§ 10-117. Irrigation systems and irrigators.

(a)

License required . An irrigation contractor is required to hold a license issued under V.T.C.A., Water Code Ch. 37 and V.T.C.A., Occupations Code § 1903.251.

(b)

Registration .

(1)

All irrigation contractors, prior to doing any irrigation system installation in the territorial limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of the city shall be required to be registered with the development services department of the city.

(2)

An irrigation contractor's registration must be submitted on forms available from the development services department and shall include the following information:

a.

The irrigation contractor's full name;

b.

The irrigation contractor's license number;

c.

The irrigation contractor's business name;

d.

The irrigation contractor's business address;

e.

The irrigation contractor's business telephone number; and

f.

The irrigation contractor's telefax number.

(3)

The irrigation contractor shall provide a certificate of insurance by an insurance company authorized in the state certifying that the irrigation contractor is insured to the limit of at least:

a.

Three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) public liability per occurrence; and

b.

Three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) property liability per occurrence and product/completed operations.

In lieu of insurance, the irrigation contractor may provide a bond in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) conditioned that the irrigation contractor shall faithfully observe all applicable laws.

(4)

The irrigation contractor shall renew registration annually upon submission of the registration form and payment of the fee.

(5)

A licensed plumber may be issued an irrigation permit.

(c)

Permits and inspections . All irrigation contractors, prior to doing any irrigation system installation in the territorial limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of the city shall apply and be issued permits from the development services department on forms provided by said department.

The irrigation system shall be installed in accordance with the following:

(1)

City Code of San Antonio, Texas;

(2)

Local Government Code;

(3)

Texas Water Code;

(4)

Texas Occupations Code; and

(5)

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

The irrigation system shall be inspected prior to covering the sprinkler heads as requested by the installer.

Any defects in the installation determined during the inspection shall be corrected before the inspection is considered approved. The city plumbing inspector shall document on the inspection records the static pressure and water source of the irrigation system. If the irrigation system is being constructed as part of the building permit, a certificate of occupancy shall not be issued until all inspections have been approved.

(d)

Minimum standards and specifications . V.T.C.A., Occupations Code § 1903.053 entitled "Standards" and the rules adopted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Page 1 Chapter 344 Landscape Irrigation Rule Project No. 2007-027-344-CE are hereby incorporated by reference as minimum standards and specifications for the design, installation, and the operation of irrigation systems.

(e)

Violations and enforcement .

(1)

It shall be a violation to install an irrigation system in the city without first obtaining an irrigation system permit from the development services department. Any violation of this article shall be a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) per violation. Each day or portion thereof during which a violation of any of the provisions of this article is committed shall constitute a separate offense. A fine or criminal penalty prescribed by this section does not apply to a violation in the ETJ.

(2)

Civil enforcement .

a.

The city may seek civil enforcement against such violators in the corporate limits of the city and in the ETJ. Enforcement in the ETJ is authorized pursuant to and under the authority granted by V.T.C.A., Local Government Code §§ 212.001 et seq.

b.

Any person who commits a violation under this article shall be subject to a civil penalty of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per violation per day.

(f)

Fee schedule . Irrigation related fees shall be as set forth in the city fee schedule.

(Ord. No. 2018-06-21-0493 , § 1, 6-21-18)