planters at a maximum height of 3 feet.
• Planter areas shall be provided at the end of each
row of parking, and landscape islands or diamonds
shall divide long rows of parking; a landscape island
shall be provided for every 10 parking stalls, or a
landscape diamond shall be provided for every 6
stalls.
• A 6-inch raised concrete curb shall separate
landscape areas from parking areas and drive aisles
to protect plantings from encroaching vehicles and
contain landscape materials.
• Planter areas and landscape islands or diamonds
within and adjacent parking lots shall have a
minimum width of 5 feet including concrete curb;
the area devoted to plantings shall have a minimum
width of 4 feet, except as needed for a concrete
step-out strip.
• A 6-inch concrete step-out strip shall be positioned
adjacent the curb to accommodate people existing
vehicles; to maximize the area devoted to planting,
the step out strip should not run the entire length of
the curb.
• Each planter area, landscape island and diamond
shall incorporate a canopy shade tree, as well as low
shrubs or groundcover.
• Inorganic ground covers such as decomposed
granite, crushed rock, etc. may be incorporated in
limited amounts within planter areas where
appropriate to the overall landscape design.
• No landscape area shall have a dimension of less
than four (4) feet clear in width except for vine
pockets.
• Canopy shade trees shall be placed within a parking
lot to reduce heat gain on paving and nearby
buildings; all trees shall be 24” box or larger size at time of installation and should be selected to
minimize litter and root intrusion.
• Parking areas adjacent to interior property lines
shall be provided with planters at a minimum width
of five feet at the property line. This requirement
may be waived on industrial projects with the
discretion of the Planning & Development Director.
• Show the location of proposed parking lot area
lights on planting plans including raised concrete
light bases which may limit the irrigation and
planting in a landscape planter.

Landscape buffer screens parking area
Planter diamond
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Landscape treatment complements building
• Use enhanced landscape treatment to demarcate
and accentuate vehicular and pedestrian points of
site access, main building entries and architectural
features, and other visual focal points such as
prominent corners and significant site amenities.
• Enhanced landscape treatment for site entries and
focal points may include large signature trees,
ornamental trees, accent plantings, landscape
lighting, decorative paving, decorative
monumentation, water features, etc.
• Consider incorporating prominent monumentation
at site entries and major corners for larger
commercial and industrial projects; the design and
placement of monumentation should be
coordinated with other special landscape treatment
and accompanying signage shall comply with the
requirements of the Zoning Code.

3.5 ENTRIES & FOCAL POINTS
Enhanced landscape treatment at main building entrance
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3.6 STORAGE & LOADING AREAS,

TRASH ENCLOSURES &

MECHANICAL UNITS
• Outdoor storage areas, loading areas, and trash
enclosures shall be shielded from public view using
decorative masonry walls and evergreen plantings;
planter areas accommodating trees, shrubs, and
vines shall be located adjacent to trash enclosures.
• No above-ground mechanical equipment including
air or HVAC conditioning units shall be located within
any required front yard setback area or required
street side yard setback that is visible from a street. • Equipment, cabinets, meters, transformers,
pedestals, vaults, or similar infrastructure installed, owned, or required by the City, a public utility or
franchised service provider may be within the front
yard setback area, provided the equipment is
installed in compliance with applicable standards,
easement requirements, or other governmental
regulations.
• Above-ground mechanical equipment shall be
screened using plantings and other suitable
landscape materials; nonetheless, plantings shall not
impede access to maintenance of such equipment.

Attractive plantings screen mechanical equipment while
maintaining access
Decorative trash enclosure with landscape buffer
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3.7 ADDITIONAL LANDSCAPING

REQUIREMENTS
• Concrete curbing is required between landscaping
and the parking and driveway areas.
• All landscape areas shall be finished with no less
than eight (8) inches of amended topsoil. As per
the soil analysis recommendation and provided
on plans as part of notes/specifications.
• Boulders and rocks used for enhancement are
encouraged.
• Provide stainless steel backflow preventer
enclosures on commercial and industrial
properties. Backflow preventers shall not be
located within the front setback areas.
• A three- (3) foot perimeter is required around all
fire hydrants. Shrubs or trees shall not be planted
in this area. Low growth ground cover may be
planted around the fire hydrants.
• Interim landscape areas at a minimum shall be
covered with a hydro-seed mix to prevent erosion
and suppress dust. The area shall be properly
maintained by the owner of the property.

Automatic irrigation may be is required for
commercial properties.
• Landscape elements, including trees and
plantings, shall not interfere with utility lines,
block driveways and sidewalks, obstruct vehicular
and pedestrian sight lines, or interfere with
security lighting; additionally, trees should be
selected and planted to minimize root problems
(e.g., use of root barriers near pavement and
structures).

Drought tolerant plantings
Attractive combination of trees, shrubs, and groundcover • All landscaping planted within fuel modification zones shall be approved by the Fire Department.
• Landscape treatment shall be designed to mitigate the fire danger to structures within fire hazard zones, and all
plantings within fuel modification zones shall be approved by the Fire Department; reference Section 4.7.5 (Fire Safe Landscaping) for additional guidelines.

PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
• Landscaping in the public right-of-way including parkways shall comply with Section 17.70.70 of the CMC.
• A three- (3) foot perimeter is required around all fire hydrants. Shrubs or trees shall not be planted in this area.

Low growth ground cover may be planted around the fire
hydrants.
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• Enhance outdoor pedestrian areas with attractive
plantings, decorative paving, overhead cover,
outdoor furniture, pedestrian-scale lighting.
• Outdoor seating areas should be shaded by canopy
trees and/or structures such as trellises, arbors,
pergolas, etc.; deciduous trees are generally
recommended to provide access to winter sun and
offer shade during the summer months.
• Incorporate site furnishings as appropriate to
promote comfortable and convenient use of the site
and its outdoor gathering spaces.
• Select and place site furniture in relation to the size and function of the site and its outdoor spaces; site
furnishings may include seating and benches, shade
structures, pedestrian scaled light fixtures, trash
receptacles, planters and planter boxes, etc.
• Incorporate an especially high level of amenity
within outdoor gathering areas such as on-site
plazas, courtyards, and patio areas serving larger
commercial retail developments.
• Ensure that site furnishings are coordinated
in design and compatible with the overall site
character and building appearance.
• Employ quality outdoor furnishings made of durable,
weather resistant, and low maintenance materials
and finishes.
• Accommodate special landscape features such
as recirculating water fountains, ornamental
rocks and boulders, etc., that enliven communal
space, heighten entries and visual focal points, or
otherwise enrich the landscape.

Water fountain provides a focal landscape feature
Coordinated landscape palette

OUTDOOR AREAS & FURNITURE
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SITE WALLS & FENCES
• All site walls and fences shall be consistent with the provisions of Chapter 17.70.050 of the CMC, including
that chapter’s regulations on the placement, height
limitations, and allowable fence and wall materials.
• Limit site walls and fences to those required for
security, screening, or landscape enhancement;
walls and fences should not obstruct views of a
building’s street elevation.
• Design site walls and fences to harmonize with the
building architecture and landscape character, utilizing complementary and high-quality materials and colors;
walls and fences shall be structurally durable and easily maintained, especially where visible to the public.
• Provide site walls and fences with a decorative
appearance; discourage use of precision block,
unless coated in stucco or similar surface treatment.
• Long expanses of site walls and fences shall be
mitigated using design treatments such as pilasters,
offsets, compatible changes in material and
color, as well as shrubbery and vines that soften
perimeter walls.
• Chain link fences, barbed wire, wrought iron spears,
and similar fence types are generally discouraged
and prohibited in areas readily visible to the public.

OUTDOOR LIGHTING
• Provide an appropriate level of landscape lighting,
generally limiting light/illumination to that
necessary for safety and security; the most intense
lighting should occur in areas with special security
needs and/or active pedestrian zones.
• Accent landscape lighting such as tree up-lights,
twinkle lights, etc., may be appropriate to highlight
focal points or enliven outdoor gathering spaces;
flashing, pulsating, or other types of dynamic
lighting are otherwise prohibited.
• Landscape lighting shall be located and shielded to
minimize spill-over and glare and properly scaled to
function; pedestrian-scale fixtures that emit a warm
light should be used along walkways.
• Select decorative light fixtures that are compatible
with other site furnishings and complement the
building design.
• Light fixtures should use energy efficient
technology, such as solar powered lighting and
energy-efficient bulbs.

Decorative site wall Pedestrian scale light fixtures
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STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
• Encourage low impact development (LID) methods
such as porous paving, storm water cisterns,
landscaped or vegetated swales, and rain gardens;
nonetheless, the design and placement of
bioretention and filtration areas should be sensitive
to the site context.
• Maximize stormwater infiltration by employing
natural and permeable materials, where feasible;
the use of permeable pavement and pavers to
reduce impervious surface area and manage runoff
is encouraged.
• Explore opportunities for local water storage and
treatment through strategically located landscaped
or vegetated swales and rain gardens; a minimum
five-foot (5’) width is required for any planter
incorporating a vegetated swale or infiltration
area, and plants utilized for stormwater retention
features should be able to sustain water ponding
and perform in dry conditions.
• Reference Section 4.6.4 (Stormwater Management
& Rainwater Retention) for additional guidelines.

