The intent of these regulations is to provide visually attractive landscaping for commercial and industrial developments, to encourage the conservation of water through the use of drought-tolerant plantings and xeriscaping principles, to provide shade in pedestrian and parking areas, and to reduce the erosion of soils and contamination of surface waters caused by stormwater runoff.

(Ord. No. 2015-14, 11-16-2015)

These regulations shall apply to the following:

A.

All new commercial and industrial development as defined and permitted in this title.

B.

Expansion of existing commercial and industrial development in which the square footage of land area, floor area, lot coverage or parking area is increased by fifty (50) percent or more.

(Ord. No. 2015-14, 11-16-2015)

All applicants for a building permit for construction of new commercial or industrial development, or for expansion of existing commercial or industrial development applicable to these regulations, shall submit a landscaping plan with a required administrative review fee to the city planning and zoning officer who shall determine compliance with these regulations. The landscaping plan shall include:

A.

A site map drawn to scale showing topography in the form of finished contour lines and areas proposed to be landscaped upon completion of the building construction project;

B.

Common or botanical names of the plants to be used, indicating plant size, location and spacing shown on the site map;

C.

The location, type and size of any underground or overhead utility lines on the site with reference to the landscaped areas;

D.

Type and layout of the irrigation system, if required, for landscaped areas indicating connections to the water supply source;

E.

A stormwater drainage plan for the site shall be attached or referenced in accordance with the city drainage regulations for commercial and industrial development.

(Ord. No. 2015-14, 11-16-2015)

All landscaping created pursuant to these regulations shall be planned, designed, and installed in compliance with the following requirements:

A.

A minimum of five (5) percent of the total site area shall be landscaped in a manner that will meet the intent of these regulations. Landscaping shall consist of trees, shrubs, ground-cover, or other low-growing plants, and may include natural or manufactured materials such as rocks, walls, pavements for walkways or patios, works of art, and outdoor furniture.

B.

Drought-tolerant plantings are encouraged in all landscape designs. Upon request, the city planning and zoning officer will provide a list of drought-tolerant plants for the area to be landscaped.

C.

To the extent possible, healthy existing trees and shrubs should be preserved, especially if drought-tolerant, and incorporated into the landscaped area.

D.

Trees shall be planted as a landscape border along all abutting roadways and may be planted as an interior landscape border within vehicle parking areas. Spacing of trees in a landscape border shall be no greater than forty (40) feet apart.

E.

Vegetation may be used to satisfy a screen requirement in accordance with this title to visually separate the land use on the commercial or industrial development site from an abutting residential land use.

F.

Landscaping shall not create a physical or visual obstruction to vehicular traffic whether on or off public rights-of-way.

G.

Placement of new trees shall avoid locations where future tree growth might interfere with utility lines or cause structural upheaval of pavements or buildings.

H.

All landscape areas should make use of stormwater catchment and retention on site for purposes of flood control, water pollution abatement, prevention of soil erosion, and increased soil moisture for vegetation. On-site stormwater retention structures shall be designed to ensure public health and safety, during and following storm events.

(Ord. No. 2015-14, 11-16-2015)

All landscaping installed in compliance with these regulations shall be maintained as long as the commercial or industrial land use remains an active facility. The following maintenance standards are required:

A.

Any plant material in areas of required new landscaping that does not survive will be replaced with an equivalent size and species of plant within three (3) months.

B.

Plants shall be pruned as necessary to control size or shape, but not to endanger its health, in order to prevent visual and physical obstructions to pedestrians or vehicles.

C.

Regular landscape maintenance should ensure water efficiency and include, but not be limited to, pruning, mulching, weeding, litter and dead plant removal, fertilizing, insect and disease control, and improvements or repair of nonvegetative materials.

D.

Substantial modifications to landscaping will require review and approval of a revised landscape plan by the city engineer. Minor modifications of the landscaping occurring as a result of routine maintenance or replacement of vegetation because of damage or disease are not subject to approval by the city engineer.

E.

Irrigation systems will be maintained and replaced as necessary to minimize loss of water due to leaks or inefficient use of water.

(Ord. No. 2015-14, 11-16-2015)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2022-20, adopted Dec. 5, 2022, created a new Ch. 17.55, fencing and walls regulations, and repealed §;;s 17.54.060 and 17.54.070. Previously §§ 17.54.060 and 17.54.070 pertained to fencing and walls and administrative review and fee, which were derived from Ord. No. 2015-14, adopted Nov. 16, 2015; and Ord. No. 2021-08, adopted Apr. 19, 2021.