Irrigation Construction

• Will the Department of Health permit and inspect in the cities also?
• How long will an approved permit be good for?
• What is the time frame for scheduling an inspection?
• Is an inspection and approval by the Department of Health required prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy by any building department?
• Is there a variance process?
• Is there a "hotline" to report unlicensed or un-permitted activities?
• Can permits be applied for at any environmental health office?
• What is required to schedule an inspection?
• Who will be issuing the Certificate of Competency Card?
• What rotors and spray heads are currently approved to meet the water wise ordinance?
• How many inches away from the building foundation must the rotors and or spray heads be located?
• Should all rotors and spray heads have head-to-head coverage?
• Is it ok to have some overspray on walks and driveways?
• Can I hook any type of automatic timing device to my irrigation system?
• Should the property owner be given a copy of the As Built Sketch and the Self-Certification by the installer?
• Can I have Rotor type and Spray type heads on the same zone?

1. Will the Department of Health permit and inspect in the cities also?

This ordinance applies to all areas of the county “Incorporated” or “Unincorporated.”

2. How long will an approved permit be good for?

Twelve months.

3. What is the time frame for scheduling an inspection?

Twenty-four hour notice.

4. Is an inspection and approval by the Department of Health required prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy by any building department?

Yes.

5. Is there a variance process?

Yes there is an appeal process for any denied applications.

6. Is there a "hotline" to report unlicensed or un-permitted activities?

Yes you can call any of our field offices.

7. Can permits be applied for at any environmental health office?

Yes, you can also apply by fax transmittal. if you are a competency card holder you can have a credit card on file and not have to come to the office to apply. Please contact the one of the environmental health offices for further information.

8. What is required to schedule an inspection?

A copy of the Self-Certification document, and a copy of the Irrigation "As Built" sketch at least 24 hours before desired inspection time.

9. Who will be issuing the Certificate of Competency Card?

Environmental Health will issue your card. For Certificate of Competency Card assistance, call 386-624-0483.

10. What rotors and spray heads are currently approved to meet the water wise ordinance?

The only manufacturing criteria is that sprayheads are required to be pressure regulating.

11. How many inches away from the building foundation must the rotors and or spray heads be located?

All rotors and spray heads must be at least twelve inches from the building foundation.

12. Should all rotors and spray heads have head-to-head coverage?

Yes.

13. Is it ok to have some overspray on walks and driveways?

Rotors or spray heads are NOT allowed to spray over any impervious area, including sidewalks, driveways and decks.

14. Can I hook any type of automatic timing device to my irrigation system?

No. All irrigation control devices must be able to schedule down to one minute run times.

15. Should the property owner be given a copy of the As Built Sketch and the Self-Certification by the installer?

Yes. All these documents are required to be supplied by the installer as part of the installation process.

16. Can I have Rotor type and Spray type heads on the same zone?

No you cannot mix different types of sprayers on the same zone. All zones must have matched precipitation rates.

• Download the Competency Card Packet. The application form is in this packet.

• Pay a non-refundable application fee.

• Submit with application the following information:

  • Notarized letter from previous employers verifying at least two years of experience in working with the installation and servicing of irrigation systems.

  • Photocopy of Driver's License.

• We then will sign off as a sponsor so that you can take the Irrigation Installation Exam and the Business and Law Exam . The exams require a passing score of at least 75 percent on each exam. Exam results are faxed to us. We will then contact you or you may contact us at 386-624-0483 to schedule a time to come in and complete the competency card process. At this time you will need the following items:

  • Certificate of Insurance (Liability/Property Damage/Worker's Comp) with the Florida Department of Health Volusia County listed as the certificate holder. (A Work Comp Exemption Certificate can replace Worker's Comp Insurance for companies with no employees).

  • Testing for Competency Card. The applicant shall submit to a written examination which shall be prepared, graded, and proctored by Thomson/Prometric to test the qualifications of the applicant to perform the installation and repair of pumps, pumping equipment, and irrigation systems in Volusia County. In order to be eligible for certification, the applicant shall obtain a passing grade of 75 percent or higher on the required examination and a passing grade of 75 percent or higher on the two hour Business and Law examination. 

