To: Board of Supervisors
From: Planning and Building Department
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Adoption of Ordinance Amending the Building Code, Section 331-11 Incorporating by Reference the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), Sections 490-495, Chapter 2.7, Division 2, Title 23 in the California Code of Regulations
end
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Find this ordinance is exempt from CEQA (California Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.) review under a Class 7 Categorical Exemption, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15307 (14 Cal. Code Regs., § 15307) which exempts actions taken to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of a natural resource, where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment, because adoption of the updated MWELO assures the protection of water resources;
2. Adopt the ordinance, amending Chapter 1 of Division 3 of Title III of the Humboldt County Code.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund (1100)
DISCUSSION:
On Jan. 10, 2023, the Board of Supervisors introduced the above-referenced ordinance for adoption; with a directive to the Clerk of the Board to publish a pre-adoption summary of the ordinance and set the ordinance for adoption at least 1 week away. The Board further directed that staff come back at a later date with modifications to the ordinance to address specific circumstances associated with rural landscaping and encouraging the use of native plant materials. This action completes adoption of the ordinance and will result in publication of a post-adoption summary. Staff will come back with modifications at a later date.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Staff costs for preparation and review of the ordinance total approximately $1,500 at the time this report was drafted. The salary funding for this work is included is in the General Fund contribution to the Long-Range Planning unit, 1100-282. The ordinance will allow the county to add a permit application fee that will create revenue to offset expenses related to staff work needed to process permits, including monitoring work done by applicants to comply with the ordinance, and produce an annual report.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework priority of enforcing laws and regulations to protect residents .
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Department of Water Resources, Department of Environmental Health
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Board’s discretion.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance No. ________, An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Humboldt Amending Chapter 1 to Division 3 Of Title III of the Humboldt County Code, Incorporating by Reference Model Water Efficient Landscape Requirements, which amends the Humboldt County Code, which replaces subsection (o) and inserts a new subsection (p) of section 331-11 of Humboldt County Code.
2. Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), Sections 490-495, Chapter 2.7, Division 2, Title 23 in the California Code of Regulations
3. Summaries for Publication before and after adoption of the ordinance.
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: I-6
Meeting of: Jan. 10, 2023
File No.: 22-1657