Jefferson Jefferson County
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VIII
Landscaping
§ 300-8.01 Purpose.
The purpose of this article is to establish landscaping requirements and other regulations intended to preserve and maintain vegetation within in a manner that promotes the natural resource protection, aesthetic, and public health goals of the City.
§ 300-8.10 Applicability.
A.
The requirements of this section shall not apply retroactively to existing buildings, structures, or paved areas, including requirements for bufferyards.
B.
Any use for which site plan approval is required under § 300-10.43 shall provide landscaping in accordance with the regulations of this section, including the following development:
(1)
New buildings and paved areas.
(2)
Expansions.
(a)
Expansions of existing buildings that exceed 50% of the existing floor area of the building.
(b)
Expansions of paved areas that exceed 50% of the existing paved area.
(c)
In the case of expansions, only the new portion of building or paved area shall provide landscaping per the requirements of this article.
C.
Where insufficient site area remains to comply with all provisions of this section, the City may require compliance to the greatest extent practical.
D.
This article is designed to encourage preservation of existing plants on the site by granting them double point values per § 300-8.30G(1).
E.
Exemptions.
(1)
Single-family dwelling units, two family dwelling units, and agricultural land uses are exempt from landscaping requirements. See § 300-6.06I for screening requirements for uncovered parking spaces associated with single-family and two family uses.
(2)
All uses in the Downtown Historic Mixed-Use District are exempt from landscaping requirements for building frontages, street frontages, and yards, but must meet the landscaping requirements for paved areas.
F.
Changes to the landscaping plan. The City may allow or require changes to the landscaping plan of § 300-8.20 or the landscaping requirements of § 300-8.36, as provided for below.
(1)
The Building/Zoning Inspector, and the Plan Commission shall have the authority to allow alterations or substitutions of one type of plant for another to the landscaping requirements as long as the altered requirements achieve an equivalent or greater level of landscaping on a site. Such alternations or substitutions may be based on the following:
(a)
Unusual conditions.
(b)
The consideration of landscape architecture approaches.
(c)
The preservation of existing trees.
(d)
The consideration of Wisconsin native landscaping.
(e)
When larger size plantings are provided as part of the overall landscape plan.
(f)
When more shrubs may be appropriate versus more trees, and vice versa.
(g)
Utility or other easements.
(2)
The Building/Zoning Inspector, and the Plan Commission shall have the authority to require the modification of any landscaping plan including the rearrangement of landscaping points on a site to better meet aesthetic, environmental, and stormwater goal or objectives.
§ 300-8.20 Landscape plan.
The applicant shall provide a digital copy of a landscaping plan. The plan shall be drawn at a reasonable scale to clearly delineate the landscape improvements and depict the following, at the discretion of the Building/Zoning Inspector:
A.
The name and address of the developer/owner, architect/designer name, date of plan preparation, date and description of all revisions, name of project or development, scale of plan, and north point indication.
B.
All property lines and easements.
C.
Zoning of the subject property and abutting properties.
D.
The location and dimensions of all existing and proposed structures, parking lots, driveways, roads, underground utilities, right-of-way, sidewalks, ground signs, refuse disposal areas, fences, freestanding electrical equipment and other utility boxes, and other freestanding structural features as determined necessary by the Building/Zoning Inspector.
E.
The location and contours at two-foot intervals, of all proposed berms.
F.
The location, size, and type (common and botanical) of all existing plant material on the site and designation of all trees and shrubs to be saved and/or removed.
G.
The location, quantity, size at planting, and type (common and botanical) of all proposed plant material. All plants shall be drawn at the spread they will achieve at maturity.
H.
The number of landscaping points per Figure 300-8.30d for all plant material.
I.
Details of refuse disposal area screening and mechanical equipment and utility screening.
J.
Linear feet of the new/expanded building foundation and street frontage.
K.
Square footage of the total lot and new/expanded paved area.
§ 300-8.30 Landscaping requirements.
Landscaping shall be provided based on the following requirements for building foundations, paved areas, street frontages, yards, and bufferyards.
A.
Building foundations.
(1)
For every 100 linear feet of building foundation, the landscaping installed shall at a minimum meet the number of landscaping points specified in Figure 300-8.30d.
(2)
Tall trees shall not be used to meet building foundation landscaping requirements.
(3)
Building foundation landscaping shall be placed so that at maturity, the plant’s drip line is located within 10 feet of the building foundation.
(4)
Building expansions shall be subject to the same landscaping formula requirements as new buildings (see Figure 300-8.30d). The formula shall not be applied to portions of the building foundation developed prior to the adoption of this chapter.
(5)
The measurement of the building foundation may be simplified as the smallest single rectangle that contains the entire building perimeter, except that the sides of the building facing an adjacent public street, where the actual perimeter shall be measured.
B.
Paved areas.
(1)
For every 10 off-street parking stalls or 10,000 square feet of pavement (whichever yields the greater landscaping requirement), landscaping shall at a minimum meet the number of landscaping points specified in Figure 300-8.30d.
(2)
Paved area landscaping shall be placed so that at maturity, the plant’s drip line is located within 10 feet of the paved area. Said area does not have to be provided in one contiguous area. Plants used to fulfill this requirement shall visually screen parking, loading, and circulation areas from view from public streets.
(3)
A minimum of 30% of all points shall be devoted to medium or tall trees, or a combination of such trees, and a minimum of 40% of all points shall be devoted to shrubs.
(4)
Parking lot design.
(a)
Interior parking lot landscaping shall be required for any parking lot with more than 20 parking spaces. Internal parking lot landscaping shall be accomplished by the installation of landscaped planter islands or other types of landscaping application approved by the Building/Zoning Inspector.
(b)
Landscaped planter islands.
