Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 60D-14.007 - Landscape Design and Maintenance Requirements

(1) Schematic designs and detailed construction documents shall be prepared by a person or entity authorized by Part II of Chapter 481, Florida Statutes, and shall be submitted to the Facilities Development office of the Facilities Program of the Department of Management Services for review and approval:

(a) Irrigated landscape shall be confined to the environs of the building, to areas designated for programmed activities and to building approaches used by the public.

(b) The natural ground-slope and a generally level grade shall be maintained whenever possible, minimizing water run-off.

(c) Except for plants considered invasive or noxious, existing trees, shrubs and plant communities (native or cultivars) shall be preserved where consistent with required improvements and the objectives of this chapter. When new landscaping groundcovers, shrubs, and trees are required, drought-tolerant plants shall be utilized.

(d) Soils shall be analyzed for acidity/alkalinity, permeability and water retention shall be assessed, and plants shall be chosen suited to the soil condition.

(e) Mulches shall be used upon landscape beds and around the base of trees to maintain a two to three inch layer after settling.

(f) Except for the initial establishment of plants, programmed irrigation shall be limited to the period between midnight and 7:00 a.m.

(g) The landscape shall be inspected biannually by the agency maintaining the building to evaluate the health of plantings and the quality of maintenance and a record made of the condition. Provision shall be made for remediation of unsuitable features.

(2) Irrigation systems, either for the establishment or the continuous maintenance of the landscape, shall conform to applicable building codes and the design-standard publications entitled "Standards and Specifications for Turf and Landscape Irrigation Systems", 3rd Edition, February 1996, and "Standards and Specifications for Agricultural Solid-Set Sprinkler and Micro-Irrigation Systems", 1st Edition, April 1991, published by and obtainable from the Florida Irrigation Society, Inc., 1850 Lee Road, Suite 230, Winter Park, Florida 32789. These standards are adopted and incorporated into this section by reference as rules of the Department.

(3) Non-potable water shall be considered as an irrigation source whenever available; sources include non-recycled condenser water, domestic waste-water or treated sewage effluent and surface or ground waters, where permitted by regulation or local ordinance.

(4) To meet the minimum watering requirements of the respective plants:

(a) Sprinkler coverage shall be head-to-head with minimal water spill to impervious surfaces (driveways, sidewalks, etc.).

(b) Micro-irrigation systems shall be considered for shrub, tree and annual beds and for containerized plants.

(c) Separate irrigation zones shall be created for turf, landscape beds, annual beds, and sloped areas.

(d) When a programmed automatic control system is used, it shall provide for flexible and separate scheduling of the irrigation zones.

(e) Irrigation systems shall be supervised when in use or shall include an automatic shut-off device to shut down the system upon the occurrence of rain in a quantity equal to the average of the designed provision of all zones of the irrigation system estimated in inches per acre to be delivered within each scheduled irrigation cycle.

(f) Except for the initial establishment of plants, programmed irrigation shall be limited to the period between midnight and 7:00 a.m.

(g) The frequency of irrigation shall be seasonally adjusted to irrigate less frequently during cool or wet periods.

(h) The party responsible for the operation of the facility shall monitor the performance of the irrigation system on a monthly schedule during the operating season and maintain an inspection log; repairs and adjustments shall be made promptly as need arises.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 60D-14.007

Specific Authority 255.259(3) FS. Law Implemented 255.259, 255.25(1)(a) FS.

New 4-19-98.

New 4-19-98.