Irrigation Installation

Helpful Resources

Required Documents

Homeowners who: own the home, live in the home, and homestead the home through the Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD) may pull a Homeowner's Affidavit and complete the repairs themselves if they feel confident in making the required repairs. Homeowners must provide a copy of a current driver's license which reflects the address you are trying to permit. (If you have recently purchased the home, please call our office at 972-205-2300 for alternatives to this requirement.) This department will verify with DCAD via their website that a homestead exemption exists for the permitted address. If there is no record of a homestead exemption, the homeowner must provide a copy of the executed homestead exemption from DCAD.

If the homeowner is unable to produce the required documents stated above, a State-licensed master plumber or irrigator registered with the City of Garland must be hired to take out the permit.

Rental Properties

If the property is rental property, a State-licensed master plumber or irrigator who is registered with the City of Garland must complete the repairs. No exceptions.

Effective January 1, 2009

The State of Texas passed a law requiring a rain sensor to be installed on all existing landscape irrigation systems when the controller is replaced.

Requirements

  • All new landscape irrigation systems require a permit.
  • The City passed an ordinance (effective March 20, 2007) that requires all irrigation systems installed after this date to have a rain sensor and freeze gauge on them.
  • All new landscape irrigation systems must meet State installation rules.

Inspections

The permit applicant is responsible to request an inspection when the system is complete. Prior to requesting a final inspection, the irrigator shall:

  • Provide a copy of the maintenance checklist required by TCEQ rules [Section 344.63(2)].
  • Provide a copy of the test results of the backflow prevention assembly, showing the assembly is working properly, to the Garland Water Department. The test must be conducted by a licensed backflow tester who is registered with the Garland Water Department.

The Inspector will check for the following items:

  • Rain sensor and freeze gauges are installed.
  • Plans must be on site during the installation.
  • Purple primer must be used on all PVC joints.
  • An accessible isolation valve must be placed on the irrigation system prior to the backflow prevention assembly and strainer.
  • When using a double-check valve backflow preventer below ground: 
    • A "Y" type strainer must be placed before a double-check valve. There must be clearance for the strainer to be cleaned periodically. 
    • There must be 4 inches of gravel at the bottom of the valve box and 3 inches of clearance from the gravel to the double-check valve. Installer is responsible to ensure that the installation of the double-check valve meets manufacturer's specifications. The device must be accessible for testing and repair. 
    • Test cocks on the double-check valve must be threaded, water-tight, made of non-ferrous material, and plugged or capped.
  • No space less than 48 feet wide may be irrigated with above-ground heads.
  • Heads must be placed at least 4 inches from foundations, parking lots, driveways, etc.
  • Systems must not spray over or onto impervious areas (pavement, building walls, fences, decks, etc.).
  • A permanent sticker which contains the irrigator's name, license number, company name, telephone number, and dates of the warranty period shall be affixed to each automatic controller installed by the irrigator or irrigation technician. The information contained on the sticker must be printed with waterproof ink.