"higgledy" wrote in message
oups.com...
My town's new in-ground irrigation ORDINANCE:

THE PERMIT FEE SHALL BE TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS ($200.00). ADDITIONALLY
THE APPLICANT SHALL OBTAIN A PLUMBING PERMIT FROM FREDERICK COUNTY.


that section informs the local government of the additonal drain on the
water source and supply systems; about property improvements; and should be
notice that an inspection of the connection to the community water supply is
required.
You pay for the paperwork, and for the plumbing inspector to check that
you don't contaminate the water supply of your neighbors.

They even specify the controller:


you don't say if it is required or instead it says that if you have one,
this is what it must have

SUCH TECHNOLOGICAL DEVICES, SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS "SMART
CONTROLLERS", SHALL INCLUDE:
(A) RAIN SENSORS WHICH PREVENT THE USE OF THE SYSTEMS DURING RAIN
OR OTHER PRECIPITATION EVENTS.

that makes no sense, because sometimes sprinkling during rain is the most
efficient (light rain, intermittent showers, etc. - around here, to get an
inch of water a week on the lawn) . Sounds like this section was put in by
someone who thought on face value that it was a good idea - inputs?

(B) GROUND SENSORS WHICH MEASURE THE MOISTURE IN THE SOIL TO AVOID
UNNECESSARY USE OF THE SYSTEM WHEN THE GROUND MOISTURE IS HIGH; AND

this one makes sense - and if you have this one, IMHO you can scrap the rain
sensor clause as a gimmick, unless you live in an area where rain only comes
in one inch or greater downfalls.
When it rains and the water fills the soil, this one should turn off a
sprinkler, on the remote chance it was running in the rain, when it has
rained enough to have the soil watered- better than a rain sensor around
here.

A. PROGRAMMABLE TIMER SYSTEMS TO PREVENT THE USE OF THE
SYSTEM DURING TIMES OF WATER RESTRICTIONS AS ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE

this one also makes sense if your area is water limited (western states,
etc.). It limits water loss from the communty water source.

OR BY THE BURGESS AND COMMISSIONERS PURSUANT TO TITLE 13 OF THIS CODE.
B. INSTALLER SHALL PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF TRAINING OR
CERTIFICATION FOR THE DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS.


this one is iffy - plans with a permit showing breakers, underground line
and pipes, etc., and city inspection of the critical elements is mandatory,
IMHO. The potable water supply is at risk, and some 18 yr old with a half
day training is not who I want checking for vacuum breakers and other
isolation.

But it doesn't take rocket science to put in a sprinkler system. Just
knowledge of the buried stuff, a line puller, basic electrical safety, and
basic plumbing safe practice.

fwiw