Hyde Park City Zoning Code

The purpose of the landscaping requirements in this ordinance is to encourage attractive surroundings in areas of the city that are NOT in residential or agricultural zones. Landscaping contributes to the relief of heat, noise, and glares and assists in creating a more consistent look and feel. Safety and functionality should have priority in placement of landscaping features.

The requirements of this section shall be considered a minimum unless specified and shall apply to both public and private development. They shall take effect when building permits are required for new construction and remodeling that will change the building footprint.

All guidelines stated in this ordinance shall be equally applied to industrial development except for the exception listed in 12.160.080.

HISTORY

Adopted by Ord. 2015-03 on 5/13/2015

Amended by Ord. 2022-10 on 4/13/2022

Landscaping shall be required on minimum 10% of the gross area of a lot or site. Gross area is interpreted as the total site area remaining after any right of way dedication. Landscaping shall be provided and maintained along the public right-of-way (2 sides for corner lots) in accordance with a detailed landscaping plan prepared by the owner/lessee and approved by the Planning Commission (see 12.160.050 Site Plan Required). Landscaping shall be installed according to the approved landscape plan prior to release of the full bond.

Landscaping shall be visible to vehicular traffic along the public right of way. The plan will include the type of irrigation system, proposed number, location, size, and type of plants, and other factors as provided below:

