The purpose of this chapter is to:

A.

Enhance the appearance of all development by providing standards relating to the quality, quantity, and functional aspects of landscaping and landscape screening;

B.

Protect public health, safety, and welfare by minimizing the impact of all forms of physical and visual pollution, controlling soil erosion, screening incompatible land uses, preserving the integrity of existing residential neighborhoods, and enhancing pedestrian and vehicular traffic and safety; and

C.

Decrease the use of water for landscaping purposes by requiring the efficient irrigation system design, appropriate plant materials, and regular maintenance of landscaped areas.

D.

Meet the requirements of the latest adopted Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO).

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

A.

This chapter applies to all development projects.

B.

All projects shall provide and maintain landscaping in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

C.

Landscape plans, and plans for the ornamental use of water, including fountains and ponds, shall be submitted for review for compliance with the requirements of this chapter. Landscaping shall not be installed until the applicant receives approval of the final landscape plan. Changes to the approved landscape plans that affect the character or quantity of the plant material or irrigation system design are required to be resubmitted for review and approval before installation.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

A.

The director may require a landscape concept plan as part of an application for a site plan review permit, conditional use permit, tentative subdivision map, or other permit or plan.

B.

A landscape concept plan shall meet the intent of this section by exhibiting a design layout that demonstrates the desired landscaping program in terms of function, location, size/scale, and similar attributes. The concept plan shall provide the applicable review authority with a clear understanding of the landscaping program before the preparation of detailed construction landscape and irrigation plans.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

A.

When construction landscape and irrigation plans for on-site landscaping are required, they shall be submitted in conjunction with a building permit or subdivision improvement plans. Except for plans on a single-family lot, the plans shall be on a minimum twenty-four-inch by thirty-six-inch sheet.

B.

Landscape and irrigation plans shall be prepared by a state licensed landscape architect, licensed landscape contractor, or a landscape professional determined to be competent by the director.

C.

Construction landscape and irrigation plans shall comply with the latest State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. The director or the city engineer may determine other requirements for the contents of construction landscape and irrigation plans.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

Landscaping shall be provided in the locations specified in this section:

A.

All building setback areas and open space areas required by this title that are visible from a public right-of-way shall be landscaped.

B.

All areas of a project site not intended for a specific use, including pad sites held for future development, shall be landscaped unless it is determined by the director that landscaping is not necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter.

C.

Parking areas shall be landscaped in compliance with Chapter 18.54.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

Landscape areas and materials shall be designed, installed, and properly maintained in compliance with this section.

A.

The following features shall be incorporated into the design of the proposed landscape and shown on the required landscape plans.

1.

Publicly maintained landscape areas shall be separated from privately maintained landscape areas with, at a minimum, a six-inch-wide concrete mow strip.

2.

Pedestrian access to sidewalks and structures shall be integrated with the design of landscaped areas.

3.

Landscape adjacent to driveways and parking areas shall be protected from vehicle damage through the provision of a minimum six-inch-high and six-inch-wide concrete curb. An alternative type of barrier may be approved by the director.

4.

Concrete mow strips, when used, shall be a minimum of six inches in width.

5.

Trees and shrubs shall be planted so that at maturity they do not interfere with utility lines and traffic safety sight areas.

6.

Trees and shrubs shall be planted and maintained in a manner that protects the basic rights of adjacent property owners, particularly the right to solar access.

7.

Trees planted within five feet of sidewalks or curbs shall have an eighteen-inch by ten-foot long linear ribbed root barrier placed at each edge of the sidewalk or face of curb and centered on the tree.

8.

Landscape areas with exposed soil shall have a minimum three inches of mulch evenly applied over the exposed soil. Mulch may include bark or decomposed granite (three-eighths-inch Minus).

9.

Soil amendments shall be added, as recommended by a soils report prepared by a certified lab. A copy of the report shall be included with the landscape plans.

B.

Plant materials shall be selected and installed in accordance with the following requirements:

1.

All trees shall be sized fifteen gallons or larger.

2.

The size of seventy percent of plants and shrubs shall be at least five-gallon or larger. The remaining plants and shrubs shall be sized one gallon or larger.

3.

The size of groundcover at planting shall be one gallon or larger.

4.

Groundcover shall be designed to have one hundred percent coverage within two years.

5.

Drought tolerant plant material and climate appropriate species shall be emphasized in the design.

6.

Where groundcover or turf is not used, plant material shall cover eighty percent of the ground surface within two years.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

A required landscaped area shall be planted with live and healthy plant materials suitable for screening and/or ornamenting the site. Landscaped areas shall be watered by automatic systems and designed and developed in accordance with the most recent State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

For the efficient use of water, an irrigation system shall meet all the requirements listed in this section and the latest Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). The irrigation system and its related components shall be planned and designed to allow for proper installation, management and maintenance.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)