The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the people of the City by generally controlling the placement, amount and type of landscaping material installed at development projects within the City in order to:

A.

Enhance the aesthetics of the community;

B.

Conserve natural and energy resources; and

C.

Provide environmental controls such as, but not limited to, the reduction of noise, dust and erosion.

(Ord. 1724, 6-13-2023, eff. 6-6-2023)

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise, the words and terms defined in this chapter shall have the meanings ascribed to them herein:

DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: The use of land, buildings and structures on any property in the City subject to this title, except single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings and residential townhomes

LANDSCAPE: All living plants such as trees, shrubs, vines, vegetative ground cover and organic materials.

NATURAL TURF: The upper stratum of soil bound by grass and plant roots into a thick mat.

PARKING AREA: Those portions of a site area designated for motor vehicle use including parking stalls, parking spaces, driveway aisles and loading zones.

PARKWAY: Public right-of-way and/or easements.

PERMITTED LANDSCAPING MATERIAL: Landscaping shall be permitted as listed in the most recently adopted version of the Southern Nevada Water Authority Regional Plant List and as approved by resolution of the City Council of Boulder City as follows:

A.

Trees, Palms, Cycads rated 3 or higher.

B.

All other plant types rated bulletproof.

SITE AREA: The total surface area of a development project.

(Ord. 1724, 6-13-2023, eff. 6-6-2023)

The following standards apply to all proposed landscaping in Boulder City.

A.

All new or replacement landscaping must be Permitted Landscape Material.

B.

Natural Turf Ban: Natural turf is prohibited for use as landscaping.

C.

Landscape Coverage: For required landscape areas, the landscape coverage must be at least 50% at plant maturity. Landscape coverage shall include a mix of Permitted Landscaping Material with no one type exceeding 50% of the landscape coverage.

D.

Trees: Trees planted must have a minimum box size of 36 inches and height consistent with a 36-inch-box size per the Arizona Nursery Standards.

E.

Shrubs: Shrubs must have a minimum container size of five gallons at planting.

F.

Groundcover: Living groundcover must have a minimum container size of one gallon at planting.

G.

Plant Variety:

1.

Four Trees or More: There must be at least two tree varieties provided.

2.

Six Shrubs or more: There must be at least three shrub varieties provided.

H.

Tree Utilization: Trees must be utilized to shade parking lots, sidewalks and bike paths.

I.

Required landscape areas not covered by living Permitted Landscape must be covered by colored rock, gravel, mulch, or a combination thereof at a minimum depth of two (2) inches.

J.

Landscape Exemptions: Except as otherwise required in Section 11-25-7 for parking lots, and Section 11-39-7 for new subdivision parkways, landscaping is not required for proposed development in the following zoning districts:

1.

A1, Special Agricultural

2.

CBD, Central Business District (overlay)

3.

CM, Commercial Manufacturing

4.

CO, Corral

5.

ER, Energy Resource

6.

G, Government

7.

ME, Mobile Home Estate

8.

MP, Mobile Home Park

9.

R1, Single-Family Residential (residential uses only)

10.

R2, Two-Family Residential (residential uses only)

11.

R3, Multiple-Family Residential (single-family and townhomes uses only)

12.

RD, Research and Development

13.

RV, Recreational Vehicle

14.

S, Study

15.

SH, Senior Housing (single-family and townhome uses only)

16.

SR, Special Recreation

(Ord. 1724, 6-13-2023, eff. 6-6-2023)

A.

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a landscape plan for any development project in the City must be filed as follows:

1.

Landscape plans for public streets as required by chapter 39 of this title shall be filed in conjunction with a final map.

2.

All other landscape plans must be filed in conjunction with building permit applications.

3.

For the purposes of a conditional use permit application for new construction on a property, submittal of a conceptual landscape plan is permitted. Complete landscape plans conforming with this chapter shall be filed in conjunction with the building permit application.

B.

The landscape plan must be prepared at a suitable scale so that all information required thereon is clear and legible. The landscape plan must include the following information:

1.

Identification and location of irrigation and drainage system components; automatic watering systems with electric clock timers will be used throughout.

2.

Construction details, including the specific identification, location, height and architectural elevation of all landscaping material.

3.

A complete planting list, outlining the botanical and common name of all living landscaping material and soil treatment needed.

4.

The choice of live landscaping material to be used is discretionary, based on due regard for climatic conditions and watering requirements. However, the Public Works Department will have authority to direct types of plantings to be used in parkways or any area where the plantings might impact overhead or underground utilities.

5.

Other relevant information as may be required to provide an accurate description of the work to be performed.

(Ord. 1724, 6-13-2023, eff. 6-6-2023)

A.

Minimum site landscaping areas must be consistent with Table 11-25-5 below.

TABLE 11-25-5:

B.

If, subject to the determination of the public works and community development directors, the minimum lot area landscaped cannot be accommodated within the lot, right-of-way can be considered as part of the total area.

C.

Required Parking Lot Landscaping as provided in Section 11-25-7 herein is included in the minimum site landscape area.

(Ord. 1724, 6-13-2023, eff. 6-6-2023)

Each owner, operator or other person in control of a development project is required at all times to keep all landscaping materials in good repair and maintenance, including without limitation the following:

A.

All planting areas to be kept free of weeds and debris.

B.

Lawn and ground covers to be kept trimmed and/or mowed regularly.

C.

All planting to be kept in a healthy and growing condition. Fertilizations, cultivation and tree pruning are to be carried out as a part of regular maintenance.

D.

Irrigation systems are to be kept in working condition. Adjustment and cleaning of systems to be a part of regular maintenance. Systems installed after July 1, 2023 must be drip irrigation with a filter, pressure regulator, and emitters rated at 20 gallons per hour or less. Water systems for trees must be installed to deliver water to a minimum of 50% of the tree's root zone.

E.

Stakes, guys and ties on trees to be checked regularly for correct function; ties to be adjusted to avoid creating abrasions or girding to the stems.

F.

All dead plants must be replaced with material equal to that which was originally proposed in the approved landscape plan and listed as Permitted Landscaping Material.

(Ord. 1724, 6-13-2023, eff. 6-6-2023)

A.

Applicability: The parking lot landscaping standards of this section apply to all off-street parking lots of 20 parking spaces or larger.

B.

Relationship to Other Landscaping Standards: Landscaping provided to meet the parking lot landscaping requirements of this Section may be counted towards meeting a project's required site landscaping.

C.

Parking Lot Landscaping: Parking lot landscaping must be consistent with Table 11-25-7 below.

TABLE 11-25-7:

D.

Islands will not be required for those portions of a parking area covered by parking structures as approved by the community development director.

E.

Perimeter landscape areas are only required adjacent to right-of-way.

(Ord. 1724, 6-13-2023, eff. 6-6-2023)

The community development director may grant up to 20% relief from the landscaping requirements of this chapter due to lot size, lot shape, topography, soil, safety, circulatory or other considerations.

(Ord. 1724, 6-13-2023, eff. 6-6-2023)