Subject:
Title
Creation of Proposed Chapter 46, Article XI, Landscape Irrigation, Relating to Watering Schedules consistent with St. Johns River Water Management District Model Ordinance.
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Fiscal Impact:
None, however adoption of irrigation schedules is a pre-requisite for cost share grants from the St. Johns River Water Management District
Dept/Office:
Natural Resources Management Department
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Local Planning Agency conduct a public hearing to consider the creation of Proposed Chapter 46, Article XI, Landscape Irrigation, relating to watering schedules consistent with St. Johns River Water Management District model ordinance.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
The Board of County Commissioners (Board), on October 12, 2021 approved legislative intent and permission to advertise the creation Chapter 46, Article XI, Landscape Irrigation, Relating to Watering Schedules consistent with St. Johns River Water Management District (District) model ordinance. The Board further directed that the proposed language not include enforcement provisions, leaving enforcement to the District.
On January 12, 2021, the St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board approved updates to their Districtwide Cost-Share Program. These updates included a new requirement that to be eligible for District Cost-Share grants, municipalities and counties must have a landscape irrigation ordinance that is consistent with the District’s model ordinance. Currently, District grants provide up to 25% of construction-only costs for shovel- ready projects. In July 2021, the District’s Office of General Counsel determined that adoption of the model ordinance sections related to enforcement and penalties is optional.
Excess irrigation wastes freshwater and carries pollution to sensitive waterways including the Indian River Lagoon. To discourage excess irrigation, the District has established watering schedules based on time of year and street address. For example, during Daylight Savings Time, residential landscape irrigation at odd numbered addresses or no address may occur only on Wednesday and Saturday, while irrigation at even numbered addresses may occur only on Thursday and Sunday. During Eastern Standard Time, residential landscape irrigation at odd numbered addresses or no address may occur only on Saturday, while irrigation at even numbered addresses may occur only on Sunday. Year-round, irrigation shall not occur between 10:00 and 4:00.
Adopting the watering schedules could provide a beneficial opportunity for local outreach on the importance of water conservation and pollution control. Additionally, including the watering restrictions within the County Code may make the rules more publicly accessible when compared with searching the Florida Administrative Code.
Please review and provide feedback regarding the attached proposed ordinance.
Staff Contact:
Amanda Elmore, Deputy Director
Natural Resources Management Department
amanda.elmore@brevardfl.gov
321-307-8996
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
None