Fairfield City Zoning Code

   (A)   The purpose of this subchapter is to provide standards and requirements for the installation of landscaping and screening walls for all new and expanded development within the town in order to promote the general welfare of the community; to effectuate attractive and logical development; to aid in the enhancement of property values; to create an attractive appearance along town streets; to compliment the visual effect of buildings; to provide appropriate buffers between incompatible land uses and protection from intense activities; and to aid in conserving water by encouraging the use of varieties of plants, trees and shrubs indigenous to arid regions which are characterized by low water consumption.

   (B)   The standards and regulations of this subchapter shall be held to be the minimum requirements necessary for the promotion of the foregoing objectives of this subchapter.

(Prior Code, § 10.19.10)

   For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

   CALIPER. The diameter of a tree trunk measured at a height of six inches above the ground for trees up to four inches in diameter, and at a height of 12 inches for trees larger than four inches in diameter.

   DECORATIVE ROCK. Naturally colored stone or gravel used for landscaping purposes, with a minimum aggregate size of one inch. DECORATIVE ROCK shall not include decomposed granite, construction debris or gravel used solely for vehicular access or utility coverage.

   DRIP IRRIGATION. A high-efficiency irrigation system that delivers water directly to the base of plants through emitters, tubes or hoses, reducing water waste from evaporation or runoff.

   DROUGHT-TOLERANT PLANT. A plant species adapted to arid or semi-arid climates that can thrive with minimal irrigation after establishment. Includes many native plants and xeriscape species.

   EVERGREEN. A plant or tree that retains green leaves throughout the year and does not go dormant or lose its foliage seasonally.

   HARDSCAPE. Non-living landscape elements such as paved surfaces, walkways, patios, retaining walls, fences and decorative structures that are integrated into the landscape design.

   LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT. A person licensed by the state to practice landscape architecture, including the preparation of landscape plans, grading, irrigation design and plant selection.

   LANDSCAPE PLAN. A detailed drawing or set of documents prepared by a licensed landscape architect showing existing and proposed landscaping, irrigation systems, grading contours, plant materials, hardscapes and site features as required by this chapter.

   LANDSCAPING. The combination of plant materials, groundcover, mulch, decorative rock, fencing, irrigation systems and site design features is intended to improve the aesthetic and environmental quality of a site.

   LIVE VEGETATION. Any living plant material, including trees, shrubs, groundcover, turf or perennial plantings, used as part of a landscape design. Artificial turf or synthetic plants do not qualify as LIVE VEGETATION.

   MULCH. A material such as bark, wood chips, compost or rock placed on soil surfaces to retain moisture, suppress weeds and enhance visual appearance.

   NATIVE PLANT. A plant species that is indigenous to the state or the Intermountain West region and is well-adapted to local soil, climate and water conditions.

   ORNAMENTAL TREE. A small tree, often with distinctive flowers, foliage, bark or branching, used for decorative purposes in landscaping.

   PARK STRIP. The area between a street curb and sidewalk, often planted with grass, trees or decorative materials, and typically located within the public right-of-way.

   SCREENING. A visual barrier created through fencing, walls, landscaping, berms or a combination thereof, used to block undesirable views, provide privacy or reduce environmental impacts.

   TURF. A surface layer of soil thickly covered with a mat of grass and its roots, whether natural or synthetic. For the purposes of this chapter, TURF refers only to natural grass.

   WATER-WISE LANDSCAPING. Landscaping practices that reduce water consumption through the use of drought-tolerant plants, efficient irrigation systems and design techniques that minimize water loss and runoff.

   XERISCAPING. A water-conserving landscaping approach that uses drought-tolerant plants, mulch and efficient irrigation to create attractive landscapes suited to dry climates.

(Prior Code, § 10.19.900)

   All applicants for commercial purposes are required to submit a landscaping plan. Landscape plans should achieve the following purposes:

   (A)   Preserve and complement the desert character of the natural landscape, mitigate building and parking lot impact, add aesthetic charm, interest and character and conserve water;

   (B)   Provide visual interest and variety;

   (C)   Provide necessary screening elements;

   (D)   Add year-round site beautification;

   (E)   Blend with the natural landscape;

   (F)   Highlight building design features; and

   (G)   Conserve water.

(Prior Code, § 10.19.20)

   All yards visible to the public must have an area the same size as the square footage of the home that is improved, groomed and maintained. Examples of this include xeriscaping, driveways, sidewalks, vegetation and trees which are strongly encouraged.

(Prior Code, § 10.19.30)

   (A)   Improvements required.

      (1)   Landscaping plan submission. All applicants for commercial uses are required by this chapter to make landscaping improvements and shall submit a landscaping plan prepared by a licensed landscape architect to meet the minimum landscape requirements outlined in this chapter. The Building Department will review the submitted landscaping plan for compliance with this chapter and forward the plan to the Planning Commission and Town Council for review and action concurrent with development applications which require landscaping plans to be submitted.

