Crescent City City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 17
43 LANDSCAPING STANDARDS
§ 17.43.010 Purpose and Application.
A.
The purpose of landscaping standards is to promote and encourage development that is aesthetic and compatible with the character of established neighborhoods and districts.
C.
Where this chapter is in conflict with any other section of the municipal code, the stricter standards shall apply.
(Ord. ZCA 05-01 § 2, 12-5-2005; Ord. 848, 11/4/2024)
§ 17.43.015 Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
means a representation, on paper no smaller than 8½ × 11 inches and no larger than 11 × 17 inches, of an irrigation system. The plan shall be drawn to one of the common ratios as provided on a standard landscape architect's or engineer's scale, and shall identify the type and location of all components of the irrigation system.
means a physical apparatus, located within or adjacent to a landscape area, for providing water to the landscaping. An irrigation system will normally consist of an automatic controller, valves, underground piping, and distribution heads; however, subject to the approval of the planning department, an irrigation system may also consist of a hose bibb and hose, or other devices that may be approved if deemed appropriate for site characteristics, season of planting, and plant species.
means plant material, including, but not limited to, grass, ground covers, shrubs, vines, trees and organic matter such as mulch. This may also include decorative stone; however, live plant materials must be intended to cover no less than two-thirds of the materials in the landscape zone.
means a representation, on paper no smaller than 8½ × 11 inches and no larger than 11 × 17 inches, of the landscaping required by this chapter. The plan shall be drawn to one of the common ratios as provided on a standard landscape architect's or engineer's scale, and shall identify the type and location of all plants and non-vegetative ground cover area within the required landscaping area.
means a building in which is conducted the principal use of the lot upon which it is situated. In any residential district any dwelling shall be deemed to be the main building on the lot. (Current code § 17.04.095, "Building, main")
means the area between the front property line and the minimum horizontal distance, or setback, from the front property line to any building.
means the area between the street-side property line and the minimum horizontal distance, or setback, from the street-side property line to any building.
means any evergreen tree that will grow to a minimum height of fifteen feet at maturity, will provide a minimum of fifty percent opacity at maturity, and is planted singly or in combination with other screen trees to provide a dense visual barrier.
means any hard-wooded perennial plant of a species which normally reaches a height between twelve inches and eight feet at maturity.
means any hard-wooded perennial plant, whether evergreen or deciduous, of a species which normally reaches a height of eight feet or more at maturity.
means the purpose for which land or a building is arranged, designed or intended, or for which either land or building is a may be occupied or maintained. Uses described within this title are more specifically defined in the latest edition of the Standard Industrial Classification manual, on file with the city clerk. (Current code § 17.04.490, "Use")
means any plant species contained in the "A" "B" and "C" lists of Noxious Weed Species produced by the State of California Department of Food and Agriculture, Division of Plant Health & Pest Prevention Services, and incorporated herein by reference. "Weed" does not include any plant species identified as a candidate-, sensitive-or special status-species in local or regional plans, policies or regulations, or by the California Native Plant Society, the California Department of Fish and Game, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
(Ord. ZCA 05-01 § 2, 12-5-2005)
§ 17.43.020 General Requirements.
A.
No certificate of occupancy or building permit shall be issued for any building subject to the provisions of this chapter unless such building complies with the regulations of this chapter.
B.
Landscaping plans shall be submitted with the development application or building permit, and shall be drawn to one of the common ratios as provided on a standard landscape architect's or engineer's scale. Where required by this section, an irrigation plan shall be submitted at the same scale as the landscape plan.
C.
The planning director shall have the authority to waive the requirement for an irrigation system and/or irrigation plan based on site characteristics, season of planting, and proposed plant species. Reductions or waivers to other requirements of this section require planning commission approval of a variance application according to the procedures contained in Section 17.56 of this title.
D.
Trees shall be a minimum fifteen-gallon (15 gal) size at planting and shall be planted in accordance with city standards.
E.
Trees planted within five feet (5 ft) of a street, sidewalk, paved trail, parking area, or walkway shall be deep-rooted species or shall be separated from hardscape areas by a root barrier to prevent physical damage to public improvements.
F.
Existing healthy trees on the site shall be maintained whenever possible and may be used in lieu of planting new trees.
G.
Property owners or occupants shall maintain landscaping to be free from physical damage or injury arising from lack of water, chemical damage, insects, and diseases. The property owner shall immediately replace any plant material that dies, deteriorates, or is damaged by the causes listed above.
(Ord. ZCA 04-01 § 2, 12-5-2005; Ord. 848, 11/4/2024)
§ 17.43.030 Residential Districts.
All required front and street side yards in the R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-P Districts shall be landscaped to the following minimum standards:
A.
There shall be at least one (1) tree from the approved list of trees, planted in an irrigated and landscaped area provided on each front and street side yard setback area for each thirty feet (30 ft), or fraction thereof, of street frontage.
B.
Landscaping shall include varied tree and plant species. Not more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the required landscaped area may be covered with non-vegetative material such as gravel, landscaping rock, organic mulch, artificial turf, concrete or other impervious materials, unless required by other sections of the municipal code.
C.
