Information For Irrigation Professionals

Installers and owners of irrigation systems should be aware that the City has an irrigation ordinance guiding the design, installation and operation of automatic in-ground lawn sprinkler systems. The ordinance also describes our requirement for the permitting and inspecting of new systems. The ordinance establishes the state irrigation code as the City standard for irrigation, except for a few instances where the City rules exceed the state requirements. The document also provides for penalties in instances where parties involved in irrigation do not follow the ordinance. If you install irrigation or if you own an irrigation system, we strongly encourage you to become familiar with City requirements so you may avoid compliance problems. The irrigation ordinance is section 13.12 under "Utilities" in the City Code of Ordinances listed on the City Secretary’s web page.  We also suggest you view our Backflow Prevention page which describes our requirements for cross-connection control and has a list of local backflow prevention assembly testers. The backflow prevention page is accessible by going to the Utilities Department web page and clicking the blue Water Quality button.

Permits required

Anyone installing an irrigation system or making major expansions or changes to an existing system must obtain an irrigation permit from the Development Services Department before doing any installation work on a site, including trenching.

Permits and inspection procedures

Submit an irrigation plan to Development Services and allow seven business days for approval. Once the plan is approved, an irrigator may purchase the permit and then proceed with the work. When the job is complete, the irrigator must fill out an inspection request, which is a checklist certifying that basic aspects of the job will meet requirements.  The irrigator then turns in the request to development services. An inspection will be done as soon as possible.

Inspected items

The City may find a system deficient for any aspect which does not meet standards of the state Irrigation Code or City Ordinances. However, the checklist you fill out to request the inspection will be a good indicator of what is needed to pass inspection. Please examine it carefully. 

Completion documents

Part of the inspection involves making sure required documents have been left for the customer. These will be examined during the inspection. Under current irrigation rules, it is the irrigator's duty to leave the following for the customer when the job is complete: A copy of the system plan, including any changes made after plan approval by the City; a copy of the manual booklet, if one is used; a permanent irrigator's sticker on the control box with the irrigator's name, telephone number, license number and warranty dates; and a seasonal schedule showing how long the time settings should be at different times of the year once the landscape is established. 

Deposits

Besides permit fees, irrigators will leave a $250 deposit with Development Services when they get their permit. The deposit is returned after the system passes inspection. A $50 deduction will be made for each time the City has to return to reinspect for deficiencies.