The purpose of this this section is to establish minimum landscape standards for both residential and commercial properties. and to establish Water Efficiency Standards is to conserve the public’s water resources by establishing water conservation standards for outdoor landscaping and indoor plumbing fixtures by promoting the health, safety, and general welfare of the public by enhancing the aesthetic quality of residential and commercial areas while promoting water-efficient landscaping.

1. The following standards shall at a minimum be required for all new and rehabilitated developer/contractor installed residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial construction, as applicable
2. These outdoor standards are not intended to conflict with other landscaping requirements as defined by Utah law, including stormwater retention requirements and low-impact development guidelines. Notwithstanding these outdoor standards, whenever any requirement may conflict with Utah law, such conflicting requirements shall not apply.
3. These standards also apply to the general maintenance of all landscaping in the City both new and existing where applicable,
   
   

Outdoor Landscaping Standards. All new landscaping for public agency projects, private development projects, developer-installed landscaping in planned residential/commercial development residential projects and existing homes within the front and side yards shall comply with the landscaping standards below:

Front Yard: The area extending the full frontage of the lot, the depth of which extends from the back of curb (or front property line if there is no curb) to the nearest point of the main building or front yard setback if no main building exists. Lawn: Ground that is covered with grass or turf that is regularly mowed. Mulch: Any material such as rock, bark, compost, wood chips or other materials left loose and applied to the soil.

Park Strip: A typically narrow landscaped area located between the back-of-curb and sidewalk.

Paths: Designed routes between landscape areas and features.

Side Yard: The area extending the full depth (front to back) of the main building between the main building and side yard property line(s).

Total Landscaped Area: Improved areas of the property that incorporates all the completed features of the landscape. The landscape area does not include footprints of buildings or structures, sidewalks, driveways, and other non-irrigated areas intentionally left undeveloped.

1. Lawn shall not be less than 8 feet wide at its narrowest point. 
2. Lawn shall not exceed 35% of the Total Landscaped Area.
   1. Small residential lots, which have no back yards, which the total landscaped area is less than 250 square feet, and which the front yard dimensions cannot accommodate the minimum 8 feet wide lawn area requirement of the landscaping requirements in this section, are exempt from the 8 feet minimum width lawn area requirement and maximum of 35% lawn requirement
3. Lawn shall not be installed in park strips, paths, or on slopes greater than 25% or 4:1 grade. For park strips, see Xeriscape standards set forth in section 3.13.070.
4. In commercial, industrial, institutional, and planned residential/commercial development common area landscapes, lawn areas shall not exceed 20% of the total landscaped area, outside of Active Recreation Areas.
5. Landscaping within the sight triangle (see ADC 3.25.050) shall not be taller than three (3) feet.  
6. Trees are not allowed in the sight triangle.
   

1. Park strips and adjoining areas on each side of a property that borders a street or other residential home shall be maintained in a manner so as to not become hazardous, unsightly or potentially injurious.
2. Each property owner or the occupant of the property shall maintain the landscape strip, sidewalk, fence line and front yard out to the roadway or pavement edge. It shall be kept free and clear of weeds (See MCA 10.06.020) , debris, garbage, litter, noxious trees and other such obstructions and conditions that are considered unsightly, or which are a fire, health or drainage hazard, or nuisance, or which block sight distance of motorists and pedestrians
3. Landscaping within the sight triangle (see DCA 3.25.050) shall not be taller than three (3) feet.
4. Pre-existing trees in the sight triangle, branches shall be trimmed to a minimum distance of 8 feet from the ground to the lowest hanging branch.
   

Commercial site plans shall submit a landscaping plan with the following requirements:

1. The location and type of landscaped areas, 
2. An area calculation table showing the size and percentage of landscaping and impervious surface areas, 
3. A list of existing and proposed landscape materials/plants
4. The location of walls, fences, and other screening and buffering devices, 
5. The location and design of a pressurized irrigation system. 
6. Landscape and/or sprinkler plans shall be prepared by a Landscape Architect licensed to practice in the State of Utah.  
7. The City may waive the plan submission requirements for commercial projects less than one (1) acre in size.
   

The following are the minimum standards for xeriscaping any parkstrip or other landscape area located within a public right-of-way:

1. If trees are planted in the parkstrip, they shall be of type Class 1, as identified in the Alpine City Tree Guide, and shall not be spaced closer than appropriate for the species. Class 1 trees are appropriate trees to be planted in parkstrips. Example: The Japanese Lilac tree is listed as a Class 1 tree in the Alpine City Tree Guide. The mature spread of a Japanese Lilac Tree is twenty (20) feet. Japanese Lilac trees should not be spaced closer than twenty (20) feet apart. Likewise, the Eastern Redbud is also listed as a Class 1 tree, showing a mature spread of thirty (30) feet. Eastern Redbud trees should not be spaced closer than thirty (30) feet apart. This applies to park strips only, other areas within a public right-of-way must be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis by the City Planner and City Engineer.
2. At least fifty percent (50%) of the required landscape area shall be in live vegetation at maturity. 
3. Live vegetation shall be distributed throughout the landscape area, and shall not be clustered or segregated. 
4. Mulch is permitted (see definition, 3.13.040). Lawn clippings are not permitted. 
5. Decorative rock material shall be a minimum of one (1) inch aggregate, and shall not exceed the height of the sidewalk nor the top back of curb. Such material shall be at least three (3) inches deep and shall be placed completely on top of a weed fabric barrier that allows the permeation of water. 
6. Any area of xeriscape shall be improved with a drip irrigation system or similar permanent irrigation system that covers the entire area. 
7. Any individual, corporation, or other entity that xeriscapes an area within a public right-of-way shall be responsible for any damage caused by rocks or other materials that migrate onto a sidewalk, street, storm drain, or other public facility, regardless of how such migration occurs.
   
   

Included as part of this ordinance is the Alpine City Tree Guide. Trees planted within city limits shall adhere to the guidelines therein.

The City Planner or his/her designee is authorized to enforce all provisions of this chapter.