[1]
Landscaped planter islands shall be required at the ends of all parking rows, driveway entrances, and at intermediate locations such that there is a maximum of 180 feet between islands. See Figure 300-8.30a.
[2]
Landscaped planter islands are required where two rows of parking stalls meet at a right angle. See Figure 300-8.30b.
Figure 300-8.30a Requirements for Islands  |
Figure 8.30b Parking Rows at Right Angles  |
(c)
Each landscaped planter island shall be no less than 125 square feet in area and seven feet in width, measured from the back of the curb. For double-parking rows, each landscaped planter island shall be no less than 250 square feet in area. The seven-foot width requirement may be reduced to accommodate the triangular shape resulting from angled parking.
(d)
All islands shall be crowned for positive drainage, unless bio-retention methods of stormwater management are utilized per a stormwater management plan approved by the City Engineer.
(e)
One shade tree or tall deciduous tree shall be provided for every island and for every 40 linear feet of continuous landscape strip. Medium or low trees (evergreen or deciduous) may be used to supplement deciduous shade trees in locations that may not support healthy shade tree or tall deciduous tree growth. This determination shall be made by the Building/Zoning Inspector. For double-row parking, two shade trees or tall deciduous trees shall be required for each island.
(f)
In addition to the required trees and shrubs, islands shall be planted with grass, low ground cover, shrubs, flowers, decorative stone/river rock, mulch, or a combination thereof. Mulches and decorative stone shall be installed so that the loose material will not erode, fall, be plowed, or be otherwise transported onto paved surfaces.
(g)
To ensure proper visibility within the parking lot, shrubs shall be no higher than two feet and the branches of trees shall start no less than six feet from the ground, unless located in areas that do not affect driver visibility.
(5)
Parking lot screening required by § 300-6.06I shall count toward the landscaping requirements of this section.
(6)
Paved area expansions shall be subject to the same landscaping formula requirements as new paved areas (see Figure 300-8.30d). The formula shall not be applied to paved areas developed prior to the adoption of this chapter.
C.
Street frontages.
(1)
For every 100 linear feet of the longest street frontage of a developed lot abutting a public street right-of-way, the landscaping installed shall at a minimum meet the number of landscaping points specified in Figure 300-8.30d.
(2)
Street frontage landscaping shall be placed so that at maturity, the plant’s drip line is located within 10 feet of the public street right-of-way.
(3)
Landscaping shall not be located within a public right-of-way. Landscaping shall not impede vehicle or pedestrian visibility. See § 300-6.05.
(4)
A minimum of 50% of all points shall be devoted to decorative or medium trees, or a combination of such trees.
(5)
In the case of any new principal building, building expansion, new paved area, or paved area expansion on a previously-developed site, a percentage of the landscaping points specified in Figure 300-8.30d shall be required. For new paved areas and expansions, the required percentage shall be equal to the percentage of the paved area expansion as compared to the existing paved area square footage. For new buildings and expansions, the required percentage shall be the percentage of the building expansion as compared to the existing building square footage.
D.
Yards.
(1)
For every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area of all principal and accessory buildings on the site, the landscaping installed shall at a minimum meet the number of landscaping points specified in Figure 300-8.30d.
(2)
Landscaping required by this section is most effective if located away from other areas required for landscaping such as building foundations, street frontages, paved areas, protected green space areas, or bufferyards.
(3)
The intent of this section is to provide yard shade and to require a visual screen of a minimum of six feet in height for all detached exterior appurtenances (such as HVAC, utility boxes, standpipes, stormwater discharge pipes and other pipes).
(4)
Building expansions shall be subject to the same landscaping formula requirements as new buildings (see Figure 300-8.30d). The formula shall not be applied to portions of buildings developed prior to the adoption of this chapter.
E.
Bufferyards. A bufferyard is a combination of distance and a visual buffer or barrier. It includes an area, together with the combination of plantings, berms and fencing that are required to eliminate or reduce existing or potential nuisances (e.g. dirt, litter, noise, glare, signs, and incompatible land uses, buildings, or parking areas).
(1)
The required level of bufferyard opacity is listed in Figure 300-8.30e. Detailed bufferyard requirements are listed in Figure 300-8.30f. Opacity is a quantitatively-derived measure which indicates the degree to which a particular bufferyard screens the abutting property. The required level of opacity indicated is directly related to the degree to which the potential character of development differs between different zoning districts.
(2)
Bufferyards shall be located along (and within) the outer perimeter of a lot wherever two different zoning districts abut one another. Bufferyards shall not be required in front yards or along public street frontages.
(3)
To ensure that the year-round screening objectives are fulfilled, only the plant classifications in Figure 300-8.40b listed as “appropriate for screening” shall count toward bufferyard point totals, unless non-screening plants are used in combination with a solid fence or a berm of six feet or more, in accordance with Figure 300-8.30f.
(4)
Reduction of required bufferyard width.
(a)
Intent. This subsection is intended to allow for the reduction of the required width of a required bufferyard where the presence of permanently protected green space or similar areas provides equivalent permanent screening and separation benefits as would be provided by the otherwise required bufferyard.
(b)
Where the minimum permitted width for the required bufferyard is not available under the current or proposed state of development, the Planning Commission, may reduce the width required for the bufferyard to that currently available on the site, provided that the portion of the site that requires a bufferyard contains one or more of the following:
[1]
Steep slopes that contain retaining walls or rip-rap.
[2]
Permanently undevelopable green space or other permanently protected green space designated on site plans such as a native or restored prairies or park savannas, wetlands, bodies of water, floodplains, drainageways, upland woods, stormwater basins, or other natural resource protection areas, including areas protected by covenants or conversation easements.
(c)
If there is permanently protected green space located on an adjoining property adjacent to the portion of a site that requires a bufferyard, the Planning Commission, may reduce the width required for the bufferyard. The reduction shall consist of no more than one foot for every three feet of permanently protected green space on the adjoining property, as measured from the property line at a right angle into said adjacent property. There shall be no reduction in the number of landscape points required.