Porous paving in parking lot

IRRIGATION
• Install efficient irrigation systems that employ low
volume and/ or low flow methods, and recycled
water use is encouraged.
• Irrigation systems shall be designed to provide the
optimum amount of water to maintain healthy
plants without causing soil erosion and runoff.
• Design the irrigation system to minimize runoff and
overspray; in particular, the irrigation system
should not allow water to spray or flow across a
public sidewalk.
• Irrigation systems shall comply with the
requirements of Chapter 4: Water Efficient
Landscape Design.

Vegetated swale
SUPPLEMENTAL GUIDELINES:

INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES
• Parking areas within industrial sites that are not
visible from a public or private street or adjacent
property may have landscaping requirements
waived, subject to the discretion of the Planning and
Development Director.
• Warehouse and logistics developments shall provide
landscape buffers and screening to mitigate light and
noise impacts on nearby sensitive land uses (e.g.,
residences, schools, parks, etc.) in accordance with
the Warehouse Design and Build Standards of the
State Government Code (Section 65098.2).

Landscape Design Manual, City of Corona 23

4.1 Purpose & Applicability ...................................................................................................24

4.2 Prescriptive Compliance Option ................................................................................24

4.3 Performance Compliance: Landscape Documentation...............................25

4.4 Performance Compliance: Irrigation & Maintenance....................................32

4.5 Performance Compliance: Certificate of Completion .................................... 34

4.6 Additional Provisions .........................................................................................................34

WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE DESIGN
CHAPTER 4
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4.1 PURPOSE & APPLICABILITY
The primary purpose of this chapter is to provide
Implementing Guidelines for the City of Corona’s Water
Efficient Landscape Ordinance (“WELO”), located if
Section 17.70.060 of the CMC. More specifically,
these Implementing Guidelines provide procedural
and design guidance for project applicants proposing
landscape installation or rehabilitation projects that
are subject to the requirements of the WELO, as
provided for in Section 17.70.060(B) of the CMC. They
are also intended for use and reference by City staff
in reviewing and approving designs and verifying
compliance with the WELO.

4.2 PRESCRIPTIVE

COMPLIANCE OPTION

4.2.1 LANDSCAPE PROJECT

REQUIREMENTS
Compliance with the following prescriptive criteria shall be detailed in the Landscape Documentation Package
as required by Section 17.70.060(D) of the CMC.

1. Incorporate compost at a rate of at least four (4) cubic yards per 1,000 square feet to a depth of six inches
(6”) into landscape areas, unless contraindicated by
a soil test. Soils with greater than six percent (6%)
organic matter in the top six inches (6”) of soil are
exempt from adding compost and tilling.

2. Irrigation systems shall comply with the following:
a. For non-residential landscape projects with
landscape areas of 1,000 sq. ft. or more, a
dedicated irrigation meter or private submeter(s)
shall be installed to measure landscape water use.
b. Automatic irrigation controllers are required and
must use either evapotranspiration (weatherbased) or soil moisture (sensor-based) data and utilize a rain sensor.
c. Irrigation controllers shall use non-volatile memory. d. Pressure regulating devices, which may
include pressure boosters or reducers, shall be
installed on the irrigation system to ensure the
dynamic pressure of the system is within the
manufacturer’s recommended pressure range.
e. Manual shut-off valves (such as a gate valve,
ball valve, or butterfly valve) shall be installed as
close as possible to the point of connection of the
water supply.
f. All irrigation emission devices must meet the
requirements set by ANSI in the 2020 ASABE/
ICC 802 Landscape Irrigation Sprinkler and
Emitter Standard, which is herein incorporated
by reference. All sprinkler heads installed in
the landscape must document a low-quarter
distribution uniformity of 0.65 or higher using the
protocol defined in 2020 ASABE/ICC 802 Standard.
g. Non-rotating spray sprinkler bodies are required
to meet the standards described in the California
Code of Regulations, Title 20, Division 4, Chapter
4, Section 1605.3(x).
h. Landscape areas less than ten (10) feet in width
in any direction shall be irrigated with subsurface
irrigation or other means that produce no water
waste, runoff or overspray.

3. Plant material shall comply with the following:
a. For residential landscape projects, climate
adapted plants shall be installed that require
occasional, little, or no summer water (average
WUCOLS plant factor 0.3) for seventy-five percent
(75%) of the landscape area, excluding areas
permanently and solely dedicated to edible plants.
b. For non-residential landscapes, climate adapted
plants shall be installed that require occasional,
little, or no summer water (average WUCOLS plant
factor 0.3) for one hundred percent (100%) of the
landscape area, excluding areas permanently and
solely dedicated to edible plants, and areas using
recycled water.

4. Turfgrass shall comply with the following:
a. Turfgrass shall not exceed twenty-five percent
(25%) of the landscape area in single-family
residential landscapes.
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b. There shall be no turfgrass in multifamily and
non-residential landscape projects. However,
turfgrass may be allowed in a recreational area as
defined in Appendix A of this Manual.
c. Turfgrass shall not be planted on sloped areas
which exceed a slope of one foot (1’) vertical
elevation change for every four feet (4’) of
horizontal length.
d. Turfgrass is prohibited in parkways.

5. A minimum three-inch (3”) layer of mulch shall
be applied on all exposed soil surfaces of planting
areas except in turfgrass areas, creeping or rooting
groundcovers, or direct seeding applications where
mulch is contraindicated.

4.2.2 FINAL INSPECTION
The designer of record shall make plants identifiable
to an inspector during final inspection; plants must
be identifiable by botanical name, common name or
cultivar as specified in Section 53481 of the Food and
Agricultural Code. At the time of final inspection, the permit applicant shall provide the City and the owner of the property with a Certificate of Completion Package.

4.2.3 CERTIFICATE OF

COMPLETION PACKAGE
The Certificate of Completion Package is to be
completed by the project applicant or their
designee to certify that the landscape project has
been installed in accordance with the WELO and
these Implementing Guidelines. The Certificate of
Completion Package for the Prescriptive Compliance
Option shall include the following:

1. Project Information Sheet (Appendix D – Element 1).

2. Certificate of Installation according to the Landscape Documentation Package (Appendix D – Element 2).

3. Irrigation Scheduling Parameters (Appendix D –
Element 4)

4. Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance Schedule
(Appendix D – Element 5).

4.3. PERFORMANCE
COMPLIANCE: LANDSCAPE

DOCUMENTATION

4.3.1 LANDSCAPE PROJECT

REQUIREMENTS
Compliance with the following performance criteria shall be detailed in the Landscape Documentation Package as
required by Section 17.70.060(E) of the CMC.

4.3.2 SOIL MANAGEMENT REPORT
A soil management report shall be completed by the
project applicant, or their designee, as follows:

1. Submit soil samples to a laboratory for analysis
and recommendations.
a. Soil sampling shall be conducted in accordance
with laboratory protocols, including protocols
regarding adequate sampling depth for the
intended plants.
b. The soil analysis shall include the following:
soil texture; infiltration rate determined by
laboratory test or soil texture infiltration rate
table; pH; total soluble salts; sodium; percent
organic matter; and recommendations.
c. For landscape projects with multiple landscape
installations (i.e., production home developments)
a soil sampling rate of one (1) in seven (7) lots or
approximately fifteen percent (15%) of the total
number of lots will satisfy this requirement.

2. The project applicant, or their designee, shall
comply with one of the following:
a. If significant mass grading is not planned, the soil management report shall be submitted as part of
the Landscape Documentation Package.
b. If significant mass grading is planned, the soil
management report shall be submitted to the City
as part of the Certificate of Completion.

3. The Soil Management Report shall be made
available, in a timely manner, to the professionals
preparing the landscape design plans and irrigation
design plans to make any necessary adjustments.
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4. The project applicant, or their designee, shall submit documentation verifying implementation of Soil
Management Report recommendations with the
Certificate of Completion.

4.3.3 LANDSCAPE DESIGN PLAN
Plantings, and other landscape materials and
features shall be designed to promote efficient use of
water. A Landscape Design Plan shall be submitted
by the project applicant as part of the Landscape
Documentation Package.

1. The Landscape Design Plan shall, at a minimum,
provide the following:
a. Delineate and label each hydrozone by number,
letter, or other method.
b. Identify the plant factor for each hydrozone as
very low, low, moderate, or mixed water use.

