Blanding City Zoning Code

The purpose of this Chapter is to:

A. Promote water conservation and sustainable landscaping practices;

B. Reduce outdoor water consumption;

C. Improve long-term community resilience;

D. Maintain attractive and orderly development throughout the City; and

E. Establish minimum landscaping and maintenance standards consistent with state water-wise

requirements.

HISTORY:

(Ord. 1978-1, 3-8-1978, as amended-2026)

A. A separate, detailed landscaping plan for front and side yards shall not be required as part

of a building permit application.

B. Landscaping shall be shown generally on the submitted plan set. If, during plan review, the

Building Official determines that the proposed landscaping appears unlikely to comply with the

water-wise standards contained in this Chapter, the applicant will meet with the building official

to better determine the proper amount of landscaping needed prior to issuance of a building

permit or certificate of occupancy. All required landscaping shall be installed within twenty-four

(24) months of issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

C. All applicable development shall comply with the water-wise standards contained in this

Chapter.

HISTORY:

(Ord. 1978-1, 3-8-1978, as amended)

A. The standards of this Chapter apply to:

1. All new residential construction;

2. New commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-family development;

B. For detached single-family dwellings, these standards apply to:

1. Front yards; and

2. Exposed corner side yards.

3. Backyards are not applicable

HISTORY:

(Ord. 1978-1, 3-8-1978, as amended)

Active Recreation Area means areas designed and used for organized sports or recreation

such as play fields, playgrounds, or courts.

Landscaped Area means the improved portions of a lot that are planted, irrigated, or otherwise

improved for aesthetic or functional purposes, excluding buildings, driveways, hardscape, and

parking areas.

Lawn means any area of turf grass that requires regular irrigation and mowing.

Required landscaping shall be maintained in a neat, clean and orderly fashion. This is meant to include proper pruning, mowing lawns, weeding, removal of litter, fertilizing, replacement of dead plants, and the regular watering of all plantings. 

HISTORY:

(Ord. 1978-1, 3-8-1978, as amended)

The standards in this Section are adopted to promote water conservation and reduce outdoor

irrigation demand, consistent with applicable state water-wise landscaping policies.

These standards apply only to new construction and development subject to Section 10.14.3.

A. Residential Limitations

1. In new residential construction, lawn shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the

landscaped area within the front yard and any exposed corner side yard.

2. Property owners may use decorative rock, mulch, native vegetation, xeriscape materials,

hardscape, or other non-turf landscaping materials for the remaining landscaped area.

B. Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, and Multi-Family Turf Limitation

1. In new commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-family development, lawn shall not

exceed twenty percent (20%) of the total landscaped area outside of active recreation

areas.

2. Active recreation areas designed for sports or programmed play are exempt from this

turf limitation.

C. Parking Strips

1: Lawn shall not be permitted within parking strips.

2: Parking strips may be landscaped with rock, native vegetation, drought-tolerant plantings, or

other non-turf materials.

D. Narrow Landscaped Areas

1: Lawn shall not be permitted in landscaped areas less than eight (8) feet in width.

Such areas may be landscaped with rock, native vegetation, drought-tolerant plantings, mulch,

or hardscape.

HISTORY:

(Ord. 1978-1, 3-8-1978, as amended)

All required landscaping shall be installed within twenty-four (24) months of issuance of a

certificate of occupancy.

If seasonal or weather conditions prevent installation, the Building Official may grant reasonable

extensions.

Failure to install required landscaping within the prescribed time frame shall constitute a

violation of this Chapter and review with the Technical Review Committee.

HISTORY:

(Ord. 1978-1, 3-8-1978, as amended)

A. Height Limitation

It shall be unlawful for any owner or occupant of real property to allow weeds to grow higher

than twelve inches (12").

B. Enforcement

In the event of non-compliance, the property owner may be required to reimburse the City in the

amount of three hundred and fifty dollars ($350), which shall be deposited into the City water

utility fund.

C. Nuisance Vegetation Definitions

Poisonous or Harmful Plants: Such as poison ivy, poison oak, or plants that cause severe

allergic reactions.

Invasive or Aggressive Species: Non-native plants that spread rapidly and are difficult to control,

which can damage public or private property.

Vegetation Creating Hazards: Plants that obstruct visibility for traffic (e.g., at corners or stop

signs) or block sidewalks, fire hydrants, or utility boxes.

Dead or Diseased Trees: Growth that is at risk of falling and causing injury or property damage.

Plants Harboring Pests: Vegetation that provides a habitat for rats, mosquitos, or other vermin.

HISTORY:

(Ord. 1978-1, 3-8-1978, as amended)

A. Any property owner who receives state or municipal funding for water-wise landscaping

improvements shall maintain the approved improvements for a minimum period of two (2) years

from the date of completion.

B. Removal or substantial alteration of approved landscaping improvements within the two-year

period shall constitute non-compliance.

C. In the event of non-compliance, the property owner may be required to reimburse the City in

the amount of three hundred and fifty dollars ($350), which shall be deposited into the City water

utility fund.

D. Compliance monitoring and enforcement shall be administered by the City Manager or

designee.

HISTORY:

(Ord. 1978-1, 3-8-1978, as amended)

A. Administrative Review

1: The Building Official shall review development applications for compliance with this Chapter

during plan review and inspection.

B. Technical Review Committee Authority

1. Questions regarding interpretation, applicability, or compliance with water-wise

landscaping standards or related building code provisions shall be reviewed by the

Technical Review Committee.

2. Decisions of the Technical Review Committee shall constitute the City’s final

administrative determination unless appealed pursuant to the appeal procedures

contained in this Code.

HISTORY:

(Ord. 1978-1, 3-8-1978, as amended)

If any portion of this Chapter is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force

and effect.

A. The water-wise landscaping standards contained in this Chapter that are specifically tied to

state-funded programs or state mandates shall apply only while such programs or mandates

remain in effect.

B. If the State of Utah repeals, materially modifies, or eliminates water-wise landscaping

requirements or associated funding programs, the provisions of this Chapter that are dependent

upon such state authority shall be deemed suspended to the extent of that repeal or elimination

without further action of the City Council.

C. The remaining provisions of this Chapter shall remain in full force and effect.

HISTORY:

(Ord. 1978-1, 3-8-1978, as amended)