(5)
Use of required bufferyard and landscaped areas.
(a)
Any and all required bufferyards or landscaped areas may be used for passive recreation activities. Said areas may contain pedestrian or bike trails provided that no required landscaping material is eliminated; the total width of the required bufferyard, or the total area of required landscaping, is maintained; and all other regulations of this chapter are met.
(b)
No swimming pools, tennis courts, sports fields, golf courses, or other such similar active recreational uses shall be permitted.
(c)
No parking, buildings, outdoor light fixtures, and no outdoor display of storage of materials shall be permitted.
(d)
Paving in such areas shall be limited to that required for necessary access to or across the subject property or for a passive recreational use such as paved multiuse trails or pedestrian walkways.
F.
Determination of landscaping requirements.
(1)
The requirements of this article are additive to each other and any other landscaping or screening requirements in this chapter.
(2)
Landscape points used to meet one requirement (e.g. building foundations, paved areas, street frontages, yards, or bufferyards) shall not be used to meet another requirement.
G.
Measurement and calculation.
(1)
Landscaping point values shall be doubled for mature existing landscape plantings that are retained and protected with the development of the site. Existing plantings eligible for double point values shall be determined by the Building/Zoning Inspector.
(2)
In calculating the number of required landscaping points under the provisions of this section, all areas and distances on which required calculations are based shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number of square feet or linear feet.
(3)
Any partial plant derived from the required calculations of this section (for example: 23.3 shade trees) shall be rounded up to the next whole plant (for example: 24 shade trees).
H.
Utility easements. Landscaping materials, fences and berms located within a duly recorded utility, stormwater, or a pedestrian easement shall not count toward meeting a landscaping requirement, unless authorized otherwise by the City and the easement holder. However, the width of such areas may be counted as part of a landscaping width requirement for bufferyards.
I.
Other green space areas. Green space areas not used for landscape plantings other than natural resource protection areas shall be graded and seeded or sodded with an acceptable maintainable seed mix, restored to native vegetation. Alternatively, such areas may be maintained in crop production if a principal use exists on-site and if approved by the Building/Zoning Inspector.
Figure 300-8.30d |
Figure 300-8.30d |
Figure 300-8.30d |
Figure 300-8.30d |
Figure 300-8.30d |
Figure 300-8.30f |
Detailed Bufferyard Requirements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Opacity | Required Number of Landscaping Points per 100 feet | Required Minimum Width (in feet) | Required Structure |
0.05 | 00 | 10 | Minimum 44-inch picket fence1 |
00 | 10 | Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence1 | |
40 | 10 | N/A | |
36 | 15 | N/A | |
33 | 20 | N/A | |
31 | 25 | N/A | |
29 | 30 | N/A | |
0.10 | 00 | 10 | Minimum 44-inch picket fence1 |
38 | 10 | Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence1 | |
91 | 10 | N/A | |
80 | 15 | N/A | |
73 | 20 | N/A | |
68 | 25 | N/A | |
65 | 30 | N/A | |
62 | 35 | N/A | |
00 | 35 | Minimum 4-foot berm | |
0.20 | 00 | 10 | Minimum 6-foot solid fence1 |
84 | 10 | Minimum 44-inch picket fence1 | |
133 | 15 | Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence1 | |
198 | 15 | N/A | |
173 | 20 | N/A | |
158 | 25 | N/A | |
149 | 30 | N/A | |
140 | 35 | N/A | |
10 | 35 | Minimum 4-foot berm | |
135 | 40 | N/A | |
00 | 40 | Minimum 5-foot berm | |
0.30 | 00 | 10 | Minimum 6-foot solid fence1 |
198 | 15 | Minimum 44-inch picket fence1 | |
320 | 20 | N/A | |
240 | 20 | Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence1 | |
276 | 25 | N/A | |
252 | 30 | N/A | |
235 | 35 | N/A | |
104 | 35 | Minimum 4-foot berm | |
223 | 40 | N/A | |
44 | 40 | Minimum 5-foot berm | |
215 | 45 | N/A | |
209 | 50 | N/A | |
00 | 50 | Minimum 6-foot berm | |
0.40 | 53 | 10 | Minimum 6-foot solid fence1 |
330 | 20 | Minimum 44-inch picket fence1 | |
440 | 25 | N/A | |
362 | 25 | Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence1 | |
385 | 30 | N/A | |
349 | 35 | N/A | |
208 | 35 | Minimum 4-foot berm | |
327 | 40 | N/A | |
148 | 40 | Minimum 5-foot berm | |
310 | 45 | N/A | |
299 | 50 | N/A | |
56 | 50 | Minimum 6-foot berm | |
0.50 | 150 | 10 | Minimum 6-foot solid fence1 |
564 | 30 | N/A | |
405 | 30 | Minimum 44-inch picket fence1 | |
492 | 30 | Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence1 | |
499 | 35 | N/A | |
319 | 35 | Minimum 4-foot berm | |
454 | 40 | N/A | |
261 | 40 | Minimum 5-foot berm | |
422 | 45 | N/A | |
405 | 50 | N/A | |
160 | 50 | Minimum 6-foot berm | |
388 | 55 | N/A | |
374 | 60 | N/A | |
0.60 | 250 | 10 | Minimum 6-foot solid fence1 |
433 | 35 | Minimum 4-foot berm | |
541 | 35 | Minimum 44-inch picket fence1 | |
630 | 35 | Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence1 | |
626 | 40 | N/A | |
379 | 40 | Minimum 5-foot berm | |
570 | 45 | N/A | |
525 | 50 | N/A | |
270 | 50 | Minimum 6-foot berm | |
500 | 55 | N/A | |
480 | 60 | N/A | |
0.80 | 415 | 30 | Minimum 6-foot solid fence1 |
655 | 40 | Minimum 4-foot berm | |
627 | 45 | Minimum 5-foot berm | |
873 | 45 | Minimum 44-inch picket fence1 | |
910 | 50 | N/A | |
505 | 50 | Minimum 6-foot berm | |
809 | 50 | Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence1 | |