Temporarily irrigated landscape areas shall use a
low water use plant factor range of 0.1 - 0.3.
c. Identify special landscape areas, including the
following: recreational areas; areas permanently
and solely dedicated to edible plants; and areas
irrigated with recycled water or water features
using recycled water.
d. Identify type of mulch and application depth.
e. Identify type and quantity of soil amendments.
f. Identify type and surface areas of water features.
g. Identify hardscapes (pervious and non-pervious).
h. Identify location, installation details, and 24-hour retention or infiltration capacity of any applicable
stormwater best management practices that
encourage on-site retention and infiltration
of stormwater. Project applicants shall refer
to Regional Water Quality Control Board for
information on any applicable stormwater technical
requirements. Stormwater best management
practices are encouraged in the landscape design
plan and examples are provided in Section 4.6.4.
i. Identify any applicable rain harvesting or
catchment technologies and their 24-hour
retention or infiltration capacity, if applicable.
j. Identify any applicable graywater discharge piping,
system components, and area(s) of distribution.
k. Identify designated insect habitat.
l. Make plants identifiable to an inspector during final inspection. Plants must be identifiable by botanical
name, common name or cultivar as specified in
Section 53481 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
m. Contain the following statement: “I have complied
with the performance compliance option criteria
of the WELO and applied them for the efficient use
of water in the landscape design plan.”
n. Bear the signature of the designer of record.

2. Plant Selection
a. Any plant may be selected for the landscape,
providing the Estimated Total Water Use in the
landscape area does not exceed the Maximum
Applied Water Allowance, and the plant selection
does not otherwise conflict with requirements of
this Manual.
b. The use of invasive plant species, such as those
listed by the California Invasive Plant Council, is
strongly discouraged.
b. Each hydrozone shall have plant materials with
similar water use.
c. Exceptions are allowed for hydrozones that use a
mix of plant materials with very low, low and
moderate plant factors plant factors, as specified
in Section 4.3.5, guideline 3.g.
d. High water use plants, characterized by a plant
factor range of 0.7 to 1.0, are prohibited.
e. Turfgrass is not allowed on slopes greater than
twenty-five percent (25%) where the toe of the
slope is adjacent to a non-pervious hardscape (i.e.,
one foot (1’) of vertical elevation change for every
four feet (4’) of horizontal length).
f. Methods to achieve water efficiency shall include
one or more of the following:
 Protection and preservation of native species
and natural vegetation.
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 Selection of plants based on local climate
suitability, disease, and pest resistance.
 Selection of water-conserving tree, plant, and
turfgrass species, especially local native plants.
 Selection of trees based on applicable tree
ordinances or tree shading guidelines, and size
at maturity as appropriate for the planting
area.
 Selection of plants from local and regional
landscape program recommended plant lists
 Selection of plants from local Fuel
Modification Plan Guidelines.
h. Plants shall be selected and planted appropriately
based upon their adaptability to the climatic,
geologic, and topographical conditions of the
project site. Methods to achieve water efficiency
shall include one or more of the following:
 Use the Sunset Western Climate Zone System,
2007, which is herein incorporated by reference,
which accounts for temperature, humidity,
elevation, terrain, latitude, and varying degrees of
continental and marine influence on local climate.
 Recognize the horticultural attributes of plants(i.e., mature plant size, invasive surface roots) to
minimize damage to property or infrastructure
(e.g., buildings, sidewalks, power lines); allow for
adequate soil volume for healthy root growth.
 Consider the solar orientation for plant
placement to maximize summer shade and
winter solar gain.

3. Water Features
a. Recirculating water systems shall be used for
water features.
b. Where available, recycled water shall be used for
decorative water features.
c. Surface area of a water feature shall use the high
water use hydrozone plant factor in the water
budget calculation.
d. Pool and spa covers are highly recommended
pursuant to Subdivision (d) of Section 115921 of
the Health and Safety Code.

4. Soil Preparation, Mulch, and Amendments
a. Prior to the planting of any materials, compacted
soils shall be transformed into a friable condition.

On engineered slopes, only amended planting
holes need to meet this requirement.
b. Soil amendments shall be incorporated according
to the recommendations of the soil management
report and what is appropriate for the plants
selected. (Reference Section 4.3.2).
c. For landscape installations, compost at a rate of a
minimum of four (4) cubic yards per 1,000 square
feet of pervious area shall be incorporated to a
depth of six inches (6”) into the soil. Soils with
greater than six percent (6%) organic matter in
the top six inches (6”) of soil are exempt from
adding compost and tilling.
d. A minimum three-inch (3″) layer of mulch
shall be applied on all exposed soil surfaces of
planting areas except in turfgrass areas, creeping
or rooting groundcovers, or direct seeding
applications where mulch is contraindicated. To
provide habitat for beneficial insects and other
wildlife, up to five percent (5%) of the landscape
area may be left without mulch and identified in
the landscape design plan. (Reference Section

4.3.3, guideline 1.k.)
e. The mulching portion of the seed/mulch slurry
in hydro-seeded applications shall meet the
mulching requirement as established in the
prior guideline.
f. Stabilizing mulching products shall be used on
slopes that meet current engineering standards.
g. Organic mulch made from recycled or postconsumer materials shall take precedence over inorganic materials or virgin forest products
unless the recycled post-consumer organic
products are not locally available. Organic
mulches are not required where prohibited by
local Fuel Modification Plan Guidelines or other
applicable local ordinances. (Public Resources
Code Section 4291).
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4.3.4 GRADING DESIGN PLAN
Grading of a project site shall be designed to minimize soil erosion, runoff, and water waste. A Grading Design Plan shall be submitted by the project applicant as part of the Landscape Documentation Package.

1. A Grading Design Plan shall indicate finished
configurations and elevations of the landscape area,
including:
a. Height of graded slopes.
b.Drainage patterns.
c. Pad elevations.
d. Finish grade.
e. Stormwater retention improvements, if applicable.

2. To prevent excessive erosion and runoff, it is highly recommended that the Grading Design Plan consider
the following:
a. Grade so that all irrigation and normal rainfall
remains within property lines and does not drain
on to non-pervious hardscapes.
b.Avoid disruption of natural drainage patterns and
undisturbed soil.
c. Avoid soil compaction in landscape areas.

3. The Grading Design Plan shall contain the following
statement: “I have complied with the performance
compliance option criteria of the WELO and applied
them accordingly for the efficient use of water in the
grading design plan.” and shall bear the signature of a licensed professional as authorized by law.

4.3.5 IRRIGATION DESIGN PLAN
This section applies to landscaped areas requiring
permanent irrigation, not areas that require temporary
irrigation solely for the plant establishment period. For the efficient use of water, an irrigation system shall
meet all the requirements listed in this section and
the manufacturers’ recommendations. The irrigation
system and its related components shall be planned and
designed to allow for proper installation, management,
and maintenance. An Irrigation Design Plan meeting the
following design criteria shall be submitted as part of the Landscape Documentation Package.

1. Irrigation System Efficiency
a. The irrigation system must be designed and
installed to meet, at a minimum, the irrigation
efficiency criteria as described in Section 4.3.6
regarding the Maximum Applied Water Allowance.
b. For the purpose of determining Estimated Total
Water Use, average irrigation system efficiency
is assumed to be 0.75 for overhead irrigation
systems and 0.81 for drip irrigation systems.
c. Sprinkler head spacing shall be designed to achieve
the highest possible distribution uniformity using
the manufacturer’s recommendations. Head-tohead coverage is recommended.

2. The Irrigation Design Plan, at a minimum, shall
contain the following:
a. Location and size of separate water meters
and submeters.
b. Location, type, and size of all components of the
irrigation system, including controllers, main and
lateral lines, valves, emission devices, moisture
sensing devices, rain sensors, quick couplers,
pressure regulating devices, and backflow
prevention devices.
c. Static water pressure at the point of connection to
the public water supply.
d. Flow rate (gallons per minute), application rate
(inches per hour), and design operating pressure
(pressure per square inch) for the emission
devices controlled by each station.
e. Identification of Special Landscape Areas irrigated
with recycled water, and water features using
recycled water as specified in Section 4.6.2.
f. Identification of any applicable graywater
discharge piping, system components, and
landscape areas where graywater is distributed.
g. Identification of hydrozone areas shall be
designated by number, letter, or other designation
as identified on the Landscape Design Plan.

Designate the areas irrigated by each valve and
assign a number to each valve using the Water
Efficient Landscape Worksheet (see Appendix C).
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This table can also assist with the irrigation audit
and programming the controller. Each valve shall
irrigate a hydrozone, or part of a hydrozone, with
similar site, slope, sun exposure, soil conditions,
and plant materials with similar water use.
h. The following statement: “I have complied with
the performance compliance option criteria of
the WELO and applied them accordingly for the
efficient use of water in the irrigation design plan.”
i. The signature of the designer of record. (See
Division 3, Chapter 3.5, Article 3 of the Business
and Professions Code).

