Climate-ready landscapes are designed with climate change in mind. They are designed and maintained to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and weather more extreme conditions. Climate-ready landscapes can help to optimize water efficiency. With landscape irrigation accounting for up to 65% of water use in the Sacramento Valley, this can lead to reduced water usage and potential savings.

City of Davis Climate-Ready Landscaping

City of Davis Climate-Ready Trees

Tips on How to Hire a Landscape Contractor

UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden Climate-Ready Gardening Toolkit

Fire-Resistant Landscaping

Fire resistant landscaping uses fires-resistant plants that are strategically planted to resist the spread of fire to your home. Fire resistant plants are often drought tolerant and include plants such as sage, California fuchsia, and red monkey flower. For recommendations on plant types and more important tips on fire-resistant landscaping, visit the CalFire webpage.

Plant Choice

While there are many good uses for lawn/turf areas like community spaces and active recreation, there are other alternatives to consider for turf that serves only an aesthetic function. Consider replacing turf with climate-ready plants that are low water-use and have many other environmental benefits.

Sheet Mulching 

One common method of turf removal is sheet mulching. Sheet mulching involves covering the turf with layers of cardboard or newspaper to exclude light and then adding layers of compost and mulch. This method adds organic matter to your soil and does not require the disposal of any turf. You can plant right into the area that was mulched/composted. The best time to use this method is the spring and to leave the layers in place for the summer to use the available heat and light to help breakdown the materials. Occasional water may be required over the summer to help with material breakdown. Planting in the fall is best because the days are shorter and cooler and rain can support plant growth.

• Cut grass as short as possible
• Dig a "moat" around the hardscape to keep materials on site
• Cover the entire area with cardboard (used boxes or purchased rolls)
• Make sure the edges overlap so that no sunlight gets through the cardboard
• Wet the cardboard
• Cover with a layer of compost (2-3")
• Add a layer of mulch at least 4 inches thick
• Plant directly into the mulched/composted area after a few months (ideally in the fall)

Resources on Lawn Removal Techniques

Sonoma County Master Gardeners: Grass Removal Methods

StopWaste guide to the Sheet Mulching Process

Tips on How to Hire a Landscape Contractor

UC Davis Arboretum Sheet Mulching Article

Yolo County Master Gardeners: step by step instructions on lawn removal

During the hot, dry summer months it is essential to water your trees. Deep watering of trees encourages root growth, helps reduce surface rooting, and helps keep trees healthy even during dry and/or drought conditions. Providing a 3-5” mulch layer under the tree canopy, as much as possible, helps retain soil moisture, builds soil organic matter, and develops healthy soils, which in turn boosts tree health and vigor.

For more information on tree care and watering, visit City of Davis Urban Forestry Caring for Your Trees.

Rainwater harvesting is the practice of capturing, infiltrating or utilizing rainwater for irrigation use rather than allowing it to run off the property. Rainwater harvesting can conserve water, improve water quality going to storm drains and provide habitat for plants, animals and insects. When designing rainwater systems, direct rain water away from impervious pavement, connect downspouts to rain barrels/cisterns or to landscaping and use landscape contours to direct and retain rainwater. Learn about the City of Davis permit requirements for collecting rainwater.

Landscape Features

• Swales: vegetated landscaped depressions that absorb pollutants and infiltrate runoff
• Dry creek beds: stone-lined channels that promote infiltration and convey water
• Rain gardens: shallow vegetated basins that collect, retain and infiltrate runoff
• Pervious paving: allows rainwater to infiltrate back into the soil and reduces and infiltrates runoff

Rain Barrels & Cisterns

• Capture rainwater to improve quality and store for dry months
• In winter, water captured can be used for indoor plants
• Hold between 40 to 75 gallons of water
• Need to have a screen to keep debris and mosquitoes out
• Cisterns are larger scale systems that can require pumps and involve more extensive work and permitting

Rainwater Harvesting & Retention Resources

American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association

Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (AB 1750)

Rain Barrel Placement & Maintenance

Strategy to Optimize Resource Management of Storm Water (STORMS)

U.S. EPA Low-Impact Design

U.S. EPA Rain Barrels

Grey water is water collected from sinks (excluding the kitchen sink), showers, bathtubs and/or washing machines that can be used for landscape irrigation or toilet flushing. Grey water does not include wastewater from kitchen sinks or dishwashers.

Learn more about the City of Davis ordinance and California Plumbing Code requirements for grey water system installation.

Permit Requirements for Grey Water Systems

Types of Grey Water Systems

• Laundry to Landscape: the most simple type of grey water system which typically does not require a permit. Grey water is discharged directly from the washing machine through a discharge hose to outdoor landscapes. There are some limitations on laundry to landscape systems including:
  • No spray irrigation
  • No ponding
  • Exterior use only
  • Sub-soil irrigation
• Branched Drain: connects other grey water sources besides the washing machine. Typically utilizes grey water from showers and/or sinks.
• Pumped Systems: require a temporary storage tank (less than 24 hours) before the water is pumped to the landscape. If being used for drip irrigation, requires filtration.
• Dual Drainage Plumbing: typically seen in new construction or major remodels. The grey water drains separately from water

  from the toilet(s) and kitchen sink and enables access to all the household grey water in one pipe.

Background

The State’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) was updated on July 15, 2015. 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.  You can find more information on the State’s current water efficient landscape efforts on the Department of Water Resources’ website.

Is My Project Subject to MWELO?

MWELO requirements apply to any landscaping project greater than 500 square feet that requires a permit, plan check or design review. Landscape area means all the planting areas, turf areas, and water features in a landscape design plan. 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).

Typical permits that would trigger MWELO requirements include a building permit for sprinkler installation, a design review application for a building addition, or a building permit to construct a swimming pool. 

Streamlined “Prescriptive Compliance Approach” (Projects less than 2,500 sq. ft.)

For new and rehabilitated landscapes subject to MWELO and less than 2,500 sq. ft., the streamlined Prescriptive Compliance Approach may be used. The Prescriptive Compliance Approach is a checklist of landscape standards that are met and documented on the Landscape Plan. These standards include incorporating compost, limiting plant water use, adding mulch, limiting turf area, and requirements for irrigation systems. 

• MWELO Project Information Form (complete and submit when applying for a permit)
• MWELO  Prescriptive Compliance - Short Form (items on checklist are required and must be documented on your submitted landscape plan)

Performance Compliance Approach (May be used for any size project; required for projects greater than 2500 sq. ft.)

For landscapes of any size subject to MWELO, the Performance Compliance Approach can be used. The Performance Compliance Approach must be used for landscapes larger than 2,500 sq. ft. The Performance Compliance Approach has additional requirements beyond the Prescriptive Compliance Option. The Performance Compliance Approach must include a soil management report, landscape design plan, irrigation design plan, and a grading design plan. More specifics on the requirements of this approach can be found below in the Landscape Documentation Package Form.

• MWELO Project Information Form (complete and submit when applying for a permit)
• MWELO Performance Compliance Checklist
• MWELO Water Budget Worksheet
• MWELO Water Budget Worksheet Example
• MWELO Certificate of Completion Form
• Landscape Certification Form

If you have any questions, e-mail planning@cityofdavis.org or call (530) 757-5610 during business hours and ask to speak to a planner on duty.