You can encourage more ReScape Rated Landscapes in your community by promoting model policies and ordinances addressing public sector and private sector landscape development.

The ReScape California Landscaping program provides presentations, trainings and technical assistance to staff and elected officials in the adoption of model policies. In particular, ReScape staff provides assistance in the adoption and implementation of a Civic ReScape Landscaping Ordinance, a policy to require ReScape practices are incorporated in publicly owned and funded landscapes.

It is recommended that member agencies adopt Civic Green Building and ReScape Landscaping ordinances and an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) policy to ensure sustainable design, construction and maintenance of civic buildings and landscapes.  Our staff can make an integrated presentation on all three topics for planning commissions and city councils which defines the benefits and resources for this strategy.

Below are a selection of Model Documents to implement these sustainable ordinances or policies:

ReScape California Version of the CA Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance

The State of California requires that all local jurisdictions adopt a model water efficiency landscape ordinance equal to or greater than their model by January 1, 2010. This version is based on the state’s model but incorporates and references ReScape  Landscaping standards. It applies to private and public landscapes. In support of this model we have created a matrix for comparing the California Water Efficiency Landscape ordinance to the ReScape Scorecard developed by ReScape.

• 2015 Revisions to the California Model Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance – DWR Handout
• California Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance – ReScape California version
• Matrix comparing the Model Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance with ReScape California version

Adopted ReScape – WELO Policies

Below are examples of adopted ReScape versions of the Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance which meet the requirements set forth by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). Included are staff reports, resolutions, adopted ordinances, and letters of findings to DWR.

• City of Hayward
  ReScape WELO Ordinance
  ReScape WELO Resolution
  WELO Letter of Compliance to DWR
• City of Livermore
  Staff Report and WELO Ordinance
• City of San Leandro
  ReScape WELO Ordinance
  ReScape WELO Resolutions
  WELO Letter of Compliance to DWR
  ReScape WELO Staff Report to City Council

Private Sector Model Policies

• ReScape Basics Landscape Checklist – Mandatory
  ReScape Basics Landscape Checklist represents the 9 required practices in the ReScape Scorecard and is suitable for all permitted landscapes. The BF Basics checklist is intended to address new construction or renovations of landscapes that trigger a city permit. The BF Basics checklist represents 9 core environmental practices that apply to most landscape types and will improve the environmental performance of built landscapes.This checklist works well with the Small Commercial Green Building Checklist at www.BuildGreenNow.OrgLarger landscape projects or projects wishing to meet a higher environmental standard are encouraged to use the full ReScape Landscape Scorecard. Landscapes that achieve the ReScape Basics are not considered to be ReScape Rated Landscapes. In order to qualify as a ReScape Rated Landscape, a project must complete the entire ReScape Landscape Scorecard that has the 9 required practices as well earning a minimum of 60 points out of a possible 215 points. In addition, the scorecard must be evaluated by a qualified Rater. The ReScape Basics Checklist works well with the Green Building small commercial checklist.

Public Sector Model Policies

• Model Civic ReScape Landscaping Ordinance – Mandatory
  This model ordinance covers civic and public private partnership landscape projects, defined as any project primarily funded or sponsored by the city or on city-owned land. It requires that all covered landscape projects are built meeting the minimum requirements on the ReScape Landscape Scorecard.
• Adopted ReScape Landscaping Policies (in Alameda County)
  Examples of Member Agencies staff reports and ReScape Landscaping adopted ordinances and/or resolutions.
• ReScape Landscaping Model General Plan Language
  Provides model General Plan Language for ReScape Landscaping, Green Building, Environmental Preferable Purchasing and more.
• Scorecard, Tools and Resources
  This provides a complete list of ReScape scorecards, tools and resources
• Alameda County Landfill Ban on Plant Debris
  Find out more about the ban on plant debris into Alameda County Landfills as well as see a copy of the ordinance or answers to Frequently Asked Questions on the ban.

Alameda County: Staff from Alameda County local governments interested in creating policies consistent with the ReScape Landscape Guidelines are encouraged to contact the program lead, Jennifer West at: jwest@stopwaste.org.

Bay-Area staff outside Alameda County: Staff from local governments outside Alameda County interested in promoting ReScape policies and ordinances in your community, please contact ReScape California at info@ReScapeCA.org.