• Agent Authorization Form

• County Ordinance

• Credit Card Authorization

• Competency Card Packet

• Irrigation Certification and As Built

• Irrigation Construction Permit

• Water Wise Ordinance 2004-05

Permit Requirements

Property owners who wish to install, expand or substantially modify an irrigation system are required, in advance of such work, to obtain an irrigation permit from the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County. Irrigation installation requirements are described in the following county ordinances:

Landscape Irrigation Ordinance

Wells, Pumping Facilities & Irrigation Systems - Section 74-31 to 48 County Ordinance

We have developed an Irrigation Permitting Packet in order assist applicants. It includes the application form, a Contractor/Owner Irrigation Self Certification Checklist and a site plan template. Please call our office at 386-624-0843 for more information.

A summary of site specific requirements is as follows:

1. Automatic irrigation controllers, when utilized, shall contain a functional rain sensor device, capable of being set to one minute run times, and battery backup capability to retain programming in the event of a power failure.

2. A rain sensor placed on a stationary structure, free and clear of any overhead obstructions and above the height of the sprinkler coverage.

3. Equipment with check valves used in low-lying areas to prevent low head drainage.

4. Backflow prevention methods and other provisions prescribed in section 74-42.

5. Irrigation design with the appropriate uniformity for the type of plant being grown and for the type of soil.

6. Irrigation system equipment installed as designed.

7. Irrigation zones divided according to: available flow rate, vegetated groupings (i.e., turf, shrubs, native plants, etc.), sprinkler types (i.e., sprinklers with matching precipitation rates) and soil characteristics.

8. Spray heads and rotors not mixed in same zone.

9. Distribution equipment in a given zone having matched precipitation rates.

10. Application rates that avoid runoff and permit uniform water infiltration into the soil, considering land slope, soil hydraulic properties, vegetative ground cover and prevailing winds.

11. A minimum separation of four inches between distribution equipment and pavement.

12. A minimum separation of 12 inches between distribution equipment and buildings and other vertical structures.

13. No direct spray onto walkways, buildings, roadways and drives.

14. Lawn spray patterns providing head to head coverage.

15. Water conveyance systems with a flow velocity of five feet per second or less.

16. Pipelines designed to provide the system with the appropriate pressure required for maximum irrigation uniformity.

17. Pressure regulating heads.

18. A maintenance checklist provided to the property owner by the irrigation contractor accompanied by a recommended maintenance schedule, proper irrigation system settings according to season, recommendations for checking rain sensor device, filter cleaning recommendations and information on the current water restrictions.

Landscape Requirements

1. A high volume irrigation area shall not exceed 50 percent of the landscaped area. Low or medium volume irrigation areas may be utilized in lieu of any high volume irrigation area.

2. A medium volume irrigation area shall not exceed 25 percent of the landscaped area. However, the landscaped area may contain up to 75 percent medium volume irrigation area, if no high volume irrigation area is utilized on site.

3. A low volume irrigation area may be utilized for an entire landscaped area with the exception of native vegetation areas regulated by section 50-373(b)(4).

4. In the alternative to (1), (2), and (3) above, if 25 percent of the pre-existing native vegetation is retained on site, the remaining 75 percent of the landscaped area may be a high volume irrigation area. For all pre-existing native vegetation retained on a parcel:

   • No supplemental water shall be applied to the native vegetation area.

   • Only hand pruning of native vegetation is allowed.

   • Mechanical mowing or clearing is prohibited.

License Requirements

No person may install or repair an irrigation system in Volusia County unless they possess a valid irrigation certificate of competency from the Department. The following persons are exempted from having to possess a certificate of competency:

• Licensed Florida Water Well Contractors and Florida State Certified Pluming Contractors.
• Florida State Registered Plumbing Contractors.
• Property owners who personally perform construction, maintenance or repairs on an irrigation system that serves his or her owner-occupied single family residence.