3. General Design Criteria
a. Backflow prevention devices shall be required to
protect the water supply from contamination by
the irrigation system as specified in the California
Plumbing Code (Cal. Code Regs., Title 24, Part
5, Chapter 6). A project applicant shall refer to
Section 13.14.080(M) of the CMC for additional
backflow prevention requirements.
b. The design of the irrigation system shall conform
to the hydrozones of the Landscape Design Plan.
c. Emission devices shall be selected based on
what is appropriate for the plant type within
that hydrozone.
d. Where feasible, trees shall be placed on separate
stations from hydrozones that include shrubs,
groundcovers, and turfgrass to facilitate the
appropriate irrigation of trees. The mature size
and extent of the root zone shall be considered
when designing irrigation for the tree.
e. In mulched planting areas, the use of low-pressure
and low volume irrigation systems is required to
maximize water infiltration into the root zone.
f. Areas less than ten feet (10’) in width in any
direction shall be irrigated with subsurface
irrigation or other means that produces no water
waste, runoff, or overspray.
g. Individual hydrozones that use a mix of plants
with low and moderate plant factors may be
allowed if the
plant factor used in the calculation of the
estimated water use (EWU) is either based on the
proportions of the respective plant factors, or the
highest plant factor is used.
h. Individual hydrozones that use a mix of plants with
high and low plant factors shall not be permitted.
i. Relevant information from the Soil Management
Plan, such as soil type and infiltration rate, shall
be utilized when designing irrigation systems.
j. Overhead irrigation shall not be permitted within
24 inches (24”) of any non-pervious surface.

Allowable irrigation within the setback from nonpermeable surfaces may include drip irrigation, or other low flow non-spray technology. The
setback area may be planted or unplanted. The
surfacing of the setback may be mulch, gravel, or
other porous material. These restrictions may be
modified if:
 no runoff occurs; or
 the adjacent non-pervious surfaces are
designed and constructed to drain entirely to
landscaping; or
 the irrigation designer specifies an alternative
design or technology, as part of the Landscape
Documentation Package, and clearly
demonstrates strict adherence to the
prevention of water waste. Prevention of
overspray and runoff must be confirmed during
the irrigation audit.
k. Restrictions regarding overspray and runoff in any
irrigation system may be modified if:
 the landscape area is adjacent to pervious
surfacing and no runoff occurs; or
 the adjacent non-pervious surfaces are
designed and constructed to drain entirely to
landscaping.
l. Slopes greater than twenty-five percent
(25%) shall not be irrigated with an irrigation
system using an application rate exceeding

0.75 inches per hour. This restriction may be
modified if the landscape designer specifies
an alternative design or technology, as part of the
Landscape Documentation Package, and
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clearly demonstrates no runoff or erosion will
occur. Prevention of runoff and erosion must be
confirmed during the irrigation audit.
m. It is highly recommended that the project
applicant inquire with the local water purveyor
about peak water operating demands (on the
water supply system) or water restrictions that may
impact the effectiveness of the irrigation system.

4. Irrigation System Components
a. Meters
 Pursuant to California Water Code Section 535,
a water purveyor with 15 or more service
connections shall install a dedicated irrigation
meter(s) for new retail water service to a
property with more than 5,000 sq. ft. of
irrigated landscape, excluding single-family
residential connections and connections for the
commercial production of agricultural crops or
livestock.
 A submeter or dedicated irrigation meter shall
be installed and may be used to assist with leak
detection and water management for nonresidential landscapes with an irrigated landscape of 1,000 sq. ft. but not more than
5,000 sq. ft., and residential landscapes with an
irrigated landscape of 5,000 sq. ft. or more.
b. Water Pressure
 Static water pressure, dynamic or operating
pressure, and flow reading of the water supply
shall be measured at the point of connection.

These pressure and flow measurements shall
be conducted at the design stage. If the
measurements are not available at the design
stage, the measurements shall be conducted at
installation.
 If the static pressure is above or below the
required dynamic pressure of the irrigation system,
pressure-regulating devices such as inline pressure
regulators, booster pumps, or other devices shall
be installed to meet the required dynamic
pressure of the irrigation system.
 If the water pressure is below or exceeds the
recommended pressure range of the specified
emission devices, the installation of a pressureregulating device is required to ensure that the dynamic pressure at each emission device
is within the manufacturer’s recommended
pressure range for optimal performance.
c. Water Waste Prevention Equipment
 The irrigation system shall be designed to
prevent water waste.
 Master shut-off valves are required on all
projects except landscapes that make use
of technologies that allow for the individual
control of sprinklers that are individually
pressurized in a system equipped with low
pressure shut down features.
 Manual shut-off valves (such as a gate valve, ball
valve, or butterfly valve) shall be required, as
close as possible to the point of connection of
the water supply, to minimize water loss in case
of an emergency (such as a break in the
pressurized pipeline that delivers water from
the water source to the valve or outlet) or
routine repair.
 Check valves or anti-drain valves are required
on all sprinkler heads where low point drainage
could occur.
 Swing joints or other riser-protection
components are required on all risers subject to
damage that are adjacent to hardscapes or in
high traffic areas of turfgrass.
 Flow sensors that detect high flow conditions
created by system damage or malfunction are
required for all on non-residential landscapes and
residential landscapes of 5000 sq. ft. or larger.
ci. Emission Devices
 Emission devices shall have matched
precipitation rates, unless otherwise directed by
the manufacturer’s recommendations.
 All irrigation emission devices must meet the
requirements set in the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) standard, American
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Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers/
International Code Council’s (ASABE/ICC)
802-2020 “Landscape Irrigation Sprinkler and
Emitter Standard,” which is herein incorporated
by reference.
 All overhead irrigation systems installed in
the landscape must document a low quarter
distribution uniformity of 0.65 or higher using
the protocol defined in ASABE/ICC 802-2020.
 Non-rotating spray sprinkler bodies are required
to meet standards described in California Code
of Regulations, Title 20, Division 2, Chapter 4,
Section 1605.3(x).
e. System Controls
 Automatic irrigation controllers utilizing either
evapotranspiration or soil moisture sensor data
utilizing non-volatile memory shall be required
for scheduling irrigation events.
 Sensors (rain, freeze, wind, etc.), either integral
or auxiliary, that suspend or alter irrigation
operation during unfavorable weather
conditions shall be required on all irrigation
systems, as appropriate for local climatic
conditions. Irrigation should be avoided during
windy or freezing weather or during rain.

4.3.6 WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE

WORKSHEET

1. A project applicant shall complete the Water
Efficient Landscape Worksheet in Appendix C, which
compares the landscape project’s Estimated Total
Water Use (ETWU) with the Maximum Applied
Water Allowance (MAWA). ETWU must be equal to
or below the MAWA.
a. The MAWA is calculated based on the maximum
evapotranspiration adjustment factor (ETAF)
allowed for the landscape project and is
expressed as annual gallons allowed. The
maximum ETAF allowed is:
 0.55 for residential Regular Landscape Areas.
 0.45 for non-residential Regular Landscape
Areas.
 0.8 for new and existing (non-rehabilitated)
Special Landscape Areas.
b. The ETWU is the sum of estimated water use
(EWU) for each hydrozone. The ETAF for each
hydrozone is based on the plant factor and the
average irrigation system efficiency. EWU is
calculated using the ETAF, Regular Landscape
Areas, and Special Landscape Areas.
c. In calculating the Maximum Applied Water
Allowance and Estimated Total Water Use,
a project applicant shall use the ETo values
indicated in the following table.

TABLE 4.1: Reference Evapotranspiration (ETo) (All values shown in inches)

COUNTY/

CITY OR
PLACE

JAN FEB MAR APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC ANNUAL ETO
Corona 2.5 2.7 4.0 5.0 5.9 6.8 7.5 7.0 5.7 4.2 2.8 2.2 56.3 32 TABLE OF CONTENTS
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4 WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE DESIGN 1

2. Water budget calculations shall adhere to the
following requirements:
a. The plant factor used shall be from WUCOLS or
from horticultural researchers with academic
institutions or professional associations as
approved by the California Department of Water
Resources. The plant factor ranges are:
 less than 0.1 for very low water using plants.
 0.1 to 0.3 for low water use plants.
 0.4 to 0.6 for moderate water use plants.
 0.7 to 1.0 for high water use plants.
b. All water features shall use the high water use
plant factor in the water budget calculations.
c. Temporarily irrigated areas shall use the low water
use plant factor in the water budget calculations.
d. All Special Landscape Areas (SLA) shall be
identified in the Landscape Design Plan and
the Irrigation Design Plan and their water use
calculated as shown in Appendix C.
e. The City may consider Effective Precipitation
(Eppt), (twenty-five percent (25%) of annual
precipitation) in tracking water use and may use
the following equation to calculate Maximum
Applied Water Allowance:
 Residential landscapes: MAWA = (ETo -Eppt) x
(0.62) x [0.55 x RLA + 0.8 x SLA].
 Non-residential landscapes: MAWA = (ETo
-Eppt) x (0.62) x [0.45 x RLA + 0.8 x SLA].

4.4 PERFORMANCE
COMPLIANCE OPTION:

IRRIGATION &

MAINTENANCE

4.4.1 IRRIGATION SCHEDULING
All irrigation schedules shall be developed, managed,
and evaluated to utilize the minimum amount of
water required to maintain plant health and prevent
water waste. Irrigation schedules shall meet the
following criteria:

A project applicant shall complete the Water Efficient
Landscape Worksheet in Appendix C, which compares
the landscape project’s Estimated Total Water Use
(ETWU) with the Maximum Applied Water Allowance
(MAWA). ETWU must be equal to or below the MAWA.

