Multi-Family/Non-Residential Voluntary Credit:Conservation Landscaping

The Stormwater Utility dispute & appeals deadline is Sunday, October 20.

Definition: Conservation landscaping is the conversion of lawn or impervious area into landscaped areas planted with native perennial plants, shrubs, and/ or small trees that benefit stormwater quality and quantity by retaining rainfall and absorbing runoff from adjacent turf or impervious surfaces.

Guidelines: Install and maintain native plant landscaping on your property annually for a reduction of your total annual fee. The plants used in conservation landscaping must be native species. 

A conservation landscaping guidance document is provided to help achieve the best results. The minimum documentation required to qualify for credit is shown below.

Exiting or newly installed:  Newly installed during the calendar year prior to the billing year.

Annual or Ongoing credit: Ongoing

Percent Credit: 5%

Minimum: 300 square feet (does not need to contiguous)

Frequency of re-certification: Every 2 years

Required Documentation:

Documents	Additional Information
Before photos (must be recent)
Diagram showing location and surface area Minimum 300 SF
Receipts for soil amendment (or contractor invoices)	Compost material should be well composted and free of viable weed seeds. Fresh manure should not be used because of its high bacteria and nutrient levels. Add 2 –4 inches of compost across landscape surface area and till into the top 6 inches of soil.
Mulch receipts Plant receipts or contractor invoice. If receipts are not available, recent close-up photos of plants.	2-3 inches of Double-shredded hardwood mulch Planting should aim for 100% coverage at maturity. Aim for about one plant every 2-4 square feet for herbaceous plants, with more space provided for trees and shrubs. It is important to consider conditions at the site, such as exposure to sun, soil type, moisture, aesthetics, and wildlife objectives when selecting the appropriate plant species for a conservation landscape. All plants must be native. For Plant options: https://www.plantnovanatives.org/
Recent photos which document mulch and planting
Recent photo of entire conservation landscaping area
Recent perspective photo with nearest structure in background

Credit re-certification
Recent photo of entire conservation landscaping area Recent perspective photo with nearest structure in background

Tips for success:

• Take photos in recent summer during growing season; take all required photo types.
• Recommended maintenance for your conservation garden:
  • Mulching can improve soil health and limit weed growth.
  • Maintaining an edge or border around the conservation garden.
  • Weeding as needed.
  • Trees and shrubs may need pruning.
  • Depending on the species, perennials may need deadheading (removing dead flowers from plants).
  • In periods of little or no rain, any new plants may need to be watered.
• Typical reasons for denial of re-certification: Planting area overtaken by weeds and/or grass; photo documentation does not show plants during growing season.