A landscape plan is a complete graphic representation of the exterior landscape as you plan to install it. There are two parts to a landscape plan;

1) a planting plan showing all plant materials, and

2) an irrigation plan showing all components of the irrigation system. View and print a sample landscape plan (pdf format).

The objective of the water-conserving landscape is to provide landscaping which is attractive, yet reduces the consumption of water as compared to traditional plantings. This is achieved by a combination of landscape techniques and features such as:

• Appropriate native or drought-resistant plants
• Non-living ground cover such as bark, pebbles, or other mulches
• A low percentage of lawn coverage
• Irrigation systems on automatic timing devices programmed in accordance with season changes, soil types and water needs of plants to be irrigated.

Two important aspects of a water conserving landscape; placement or grouping of plants, and appropriate location with respect to slope and sun exposure. Plants should be located in groups with similar watering needs and in the appropriate "micro-climate' within the site.

Plants must be grouped according to the amount of water they need, with irrigation systems programmed in separate circuits that meet those needs and assure water saving.

Drought-resistant plants are those which after establishment require little or no irrigation water apart from normal rainfall. Some are plants native to Monterey County or to California. Other are native to other Mediterranean-type areas around the world with seasonal dry periods.

You will find a printable pamphlet entitled "Drought-Resistant Plants for Monterey County" which lists suitable drought-resistant plants for different areas of the County. Plants proposed in the landscape plan that are not on the County list must be accompanied by a documented horticultural description indicating their low water use.

The maximum allowed lawn area per lot is 20% of the planted area, not to exceed 1500 square feet per lot.

• Drip irrigation or bubblers shall be used for trees, shrubs and ground covers with central root systems.
• Spray or sprinkler systems may be used for turf areas and for ground covers with spreading root systems.
• Automatic timing devices shall be installed and programmed with separate circuits for each area with similar water needs. (Examples: drought resistant shrubs need less water than lawn does).
• Irrigation timing devices shall be programmed in accordance with seasonal weather changes and with establishment and maturation of plant materials over time.
• Multiple cycles shall be programmed (one hour or more apart) when soil infiltration rate requires, as for clay soils.
• Irrigation systems shall be maintained on a regular basis to detect and repair leaks, breaks and faulty equipment, and to adjust for poor coverage or over spray.
• Each irrigation circuit shall employ sprinkler heads with matched precipitation rates. Coverage shall be 100% overlap for turf areas and 75% overlap for ground covers.
• Run-off, overspray and low head drainage are to be avoided.
• Irrigation systems should be programmed to operate between 6 p.m. 10 a.m.

• Automatic timing device
• Backflow prevention device 

For some projects with extremely minimal plantings, hand-watering is acceptable.

NOTE: If hand-watering is planned, this must be stated on the plan.

Soils should be tested prior to designing the landscape. Soil type and texture (percent of sand, silt and clay) pH and infiltration rate should be considered in choosing plant materials and in programming irrigation timing devices.

In accordance with soil test results, the so should be prepared prior to planting to improve water retention, texture, drainage, and to adjust pH. This is done by rototilling or cultivation of compacted areas and incorporation of appropriate soil amendments to planting areas. Usually, at least two inches or organic material should be mixed into the top six to eight inches of soil.

After planting, a layer of two to three or more inches of organic material should be applied as mulch to prevent moisture loss to evaporation.

The first stop is reading and understand all the minimum requirements presented in this brochure. There may also exist other conditions of approval placed on a project by the Planning and Building Inspection Department staff or a decision-making body.

This information, in combination with the specific features of the site such as topography, soil, typed, sun/shade, wind, adjoining sites, and regional landscape, and the particular desire or needs of the resident or applicant, will determine the landscape design. Once all the pertinent information has been assembled and a plan in accordance with this guide has been prepared, the applicant may submit the landscape for review and pay the required fee.

Landscaping for commercial projects must be installed prior to occupancy.

If residential landscaping will NOT be installed prior to occupancy, an estimate of the cost of all material (including plants, irrigation components, mulching and seeding) and labor for installation of the reviewed and approved landscape plans should be obtained from a nursery or landscape contractor.

A business, personal, or cashier's check, cash, or a certificate of deposit naming only the 'County of Monterey" is then submitted in the amount of the estimate. After the landscaping has been installed and inspected for completeness and compliance with the approved plans, the certificate of deposit or funds will be released. 