1. Irrigation scheduling shall be regulated by automatic irrigation controllers.

2. Parameters used to set the automatic irrigation
controller shall be developed and submitted with the
Certificate of Completion for each of the following:
a. The plant establishment period.
b. The established landscape.
c. Temporarily irrigated areas.

3. Each irrigation schedule shall consider for each
station all the following parameters that apply:
a. Irrigation interval (days between irrigation events). b. Irrigation run times (hours or minutes per irrigation event to avoid runoff and prevent water waste).
c. Number of cycle starts required for each irrigation
event to avoid runoff and prevent water waste.
d. Amount of applied water scheduled to be applied
on a monthly basis.
e. Application rate setting.
f. Root depth setting.
g. Plant type setting.
h. Soil type.
i. Slope factor setting.
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WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE DESIGN 4
j. Shade factor setting.
k. Distribution uniformity or irrigation efficiency setting.

4. Overhead irrigation systems shall be scheduled
during watering windows that have been adopted by
the City. Operation of the irrigation system outside
the normal watering window is allowed for auditing
and system maintenance.

5. Total annual applied water shall be less than or equal to Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA).
a. Actual irrigation schedules shall be regulated by
automatic irrigation controllers using current
reference evapotranspiration data (e.g., CIMIS) or
soil moisture sensor data.
b. For implementation of the irrigation schedule,
carefully consider the irrigation run times,
emission device, flow rate, and current reference
evapotranspiration, so that applied water does
not exceed the Estimated Total Water Use.

4.4.2 LANDSCAPE AND IRRIGATION

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

1. Landscapes shall be maintained to ensure water
use efficiency. A regular landscape and irrigation
maintenance schedule shall be submitted with the
Certificate of Completion Package.

2. A regular maintenance schedule shall include, but not be limited to, routine inspection; auditing, adjustment, and repair of the irrigation system and its components; aerating and dethatching turfgrass areas; topdressing
with compost, replenishing mulch; fertilizing; pruning; weeding in all landscape areas; and removing
obstructions to emission devices. Operation of the
irrigation system outside the normal watering window
is allowed for auditing and system maintenance.

3. Repair of all irrigation equipment shall be done
with replacement parts for the originally installed
components or their equivalents, or with components
that improve the average irrigation system efficiency.

4. A project applicant is encouraged to implement
established landscape industry sustainable Best
Practices for all landscape maintenance activities.

4.4.3 IRRIGATION AUDIT

1. All landscape irrigation audits shall be conducted
by a certified landscape irrigation auditor.

Landscape irrigation audits shall not be conducted
by the person who designed the landscape or
installed the landscape.

2. In large landscape projects or landscape projects
with multiple landscape installations (i.e.,
production home developments) an auditing rate of
one (1) in seven (7) individual lots or approximately
fifteen percent (15%) of the total number of
individual lots will satisfy this requirement.

3. For new construction and rehabilitated landscape
projects installed after December 1, 2015:
a. The project applicant shall submit an irrigation
audit report with the Certificate of Completion
Package to the City that may include, but is not
limited to, inspection, system tune-up, system
test with distribution uniformity, and reporting
overspray or run off that causes overland flow; and
b. The City shall administer programs that may
include, but not be limited to, irrigation water
use analysis, irrigation audits, and irrigation
surveys for compliance with the Maximum
Applied Water Allowance.
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4 WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE DESIGN 1

4.5 PERFORMANCE
COMPLIANCE OPTION:

CERTIFICATE OF

COMPLETION

4.5.1 CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

PACKAGE
The Certificate of Completion Package is to be completed by the project applicant or their designee to certify that the landscape project has been installed in accordance
with the WELO and these Guidelines, and shall include the following six (6) elements in accordance with Appendix D.

1. Project information sheet that contains:
a. Date the project information sheet is completed.
b. Project name.
c. Project applicant name, telephone, and
mailing address.
d. Project address and location; and
e. Property owner name, telephone, and
mailing address.

2. Certification by the designer of record that the
landscape project has been installed per the
approved Landscape Documentation Package.
a. Where there have been significant changes made in
the field during construction, the “as-built” or record drawings shall be included with the certification.
b.A diagram of the irrigation plan showing hydrozones
shall be kept with the automatic irrigation controller
for subsequent management purposes.

4. Soil Management Report, if not submitted
with Landscape Documentation Package, and
documentation verifying implementation of soil
report recommendations. (Reference Section 4.3.2).

5. Irrigation scheduling parameters used to set the
automatic irrigation controller. (Reference
Section 4.4.1).

6. Landscape and irrigation maintenance schedule.
(Reference Section 4.4.2).

7. Irrigation audit report. (Reference Section 4.4.3).

4.5.2 PROJECT APPLICANT RESPONSIBILITIES
The project applicant shall:

1. Submit the signed Certificate of Completion Package
to the City for review.

2. Ensure that copies of the approved Certificate of
Completion Package are submitted to the property
owner or their designee, unless the property owner
is the project applicant.

4.5.3 CITY RESPONSIBILITIES
The City shall:

1. Receive the signed Certificate of Completion
Package from the project applicant and conduct an
inspection of the project site.

2. Approve or deny the Certificate of Completion Package.

If the Certificate of Completion Package is denied, the City shall provide information to the project applicant regarding reapplication, appeal, or other assistance.

Subsequent landscape inspections may be necessary
prior to the approval of the Certificate of Completion
Package and landscape permit.

4.6 ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

4.6.1 WATER WASTE PREVENTION
It is the policy of the City to prevent water waste resulting from inefficient landscape irrigation. Prohibitions on
water waste have been established in Section 13.26.040
of the CMC and the associated penalties have been
established in Section 13.26.110 of the CMC.

4.6.2 RECYCLED WATER.

1. All recycled water use is subject to applicable
provisions of the California Code of Regulations
(Cal. Code Regs.), Titles 17 and 22, the California
Plumbing Code (Cal. Code Regs., Title 24, Part 5,
Chapter 15), and all applicable local and State laws.

2. The installation of recycled water irrigation systems shall allow for the current and future use of recycled water.

3. Landscape areas using recycled water are considered
Special Landscape Areas, as defined in Appendix A.
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WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE DESIGN 4

4.6.3 GRAY WATER SYSTEMS

1. All gray water systems are required to conform to
the California Plumbing Code (Cal. Code Regs., Title
24, Part 5, Chapter 15) and any applicable local
ordinance standards.

2. Gray water systems promote the efficient use
of water and are encouraged to assist in on-site
landscape irrigation.

3. For projects using treated or untreated gray water,
any lot or parcel within the project that has less than 2,500 sq. ft. of landscape area and meets the lot or
parcel’s landscape water requirement (Estimated
Total Water Use) entirely with gray water is subject
only to Section 4.2.2, guideline 2.

4.6.4 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND

RAINWATER RETENTION

1. Project applicants shall refer to the City and Regional Water Quality Control Board for information on any
applicable stormwater technical requirements.

2. All non-potable rainwater catchment systems are
required to conform to the California Plumbing Code
(Cal. Code Regs., Title 24, Part 5, Chapter 16).

3. All landscape areas are required to have friable soil to maximize water retention and infiltration. Refer
to Section 4.3.3, guideline 4.a.

4. For projects using rainwater captured on site, any lot or parcel within the project that has less than 2,500
sq. ft. of landscape area and meets the lot or parcel’s landscape water requirement (Estimated Total Water
Use) entirely through stored rainwater captured on
site is subject only to Section 4.2.2, guideline 2.

5. It is strongly recommended that landscape areas be
designed for capture and infiltration capacity that is
sufficient to prevent runoff from impervious surfaces
(i.e., roof and paved areas) from either:
a. The one inch, 24-hour rain event, or
b. The 85th percentile, 24-hour rain event, and/or
additional capacity as required by any applicable
local, regional, state or federal regulation.

6. It is recommended that landscape projects incorporate any of the following elements to improve on-site
storm water and dry weather runoff capture and use:
a. Grade impervious surfaces, such as driveways,
during construction to drain to vegetated areas.
b. Minimize the area of impervious surfaces such as
paved areas, roofs, and concrete driveways.
c. Incorporate pervious or porous surfaces (e.g.,
gravel, permeable pavers or blocks, pervious or
porous concrete) that minimize runoff.
d. Direct runoff from paved surfaces and roof
areas into planting beds or landscaped areas to
maximize site water capture and reuse.
e. Incorporate rain gardens, cisterns, and other rain
harvesting or catchment systems.
f. Incorporate infiltration beds, swales, basins, and
drywells to capture storm water and dry weather
runoff and increase percolation into the soil.
g. Consider constructed wetlands and ponds that retain
water, equalize excess flow, and filter pollutants.

4.6.5 FIRE SAFE LANDSCAPING

1. A landscape design plan for development and
construction in Local Responsibility Areas designated
as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and areas
designated by the Board of Forestry and Fire
Protection as State Responsibility Areas are required
to comply with the California Fire Code (Cal. Code
Regs., Title 24, Part 9, Chapter 49) “Requirements for
Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Areas.”

