50 LANDSCAPING, SCREENING, AND WATER-EFFICIENCY STANDARDS
The intent of this Chapter is to establish landscaping, screening, and water-efficiency standards for new and expanded development to ensure efficient usage of water, establish landscaping quality standards, improve landscaping maintenance, promote land-use compatibility, and support the general welfare of the community. The provisions of this Chapter work toward the following goals:
The standards of this Chapter apply to:
| Table 19.50.040 A: Tree Species Diversity Based on Number of Trees. | |
| Total Number of Trees on Site | Maximum Percentage of Any One Species |
| 10-19 | 50% |
| 20-39 | 33% |
| 40-59 | 25% |
| 60 or more | 15% |
| Table 19.50.040 B: Tree and Shrub Size Requirements at Planting. | |
| Plant Type | Size |
| Deciduous trees | Two-inch (2”) caliper |
| Ornamental and flowering trees | One and one-half inch (1.5”) caliper OR six feet (6’) in height |
| Evergreen trees | Six feet (6’) in height |
| Spreading shrubs | Eighteen inches (18”) of spread at the time of planting AND grown in a five (5) gallon container |
| Upright shrubs | Twenty-four inches (24”) of spread at the time of planting AND grown in a five (5) gallon container |
| Herbaceous plants | One (1) gallon container |
All detention/retention basins, ponds and other stormwater facilities shall be improved with landscaping, which may include shade and ornamental trees, evergreens, shrubbery, hedges, turf (limited to 20% of the landscaped area), groundcover, and other plants and related landscape improvements.
Residential properties with less than five (5) units are exempt from the screening requirements of this Section; all other properties shall comply.
| Table 19.50.130 A: Table of Requirements for Project Data Sheet. | ||
| Information Required | Preliminary | Final |
| The project title and county site development plan application number (the file number assigned to the development proposal that the landscape plan is associated with) | X | X |
| Preparation date and issue/revision/date table | X | X |
| The name, address, telephone number, fax, and email of the applicant or authorized agent | X | X |
| The name, address, telephone number, fax, and email of the landscape architect, landscape designer, or other qualified professional who prepared the landscape plan, together with their professional registration stamp (as required) | X | X |
| The landscape contractor to be used on the project, if known at the time of application | X | X |
| Site vicinity and location map, including the street address and tax identification number of the property | X | X |
| Sheet index | X | X |
| General landscape design intent statement including the general character and location of proposed landscaping and open area and how it meets the intent of these regulations | X | X |
| Annual water budget worksheet | X | X |
| Soils analysis and proposed soils amendments | X | X |
| Signature block for landscape package approval | X | |
| Table 19.50.130 B: Table of Requirements for Grading and Drainage Plan. | ||
| Information Required | Preliminary | Final |
| Scale, north arrow, site boundary including adjacent property lines and street names | X | X |
| Existing and proposed adjacent uses | X | X |
| Existing and proposed private driveways, off-street parking areas, patios, walkways, service areas and other paved surfaces | X | X |
| Existing and proposed buildings and structures (general locations) | X | X |
| Existing and proposed utilities and easements | X | X |
| Limits of proposed site disturbance | X | X |
| Existing and proposed building and structure finish floor elevations | X | X |
| Spot elevations and contour lines at no more than one foot (1’) intervals to determine high points and low points, positive drainage of paved surfaces, wall heights and other vertical control | X | X |
| Existing landscaping, including location, type, and size | X | X |
| Any existing landscaping proposed to be removed | X | X |
| Table 19.50.130 C: Table of Requirements for Landscape Planting Plan. | ||
| Information Required | Preliminary | Final |
| Base plan consisting in information included on the grading and drainage plan | X | X |
| Limits of proposed site disturbance | X | X |
| General landscape improvements with planting symbols clearly drawn to indicate location and general plant category (deciduous tree, evergreen tree, deciduous shrub, evergreen shrub, groundcover, etc.) | X | X |
| Legend of plant category symbols keyed to general plant material schedule indicating quantities of each plant category and listing of plant species (including Latin name) included in each category | X | X |
