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Town proposes irrigation permit for drip systems and a $50 annual fee to improve enforcement
Summary
Staff proposed code changes to require permits for drip irrigation island‑wide (or limited to nearshore overlays), require licensed installers for turf irrigation, simplify grandfathered permit rules, and set fees (grandfathered $350, cistern turf $100, drip $50 annually). Board discussed enforcement, workload and whether permits should be island‑wide or limited to nearshore areas.
Town staff presented a package of irrigation code changes aimed at simplifying permitting, improving enforceability and giving the building department contact information for properties with irrigation systems.
"So what we're currently proposing while we work on the other recommendations is some minor changes to the code that would allow us to just streamline this permitting process," the Moderator explained, walking the board through proposed edits including a requirement that all drip irrigation systems obtain an irrigation permit and that turf irrigation installers demonstrate a Suffolk County limited plumber's license when required. Staff said the grandfathered well‑drawn turf systems (about 100–115 systems) would be transitioned over time and that the irrigation rule and permit structure is intended to give the building department a record to respond to complaints.
The proposal sets existing grandfathered irrigation application fees at $350, a cistern turf irrigation fee at $100 and a new annual $50 application fee for drip irrigation. Board members debated whether a permit should be required island‑wide or only in a nearshore/peninsula overlay, and whether the building department has capacity to process anticipated applications; staff said the department expects to handle the workload.
Why it matters: The changes aim to make enforcement practical (by removing numerical emitter counts and an unenforceable 150‑day watering rule) and to ensure the town has contact information if irrigation systems fail or cause complaints. The board did not adopt the revisions at the work session; members asked staff to refine language and consider fee structures and the geographic extent of the new permit.