      (2)   Landscaping plan contents. The landscaping plan shall include, at a minimum, the following information:

         (a)   The location and dimensions of all existing and proposed structures, property lines, easements, parking lots, power lines, rights-of-way, ground signs, refuse areas and lighting;

         (b)   The plant names (both botanical and common name), location, quantity and size of all existing and proposed plants. The proposed plan should indicate the size of the plant material at the time of planting and at maturation. All existing vegetation that is to be removed or remain on the site should be clearly identified;

         (c)   Existing and proposed grading of the site indicating contours at two-foot intervals for grades that are 5% or greater. For areas where grades are less than 5%, contours may be shown at one-foot intervals;

         (d)   Irrigation system plan;

         (e)   Existing and proposed fences and identification of the fencing materials; and

         (f)   A summary of the total percentage of landscaped areas, domestic turf grasses, deciduous and evergreen species and xeriscaping.

   (B)   Completion of landscape improvements. All required landscaping improvements shall be completed in accordance with the approved site plan, landscaping planting plan and irrigation plan and occur prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the associated structure/building. Exceptions may be permitted and certificates of occupancy issued where weather conditions prohibit the completion of approved and required landscaping improvements. In such cases, an extension period of not longer than six months is permitted and a bond for not less than 110% of the total estimated value of the landscaping shall be held until the project is in full compliance with this subchapter and any approved site or landscaping plans.

   (C)   Planting standards. The planting standards are the minimum size of landscaping that the town will accept towards meeting the landscaping required in this subchapter. All planting must conform with the town soil ordinance. The Planning Commission and Town Council shall use the planting standards in evaluation of any landscaping plan. The following are planting standards for required landscaping that shall be followed for all new development.

      (1)   Trees. Deciduous trees shall, when planted, have a minimum trunk size of one and one-half inches in caliper measured eight inches above the soil line. Evergreen trees shall have a minimum size of six feet in height. The applicant may elect to use either deciduous or evergreen trees to meet this requirement.

      (2)   Ornamental trees. All ornamental trees shall have a minimum trunk size, when planted, of one and one-half inches in caliper measured eight inches above the soil line.

      (3)   Shrubs. All shrubs shall be a minimum of one-gallon containerized stock, when planted, that will attain a height of at least two feet.

      (4)   Turf. No landscaping shall be composed of more than 30% turf.

      (5)   Drought-tolerant plants. A minimum of 50% of all tree and shrub species shall be required to be drought-tolerant.

      (6)   Weed barrier. Planting beds are required to have a weed barrier with mulched wood chips, rocks or other similar treatment.

      (7)   Parking areas. Parking areas for vehicles, trailers and all heavy equipment shall be weed-free.

      (8)   Other areas. All areas in front of screening, along frontage and public roads, shall be weed-free with an aggregate size of three-fourths-inch gravel to the depth of three inches, or any like material, and must be laid on a minimum of two inches of road base.

   (D)   Design applications. The Planning Commission and Town Council shall use the following design applications in evaluation of any landscaping plan.

      (1)   Selection of plants. Plants shall be selected for texture, form, color, pattern of growth and adaptability to local conditions. Native plants shall be preferred.

      (2)   Water conservation. All planter beds shall be irrigated through the use of drip lines instead of spray heads to minimize water loss through evaporation.

      (3)   Berming. Landscaped berming is required as a headlight screen or buffer surrounding parking areas between different land uses, particularly between nonresidential and residential uses or single-family and multi-family uses.

   (E)   Required landscaping.

      (1)   Parking lot size. An area equal to 15% of the total size of the parking lot must be landscaped.

      (2)   Building footprint. A minimum of the equivalent of ten feet surrounding the footprint of the building must be landscaped.

      (3)   Visible sides. Each side of a building visible to the public or neighboring residential property shall be landscaped.

      (4)   Trees per parking spaces. One tree for every ten parking spaces.

      (5)   Trees per square feet. A minimum of one tree shall be placed for every 1,000 square feet of required landscaped area.

      (6)   Stormwater retention. Stormwater retention areas shall be landscaped.

   (F)   Waiver. The Council shall have the authority to waive these standards as circumstances dictate.

   (G)   Water-wise landscaping standards. The following are the minimum standards for water-wise landscaping for any park strip, median or landscaped area located within a public right-of-way or a commercial or industrial development.

      (1)   Live vegetation area. At least 20% of the required landscape area shall be live vegetation.

      (2)   Live vegetation integration. Live vegetation shall be distributed throughout the landscape area and shall not be segregated.

      (3)   Rock material. Decorative rock material shall be a minimum of one-inch aggregate and shall be at least three inches deep and be placed completely on top of a weed fabric barrier that allows the permeation of water. Rock materials shall not exceed the height of the sidewalk/trail or the top back of the curb when placed along a public right-of-way.

      (4)   Drip irrigation. All water-wise landscaped areas shall be improved with a drip irrigation system if applicable.

      (5)   Liability. Any individual, corporation or other entity shall be responsible for any damage caused by landscaping in public rights-of-way, including rocks or other materials that migrate onto a sidewalk, trail, street, storm drain or other public facility, regardless of how such migration occurs.

(Prior Code, § 10.19.40)