| Typical detail drawings at one inch equals twenty feet (1”=20’) to illustrate perimeter treatment, buffering, typical front yard, and any special treatment areas on the site | X | X |
| All hydrozone boundaries and total area within each hydrozone with each hydrozone clearly labeled high, moderate, low, or very low | X | X |
| Detailed landscape improvements with planting symbols clearly drawn to indicate each plant (deciduous tree, evergreen tree, deciduous shrub, evergreen shrub, groundcover, etc.) | X | X |
| Detailed plant material schedule with abbreviation identification key, quantity of each plant, botanical name, common name, hydrozone rating (high, moderate, low, or very low), plant/container size, spacing, and notes | X | X |
| Define areas to be considered open areas and specify if they will be public or private. Indicate how open areas will be maintained including: erosion control, re-vegetation, and weed management both during and after construction | X | X |
| Plant installation, mulching, tree staking, and any other applicable planting and installation details | X | X |
| Soil preparation details, including instructions to scarify planting pit bottom and sides and surface ground planes to promote root penetration in compacted soils | X | X |
| Protection of existing plant and other site features to remain, clearly identifying the locations, species, size, and condition of all significant trees, each labeled as to its intended retention, relocation, or removal | X | X |
Upon completion of all required landscaping improvements the property owner shall complete a certificate of substantial completion for submittal to the Director or designee. A disclosure document shall be filed with the County Recorder's Office clearly indicating that the property is subject to the requirements of this Chapter and that any re-landscaping by the present or future property owners shall be in accordance with the certified landscape plan for the property. Proof of recordation shall be provided prior to final land use approval.
Following construction and prior to issuing an approval for occupancy, a water audit shall be conducted by an IA certified landscape irrigation auditor. Irrigation system improvements required to achieve compliance with the requirements of this Chapter shall be provided by the property owner as necessary. The water performance audit will verify that the irrigation system complies with the minimum standards of this chapter. The minimum efficiency required for the irrigation system is sixty percent (60%) for the distribution efficiency for all fixed spray systems and seventy percent (70%) distribution efficiency for all rotor systems. Copies of the auditor's certification of compliance shall be provided to the Director or designee for retention in the project file as well as to the irrigation system designer, installer, and owner/developer of the property. Compliance with this provision is required before the Director or designee will issue a letter of final acceptance.
50 LANDSCAPING, SCREENING, AND WATER-EFFICIENCY STANDARDS
The intent of this Chapter is to establish landscaping, screening, and water-efficiency standards for new and expanded development to ensure efficient usage of water, establish landscaping quality standards, improve landscaping maintenance, promote land-use compatibility, and support the general welfare of the community. The provisions of this Chapter work toward the following goals:
The standards of this Chapter apply to:
| Table 19.50.040 A: Tree Species Diversity Based on Number of Trees. | |
| Total Number of Trees on Site | Maximum Percentage of Any One Species |
| 10-19 | 50% |
| 20-39 | 33% |
| 40-59 | 25% |
| 60 or more | 15% |
| Table 19.50.040 B: Tree and Shrub Size Requirements at Planting. | |
| Plant Type | Size |
| Deciduous trees | Two-inch (2”) caliper |
| Ornamental and flowering trees | One and one-half inch (1.5”) caliper OR six feet (6’) in height |
| Evergreen trees | Six feet (6’) in height |
| Spreading shrubs | Eighteen inches (18”) of spread at the time of planting AND grown in a five (5) gallon container |
| Upright shrubs | Twenty-four inches (24”) of spread at the time of planting AND grown in a five (5) gallon container |
| Herbaceous plants | One (1) gallon container |
All detention/retention basins, ponds and other stormwater facilities shall be improved with landscaping, which may include shade and ornamental trees, evergreens, shrubbery, hedges, turf (limited to 20% of the landscaped area), groundcover, and other plants and related landscape improvements.