804 | 55 | N/A | |
744 | 60 | N/A | |
710 | 65 | N/A | |
677 | 70 | N/A | |
1.00 | 636 | 40 | Minimum 8-foot solid fence |
732 | 50 | Minimum 8-foot solid fence | |
751 | 50 | Minimum 8-foot solid fence | |
867 | 55 | Minimum 8-foot solid fence | |
1091 | 60 | Minimum 8-foot solid fence | |
1136 | 60 | Minimum 8-foot solid fence | |
1083 | 65 | Minimum 8-foot solid fence | |
994 | 70 | Minimum 8-foot solid fence | |
934 | 75 | Minimum 8-foot solid fence | |
892 | 80 | Minimum 8-foot solid fence | |
NOTE: | |
1 | Fences contributing to landscaping requirements are not permitted along street frontages for nonresidential uses. Where used in combination with plant materials to meet bufferyard requirements, a minimum of 50% of all plant materials shall be located on the exterior side (the side away from the center of the subject property) of the fence. A building wall which does not contain doors (except those used for emergency exit) may be used to satisfy the required fence portions of the bufferyard requirements. |
Figure 300-8.30g |
Landscaping Points | ||
|---|---|---|
Plant Category | Landscaping Points Per Plant1 | Minimum Permitted Installation Size |
Shade tree2 | 50 | 1 1/4 inches in diameter |
Tall deciduous tree2 | 30 | 1 1/4 inches in diameter |
Medium deciduous tree2 | 15 | 1 1/4 inches in diameter |
Low deciduous tree2 | 10 | 1 1/4 inches in diameter |
Tall evergreen tree2 | 40 | 4 feet tall |
Medium evergreen tree2 | 20 | 4 feet tall |
Low evergreen tree2 | 12 | 4 feet tall |
Tall deciduous shrub | 5 | 12 inches tall |
Medium deciduous shrub | 3 | 12 inches tall |
Low deciduous shrub | 1 | 12 inches tall |
Medium evergreen shrub | 5 | 12 inches tall/wide |
Low evergreen shrub | 3 | 12 inches tall/wide |
Noncontributory plants | 0 | N/A |
Source: A Guide to Selecting Landscape Plants for Wisconsin, E.R. Hasselkus, UW-Extension Publication: A2865 | |
NOTES: | |
1 | Point values will be increased by 10% for the use of Wisconsin native plant species |
2 | Any existing on-site mature tree that is protected with no impervious surface or grading within its canopy is worth three times the point value as provided in this table. If said tree dies, it shall be replaced with the comparable new tree landscaping points as provided in this table. |
§ 300-8.40 Classification of plant species.
Species suitable for landscaping and compatible with local climate and soil factors are listed in Figure 300-8.40a. Plant species native to Wisconsin are noted by an asterisk (*). This list is not intended to be exhaustive, and the Building/Zoning Inspector, shall review proposals for the applicability of species not listed and is authorized to approve appropriate similar species. See Figure 300-8.40b for species appropriate for specific and common landscaping situations (e.g., planting under power lines), and Figure 300-8.40c for a list of species to use sparingly or to avoid.
Figure 300-8.40a |
Commonly-Used Appropriate Landscaping Species | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Plant Category | Landscaping Point Value Per Plant | Common Name | Scientific Name |
Shade trees | 55 | Maple (Red) | Acer spp.* |
Shade trees | 50 | Birch (River, Paper) | Betula spp. |
Shade trees | 50 | Linden (Basswood, Redmond, Little Leaf) | Tilia spp. |
Shade trees | 50 | Elms (hybrids) | Ulmus spp. |
Shade tree | 55 | Oak (White) | Quercus spp.* |
Shade trees | 50 | Honey Locust (male cultivars) | Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis |
Tall deciduous trees | 30 | Chanticleer pear | Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’ |
Tall deciduous trees | 33 | Hackberry | Celtis occidentalis* |
Tall deciduous trees | 30 | Chinkapin oak | Quercus muehlenbergii |
Tall deciduous trees | 30 | Ginkgo (male cultivars) | Ginkgo biloba |
Tall deciduous trees | 30 | State Street Miyabe maple | Acer miyabei ‘Morton’ |
Medium deciduous trees | 15 | Paperbark maple | Acer griseum |
Medium deciduous trees | 16.5 | Serviceberry | Amelanchier* |
Medium deciduous trees | 15 | Winter King Hawthorn | Crataegus viridis |
Medium deciduous trees | 16.5 | Hornbeam (Musclewood) | Carpinus caroliniana* |
Medium deciduous trees | 16.5 | Ironwood/Hophornbeam | Ostrya virginiana* |
Medium deciduous trees | 15 | Callery pear | Pyrus calleryana |
Low deciduous trees | 11 | Hazelnut | Corylus spp.* |
Low deciduous trees | 10 | Flowering crabapples | Malus spp. |
Low deciduous trees | 10 | Japanese tree lilac | Syringa reticulata |
Tall evergreen trees | 40 | Firs | Abies spp. |
Tall evergreen trees | 44 | Black Hills Spruce | Picea glauca var. densata* |
Tall evergreen trees | 40 | Serbian Spruce | Picea omorika |
Tall evergreen trees | 44 | Pine (except Austrian) | Pinus spp. (not nigra)* |
Tall/medium evergreen | 33 | Juniper (Red Cedar) | Juniperus virginiana* |
Tall/medium evergreen | 33 | Arborvitae | Thuja spp.* |
Tall/medium evergreen | 33 | Eastern hemlock | Tsuga canadensis* |
Low evergreen trees | 12 | Juniper (Mountbatten) | Juniperus chinensis |
Tall deciduous shrubs | 5 | Elderberry | Sambucus candensis “aurea” |
Tall deciduous shrubs | 5.5 | Dogwood (Gray, Pagoda) | Cornus spp.* |
Medium deciduous | 3 | Weigela | Weigela spp. |
Medium deciduous | 3 | Cotoneaster | Cotoneaster spp. |
Mediulduous | 3 | Forsythia (Virgina, Rugosa) | Forsythia |
Medium deciduous | 3.3 | Shrub Rose | Rosa spp.* |
Medium deciduous shrubs | 3.3 | Viburnum (Arrowwood, Warfaring Tree, Nannyberry) | Viburnum spp.* |
Medium deciduous | 3.3 | Potentilla | Potentilla spp.* |
Medium deciduous | 3.3 | Bush Honeysuckle | Diervilla spp.* |
Medium deciduous | 3 | Ninebark | Physocarpus spp. |
Low deciduous shrubs | 1 | Azalea | Rhododendron (Azalea) spp. |