This alternative is available only for residential projects. 

The planting plan shall be drawn on clear and legible base sheets prepared especially for landscape submittal. Three (3) copies shall be submitted at the time of filing. The following requirements and information shall be provided:

A. Size:  Plans shall not exceed 30"x42", or be less than 22"x36"   in size.
B. Size:  The scale shall not be smaller than 1"=20' unless approved by the Chief of Planning, Chief of Building or their  designee prior to submittal for large areas not requiring detail. In no case shall the scale be less than 1"=30'.
C. Title Block: Indicate on all plans the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the applicant and landscape architect. Including the Assessor's Parcel Number and the file number for the project.
D. Physical Characteristics:  The landscape plans should accurately and clearly portray the following existing (to be retained and proposed features:

• Landscape material, trees, shrubs, ground covers, etc.
• Property lines
• Streets, street right -of-ways access easements and /or public or private driveways, walkways, bike paths, and any other paved areas
• Building and structures (existing and proposed)
• Parking areas, lighting, striping and wheel stops
• Grading areas, top and toe of slopes, slop direction
• Natural features-water courses, rock, outcropping, etc.

All plant materials shall be indicated as to size at maturity, and all landscape materials shall be in proper scale with the plan. Planting symbols shall be clearly drawn and plants labeled or abbreviated (three letter minimum) on each sheet by botanic and common name. Numeric or graphic definition alone is not acceptable. Container size, spacing and quantities shall be clearly indicated. Sizes of plants at planting time must be adequate to meet specific site conditions.

The irrigation design shall provide adequate and sufficient water for the continued healthy growth of all proposed plantings and apply water conservation principles and methods. Overspray on adjoining areas and any other waste of water shall be kept to a minimum. Irrigation plans shall be draw in a legible manner, separate from, but utilizing the same format as the planting plan. Plans shall be concise and accurate, including but not limited to: 

A. Design pressure as well as static pressure
B. Point of connection (local and size)
C. Backflow protection, as approved by latest addition to the Uniform Plumbing Code.
D. Show gallonage requirements for each valve on the plan.
E. Timing devices for each valve. For projects with areas of spray irrigation, a schedule for programming the timing device is required on the plan. Timing schedules shall be in accordance with seasonal changes, soil type and watering needs of plants. Projects utilizing drip irrigation only do not need to submit a timing schedule. 

The legend shall include equipment manufacturer, type of equipment, model number, gallon per minute (GPM) demand, pounds per square inch (PSI) demand, radius/diameter or coverage, remarks or special notes and a reference to the corresponding detail number. All equipment shall be designed for installation per manufacturer's recommendation, Uniform Plumbing Code and all local regulations. 

Specific site conditions and proposed landscape materials will determine the design of the irrigation system. Further, when considering design alternative, the following criteria shall be utilized.

A. Landscape materials which have different watering needs shall be irrigated by separate control valves (examples: full sun/full shade, level areas/slopes areas, shrubs/lawn ect.) If one control valve is used for a given area only, plants with similar watering needs shall be used.
B. Soils shall be tested prior to designing the landscape. Soil type and texture (percent of sand, silt and clay), infiltration rate and pH shall be considered in choosing plants and in programming the timing device.
C. Sprinklers shall not spray water onto public areas or into non-planted area.

1. Assessor's Parcel number
2. File number (example: PC # or BP #)
3. Name address, and phone number for:

• Project Owner or Representative Landscape Designer or Contractor

4. Address of project site, if different
5. Graphic plan to scale, including

• North Indicator
• Scale
• Property lines with dimensions
• Building and structures (new and existing)
• Graphic symbols for all plants, new and existing, labeled by name
• Graphic symbols for all plants, new and existing by name

6. Legend containing:

• Name of plants, common and botanical
• Size of plants (container size or trunk diameter if bareroot)
• Quantity of each type
• Spacing of plants

7. Irrigation plan:
For projects using drip irrigation systems only, a list of all components to be installed and 
an indication of which areas are to be drip irrigated is sufficient. For projects with spray irrigation, a graphic representation scale of the irrigation system, with graphic symbols and labels for all components, including:

• Pipes, type and size
• Valves
• Pressure reduce
• Backflow prevention device
• Heads and nozzles, type and size, manufacturer and model #
• Automatic timing and device and timing schedule based on season changes, soil typed, and watering needs of plants to be irrigated.