Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO)
Background
CA Department of Water Resources created this statewide conservation law model in 1993 for minimum water-efficiency standards in landscape design, construction, management and maintenance for new and applicable renovated landscapes.
The purpose of the MWELO is to promote the values and benefits of landscaping practices that integrate conservation and efficient use of water. The MWELO establishes a structure for planning, designing, installing, maintaining and managing water efficient landscapes in new construction and rehabilitated projects.
Projects Requiring Compliance: Any single-family or multi-family residential, public, institutional, or commercial project that requires a building permit, plan review, or design review AND meets one of the total landscape area size thresholds (new construction 500 sq ft. or rehabilitation of existing landscape greater than 2,500 sq ft) needs to comply.
Definitions:
Landscape Area - All the planting areas, turf areas, and water features (including ponds, lakes, waterfalls, fountains, artificial streams, spas, and swimming pools (where water is artificially supplied)). The landscape area does not include footprints of buildings or structures, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, decks, patios, gravel or stone walks, other pervious or non-pervious hardscapes, and other non-irrigated areas designated for non-development (e.g., open spaces and existing native vegetation).
Rehabilitated Landscape - Existing landscape area with or without irrigation that is renovated/remodeled and does not require the non-renovated areas to be upgraded and comply.
Prior to Construction |
During Construction |
Completing the Project |
Resources and Information |
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1) Apply for a building permit in the Permit Center. 2) Upload the following documents to
application attachments based on
compliance pathway.
Prescriptive Landscape Projects
New or Renovations with Total Landscape
Area: 500-2,500 SQ FT
-Landscape Design Plans
Performance Landscape Projects
New Construction with Total Landscape Area of 500 SQ FT or More
Renovations with Total Landscape Area 2,500 Sq Ft or More
-Hydrozone Plan
-Grading Design Plan
-Irrigation Design Plan -Landscape Design Plans -Soil Management Report from accredited soils lab
(if significant mass grading is planned,
submit after construction)
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Call for inspections accordingly.
-Request landscape inspection 10 days in advance to
Performance Landscape Projects
-Request landscape inspection 10 days in advance to
-Request irrigation inspection 10 days in advance to
Upload the following documents to permit attachments.
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Upload the following documents to permit attachments based on compliance pathway.
Prescriptive Landscape Projects
Construct the landscape according
to the approved plans.
-Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance Schedule
Performance Landscape Projects WELO INSPECTION REQUIRED
-Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance Schedule
-Soil Management Report
-Verification of Soil Report Recommendation and Implementation
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MWELO Ordinance DWR Ordinance Soil, Compost, Mulch Plants
Irrigation
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