STAGE 1 RESTRICTIONS are in effect as of October 12, 2009. Level 3 advisory CANCELED for Timberwood Park, Lookout Canyon, Canyon Springs and Anaqua Springs Ranch as of 10-10-09. STAGE 2 RESTRICTIONS activated for these areas as of 10-10-09 until further notice. See Updated Advisory under "Important Links."

New Landscape Variance Request

CLICK HERE FOR THE IRRIGATION VARIANCE APPLICATION

Before applying for an irrigation variance to establish your new landscape, please read the following carefully.

  • Under Stage One restrictions, variances are approved for five weeks from the date of installation.  This variance is available only for new landscapes installed during Stage One restrictions.
  • Variances requested during Stage Two and Stage Three restrictions will only be approved for landscapes in new construction for three weeks from the date of installation.
  • BexarMet reserves the right to inspect the landscape to ensure that the landscape is in compliance with variance rules and water conservation rules and that information provided was accurate.
  • A site will lose the variance if an application has been found to be inaccurate. An example of inaccurate information would be overstatement of the amount of landscape installed or asking for a variance for a landscape that should already be established.
  • Beautification projects and aesthetic modifications to landscapes are discouraged until conditions are more favorable.  Adding or replacing plants in the landscape will not be approved for a variance unless under special circumstances. 

What landscapes may be considered for a variance?

  • Projects that include over 50 percent of the landscape on the existing property
  • New construction sites
  • All sites must meet turfgrass requirements.  Click here for a list of approved turfgrasses.
  • At least 4" of soil must be installed under new turf.

What new landscape installations are not likely to be granted a variance?

  • Small landscape installations within an existing landscape do not require a variance. These can be established with drip irrigation, soaker hoses or hand watering.
  • Overseeding existing grasses and landscapes.
  • Examples of new landscape installations that do not require variances include: individual beds of shrubs, annuals, or individual trees added to a landscape or small areas of turfgrass that are replaced.

Irrigation Variances are Not Completely Exempt from Drought Restrictions

  • No sprinkler irrigation on Saturday or Sunday.
  • No sprinkler irrigation from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • No water may run off landscape to impervious surfaces.
  • Clay and sloped soils cannot absorb irrigation of 10 minutes or more without water running off the landscape. If this is the case it is your responsibility to ensure that you adjust times accordingly to prevent run-off.
  • Be aware that the recommendations provided for establishment are maximum amounts allowed under the variance. Each location is different so you should monitor your landscape and use the proper amount necessary to ensure plant survival and establishment.
  • Be aware that depending on your current water usage, your water bill may more than double. You are responsible for all the water used under this variance.
  • Violations of approved schedule will result in immediate loss of variance and water waste citation.
  • Variance sign must be displayed prominently so it can be seen from the street.
  • Drip irrigation does not require a variance – you may use drip irrigation, soaker hoses or hand water any day including weekends.