2. Public Resources Code section 4291(a) and (b)
describes the requirements for a person who owns,
leases, controls, operates, or maintains a building or
structure in, upon, or adjoining a mountainous area,
forest-covered lands, shrub-covered lands, grasscovered lands, or land that is covered with flammable material to around a building or structure. Avoid fireprone plant materials and highly flammable mulches.

3. Local Fuel Modification Plan guidelines may prescribe additional requirements per Public Resources Code
section 4291(a) and (b).
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4 WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE DESIGN 1

4.6.6 COMMON INTEREST DEVELOPMENTS
The architectural guidelines of a common
interest development, which include community
apartment projects, condominium projects, planned
developments, and stock cooperatives, shall not
prohibit or include conditions that have the effect of
prohibiting the use of low water use plants as a group
(Civil Code sections 4100 and 4735).

4.6.7 MODEL HOMES
All model homes that are landscaped shall display signs that provide information demonstrating the principles
of water efficient landscapes described in the WELO
and these guidelines.

1. Signs shall be used to identify the model home as
an example of a water efficient landscape. Signage
shall include:
a. Fundamental water efficient landscape elements
such as hydrozones, irrigation equipment, native
plants, gray water systems, rainwater catchment
systems, and other elements as applicable that
contribute to the overall water efficient theme.
b. Information about the site water use budget as
designed per the WELO and these Guidelines;
specify who designed and installed the water
efficient landscape.

2. Information shall be provided about designing,
installing, managing, and maintaining water
efficient landscapes.

Landscape Design Manual, City of Corona 38
Appendix A: Definitions ............................................................................................................ 39 Appendix B: Landscape Design Resources ...................................................................46 Appendix C: Water E!cient Landscape Worksheet..................................................47 Appendix D: Certificate of Completion ........................................................................... 49

APPENDICES
39 TABLE OF CONTENTS
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APPENDICES 1
APPENDIX A: DEFINITIONS
“Applied water” means the portion of water supplied
by the irrigation system to the landscape.
“Artificial turf” means a man-made material which
simulates the appearance of live turf, organic turf,
grass, sod, or lawn.
“Automatic irrigation controller” means a timing device with stations that can be used to remotely control valves that operate an irrigation system. Automatic irrigation controllers are able to self-adjust and schedule irrigation events using either evapotranspiration (weather-based)
or soil moisture (sensor-based) data.
“Backflow prevention device” means a safety device
required by the California Plumbing Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 5, Chapter 6) used to prevent pollution or contamination of the water supply due to the reverse flow of water from the irrigation system.
“Certificate of Completion Package” has the same
meaning as set forth in Section 17.70.030 of the CMC.
“Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor” means a
person certified to perform landscape irrigation audits by an accredited academic institution, a professional
trade organization or other program labeled by the
US Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense
professional certification program, July 2014, which is herein incorporated by reference.
“Check valve” or “anti-drain valve” means a valve used
in a pipeline or emission device that holds water in
the system to prevent drainage from emission devices
when the system is off.
“Common interest developments” means community
apartment projects, condominium projects, planned
developments, and stock cooperatives per Civil Code
Section 4100 and applies to the WELO when there is a
separate interest coupled with an interest in the common area or membership in the association per Chapter 2
(commencing with Section 4200), Part 5 of the Civil Code. “Compost” means the safe and stable product of
controlled biologic decomposition of organic materials
that is beneficial to plant growth.
“Conversion factor (0.62)” means the number used
in the Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA)
calculation that converts acre-inches per acre per year to gallons per square foot per year.
“Dedicated irrigation meter” means a customer
service meter dedicated to landscape use provided by
the local water purveyor.
“Designee” means a person or entity authorized to sign
documents on behalf of the project applicant.
“Designer of record” means the person, professional
practitioner, or project applicant functioning and
providing services in compliance with Division 3, Chapter

3.5, Article 3 of the Business and Professions Code.
“Design review” means review by the City to enforce
the WELO and this Manual.
“Distribution uniformity” or “DU” means the measure
of the uniformity of irrigation water over a defined area. “Drip irrigation” means any non-spray low volume
irrigation system utilizing emission devices where
water is slowly applied at or below the soil surface
and at or near the root zone of plants. Drip irrigation emission devices have a manufacturer specification for
flow rate measured in gallons per hour.
“Drought tolerant landscaping” means landscaping
that utilizes little or no irrigation through the use of water-conserving materials and techniques, including
but not limited to, native drought-tolerant plants,
mulch, and efficient irrigation.
“Dynamic pressure” means the measure of water
pressure with the water in motion, also known as
working pressure.
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“Ecological restoration project” means a project where
the site is intentionally altered to establish a defined, indigenous, historic ecosystem.
“Effective precipitation” (Eppt) means the portion
of total precipitation which becomes available for
plant growth.
“Emission device” means an irrigation system
component that dispenses water to the landscape.
“Established landscape” means the stage at which
plants in the landscape have developed significant
root growth into the soil. Typically, most plants are
established after one or two years of growth.
“Establishment period of the plants” or
“establishment period” means the first year after
installing the plant in the landscape, or the first two years if irrigation will be terminated after establishment.

Typically, most plants are established after one or two years of growth. Native habitat mitigation areas and
trees may need three to five years for establishment.
“Estimated Total Water Use” (ETWU) is the sum of
each hydrozone’s estimated water use (EWU) and
means the total water used for the landscape as
described in Section 4.3.6 (Water Efficient Landscape
Worksheet) of this Manual. ETWU must be equal to
or below the Maximum Applied Water Allowance
(MAWA) to comply with the WELO.
“Estimated Water Use” (EWU) is the calculated water
used for each hydrozone as described in Section 4.3.6
(Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet) of this Manual.
“ET Adjustment Factor” (ETAF) means a factor that,
when applied to reference evapotranspiration, adjusts
for plant factors and irrigation efficiency, two major
influences upon the amount of water that needs to be
applied to the landscape. The maximum ETAF allowed
in the MAWA equation must be equal to or below:
a. 0.55 for residential Regular Landscapes Areas.
b. 0.45 for non-residential Regular Landscape Areas.
c. 0.8 for Special Landscape Areas.
d. 0.8 for existing non-rehabilitated Regular
Landscape Areas over one acre in size installed
before December 1, 2015, per Section

17.70.060(F) of the CMC as presently adopted,
or as amended or superseded by California Code
of Regulations, Title 23, Division 2, Chapter 2.7,
Section 491.1.
“Evapotranspiration rate” means the quantity of water
evaporated from adjacent soil and other surfaces and
transpired by plants during a specified time.
“Flow rate” means the volume of water per unit of
time that flows through pipes, valves, and emission
devices, and commonly measured in gallons per
minute, gallons per hour, or cubic feet per second.
“Flow sensor” means an inline device installed at the
supply point of the irrigation system that produces
a repeatable signal proportional to flow rate. Flow
sensors must be connected to a compatible automatic
irrigation controller, or flow monitor capable of
receiving flow signals and operating master valves.

For the purposes of this definition, “compatible”
means the flow sensor can communicate with the
irrigation controller to allow the controller to record and report actual water usage. This combination flow
sensor/controller may also function as a privatelyowned submeter. “Friable” means a soil condition that is easily crumbled or loosely compacted down to a minimum depth per
planting instructions for the plant material, whereby
the root structure of newly planted material will be
allowed to spread unimpeded.
“Front yard” has the same meaning as set forth in
Section 17.04.639 of the CMC.
“Fuel Modification Plan Guideline” means landscaping
guidelines from a local fire authority to assist residents and businesses that are developing land or building
structures in a fire hazard severity zone.
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APPENDICES 1
“Gray water” means untreated wastewater that has
not been contaminated by any toilet discharge, has
not been affected by infectious, contaminated, or
unhealthy bodily wastes, and does not present a
threat from contamination by unhealthful processing,
manufacturing, or operating wastes. “Gray water”
includes wastewater from bathtubs, showers,
bathroom washbasins, clothes washing machines, and
laundry tubs, but does not include wastewater from
kitchen sinks or dishwashers per Health and Safety
Code Section 17922.12.
“Hardscapes” means any durable material (pervious
and non-pervious).
“Hydrozone” means a section of the landscaped area
having plants with similar water needs (i.e., “plant
factors”) and generally similar rooting depth (e.g.,
turfgrass - shallow to moderate, shrubs- moderate, and
trees - deep). A hydrozone may be irrigated
or non-irrigated.
“Infiltration rate” means the rate of water entry into
the soil expressed as a depth of water per unit of time (e.g., inches per hour).
“Invasive plant species” means species of plants not
historically found in California that spread outside
cultivated areas and can damage environmental or
economic resources. Invasive species may be regulated
by county agricultural agencies as noxious species.