Planting areas shall be kept free from weeds, debris, and undesirable materials that may be detrimental to safety, drainage or appearance.
D.
Trees, shrubs, hedges, and other plant materials shall be maintained so as not to create a sight hazard as determined by the director of public works.
(Ord. ZCA 05-01 § 2, 12-5-2005; Ord. 848, 11/4/2024)
§ 17.43.040 Commercial and Industrial Districts.
All required front and street side yards in the C-1, C-2, C-W, C-M and M Districts shall be landscaped to the following minimum standards:
A.
There shall be at least one (1) tree from the approved list of trees, planted in an irrigated and landscaped area provided on each front and street side yard setback area for each thirty feet (30 ft), or fraction thereof, of street frontage.
B.
Landscaping shall include varied tree and plant species. Not more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the required landscaped area may be covered with non-vegetative material such as gravel, landscaping rock, organic mulch, artificial turf, concrete or other impervious materials, unless required by other sections of the municipal code.
C.
Planting areas shall be kept free from weeds, debris, and undesirable materials which may be detrimental to safety, drainage or appearance.
D.
Trees, shrubs, hedges, and other plant materials shall be maintained so as not to create sight hazard as determined by the Director of Public Works.
E.
A planter at least ten feet (10 ft) wide, excluding curbing, shall be provided adjacent to properties in the R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-P Districts. Within this planter, screen trees, from the approved list, shall be planted in combination with other plant materials to provide a dense visual screen.
F.
A perimeter planter at least five feet (5 ft) wide, excluding curbing, shall be provided adjacent to all street rights-of-way not occupied by driveways. Where feasible, the planter shall be increased to provide an eight-foot (8-ft) wide area, excluding curbing, for tree planting. Within this planter, trees from the approved list shall be planted at thirty-foot (30-ft) spacing, at least five feet (5 ft) from the back of the sidewalk. Nothing in this section shall preclude the installation of additional landscaping and the planting of additional listed trees so long as it is consistent with the visibility regulations.
G.
All landscaping shall be within planters separated from parking and driveways with six-inch (6-in) concrete curbing. No planter shall be smaller than thirty square (30 sf) feet, excluding curbing. Each planter shall include an irrigation system.
H.
All landscaped areas shall be designed so that plant materials are protected from vehicle damage or encroachment.
I.
Landscaping shall not obstruct driver's vision of vehicle and pedestrian cross traffic. Within fifteen feet (15 ft) of any driveway opening, all mature trees shall have a seven-foot (7-ft) foliage clearance and other plant materials shall not exceed thirty inches (30 in) in height.
(Ord. ZCA 05-01 § 2, 12-5-2005; Ord. 848, 11/4/2024)
§ 17.43.050 Landscaping and Screening.
In addition to the requirements for landscaping set forth in the individual zone districts, the following requirements shall be met:
A.
Decorative Walls: Where decorative walls are required or permitted adjacent to street rights-of-way, such walls shall be set at least five feet (5 ft) from the right-of-way line and said area shall be landscaped with live plant material as specified in the applicable district. Such landscaping shall be irrigated and maintained.
B.
All trash collection points and loading areas shall be located a minimum of twenty feet (20 ft) from any residential zone and be screened from view from adjacent streets or highways by decorative walls or dense landscaping. The property owner shall maintain such screening in good condition.
C.
Security or parking lot lighting in landscaped areas shall be coordinated with the landscape plan to assure that vegetation growth will not interfere with the intended illumination.
(Ord. ZCA 05-01 § 2, 12-5-2005; Ord. 848, 11/4/2024)
§ 17.43.060 Common Usable Open Space.
All new multi-family residential developments, with five (5+) or more units, shall provide common usable open space subject to the following requirements;
A.
Allotment: A minimum of twenty percent (20%) of the overall lot square footage shall be designated and developed for common usable open space;
B.
Designation: Common usable open space shall support passive or active use by residents through designating accessible pedestrian access, outdoor living, and recreation;
C.
Developments: Shall provide one of the following common usable space amenities: courtyard/plaza, community garden, outdoor dining area (e.g., picnic/BBQ area), pet area/dog park, sports court/field, exercise structure or complex, rooftop community area, and/or club house. All devices and structures designed to enhance its usability, such as art, planters, benches, fountains, and landscaping can be used in the allotment for common usable open space development;
D.
Play Areas: Developments of more than ten (10) units shall provide the following additional open space amenity: a play area with at least two structured play modules (e.g., slide and sand box and/or tunnel and climber) and a picnic table adjacent to the play area. The additional play area may contribute to the twenty percent (20%) requirement for common usable open space but shall not amount to the entire twenty percent (20%). Senior or convalescent type housing is exempted from the play area requirement;
E.
Landscaping: A minimum of twenty percent (20%) of the common usable open space area shall be planted with trees, ground cover, and/or shrubs, or provided by planters;
F.
Exclusions: All obstructions including required parking areas and their driveways, minimum required landscaping areas, and setbacks shall be excluded from the required common usable open space allotment; and
G.
Waived Requirement: The community development director may reduce or waive the required common usable open space on site if sufficient common usable open space is provided within one thousand feet (1,000 ft) of the project site.
(Ord. 848, 11/4/2024)