Low deciduous shrubs | 1.1 | Gro-Low Sumac | Rhus aromatica* |
Tall-medium evergreen shrubs | 5 | Juniper (Pfitzer) | Juniperus x pfitzeriana |
Tall-medium evergreen shrubs | 5 | Yew (Japanese) | Taxus spp. |
Low evergreen shrubs | 2 | Boxwood | Buxus spp. |
Low evergreen shrubs | 2 | Juniper (Sergeant, Creeping, Andorra) | Juniperus spp. |
Perennial plantings | 1 or 20 per 20 square feet | Coneflower | Echinacea spp.* |
Perennial plantings | 1 or 20 per 20 square feet | Catmint | Nepeta spp. |
Perennial plantings | 1 or 20 per 20 square feet | Black-Eyed Susan | Rudbeckia hirta* |
Perennial plantings | 1 or 20 per 20 square feet | Lily | Lilium spp. |
Perennial plantings | 1 or 20 per 20 square feet | Daylily | Hemerocallis spp. |
Perennial plantings | 1 or 20 per 20 square feet | Ornamental Grass | varies |
Perennial plantings | 1 or 20 per 20 square feet | Lady’s Mantel | Alchemilla spp. |
Perennial plantings | 1 or 20 per 20 square feet | Columbine | Aquilegia spp.* |
Perennial plantings | 1 or 20 per 20 square feet | Aster | Aster spp.* |
Perennial plantings | 1 or 20 per 20 square feet | Jack Frost | Brunnera macrophylla |
Perennial plantings | 1 or 20 per 20 square feet | Blazing Star | Liatris spp.* |
Perennial plantings | 1 or 20 per 20 square feet | Black Bugbane | Cimicifuga simplex |
Perennial plantings | 1 or 20 per 20 square feet | Peony | Paeonia spp. |
Perennial plantings | 1 or 20 per 20 square feet | Pachysandra | Pachysandra spp. |
Perennial plantings | 1 or 20 per 20 square feet | Stonecrops | Sedum spp.* |
Perennial plantings | 1 or 20 per 20 square feet | Astilbe | Astilbe spp. |
Perennial plantings | 1 or 20 per 20 square feet | Hosta | Hosta spp. |
Pollinator perennials | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Butterfly Weed | Asclepias Tuberosa* |
Pollinator perennials | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Smooth Blue Aster | Aster Laevis* |
Pollinator perennials | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Wild Bergamot | Monarda Fistulosa* |
Pollinator perennials | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Prairie Blazing Star | Liatris Pyconstachya* |
Pollinator perennials | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Sweet Black-Eyed Susan | Rudbeckia Subtomentosa* |
Pollinator perennials | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Smooth Penstemon | Penstemon Digitalis* |
Pollinator perennials | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Showy Goldenrod | Solidago Speciosa* |
Pollinator perennials | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Prairie Dropseed | Sporobolus Heterolepis* |
Pollinator perennials | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Prairie Onion | Allium Stellatum* |
Pollinator perennials | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Lance-leaf (sand) Coreopsis | Coreopsis Lanceolata* |
Pollinator perennials | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Wild Lupine | Lupinus Perennis* |
Pollinator perennials | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Pale Purple Coneflower | Echinacea Pallida* |
Rain garden mix | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Purple Prairie Clover | Sporobolus Heterolepis* |
Rain garden mix | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Boneset | Eupatorium Perfoliatum* |
Rain garden mix | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Blue Vervain | Verbena Hastata* |
Rain garden mix | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Brown Fox Sedge | Carex Vulpinoidea* |
Rain garden mix | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Wild Columbine | Aquilegia Canadensis* |
Rain garden mix | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Blue Wood Aster | Aster Cordiforlium* |
Rain garden mix | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Tell Bellflower | Campanula Americana* |
Rain garden mix | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Cardinal Flower | Lobelia Cordiforlium* |
Rain garden mix | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Palm Sedge | Campanula Americana* |
Rain garden mix | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Mountain Mint | Pycnanthemum Virginianum* |
Rain garden mix | 2 or 40 per 20 square feet | Downy Wood Mint | Blephilia Ciliata* |
NOTE: | |
* | Wisconsin native plant species identified with an asterisk are preferred plant materials and an additional 10% has been added to their respective point values. |
Figure 300-8.40b |
Sample Plant Species Appropriate for Specific Situations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Classification | Plant Category | Common Name | Scientific Name |
Appropriate for planting under power lines | Low deciduous tree | Flowering crabapple | Malus spp. |
Low deciduous tree | Japanese tree lilac | Syringa reticulata | |
Appropriate for utility easements | Low deciduous tree | Japanese tree lilac | Syringa reticulata |
Medium deciduous shrub | Viburnum (Arrowwood, Warfaring Tree, Nannyberry) | Viburnum spp. | |
Low evergreen shrub | Boxwood | Buxus spp. | |
Appropriate for screening | Tall evergreen tree | Firs | Abies spp. |
Tall evergreen tree | Juniper (Red Cedar) | Juniperus virginiana | |
Tall evergreen trees | Spruces | Picea spp. | |
Tall evergreen trees | Pines | Pinus spp. | |
Tall evergreen tree | Douglas fir | Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca | |
Tall evergreen tree | Eastern hemlock | Tsuga canadensis | |
Medium evergreen tree | Arborvitae | Thuja occidentalis | |
Salt tolerant | Shade tree/tall or medium deciduous tree (varies by species) | Maple | Acer spp |
Shade tree | Sweet Gum | Liquidambar styraciflua | |
