The purpose of this chapter is to promote and protect the health, safety and welfare of the city and its residents by adopting landscaping design standards intended to enhance conservation of water resources in the city.

1. Conformance Required. The standards adopted in this chapter:
   
   1. Shall apply to all new development and construction activities in all zones in the city following enactment of this chapter;
   2. Are in addition to all zone-specific landscaping requirements detailed in this title;
   3. Shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into all chapters of this title which affect the development of land in the city; and
   4. Are encouraged for retrofit and remodel construction.
2. Conflicts. The standards adopted in this chapter are not intended to conflict with any applicable federal, state or county landscaping requirements, including stormwater retention requirements and low-impact development guidelines. In the event of any such conflict, compliance with this chapter's standards shall be excused to the extent necessary to resolve such conflict.
   

The following definitions shall apply to this chapter:

1. "Activity zones" means portions of the landscape designed for recreation or function, such as storage areas, fire pits, vegetable gardens, and playgrounds.
   
2. "Active recreation areas" means areas of the landscape dedicated to active play where lawn may be used as the playing surface, such as sports fields and play areas.
3. "Central open shape" means an unobstructed area that functions as the focal point of the localscapes and is designed in a shape that is geometric in nature.
4. "Gathering areas" means portions of the landscape that are dedicated to congregating, such as patios, gazebos, decks, and other seating areas.
5. "Hardscape" means durable landscape materials, such as concrete, wood, pavers, stone, or compacted inorganic mulch.
6. "Lawn" means ground that is covered with grass or turf that is regularly mowed.
7. "Localscapes" means a landscaping approach designed to create locally adapted and sustainable landscapes through a basic five-step approach (central open shape, gathering areas, activity zones, connecting pathways, and planting beds).
8. "Mulch" means any materials left loose and applied to the soil, such as rock, bark, compost, wood chips or other materials.
9. "Park strip" means a typically narrow landscaped area located between the back-of-curb and sidewalk.
10. "Path" means a designed route between landscape areas and features.
11. "Planting bed" means areas of the landscape that consists of trees, ornamental grasses, shrubs, perennials, and other regionally appropriate plants.
12. "Total landscape area" means improved areas of a property that incorporate all of the completed features of the landscape. The landscape area does not include footprints of buildings or structures, sidewalks, driveways, and other non-irrigated areas intentionally left undeveloped.

1. Irrigation.
   
   1. All irrigation shall be appropriate for the designated plant material to achieve the highest water efficiency. Drip irrigation or bubblers should be used except in lawn areas. Drip irrigation systems shall be equipped with a pressure regulator, filter, flush-end assembly, and any other appropriate components.
   2. Each irrigation valve shall irrigate landscaping with similar site, slope and soil conditions, and plant materials with similar watering needs. Lawn and planting beds shall be irrigated on separate irrigation valves. In addition, drip emitters and sprinklers shall be placed on separate irrigation valves.
   3. Landscaped areas shall be provided with a WaterSense-labeled smart irrigation controller which automatically adjusts the frequency and/or duration of irrigation events in response to changing weather conditions. All controllers shall be equipped with automatic rain delay or rain shut-off capabilities.
2. Landscape bed coverage.
   
   1. At least three inches of mulch, permeable to air and water, shall be used in planting beds to control weeds and improve the appearance of the landscaping.
      
   2. At maturity, the total landscape area is recommended to have enough plant material (perennials and shrubs) to create living plant cover of at least 50% at the ground plane, excluding tree canopies.
3. Lawn.
   
   1. Lawn shall not be installed in park strips, paths, or on slopes greater than 25% of 4:1 grade, and be less than eight feet wide at its narrowest point. To the extent reasonably practicable, lawn shall be free from obstructions (trees, signs, posts, valve boxes, etc.).
   2. In single-family residential zones, lawn areas shall not exceed greater of 250 square feet, or 35% of the total landscaped area.
   3. In commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-family development common area landscapes, lawn areas shall not exceed 20% of the total landscaped area, outside of active recreation areas.
   4. Small residential lots with no back yards, in which the total landscaped area is less than 250 square feet and whose front yard dimensions cannot accommodate the minimum eight feet wide lawn area requirement above, are exempt from such eight feet minimum lawn area requirement.
4. Localscapes requirements for residential landscapes. Residential landscaping shall adhere to the following localscapes requirements:
   
   1. If size permits, the landscaped areas of the front yard and back yard shall include a designed central open shape created by using lawn, hardscape, groundcover, gravel, or mulch.
   2. Gathering areas shall be constructed of hardscape and placed outside of the central open shape. In a landscape without lawn, gathering areas may function as the central open shape.
   3. Activity zones shall be located outside of the central open shape and shall be surfaced with materials other than lawn.
   4. Paths shall be made with materials that do not include lawn, such as hardscape, mulch, or other groundcover.
   5. Certain special purpose landscape areas, such as stormwater management areas, may receive exceptions from the slope limitations and other elements of the landscaping requirements. Requests to deviate from these standards will be considered on a case-by-case basis.