Lists of invasive plants are maintained by the California Invasive Plant Council in their Inventory and invasive
plants and noxious weeds by the USDA in their
PLANTS database.
“Irrigation audit” means an in-depth evaluation of
the performance of an irrigation system conducted by
a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor. An irrigation audit includes, but is not limited to, inspection, system tune-up, system test with distribution uniformity or
emission uniformity, reporting water waste, overspray
or runoff that causes overland flow, and preparation of an irrigation schedule. The audit must be conducted in
a manner consistent with the Irrigation Association’s
Landscape Irrigation Auditor Certification program
or other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
“WaterSense” labeled auditing program.
“Irrigation efficiency” (IE) means the measurement
of the amount of water beneficially used divided
by the amount of water applied and is expressed as
a percentage. Irrigation efficiency is derived from
measurements and estimates of irrigation system
characteristics and management practices. The average
irrigation efficiency used in the Estimated Total Water use equation for purposes of the WELO and this
manual are 0.75 for overhead irrigation systems, and

0.81 for drip irrigation systems.
“Irrigation survey” means an evaluation of an irrigation system that is less detailed than an irrigation audit.

An irrigation survey includes, but is not limited to,
inspection, system test, and written recommendations
to improve performance of the irrigation system.
“Irrigation water use analysis” means an analysis of
water use data based on meter readings and
billing data.
“Landscape architect” means a person who holds a
license to practice landscape architecture in the state of California Business and Professions Code, Section 5615. “Landscape area” (LA) means all the irrigated
planting areas, turfgrass areas, and water features
in a landscape design plan subject to the Maximum
Applied Water Allowance calculation. The irrigated
planting area does not include footprints of buildings
or structures, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, decks, patios, gravel or stone walks, other pervious or nonpervious hardscapes, and other non-irrigated areas designated for non-development (e.g., open spaces
and existing native vegetation). The landscape area is
the sum of the landscape projects’ Regular Landscape
Areas (RLA) and Special Landscape Areas (SLA). LA =
RLA + SLA.
“Landscape Documentation Package” has the same
meaning as set forth in Section 17.70.030 of the CMC.
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“Landscape professional” means a licensed landscape
architect, licensed landscape contractor, or any other
person authorized to design a landscape pursuant to
Sections 5500.1, 5615, 5641, 5641.1, 5641.2, 5641.3,
5641.4, 5641.5, 5641.6, 6701, 7027.5 of the California
Business and Professions Code, Section 832.27 of Title16 of the California Code of Regulations, and Section 6721 of the California Food and Agriculture Code.
“Landscape project” has the same meaning as set
forth in Section 17.70.030 of the CMC.
“Lateral line” means the water delivery pipeline that
supplies water from the valve to the emission devices.
“Local water purveyor” means any entity, including a
public agency, city, county, or private water company
that provides retail water service.
“Low head drainage” means a condition where water
partially or completely drains from the lateral line
through the emission device after the irrigation cycle
is completed.
“Master shut-off valve” is an automatic valve installed at the irrigation supply point which controls water flow into the irrigation system. When this valve is closed
water will not be supplied to the irrigation system. A
master shut-off valve will greatly reduce any water loss due to a ruptured pipe or leak in the irrigation system. “Matched precipitation rate” or “matched application
rate” means that all emission devices within a
hydrozone delivers water at a similar precipitation rate per unit of time.
“Maximum Applied Water Allowance” (MAWA) means
the upper limit of annual applied water for the
established landscaped area as specified in Section

4.3.6 (Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet). It is based upon the area’s reference evapotranspiration, the
maximum ET Adjustment Factor allowed, and the size
of the Regular Landscape Area (RLA) and the Special
Landscape Area (SLA). MAWA = (ETo) x (0.62) x [ETAF x
RLA + 0.8 x SLA]
“Median” is a landscape project area between opposing
lanes of traffic that may be unplanted or planted with
trees, shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses.
“Microclimate” means the climate of a small, specific
area that may contrast with the climate of the overall
landscape area due to factors such as wind, sun exposure, plant density, or proximity to reflective surfaces.
“Mined-land reclamation projects” means any surface
mining operation with a reclamation plan approved in
accordance with the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Act of 1975.
“Mulch” has the same meaning as set forth in Section

17.70.030 of the CMC.
“Multi-family residential landscape” means the
landscape area surrounding or associated with any
structure designed for human habitation that has been
divided into two or more legally created independent
living quarters.
“New construction” has the same meaning as set forth
in Section 17.70.030 of the CMC.
“Non-pervious” means any surface or natural material
that does not allow for the passage of water through
the material and into the underlying soil.
“Non-residential landscape” means the landscape
area surrounding or associated with commercial,
institutional, industrial, and public settings that
may have areas designated for recreation or public
assembly. It also includes the landscape area
associated with common areas of common interest
developments with designated recreational areas.
“Non-volatile memory” means a type of computer
memory used in automatic irrigation controllers that
retains stored information after power is removed and
will maintain the programmed irrigation schedule after
power is restored.
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“Operating pressure” means the pressure at which
the parts of an irrigation system are designed by the
manufacturer to operate.
“Overhead irrigation systems” means irrigation
systems that deliver water through the air.
“Overspray” means the irrigation water which is
delivered beyond the target area.
“Parkway” has the same meaning as set forth in
Section 12.22.030 of the CMC.
“Permit” means an authorizing document issued by the
City for new construction or rehabilitated landscapes.
“Pervious” means any surface or material that allows
the passage of water through the material and into the
underlying soil.
“Plant factor” or “plant water use factor” is a factor, when multiplied by ETo, estimates the amount of water
needed by plants. For purposes of the WELO and this
Manual, the plant factor ranges are:
a. very low water use plants is less than 0.1.
b. low water use plants is 0.1 to 0.3.
c. moderate water use plants is 0.4 to 0.6.
d high water use plants is 0.7 to 1.0.

Plant factors cited in the WELO and this Manual are
derived from the database “Water Use Classification
of Landscape Species.” Plant factors may also be
obtained from horticultural researchers from academic
institutions or professional associations as approved by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).
“Project applicant” has the same meaning as set forth
in Section 17.70.030 of the CMC.
“Property owner” or “owner” means the record owner
of real property as shown on the most recently issued
equalized assessment roll.
“Rain sensor” or “rain sensing shutoff device” means
a component that automatically interrupts an irrigation event when it rains.
“Record drawing” or “as-builts” means a set of
reproducible drawings that show significant changes
in the work made during construction and that are
usually based on drawings marked up in the field and
other data furnished by the contractor.
“Recreational area” means areas designated for
active play, recreation or public assembly in parks,
sports fields, picnic grounds, amphitheaters, or golf
course tees, fairways, roughs, surrounds and greens.

Private single-family residential landscapes are not
recreational areas.
“Recycled water” or “reclaimed water” means treated
wastewater of a quality suitable for non-potable uses
such as landscape irrigation and water features, as
described in California Code of Regulations, Title 22,
Division 4, Chapter 3. This water is not intended for
human consumption.
“Reference evapotranspiration” or “ETo” means a
standard measurement of environmental parameters
which affect the water use of plants. ETo is expressed
in inches per day, month, or year as represented in
Appendix C (Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet) of
this Manual. The annual reference evapotranspiration
is used as the basis of determining the Maximum
Applied Water Allowances so that regional differences
in climate can be accommodated.
“Regular landscape area” (RLA) is the portion of the
irrigated landscape area that is not a Special Landscape Area. RLA = LA – SLA.
“Rehabilitated landscape” means any landscape
renovation project that requires a permit, plan check,
or design review, in which the modified landscape area
is equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet.
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“Riser” means a length of pipe with male nominal pipe
threads on each end usually affixed to a lateral or
submain supporting a sprinkler head or anti-siphon valve. “Runoff” means water which is not absorbed by the
soil or landscape to which it is applied and flows from the target landscape area. Runoff may result from
water that is applied at too great a rate (application
rate exceeds infiltration rate), from low head drainage, or when there is a slope.
“Single-family residential landscape” means the
landscape areas surrounding or associated with a
one or two-family dwelling or townhouse. Swimming
pools of single-family residential landscapes are water features and not Special Landscape Areas.
“Soil moisture sensing device” or “soil moisture sensor” means a device that measures the amount of water in
the soil and sends a signal to the automatic irrigation controller to interrupt or initiate an irrigation event. “Soil texture” means the classification of soil based on its percentage of sand, silt, and clay.
“Special Landscape Area” (SLA) means an irrigated
area that may be all or part of the landscape project
and is permanently and solely dedicated to edible
plants such as orchards and vegetable gardens,
recreational areas, areas irrigated with recycled water, or water features using recycled water.
“Sprinkler head” or “sprinkler” means an emission
device that applies water by converting water pressure
to a high velocity discharge stream or stream(s)
through the air by a nozzle (e.g., spray, rotors, and
rotators). Sprinklers have a manufacturer specification for flow rate measured in gallons per minute.
“Static water pressure” means the pipeline or municipal water supply pressure when water is not flowing.
“Station” means a hydrozone served by a circuit on an
automatic irrigation controller that operates either one valve or a set of valves that operate simultaneously.
“Submeter” means a metering device to measure
water applied to the landscape that is installed after
the primary utility water meter.
“Swing joint” means an irrigation component that
provides a flexible, leak-free connection between the
emission device and lateral pipeline to allow movement
in any direction and to prevent equipment damage.
“Turfgrass” means a living ground cover surface of
mowed grass.
“Valve” means a device used to control the flow of
water in the irrigation system.
“Water budget calculation” means the calculation of
a landscape water budget defined by Estimated Water
Use (EWU), Estimated Total Water Use (ETWU), and
Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA).
“Water conserving plant species” means a plant species
identified as having a very low or low plant factor.
“Water feature” means a design element where open
water performs an aesthetic or recreational function.