Shade tree (not street) | European Horse Chestnut | Aesculus hippocastranum | |
Shade tree | White Oak | Quercus alba | |
Low deciduous tree | Flowering Crabapples | Malus spp | |
Low deciduous tree | Crape Myrtle | Lagerstroemia indica | |
Deciduous tree | Honey Locust | Gleditsia triacanthos | |
Tall deciduous shrub | Dogwood (Gray, Pagoda) | Cornus spp | |
Tall deciduous shrub | Japanese Tree Lilac | Syringa reticulata | |
Tall deciduous shrub | Common Lilac | Syringa vulgaris | |
Medium deciduous shrub | Barberry | Berberis spp | |
Medium deciduous shrub | Viburnum | Adoxaceae | |
Medium deciduous shrub | Forsythia (Virgina, Rugosa) | Forsythia spp | |
Medium deciduous shrub | Rugosa Rose | Rosa rugosa | |
Small deciduous shrub | Potentilla | Cinquefoils | |
Low deciduous shrub | Azalea | Azalea spp | |
Low deciduous shrub | Apline Current | Ribes alpinum | |
Low deciduous shrub | Snowberry | Symphoricarpos | |
Tall evergreen tree | American holly | Ilex opaca | |
Tall deciduous shrub | Staghorn Sumac | Rhus typhina | |
Tall deciduous shrub | Mockorange | Philadelphus | |
Tall/medium evergreen shrub | Pfitzer Juniper | Juniperus x pfitzeriana | |
Tall/medium evergreen shurb | Yew (Japanese) | Taxus spp | |
Low evergreen shrub | Boxwood | Buxus spp | |
Figure 300-8.40c |
Prohibited Species and Species to Use Sparingly | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Classification | Common Name | Scientific Name | Prohibited2 or Use Sparingly1 | Reason | Alternative |
Shade tree | Nonresistant elms | Ulmus spp. | Prohibited | Dutch Elm Disease | Disease Resistant Elm Cultivars: ‘Princeton,’ ‘Valley Forge,’ and ‘New Harmony.’ Littleleaf Linden Tilia cordata, (urban tolerant) Kentucky Coffeetree Gymnocaldus dioicus, River birch Betula nigra, Oaks Quercus spp. |
Shade tree | Boxelder | Acer negundo | Prohibited | Spread quickly | |
Shade tree | Freeman maple | Acer x freemanii | Prohibited | Over-planted | |
Shade tree | Norway maples | Acer platanoides | Prohibited | Over-planted, dense | |
Shade tree | Red maples | Acer rubrum | Use sparingly | Prefer acidic soil | |
Shade tree | Sugar maples | Acer saccharum | Use sparingly | Thrives only in certain conditions; picky | |
Shade tree | Silver maple | Acer saccharinum | Prohibited | Weak wood and aggressive root systems | |
Tall deciduous tree | Autumn blaze maple | Acer truncatum | Use sparingly | Over-planted | Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba, Hackberry Celtis occidentalis, Chanticleer pear Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’ |
Tall deciduous tree | Ash trees | Fraxinus spp. | Prohibited | Emerald Ash Borer | |
Tall deciduous tree | Bradford pears | Pyrus calleryana “bradford” | Use sparingly | Poorly branches, tend to break | |
Tall deciduous tree | Cottonwood | Populus deltoids, populus fremontii, or populus nigra | Prohibited | Weak wood and aggressive root systems | |
Tall deciduous tree | Poplar | Populus | Use sparingly | Aggressive root systems | |
Tall deciduous tree | Willow | Salix | Prohibited | Drops branches | |
Medium deciduous tree | Ailanthus, Tree of Heaven | Ailanthus altissima | Prohibited | Invasive nonnative | Serviceberry Amelanchier spp., American Hornbeam or Musclewood Carpinus caroliniana, Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis, Serviceberry Amelanchier spp., American Hornbeam or Musclewood Carpinus caroliniana, Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis |
Medium deciduous tree | European white birch | Betula pendula | Use Sparingly | Bronze birch borer | |
Medium deciduous tree | White mulberry | Morus alba | Prohibited | Invasive nonnative | |
Low deciduous tree | Purple leaf Cherry plum, Japanese purple plum | Prunus cerasifera ‘Atropurpurea’ | Use Sparingly | Drops fruit | Flowering Crabapple Malus spp., American hazelnut Corylus americana, Japanese Tree Lilac Syringa reticulata |
Low deciduous tree | Purple sandcherry | Prunus x cistena | Use Sparingly | Short-lived | |
Low deciduous tree | Russian olive | Elaegnus angustifolia | Use Sparingly | Drops fruit, nonnative | |
Tall deciduous shrub | Buckthorns | Rhamnus cathartica | Prohibited | Invasive, nonnative | Gray Dogwood Cornus mas, Lilacs Syringa spp. |
Tall deciduous shrub | Autumn olive | Elaeagnus umbellata | Prohibited | Invasive, nonnative | |
Tall deciduous shrub | Multiflora rose | Rosa multiflora | Prohibited | Invasive, nonnative | |
Medium deciduous shrub | Japanese spirea | Spiraea japonica | Prohibited | Invasive (re-seed) | Red chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia, Black chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa, Redosier dogwood Cornus sericea, Summersweet Clethra Clethra alnifolia, Viburnums Viburnum spp. |
Medium deciduous shrub | Burning bush | Euonymus alatus | Prohibited | Invasive nonnative | |
Medium deciduous shrub | Honeysuckle | Lonicera spp. | Prohibited | Invasive, nonnative | |
Low deciduous shrub | Japanese barberry | Berberis thunbergii | Prohibited | Invasive; over planted | Dwarf bush honeysuckle Diervilla lonicera |
Tall evergreen tree | Austrian pine | Pinus nigra | Use sparingly | Over planted | Norway spruce Picea abies, Canadian hemlock Tsuja canadensis, Scotch pine Pinus sylvestris, American arborvitae Thuja occidentalis |
Tall evergreen tree | Blue spruce | Picea pungens | Use sparingly | Over planted | |
Tall evergreen tree | White pine | Pinus strobus | Use sparingly | Over planted | |
Tall evergreen tree | White spruce | Picea glauca | Use sparingly | Over planted | |
NOTES: | |