1. Corner Lots: Where a parcel is on a corner lot, the landscaping shall not block sightlines by exceeding 30”in height within a triangular area formed by the street property lines and a line connecting them at points 30‘’ from the intersection.
2. Screening: When a development abuts any residential zone, there shall be provided along the adjoining property line a 6’ privacy fence and a 10’ wide landscape strip. This strip shall include trees planted a minimum distance of 4’ from the fence or any other hard surface and spaced no more than 30’ on center. Landscaping may also be used as screening and would include an evergreen hedge and/or mix of evergreen shrubs and trees of a type, density and spacing so that sight and illumination shall be obscured year-round. Plantings must provide screening within 3 years of planting and ultimately be maintained at a height of not less than 6’. Screening continuity shall be maintained with adjoining properties.
3. Trees:
4. Industrial zones - No trees shall be planted in the landscape strips in the right-of-way, as they create a visibility hazard at access points.
5. Commercial zones - Trees shall be no closer than 4’ from the sidewalk or any other hard surface. Trees shall be planted at a minimum of 2 trees for every 1,000 sq ft of landscaped area.
6. Deciduous trees shall have a minimum 2” caliper trunk. Coniferous trees shall be balled and bur lapped. Trees shall be at least 8’ in height when planted. Any trees planted under or near overhead utility lines shall be of the types that do not exceed 20’ in height when mature (see Small Trees for Planting Near Power Lines).
7. Public Parking Areas (Public Parking Lots): For public parking lots providing more than 4 aisles and concentrated stalls, landscaped medians (minimum 10’ wide) shall be provided at least every 4 aisles. Snow reception areas shall be provided in designated areas for plowing of all parking lots.
8. Plant Selection: Plants selected for landscaped areas shall consist of those suited for local climate and soil type. Resources to assist with plant choices can be found at the Water Wise Plant List published by the Utah State University Extension and the WBWCD recommended plant list. Please recognize that the Cache Valley area contains hardiness zones 2-4B. The following guidelines shall be observed when creating the landscape plan.
9. The maximum percentage of turf grass (lawn) area shall be 15% of the landscapable area.
10. Turf grass shall not be installed in areas less than 8’ wide.
11. Turf grass shall not be allowed in landscape buffers, parking lot landscaping, parking strip and other planted bed landscape areas.
12. Plants with similar water needs shall be grouped together to simplify irrigation plans.
13. Areas with slopes greater than 25% grade shall use perennial and woody ornamental plants that require minimal watering and provide soil stabilization for erosion control. Turf grass shall not be allowed on slopes with a grade over 25%; unless irrigated with a cycle-soak method.
14. At least 90% of the plants and trees specified for a project landscape plan shall be selected from the plant lists above. Plants with moderate to high drought tolerances are highly recommended.
15. Buildings may have foundational planting beds. Plant beds can be substituted by planters and streetscape amenities. This will also be a location for removed snow placement in the winter. The typical plant bed width shall be a minimum of 3’; the minimum plant bed width shall be 1.5’ for ornamental grasses, perennials, ground covers, planters, and climbing vines.
16. Landscape plant bed areas shall contain plant materials that cover at least 50% of the landscape surface at mature growth.
17. When applying rock or bark mulch into a plant bed or park strip, the minimum depth shall be at least 3” to minimize weed growth and to maximize moisture retention in soil.
18. Only one type of bark or rock mulch material shall be allowed in a landscape bed area, unless separated by a durable curb material with sufficient thickness to maintain separation between mulch types.
19. Use of landscape fabric is discouraged. However, if landscape fabric is used, it shall be heavy duty with a minimum five-ounce thickness, applied beneath mulch areas in plant beds, installed so that edges are not visible.
20. Irrigation: All landscaped areas shall provide an irrigation system designed for complete coverage and to minimize wasting of water, and runoff of the landscaped area.
21. The irrigation plan shall show the irrigation zones, sprinkler head locations and types, drip irrigation plan, and water mains and valves consistent with the final landscape plan design. The plan shall include the following design standards:
22. Irrigation Controller. Landscaped areas shall be provided with a WaterSense labeled smart irrigation controller equipped with automatic rain delay or rain shut-off capabilities.
23. Irrigation systems must be pressure regulated to approximately 35 to 50 PSI.
24. Each valve shall irrigate a landscape with similar site, slope and soil conditions, and plant materials with similar watering needs. Turf and non-turf areas shall be irrigated on separate valves. Drip emitters and sprinklers shall be placed on separate valves.
25. Drip emitters or bubblers shall be provided for each tree planted in landscape beds that are not irrigated by overhead sprinklers.
26. Pop-up spray heads shall be at a minimum of 4” in height to clear turf.
27. Sprinklers heads located within each zone shall have matched precipitation rates for each control valve circuit.
28. Sprinkler heads shall be attached to lateral lines with flexible material (swing joints) to reduce potential for breakage.
29. Valves shall be programmed for multiple repeat cycles where necessary to reduce runoff, particularly on slopes of 10% or greater and soils with slow infiltration rates (cycle-soak method).
30. Soil Scarification, Soil Amendments, and Tilling: The soil should be scarified and amended to allow for water and air exchange in soil following site work compaction using the following recommendations:
31. Soil scarification, the process of breaking up soil by fracturing or tilling, is required to a depth of at least 18” to allow for water and air exchange in soil following site work compaction.
32. Soil amendments (organic material) shall also be added and tilled into the soil to a minimum depth of 6” to increase organic content and improve water retention.
33. Soil amendment type and quantity shall be recommended by the Landscape Architect (designer) based on a review of the soil conditions.
34. Park Strips
35. Park strip areas shall be landscaped with plantings permitted by this section; turf is not allowed in park strips.
36. Park strips shall be landscaped in accordance with the following additional design standards:
37. Shrubs and other plant material located within the park strip shall not exceed 24” in height at maturity.
38. Potentially hazardous plant material and/or plant material containing thorns or spikes shall be prohibited in the park strip.
39. When tree wells and planters are incorporated into the park strip, the remaining area may be paved when directly fronted by commercial or mixed-use buildings. Paving may include brickwork, stamped or stained concrete, not asphalt.
40. To prevent mulch from spreading onto sidewalks or street areas, bark/wood mulch and pea gravel or similar rock mulch less than a minimum sorted size of one inch, shall not be allowed in the park strip or adjacent to a street or sidewalk. Except as a mix of the same type of color and texture, including a variety of cobble sizes or crushed aggregate fines intended for pathway, outdoor patio surfaces, or similar application.
41. Decorative boulders and similar features are permitted but shall be less than 24” in height.
42. Trees are not permitted in the park strip in industrial zones.
43. Plans and Designs for Approval: All landscaping plans and designs shall be submitted to the Planning Commission with other required plans for approval.

HISTORY

Adopted by Ord. 2015-03 on 5/13/2015

Amended by Ord. 2019-05 on 4/24/2019

Amended by Ord. 2021-10 on 5/27/2021

Amended by Ord. 2022-10 on 4/13/2022

Landscaping and site development in accordance with the plans submitted shall be installed within 30 days following granted occupancy of the building. If occupancy occurs such that the 30 days of completion is during the dormancy season (October through March), landscape completion may be postponed until the following spring, with a deadline the last day of April. If unable to complete landscaping within the 30-day period, the owner shall obtain a bond and complete the landscaping within 120 days after March 1st; based on the growing season as stated above. In any instance where the completion date is extended beyond 30 days a bond or other surety shall be required to ensure compliance. The amount of the bond shall be equal to 1.1 times the cost to complete the approved landscaping based on a written contract submitted by the developer and/or homeowner.