Residential properties with less than five (5) units are exempt from the screening requirements of this Section; all other properties shall comply.
| Table 19.50.130 A: Table of Requirements for Project Data Sheet. | ||
| Information Required | Preliminary | Final |
| The project title and county site development plan application number (the file number assigned to the development proposal that the landscape plan is associated with) | X | X |
| Preparation date and issue/revision/date table | X | X |
| The name, address, telephone number, fax, and email of the applicant or authorized agent | X | X |
| The name, address, telephone number, fax, and email of the landscape architect, landscape designer, or other qualified professional who prepared the landscape plan, together with their professional registration stamp (as required) | X | X |
| The landscape contractor to be used on the project, if known at the time of application | X | X |
| Site vicinity and location map, including the street address and tax identification number of the property | X | X |
| Sheet index | X | X |
| General landscape design intent statement including the general character and location of proposed landscaping and open area and how it meets the intent of these regulations | X | X |
| Annual water budget worksheet | X | X |
| Soils analysis and proposed soils amendments | X | X |
| Signature block for landscape package approval | X | |
| Table 19.50.130 B: Table of Requirements for Grading and Drainage Plan. | ||
| Information Required | Preliminary | Final |
| Scale, north arrow, site boundary including adjacent property lines and street names | X | X |
| Existing and proposed adjacent uses | X | X |
| Existing and proposed private driveways, off-street parking areas, patios, walkways, service areas and other paved surfaces | X | X |
| Existing and proposed buildings and structures (general locations) | X | X |
| Existing and proposed utilities and easements | X | X |
| Limits of proposed site disturbance | X | X |
| Existing and proposed building and structure finish floor elevations | X | X |
| Spot elevations and contour lines at no more than one foot (1’) intervals to determine high points and low points, positive drainage of paved surfaces, wall heights and other vertical control | X | X |
| Existing landscaping, including location, type, and size | X | X |
| Any existing landscaping proposed to be removed | X | X |
| Table 19.50.130 C: Table of Requirements for Landscape Planting Plan. | ||
| Information Required | Preliminary | Final |
| Base plan consisting in information included on the grading and drainage plan | X | X |
| Limits of proposed site disturbance | X | X |
| General landscape improvements with planting symbols clearly drawn to indicate location and general plant category (deciduous tree, evergreen tree, deciduous shrub, evergreen shrub, groundcover, etc.) | X | X |
| Legend of plant category symbols keyed to general plant material schedule indicating quantities of each plant category and listing of plant species (including Latin name) included in each category | X | X |
| Typical detail drawings at one inch equals twenty feet (1”=20’) to illustrate perimeter treatment, buffering, typical front yard, and any special treatment areas on the site | X | X |
| All hydrozone boundaries and total area within each hydrozone with each hydrozone clearly labeled high, moderate, low, or very low | X | X |
| Detailed landscape improvements with planting symbols clearly drawn to indicate each plant (deciduous tree, evergreen tree, deciduous shrub, evergreen shrub, groundcover, etc.) | X | X |
| Detailed plant material schedule with abbreviation identification key, quantity of each plant, botanical name, common name, hydrozone rating (high, moderate, low, or very low), plant/container size, spacing, and notes | X | X |
| Define areas to be considered open areas and specify if they will be public or private. Indicate how open areas will be maintained including: erosion control, re-vegetation, and weed management both during and after construction | X | X |
| Plant installation, mulching, tree staking, and any other applicable planting and installation details | X | X |
| Soil preparation details, including instructions to scarify planting pit bottom and sides and surface ground planes to promote root penetration in compacted soils | X | X |
| Protection of existing plant and other site features to remain, clearly identifying the locations, species, size, and condition of all significant trees, each labeled as to its intended retention, relocation, or removal | X | X |
Upon completion of all required landscaping improvements the property owner shall complete a certificate of substantial completion for submittal to the Director or designee. A disclosure document shall be filed with the County Recorder's Office clearly indicating that the property is subject to the requirements of this Chapter and that any re-landscaping by the present or future property owners shall be in accordance with the certified landscape plan for the property. Proof of recordation shall be provided prior to final land use approval.
Following construction and prior to issuing an approval for occupancy, a water audit shall be conducted by an IA certified landscape irrigation auditor. Irrigation system improvements required to achieve compliance with the requirements of this Chapter shall be provided by the property owner as necessary. The water performance audit will verify that the irrigation system complies with the minimum standards of this chapter. The minimum efficiency required for the irrigation system is sixty percent (60%) for the distribution efficiency for all fixed spray systems and seventy percent (70%) distribution efficiency for all rotor systems. Copies of the auditor's certification of compliance shall be provided to the Director or designee for retention in the project file as well as to the irrigation system designer, installer, and owner/developer of the property. Compliance with this provision is required before the Director or designee will issue a letter of final acceptance.