Prior to issuance of a building permit, an applicant shall pay a fee for landscape inspection in an amount set by City Council resolution adopting the fee schedule. This fee will cover any costs the city may incur.

(Ord. 2013-05, passed 5-20-2013)

   Prior to issuance of a building permit for construction of the first structure on a lot, an applicant shall post an escrow in an amount set by resolution of the City Council to guarantee compliance with the city’s landscaping requirements governed by city ordinance, a list of which is available at City Hall. The city shall release the escrow once the applicant has satisfied ALL requirements concerning landscaping. The city will not make any PARTIAL escrow releases.

      (3)   Sod or seed yard areas in accordance with § 154.324(B) and landscape with trees that are of an acceptable variety, and shrubs if so desired.

      (4)   Ensure that the property conforms with all other relevant provisions of this section.

(Ord. 2013-05, passed 5-20-2013; Am. Ord. 2020-01, passed 2-3-2020; Am. Ord. 2021-08, passed 8-2-2021)

   All developed uses shall provide a landscaped yard, including grass, decorative stones, or shrubs and trees, along all streets. This yard shall be kept clear of all structures, storage, and off-street parking.

   (A)   Except for driveways, the yard shall extend along the entire frontage of the lot, and along both streets in the case of a corner lot: such yard shall have a depth of at least 10 feet. Unless expressly permitted, no landscape material, other than grass, shall be placed within drainage or utility easements. Rock or riprap may be allowed upon review and approval by the City Council provided the proposed material does not interfere with drainage or utilities.

      (1)   Maintain a healthy, pest free condition.

      (2)   Remove dead, diseased or dangerous trees or shrubs or parts thereof in accordance with requirements of § 90.051.

      (3)   Provide appropriate pruning per applicable forestry or horticultural best practices.

      (4)   Mowing and/or removal of noxious weeds and grasses according to the requirements of § 90.028.

      (5)   Establishing and sustaining sufficient groundcover to prevent erosion and control sediment runoff.

      (6)   Remove trash and other debris.

      (7)   Watering and other maintenance to ensure plant growth and survival, except when prohibited by citywide watering ban.

   (C)   Required yards and setback areas, except driveways and areas used as a garage or accessory building, shall be graded to final elevations and sodded or seeded in accordance with § 154.324(B) and landscaped with trees and shrubs.

   (D)   Tree and woodland preservation shall be accomplished in accordance with the tree and woodland requirements of § 153.11(M).

   (E)   Parking lot landscaping. Requirements for parking lots are outlined in §§ 154.221 through 154.230.

(Ord. 2013-05, passed 5-20-2013; Am. Ord. 2021-08, passed 8-2-2021)

      (1)   Retaining walls shall not be located within a drainage, access, or utility easement or boulevard.

      (2)   The city may require the owner of any non-turf grass vegetation or ornamental landscaping material, within a drainage and utility easement or a right-of-way of a city street to remove said material from the public easement on the property or public right-of-way abutting the property at no expense to the city.

      (3)   The city will not be responsible for damage to any turf grass, ornamental plantings, native plantings, or ornamental groundcover resulting from public works improvements or snow removal activities within public rights-of-way or easements.

(Ord. 2013-05, passed 5-20-2013; Am. Ord. 2020-01, passed 2-3-2020; Am. Ord. 2021-08, passed 8-2-2021; Am. Ord. 2025-05, passed 8-11-2025)

      (1)   Commercial and industrial properties shall have diversified landscape plantings in addition to the landscaping required in setback areas for free-standing, detached structures. All landscaped areas are to be developed with live deciduous and coniferous plants, trees and shrubs which provide a variety of color, textures, heights, and forms consistent with the needs of the site and other elements of the plan. All trees are to be according to the above tree requirements. The landscaped areas may contain some stone, wood, patio blocks, sculpture, and other appropriate ornamental features.

      (2)   The following zoning classifications will have the following percentage of the lot landscaped.

         Neighborhood Business District:      ≥ 2%

         Central Business District:         ≥ 2%

         Highway Commercial:         ≥ 5%

         Industrial:               ≥ 2%

(Ord. 2013-05, passed 5-20-2013; Am. Ord. 2020-01, passed 2-3-2020; Am. Ord. 2021-08, passed 8-2-2021; Am. Ord. 2025-05, passed 8-11-2025)

         (a)   Native vegetation requires less moisture, fertilizers, and pesticides and places less stress on the public’s water resources. Native vegetation also provides food and habitat to wildlife.

         (b)   Rain gardens filter and infiltrate stormwater, thereby protecting surface water from polluted runoff and recharging groundwater resources.

         (c)   Producing foods locally:

            1.   Increases local food security;

            2.   Addresses global warming by reducing fossil fuel use in transportation of foods; and

            3.   Addresses the obesity epidemic by insuring access to healthy, fresh foods.

         (a)   Create and maintain attractive and safe neighborhoods;

         (b)   Restore the city’s native vegetation;

         (c)   Encourage the local food production system; and

         (d)   Protect and improve the city’s surface waters through increasing on-site infiltration in existing developed areas.

      (3)   Managed natural landscapes on city-owned-boulevards/rights-of way may be allowed with the following conditions:

         (a)   An annual administrative permit is required for managed natural landscapes on city-owned-boulevards/rights-of-way and may be revoked if requirements are not met.

         (b)   The city, including Public Works Department, Fire Department and Police Department, or utility companies may need to access the area for roads, trees and utilities and are not responsible for any garden damage and are only required to restore the boulevard with turf grass seed or sod.

         (c)   Vegetation shall not be within 40 feet of intersections and 10 feet of alleys and driveways.

         (d)   Vegetation in the boulevard may have a maximum height of 4 feet.

         (e)   One foot of clear space is required from sidewalks and streets.

         (f)   Three feet of clear space is required from neighboring property boulevards.

         (g)   Three feet of clear space is required from fixed objects including, trees, fire hydrants, poles, signs, cabinets, and maintenance holes.

         (h)   Three-foot-wide access points shall be maintained every 15 feet to provide exit space for parked vehicles and access to the street and sidewalk.

         (i)   May not obstruct sidewalks, bus stops, signs, accessible parking spaces, loading zones, bikeways, snow plowing and clearing, public projects and reconstruction, emergency services (such as fire hydrants).

         (j)   Wood chips, artificial turf, asphalt, stones smaller than 6 inches or larger than 10 inches are not allowed.

         (k)   Noxious weeds according to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture are not allowed and must be removed.

         (l)   Plants with thorns, spines or sharp ridged parts are not allowed.

         (m)   Must comply with the provisions of the M.S. § 216D.01 et seq., Gopher State One Call Law.

         (a)   Presents a fire hazard;

         (b)   Attracts or harbors disease vectors;

         (c)   Obstructs sight lines for the traveling public on streets or alleys; or

         (d)   Includes noxious weeds or secondary noxious weed as identified by the State Commissioner of Agriculture pursuant to M.S. § 18.171, subd.5.

(Ord. 2015-13, passed 12-7-2015; Am. Ord. 2021-08, passed 8-2-2021; Am. Ord. 2025-05, passed 8-11-2025)