IPM Plans for Water Quality Protection are required when one or more of the following conditions exist:
Regulatory
- When land is developed in the Barton Springs Zone (required since 1992 under the Save Our Springs, SOS, Ordinance); homes and businesses built before the ordinance are grandfathered and do not require IPM plans although voluntary compliance is encouraged
- When a City Board or the City Council requires an IPM plan (usually occurs when a developer request a variance from regulations)
- When the requirement is written into an agreement, such as for a PUD or to qualify for Green Building certification credits
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Per the Environmental Criteria Manual (ECM), when specific water quality treatment systems are used on commercial properties, including:
- Wet ponds (1.6.6)
- Retention/Irrigation (1.6.7.A)
- Vegetative filter strips (1.6.7.B)
- Biofiltration (1.6.7.C)
- Rainwater harvesting (1.6.7.D) if used in conjunction with vegetation
- Disconnection of Impervious Cover to Vegetated Filter Strip (1.6.7.F)
- Non-required vegetation (1.6.7.G)
- Rain gardens (1.6.7.H)
- On intensive landscape management sites such as athletic fields and golf courses. These require customized IPM plans because the anticipated pests are more likely to be specialized
Developers
If an IPM plan is required, developers should be informed during the development review process. It is then their responsibility to submit, and comply with, a plan. If the land is then sold, it is their responsibility to communicate the need for the new land owner to abide by the plan.
Homeowners
If you own an individual parcel of land that requires a site plan review and no developer or previous owner has submitted an IPM plan, then it is your responsibility to do so. If you purchase a property that already has a plan, then it is your responsibility to abide by the plan.