At the Regular County Commission Meeting on May 23, 2023, the Alachua County Commission adopted changes to the Landscape Irrigation Design and Maintenance Standards, which went into effect on June 12, 2023. The staff has been working with the irrigation and building industry over the past year and has hosted multiple workshops to discuss code changes before them taking effect. The revised code limits the area that can be permanently irrigated to 50% of the permeable area, with a maximum irrigated footprint of 0.25 acres per residential lot.
Irrigation professionals installing or maintaining irrigation systems within Alachua County must register their business with the County to receive code updates and workshop notices. All new irrigation systems and additions to existing systems must adhere to the new efficiency standards, which require approval before installation.
The goals and anticipated benefits of the recently adopted code revisions include water conservation and improved water quality by reducing fertilizer runoff and leaching.
“We are seeing a disturbing trend of high water use in new construction due to excessive irrigation,” said Alachua County Environmental Protection Department Water Resources Program Manager Stacie Greco. She continued, “Since almost 60% of residential water use occurs in our landscapes, this is an important step for reducing water use. The water savings will not only help save our springs and groundwater supply but will also save homeowners money on their utility bills.”
