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Laws governing irrigation backflows are set by local government. You'll have to contact your local government. Start by looking in the phone book for things like building inspectors or building permits.

Some laws are so strict they the part number to use is written into the law, others are so unlimited, you could (but shouldn't) get away with no backflow.

The idiot who owned my home before me got a custom system designed by Rainbird and did the instllation himself. Well, I bought the house and couldnt find the back flow, turns out he never installed one. I got all the plans that rainbird had sent him and even they had no mention of ANY back flow devices.

I called my city and one is required. Save yourself the headcahe and just do it right!