1 | “Species to use sparingly” may be used as part of an overall landscaping plan, but only if the number of individual plants does not constitute more than one plant per 20 total plants within the same plant classification. For example, if a landscaping plan includes a total of 20 tall deciduous trees, no more than one of those 20 trees may be classified as a “species to use sparingly.” The purpose of this provision is to encourage plant species diversity throughout the City. |
2 | “Prohibited species” shall not be included as part of any landscaping plan that is subject to City review per § 300-10.20. The purpose of this provision is to limit the planting of species that are invasive, have invasive tendencies, or that may perpetuate or spread disease. |
§ 300-8.50 Standards for rain gardens and bioswales.
A.
Definition.
(1)
Rain gardens can serve both as landscaping and stormwater management features on a building site, where appropriately designed and sited. A rain garden is a shallow, depressed garden that is designed and positioned on a site to capture stormwater runoff and allow for the infiltration of water back into the ground. Rain garden plants are carefully chosen for their ability to withstand moisture extremes and potentially high concentrations of nutrients and sediments that are often found in stormwater runoff. A well designed and maintained rain garden serves as an attractive component of an overall landscaping plan for a development site.
(2)
Bioswales can serve both as landscaping and stormwater management features on a building site, where appropriately designed and sited. A bioswale is a linear, vegetative stormwater runoff conveyance system that is designed to store and infiltrate water from small storm events back into the ground and direct water from heavy rain events to appropriate storm sewer inlets or other management facilities. The flow of water being conveyed through a bioswale is slowed down, allowing for municipal storm systems to more effectively manage heavier rain events and help reduce the risk of flooding on or off-site. Water being infiltrated or conveyed via a bioswale is also filtered by the vegetation within it, generally improving both ground and surface water quality.
B.
Requirements.
(1)
The installation of a rain garden or bioswale may contribute to the overall stormwater management plan for a development site and count toward meeting the City’s landscaping guidelines. Rain gardens and bioswales may count for 20 points for every 20 square feet for yard, building foundation, and/or paved area requirements, provided the following requirements are met. Rain gardens and bioswales shall count for no more than 100 points of the required landscaping per site.
(2)
Detailed plans shall be provided that show all proposed dimensions of the rain garden or bioswale including length, width, depth, and slope of depression; location of the rain garden or bioswale on the lot relative to hard-surfaced areas, downspouts, and site topography; characteristics of the soil underlying the rain garden or bioswale; description of planting media; the species, number, and size at time of installation of all vegetation proposed for the rain garden or bioswale; and information on any other materials that will be used to line the rain garden or bioswale.
(3)
Installation shall not be proposed for any of the following areas of a site:
(a)
Areas where there is known soil contamination unless the rain garden or bioswale is proposed to be constructed with an under-drain;
(b)
Areas where the characteristics of the soil would not allow for the proper infiltration, as defined by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, of water into the ground; or
(c)
Areas where there are expected to be high levels of foot traffic, unless such areas are protected from foot traffic.
(4)
The owner of the site shall record a maintenance agreement with the City if utilized for required stormwater management on the site. Specifically: kept free of trash, weeds, debris, and dead or dying plants; any pipes associated with the rain garden or bioswale will be inspected on an annual basis and kept free of debris; and by the beginning of every spring dead plant materials will be cut back or removed.
(5)
Bioswales and rain gardens shall be generously (and appropriately) vegetated to qualify for landscaping points. If bioswales and rain gardens (or portions thereof) are lined with turf but do not include other vegetation, then they will not count toward meeting landscaping point requirements.
(6)
Rain gardens and bioswales may serve as a component of an overall stormwater management plan for a site only if detailed plans, calculations, and specifications are submitted and approved by the City Engineer. Detailed plans shall include the location and description of all other stormwater management facilities serving the site, particularly those to which any bioswale will be directed.
§ 300-8.60 Installation requirements.
A.
Installation.
(1)
Any and all landscaping and bufferyard material required by the provisions of this chapter shall be installed on the subject property, in accordance with the approved site plan within 365 days of the issuance of an occupancy permit for any building on the subject property, unless specified below in Subsection A(2). Failure to comply with this requirement shall be subject to the fees and penalties in §§ 300-10.60 and 300-10.61.
(2)
For any lot less than one acre in size or for any building less than 10,000 square feet, any and all landscaping and bufferyard materials required by the provisions of this chapter shall be installed on the subject property, in accordance with the approved site plan within 730 days of the issuance of any occupancy permit for any building on the subject property.
