This article establishes landscaping standards to enhance the aesthetic appearance of developed areas within the county and to promote the efficient use of water resources.

(Ord. No. 4062, § 1, 9-10-13)

A.

The requirements contained in this article shall apply only to properties located within urban zones.

B.

The following development projects within urban zones shall install and maintain landscaping in compliance with the requirements of this article:

1.

New construction and rehabilitated landscapes for public agency projects and private development projects with a landscape area equal to or greater than two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet requiring a building permit.

2.

New construction and rehabilitated landscapes which are developer-installed in single family and multi-family projects with a landscape area equal to or greater than two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet requiring a building permit.

3.

New construction landscapes which are homeowner-provided and/or homeowner-hired in single-family and multi-family residential projects with a total project landscape area equal to or greater than five thousand (5,000) square feet requiring a building permit.

4.

The construction of a new parking lot or the reconstruction of an existing parking lot.

(Ord. No. 4062, § 1, 9-10-13)

In addition to the standards contained in this article, all applicable development in Butte County shall also comply with the Model Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance prepared by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), when required by the California Water Conservation in Landscaping Act (Government Code Section 65591 et seq.) If conflicts occur between the Model Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance and the Zoning Ordinance, the more restrictive shall control.

(Ord. No. 4062, § 1, 9-10-13)

See Subsection B.6 (Landscaping) in Section 24-95 (Parking Design Standards).

(Ord. No. 4062, § 1, 9-10-13)

A.

Landscape Plan Required. Projects subject to the requirements of this article shall submit a landscape plan as part of applications for all permits as required by the Zoning Ordinance and as part of subsequent Building Permit applications.

B.

Required Contents. Landscape plans shall include the following features and information:

1.

Site boundaries of the subject property;

2.

Existing structures on the subject property;

3.

Structures immediately adjacent to the subject property;

4.

All new structures and improvements proposed as part of the development project;

5.

Existing landscaping, trees, and vegetation to be retained;

6.

All new landscaping proposed as part of the development project; and

7.

Any additional information as determined by the Zoning Administrator to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this article.

C.

Review and Approval. The Department of Development Services shall review all landscape plans to verify compliance with the requirements of this article. Landscape plans shall be approved by the review authority acting upon the permit application for the proposed new development, or as assigned by the review authority to the Zoning Administrator.

D.

Changes to Approved Landscape Plans.

1.

Substantial modifications to an approved landscape plan shall be made only by the review authority which approved the landscape plan.

2.

The Zoning Administrator may approve minor modifications to a landscape plan previously approved by the Planning Commission or Board of Supervisors. Minor modifications are defined as changes to a landscape plan that do not decrease the total amount of landscaped area, alter the general design character of the landscaped area, or alter a feature of the landscaped area specifically required by the decision-making authority.

(Ord. No. 4062, § 1, 9-10-13)

A.

General Standards. The following standards apply within all urban zones.

1.

Plant Selection. Plants shall be selected from a County-approved list of native and non-native, drought-tolerant and non-invasive species.

2.

Turf lawns.

a.

Turf shall be prohibited on slopes twenty-five (25) percent or greater.

3.

Plant Groupings. Where irrigation is proposed, plants shall be grouped in separate hydrozones (i.e., plants within each irrigation valve area shall have the same watering requirements).

4.

Water Features. Decorative water features (e.g., fountains, ponds, waterfalls) shall have recirculating water systems.

5.

Public Safety. Plant species shall be selected and located so that at maturity they do not interfere with pedestrian, bicycle, or vehicular circulation and do not conflict with overhead lights, or utility lines.

B.

Residential Zones. The following standards shall apply within all urban residential zones:

1.

No more than fifty (50) percent of required front and side setbacks may be covered with paving or other impervious surfaces. The review authority may grant exceptions to this requirement for small or irregularly-shaped parcels if compliance would result in inadequate vehicular or pedestrian access to the site, or to accommodate accessibility for disabled persons.

2.

Front yard landscaping shall not completely obscure views of the street and adjoining neighbors.

3.

Unpaved areas shall be landscaped with any combination of living plants such as trees, shrubs and grass or related natural features such as rock, stone or bark chips. Decorative hardscape featuring pervious materials are permitted within required unpaved areas.

4.

For multi-family residential dwellings, all front setbacks that are not occupied by a structure or used for required parking shall be landscaped or maintained as open space.

C.

Commercial, Mixed Use, and Industrial Zones. The following standards shall apply to projects within commercial, mixed use, and industrial zones.

1.

The minimum landscaped area on a site shall be as shown in Table 24-115-1 (Minimum Landscaped Area in Commercial, Mixed Use and Industrial Zones). This minimum area is based upon the applicable zone and the gross floor area of all structures within the site.

Note:

[1]

Based on gross floor area of structures located on-site.

[2]

Forty (40) percent on parcels ten (10) acres or larger

2.

All front setbacks that are not occupied by a structure or used for required parking shall be landscaped or maintained as open space. Impervious surfaces are prohibited within setbacks, except for driveways, emergency access lanes, pedestrian walkways, bicycle paths, and similar improvements as determined by the Zoning Administrator.

3.

Drought-tolerant landscaping is encouraged to satisfy minimum landscaped area requirements.

(Ord. No. 4062, § 1, 9-10-13)

Landscaped areas shall comply with the following irrigation and water efficiency standards and California Green Building Code requirements.

A.

Irrigation System. Water-efficient irrigation systems (e.g., bubbler type, drip, mini-spray) shall be required. Irrigation systems shall include check valves to prevent low head drainage, appropriate nozzles to prevent overspray and automatic and self-adjusting irrigation controllers that include moisture and/or rain sensor shutoff.

B.

Irrigation Schedule. Landscape irrigation shall be scheduled between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. to avoid irrigating during times of high wind, high temperature and high water usage.

(Ord. No. 4062, § 1, 9-10-13)

Landscaping systems shall be installed prior to final building permit inspection or certification of occupancy.

(Ord. No. 4062, § 1, 9-10-13)

A.

General. Landscape areas shall be maintained in a neat and healthful condition at all times.

B.

Replacement of Dead or Dying Plants. Within ninety (90) days, a plant that is dead or severely damaged or diseased shall be replaced by the property owner in accordance with the standards specified in this article.

C.

Removal of Landscaping. Any removed mature landscaping shall be replaced with landscaping of similar size and maturity as that which was removed.

D.

Irrigation Systems. Irrigation systems shall be maintained in a fully functional manner as approved by the County and required by this article.

(Ord. No. 4062, § 1, 9-10-13)