Revisions to the Irrigation Design Standards were approved on
May 23, 2023, and went into effect June 12, 2023. The new requirements limit the area that can be permanently irrigated to 50% of the permeable area and outline
additional maintenance requirements for non-residential systems (including
common areas in residential developments), among other changes.
A link to the ordinance will be provided once it is available.
Staff has crafted a document highlighting important changes to the Irrigation Design Standards and definitions.
A Temporary Irrigation Guidance Document has been created describing options for temporary irrigation and the county registration requirement for certain temporary systems. We welcome comments and suggestions.
Commercial Systems Annual Maintenance Required
Attention Landscaping and Irrigation Professionals! Section 77.63(f) requires that commercial permanent irrigation systems (including those serving common areas in residential development) register with the county and submit documentation of an annual irrigation system inspection/audit detailing water conservation activities. Please
share this information with your clients and ensure that a comprehensive annual
irrigation system inspection is included in your maintenance contracts. A template Irrigation System Inspection and Maintenance Report is available to assist with this requirement (if you use a different format, please make sure
it provides all the required information).
Trainings
Florida Water Star Accredited Professional (FWSAP) and State Irrigation License
Check
the Florida
Water Star events calendar for upcoming dates, details, and registration for Florida Water Star AP trainings. For information on obtaining the State's voluntary Irrigation license, which
also qualifies for self-inspection, visit the Florida Irrigation Society.
Background
On September 22, 2015, the Alachua County Board of County
Commissioners adopted Chapter 77, Article VI, Landscape Irrigation Design and
Maintenance Standards, to promote water conservation and improve water
quality. The design standards took effect 4/1/2016 and became applicable
countywide on October 1, 2019.
The standards were revised on May 23, 2023 (effective June 12,
2023) to limit the area that can be permanently irrigated to 50% of the
permeable area. All new irrigation systems or additions to existing systems
that would reduce the efficiency of the system require County approval in Citizenserve.
Irrigation professionals installing or maintaining irrigation
systems within Alachua County must register their business with the County.
Fees and site plans are waived for new construction that achieves Florida Water Star Gold
Certification.
Fees
Homeowners
If you are installing a new irrigation system making additions to an existing system, or making
changes that will reduce watering efficiency, you must comply with this ordinance. Please consult
with Hollie Greer at 352-264-6827 if you plan to install it yourself, as
we will help you navigate the approval process.
Forms and Resources
Application submittal through
CitizenServe
– Irrigation professionals use this site to
register, submit applications, pay fees, and set up inspections on-line. Links
to training documents are posted below.
Citizenserve Introductory Training Video
Citizenserve - Creating a User Account and Submitting an Irrigation Application
Citizenserve - Requesting an Inspection, Inspection Status, and Paying Fees
Authorization to Access Property - This form must be signed by the property owner and submitted
with the Application.
Self-Inspection Checklist - This form lists the design
standards required to pass inspection and is a GREAT tool to ensure all
self-inspection projects meet the code. We recommend that you keep a copy of
the signed checklist for your records. While this form does not have to be
uploaded with your self-inspection documentation, you will be required to
verify your self-inspection in CitizenServe within 14 days of project completion.
Sample Site Sketches - Sample Site Sketch 1 and Sample
Site Sketch 2 illustrate what should be included in the irrigation site sketch.
Providing a complete sketch, when applicable, expedites the review process.
Sample
Calculations - Use this optional spreadsheet to tabulate required
information. Including the completed table on your irrigation sketch will speed
up staff review.
Temporary Irrigation Guidance Document - This document explains the temporary irrigation registration requirements and describes several options for providing temporary irrigation.
Temporary Irrigation Affidavit - This form documents the use of temporary irrigation and is required for any in-ground temporary systems, which must be registered in Citizenserve within 14 days of system installation. Temporary systems must be removed or disabled one year after the completion date of the project. The
department may grant an extension if it is deemed necessary for tree
establishment or in periods of severe drought. Temporary irrigation must
clearly be separate from a permanent irrigation system.
Irrigation Design Standards FAQs - This document addresses common questions.
Questions or concerns, please contact:
Rebecca Hoffmann 352-264-6809
or
Hollie Greer at 352-264-6827