B.
If existing plant material meets the requirements of this article and will be preserved on the subject property following the completion of development, it may be counted as contributing to the landscaping requirements and worth double the landscaping point value per plant.
C.
All landscaping and bufferyard areas shall be seeded with lawn or native ground cover unless such vegetation is already fully established.
D.
The exact placement of plants and structures shall be depicted on the required detailed landscaping plan submitted to the City for its approval. Such plant and structure location shall be the decision of each property owner provided the following requirements are met:
(1)
Evergreen shrubs shall be planted in clusters to maximize their chance for survival.
(2)
Where a combination of plant materials, berming, and fencing is used in a bufferyard, the fence and/or berm may be located toward the interior or exterior of the subject property and at least 50% of the required landscaping points shall be located toward the exterior of the subject property.
(3)
A property owner may establish through a written agreement, recorded with the Register of Deeds that an abutting property owner agrees to provide on the immediately abutting portion of his or her land a partial or full portion of the required bufferyard, thereby relieving the developer of the responsibility of providing the entire bufferyard on his property. Responsibility for maintenance of bufferyard landscaping shall be included as part of this agreement.
(4)
Under no circumstance shall landscaping or bufferyard materials be selected or located in a manner resulting in the creation of a safety or visibility hazard.
(5)
The restrictions on types of plants listed in this article shall apply.
E.
Upon completion of the approved landscape improvements, a certification of compliance shall also be submitted by the owner or agent.
F.
Maintenance.
(1)
The continual maintenance of all required landscaping and bufferyard materials shall be a requirement of this chapter and shall be the responsibility of the owner of the property on which said materials and plants are required. This requirement shall run with the property and shall be binding upon all future property owners. Development of any or all property following the effective date of this chapter shall constitute an agreement by the property owner to comply with the provisions of this section.
(2)
The owner of the premises shall be responsible for the watering, maintenance, repair, and replacement of all landscaping, fences, and other landscape architectural features on the site. All planting beds shall be kept weed-free. Plant material which has died shall be replaced with equivalent vegetation within 12 months.
§ 300-8.70 Sample landscaping schemes.
Sample landscaping schemes that may be used for building foundations, street frontages, paved areas, yards, and bufferyards are depicted in Figures 300-8.70a through 300-8.70g.
Figure 300-8.70a Sample Landscaping Schemes: Site Before Required Landscaping  |
Figure 300-8.70b Sample Landscaping Schemes: Building Foundation | ||
 | Building Foundation Landscape Requirements | |
Requirement per Figure 300-8.40a: 40 points per 100 linear feet of building foundation. Plantings shall be located within 10 feet of the building foundation. | ||
• | Building foundation 15 feet + 15 feet + 60 feet + 160 feet + 20 feet + 30 feet + 55 feet + 115 feet = 465 feet 470 feet/100 feet = 4.7 4.7 x 40 points = 188 points required 195 points provided | |
Figure 300-8.70c Sample Landscaping Schemes: Paved Area | ||
 | Paved Area Landscaping Requirements | |
Requirement per Figure 300-8.40a 50 points per 10 parking stalls. Plantings shall be located within paved area or within 10 feet of paved area. | ||
• | Paved area 34 Stalls/10 Stalls = 3.4 3.4 x 50 points = 170 points required 230 points provided | |
Figure 300-8.70d Sample Landscaping Schemes: Street Frontage | ||
 | Street Frontage Landscaping Requirements | |
Requirement per Figure 300-8.40a 100 points per 100 feet of the longest street frontage. Plantings shall be located within 10 feet of public right-of-way. | ||
• | Street frontage 150 feet/100 = 1.5 1.5 x 100 points = 150 points required 150 points provided | |
Figure 300-8.70e Sample Landscaping Schemes: Yard | ||
 | Yard Landscaping Requirements | |
Requirement per Figure 300-8.40a 20 points per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area of all principal and accessory buildings. Plantings may be located anywhere on the site. | ||
• | Building area 10,350 square feet/1,000 square feet = 10.35 10.35 x 20 points = 207 points required 210 points provided | |
Figure 300-8.70f Sample Landscaping Schemes: Bufferyard | |||
 | Bufferyard Landscape Requirements | ||
• | Zoning Bufferyard: | ||
• | SMU to DR-8 requires: 0.4 opacity bufferyard per Figure 300-8.40b | ||
• | Option 1:(shown) 6-foot solid fence + 53 points per 100 feet and 10 feet minimum width 150 feet/100 feet = 1.5 1.5 x 53 points = 80 points required 93 points provided | ||
• | Option 2: 44-inch picket fence + 330 points per 100 feet and 20 feet minimum width 150 feet/100 feet = 1.5 1.5 x 330 points = 495 points required | ||
Bufferyard Option 1 shown | |||
Figure 300-8.70g Sample Landscaping Schemes: All Required Landscaping | ||
 | All Required Landscaping | |
• | Building foundation: 15 feet + 15 feet + 60 feet + 160 feet + 20 feet + 30 feet + 55 feet + 115 feet = 465 feet 470 feet/100 feet = 4.7 4.7 x 40 points = 188 points required 195 points provided | |
• | Paved area: 34 stalls/10 stalls = 3.4 3.4 x 50 points = 170 points required 230 points provided | |
• | Street frontage: 150 feet/100 = 1.5 1.5 x 100 points = 150 points required 150 points provided | |
• | Yard: Building Area = 10,350 square feet 10,350 square feet/1,000 square feet = 10.35 10.35 x 20 points = 207 points required 210 points provided | |
• | Zoning bufferyard: Option 1: (shown) 6-foot solid fence + 53 points per 100 feet and 10 feet minimum width 150 feet/100 feet = 1.5 1.5 x 53 points = 80 points required 93 points provided | |