HISTORY

Adopted by Ord. 2015-03 on 5/13/2015

Amended by Ord. 2022-10 on 4/13/2022

All landscaped areas shall be maintained in a neat, clean, and orderly condition. This is meant to include proper pruning, mowing of lawns, weeding, removal of litter, fertilizing, replacement of plants when necessary and the regular watering of all plantings. Failure to maintain the landscaping as provided herein shall be a violation of this chapter and enforceable as provided by law.

In no instance shall plants intrude into the right-of-way or onto the sidewalk to create a safety hazard

All areas of the parcel on which development is taking place are regulated by this chapter. Land which is not presently being developed shall at a minimum be restored to its natural vegetation and maintained so as not to create a weed nuisance. The same area may also be maintained as agricultural land.

HISTORY

Adopted by Ord. 2015-03 on 5/13/2015

Amended by Ord. 2022-10 on 4/13/2022

Site plans showing proposed landscaping development, watering system and use of the property shall be submitted to the Planning Commission. The same site plan used to show parking layout or other requirements for the issuance of a Building Permit may be used providing all proposed landscaping is adequately detailed on said site plan. The Planning Commission may disapprove such plans if it determines that they are not consistent with the purpose of this Ordinance. The city may deny occupancy or conditional use permits to any development that does not comply with the ordinance.

Landscaping shall be installed according to an approved landscape plan prior to release of the full bond. Plans shall be prepared and stamped by a Licensed Landscape Architect registered with the State of Utah, verifying compliance with Hyde Park City ordinance.

Preliminary landscape plan(s) shall depict general ground coverage type (such as mulch, turf, or hardscape areas) and typical planting types (such as plant bed areas, turf areas, evergreen trees, or deciduous trees), with a summary of the area for each landscape surface type as a percentage of the total site. They shall be submitted prior to, or included with, the submittal for a development plan or preliminary plat. Final landscape plan(s) shall be submitted following approval of preliminary landscape plan(s) with a final application.

The Preliminary Landscape Plan shall include a planting schedule including the common and scientific name of each plant, the size and type of plant material to be installed, and identification of those plants included on the recommended plant list.

Final landscape plans shall include specific landscape surface types and areas, an irrigation installation plan, and the construction design and detailed specifications of fencing or other landscape structures or features.

The landscape plan shall include notation and description of post-construction soil scarification and soil amendment and tilling to be included as part of the landscape installation

HISTORY

Adopted by Ord. 2015-03 on 5/13/2015

Amended by Ord. 2019-05 on 4/24/2019

Amended by Ord. 2022-10 on 4/13/2022

Landscaping of buildings and lots existing at the time of the adoption of this ordinance shall not be required to meet these requirements. If there should be improvements to footprint of the building at any time following the adoption of this ordinance, compliance to this ordinance on the improved area shall be required. Any landscaping that physically cannot be improved to meet this ordinance may be approved by the Planning Commission providing the intent of this ordinance is met.

HISTORY

Adopted by Ord. 2015-03 on 5/13/2015

Amended by Ord. 2019-05 on 4/24/2019

Amended by Ord. 2022-10 on 4/13/2022

Any product displayed in connection with the business must be organized in an orderly manner and not create any traffic visibility problems. All such items may be displayed on a temporary basis covering no more than 50% of the landscaped setback area and during business hours only. Permanent displays may be allowed based on approval of the Planning Commission. No items shall be allowed on the sidewalk or in the right-of-way.

HISTORY

Adopted by Ord. 2015-03 on 5/13/2015

Amended by Ord. 2019-05 on 4/24/2019

Amended by Ord. 2022-10 on 4/13/2022

The standards listed in the prior sections shall be considered the same for industrial zones except for the following item:

• Landscaping shall be required on a minimum 5% of the gross area of a lot or site. However, landscaping in the industrial zone shall provide the following:

o Attractive entryway for people entering and exiting the building

o Provide cooling elements for the site

o Beautification of the site

o Encourage development of areas for employee breaks, recreation, and enjoyment

o Utilize stormwater to sustain plant material on site such as planting trees near a detention pond

HISTORY

Adopted by Ord. 2022-10 on 4/13/2022