Water features include ponds, lakes, waterfalls,
fountains, artificial streams, spas, and swimming pools (where water is artificially supplied). The surface area of water features is included in the high-water use
hydrozone of the landscape area. Constructed wetlands
used for on-site wastewater treatment or stormwater
best management practices that are not irrigated
and used solely for water treatment or stormwater
retention are not water features and, therefore, are not subject to the water budget calculation.
“Water waste” means the overapplication of water
through inefficient landscape irrigation that causes
runoff to leave the target landscape area onto adjacent property, non-irrigated landscapes, private and public
walkways, roadways, parking lots, or structures. Water
waste includes low head drainage, overspray, runoff, or other similar conditions that cause overland flow.
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APPENDICES 1
“Watering window” means the days per week and the
hours per day irrigation is allowed.
“WUCOLS” means the Water Use Classification
of Landscape Species IV, 2014, which is herein
incorporated by reference, and maintained by the
California Center for Urban Horticulture, University
of California. WUCOLS IV is an online database that
classifies and provides regional water needs for
commonly available landscape plants.
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APPENDICES

IRRIGATION & EVAPOTRANSPIRATION DATA
• CIMIS: https://cimis.water.ca.gov/
• Rain Bird: https://www.rainbird.com/agency/mwelo

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• CalWEP Sustainable Landscaping: https://calwep.
org/sustainable-landscapes/
• Sustainable Landscapes in California: A Guidebook
for Commercial and Industrial Site Managers:
https://pacinst.org/wpcontent/uploads/2020/08/
Sustainable-Landscapes-in-CaliforniaPacificInstitute-2020.pdf APPENDIX B: LANDSCAPE

DESIGN RESOURCES
The City of Corona does not endorse nor recommend
any products, materials, or services. These resources
are provided for informational purposes only.

Source: Department of Water Resources (DWR)
MWELO Resources Link: https://water.ca.gov/-/media/
DWR-Website/Web-Pages/Programs/Water-Use-AndEfficiency/Urban-Water-Use-Efficiency/MWELO-Files/ MWELO-Guidebook/W--MWELO-Resources-Links.pdf

MWELO ORDINANCE
• DWR Ordinance & Reporting: https://water.ca.gov/
Programs/Water-Use-And-Efficiency/UrbanWater-Use-Efficiency/Model-Water-EfficientLandscape-Ordinance

IRRIGATION AUDITORS
• Irrigation Auditors EPA WaterSense: https://
lookforwatersense.epa.gov/pros/

SOIL, COMPOST, MULCH
• Calrecycle: https://calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/
compostmulch/
PLANTS
• Calscape, Native Plants in Landscaping: https://
www.calscape.org/
• WUCOLS, Water Use Classification of Landscape
Species, Plant Database: https://www.ucanr.edu/
sites/WUCOLS/
• Native and Invasive Plants: CALIPC Plants in
Horticulture: https://www.cal-ipc.org/plants/
horticulture-plants/
• Invasive Plants: Plant Right: https://plantright.org/ • Southern California Plant List – BeWaterWise: http:// www.bewaterwise.com/california-native-plants.html
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APPENDICES 1
When the performance compliance option is selected, this worksheet is to be filled out by the project applicant or their designee and is required to be submitted 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.

Project Applicant: ______________________________ Phone Number (if available): __________________ Project Address: ________________________________ Date: _____________ (EToa) (in./year): ________ Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA):

MAWA = EToa x 0.62 x [ETAF x RLA + 0.8 x SLA] = _____________ (Annual Gallons Allowed) The maximum ETAF allowed in the MAWA equation must be equal to or below:

0.55 - for residential regular landscape areas (RLA)

0.45 - for non-residential regular landscape areas (RLA)

0.8 - for special landscape areas (SLA)
Estimated Total Water Use (ETWU) Table: (see instructions) a
Annual ETo for the City from
Section 4.3.6 of this Manual
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 Efficiency
(IE):

Overhead Irrigation = 0.75
Drip Irrigation = 0.81
APPENDIX C: WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE WORKSHEET

A B C D E F
Hydrozone (Number,
letter, or other
designation)
Plant Factorb
“PF” Irrigation
Efficiencyc “IE”
Evapotranspiration
Adjustment Factor
ETAF = PF / IE
Hydrozone Area
(sq.ft.)
Estimated Water Use
“EWU”
= D x E x EToa x 0.62
(gallons/year)
SLA - NA NA 0.8
SLA - NA NA 0.8
SLA - NA NA 0.8
ETWU Total NA NA NA NA
MAWAe NA NA NA NA
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WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE WORKSHEET INSTRUCTIONS

1. Reference Evapotranspiration.
a. Use the Annual ETo value for the City using the Reference Evapotranspiration (ETo) Table provided in Section

4.3.6 of this Manual and use this value in the EWU and MAWA calculations.

2. Calculate the Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA). a. RLA is the total regular landscape area in square feet. b. SLA is the total special landscape area in square feet. c. 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.
d. 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:

1. Residential landscapes:

MAWA = (ETo -Eppt) x (0.62) x [0.55 x RLA + 0.8 x SLA]

2. Non-residential landscapes:

MAWA = (ETo -Eppt) x (0.62) x [0.45 x RLA + 0.8 x SLA]

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 the Landscape Design Manual as presently adopted, or as amended or superseded by California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Division 2, Chapter 2.7, Section 490.2. ii. Special landscape areas (SLA), as defined in the Landscape Design Manual as presently adopted, or as amended or superseded by California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Division 2, Chapter 2.7, Section 490.2, are not included in RLA measurements.
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.

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 the City’s WELO.
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APPENDICES 1
APPENDIX D: CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
This certificate is filled out by the project applicant to certify that the landscape project has been installed in accordance with the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. (a) Prescriptive Compliance Option is limited to elements 1, 2, and 4. (b) Performance Compliance Option shall include all six (6) elements.

ELEMENT 1. PROJECT INFORMATION SHEET
Project Applicant Information:

ELEMENT 2. CERTIFICATION OF INSTALLATION ACCORDING TO THE LANDSCAPE DOCUMENTATION PACKAGE (A) Where there have been significant changes made in the field during construction, these “as-built” or record drawings shall be included.
(B) 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 conform with the criteria and specifications of the approved Landscape Documentation Package.” _______________________________________ __________________ Primary Designer of Record Signature Date
_______________________________________ __________________ Secondary Designer of Record Signature Date
Name of Project Applicant (or designee if applicable) and Title: Project Name or Entitlement Case No.:

Project Landscape Architect or Designer of Record: Tract No. / Phase No. (if applicable):

Street Address for Project Site: Water Supply Type (Circle One):

Potable / Recycled / Well / Other (specify):

City, State: Water Purveyor:

Zip Code: Phone Number:

Fax Number: Email:

Company:
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ELEMENT 3. SOIL MANAGEMENT REPORT
Attach soil management report, if not previously submitted with the Landscape Documentation Package per Section

4.3 (Performance Compliance) of the Landscape Design Manual.

Attach documentation verifying implementation of recommendations from soil analysis management report per Section 4.3 (Performance Compliance) of the Landscape Design Manual.

ELEMENT 4. IRRIGATION SCHEDULING PARAMETERS
Attach irrigation scheduling parameters used to set the automatic irrigation controller per Section 4.2 (Prescriptive Compliance) or 4.3 (Performance Compliance) of the Landscape Design Manual, as applicable.

ELEMENT 5. LANDSCAPE AND IRRIGATION MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE Attach landscape and irrigation maintenance schedule per Section 4.3 (Performance Compliance) of the Landscape Design Manual.

ELEMENT 6. IRRIGATION AUDIT REPORT
Attach Irrigation Audit Report per Section 4.3 (Performance Compliance) of the Landscape Design Manual.

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 City of Corona Planning and Development Department __________________

2. Date the Landscape Documentation Package was approved by the City of Corona Planning and Development Department __________________

3. Date that a copy of the Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet (including the Water Budget Calculation) was submitted to the City of Corona Planning and Development Department __________________ CITY LANDSCAPE INSPECTOR SIGNATURE:

1. The approved set of landscape plans issued by the City of Corona and the job card have been provided to the City Landscape Inspector during the on-site inspection.

2. The fence and walls are constructed and installed per the approved set of fence and wall plans issued by the City of Corona. (This item is only required if the project development includes fence and walls.)

3. The project complies with the approved landscape plan. _______________________________________ __________________ City Landscape Inspector Signature Date

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