Lacey City Zoning Code

16.80 Landscaping

Requirements

16.80.010 Statement of intent.

The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum requirements and standards for landscaping and screening where needed to promote safety, to provide screening between incompatible land uses, to safeguard privacy and to protect the aesthetic assets of the city. (Ord. 871 §2 (part), 1989).

16.80.020 General requirements.

A. A plot plan of the proposed landscaping and screening shall be prepared by a licensed landscape architect, Washington-certified nurseryman, or Washington-certified landscaper and incorporated into plans submitted for preliminary plat, site plan review, administrative design review or building permit review. For individual home owners, upon request the city will provide template landscape plans with approved tree species to fulfill this requirement.

B. Landscaping Plans. The landscaping plan shall contain the following information (one inch equals twenty feet or larger):

1. Existing plant material and soil to be retained;

2. Proposed plant material to be placed on site. The type, size, number and spacing on plantings must be illustrated (refer to LMC 16.24.040, General standards required for all development);

3. Surface parking location and design (refer to Chapter 16.72 LMC);

4. Bicycle parking location and design (refer to Chapter 16.72 LMC);

5. Loading and service areas location and design (refer to Chapter 16.80 LMC);

6. Screening and buffering: general; perimeter fencing and walls; parking structures; and surface parking lots (refer to Chapter 16.80 LMC);

7. All areas where soils are to be amended (refer to the current City of Lacey Stormwater Design Manual);

8. Locations where plant and soil materials will be stored during construction;

9. Timeline for site preparation and installation of plant materials.

The applicant shall utilize tree protection techniques approved by the enforcing officer, site plan review committee and/or hearings examiner in order to provide for the continued healthy life of retained significant trees including during land alteration and construction. (Ord. 1496 §105, 2016; Ord. 1310 §49, 2008; Ord. 1179 §10, 2002; Ord. 871 §2 (part), 1989).

16.80.030 Special requirements.

A. The following uses require Type I landscaping on all sides when located above ground and not housed within a building or accessory to another use, and if located outside a public right-of-way:

1. Utility substation

2. Sewage pumping station

3. Water distribution facility

4. Communication relay station.

B. Whenever a non-residential activity is proposed adjacent to a residential zone or use a minimum fifteen-foot buffer area of Type I landscaping shall be provided along the property boundary between the uses. Alternative configurations may be considered through the design review process, provided the proposed treatment minimizes negative visual and compatibility impacts.

C. The following uses require Type III landscaping along the street frontage and throughout the required front yard area and Type II landscaping between the required front yard area and improvements on the property and along interior property lines unless a more stringent requirement is specifically identified in a land use district:

1. Church.

2. Commercial or public parking lot or structure not serving a primary use.

3. Government service building.

4. Community club.

5. School.

6. Hospital.

D. An area around the base of each utility pole, groundmounted sign or similar fixtures must be landscaped to improve the overall appearance of the area. This landscaping must include vegetation and may include other materials and components such as brick or concrete bases, planter boxes, or decorative framing. All refuse storage container areas shall be constructed and landscaped in accordance with Tables 16T-24 and 16T-25.

E. In front yard areas required to be landscaped under city requirements, a minimum of sixty percent of the required area shall be landscaped with natural plant materials. This may include grass or other ground cover, trees, shrubs, and other permitted plant materials. Planting areas shall be designed and constructed in a manner that will make possible normal maintenance such as mowing and watering. (Ord. 1310 §50, 2008; Ord. 1220 §53, 2004; Ord. 1024 §50, 1995; Ord. 965 §§12 and 13, 1993; Ord. 871 §2 (part), 1989).

16.80.040 Preservation of significant trees.

A. In required landscaping areas, the applicant shall retain significant trees which will not constitute a safety hazard. Areas devoted to access and sight areas as defined in this code, and areas to be cleared for required roads, utilities, sidewalks, trails or storm drainage improvements are exempt from this requirement, provided modifications to design can be required by the city to save vegetation pursuant to the city tree and vegetation protection and preservation ordinance, Chapter 14.32 LMC.

B. Outside of the required landscape areas, the applicant shall be required to retain significant trees pursuant to Chapter 14.32 LMC. Special attention shall be given to the preservation of the following:

1. The preservation of healthy significant trees over sixty feet in height and sixteen inches in diameter measured twenty-four inches above grade;

2. The preservation of significant trees that form a continuous canopy;

3. The preservation of significant trees that contribute to the character of the environment, and do not constitute a safety hazard.

4. To protect against blowdowns, the city encourages that areas of tall, older tree stands to be retained be at least fifty feet in width. (Ord. 1310 §51, 2008; Ord. 965 §14, 1993; Ord. 871 §2 (part), 1989).

16.80.050 Types of landscaping.

A. All residential and nonresidential projects shall be required to provide landscaping that satisfies the functions and specific requirements of this section.

1. Purpose. Type I landscaping is intended to provide a very dense sight barrier and physical buffer to significantly separate conflicting uses and land use districts and to enhance the visual character of the city.

a. All plant materials and living ground cover must be selected and maintained so that the entire landscape area will be covered within three years.

b. Provide a minimum of one conifer at least seven feet tall for every one hundred fifty square feet arranged in a manner to obstruct views into the property. Permitted conifer species are those with the ability to develop a minimum branching width of eight feet within five years. Sufficient soil must be provided to enable growth of trees to maturity. Structural solutions may be required when necessary to support trees with limited soil availability.

c. Provide shrubs at a rate of one shrub per twenty square feet of landscaped area. Shrubs shall be at least sixteen inches tall at planting and have a mature height between three and four feet.

d. Ground cover shall cover the remainder of the landscape strip within three years.

e. A minimum of fifteen feet of width shall be required when Type I landscaping design is utilized.

f. Fences, walls, and/or earthen berms may supplement landscape materials, except where they are inconsistent with other community design goals, policies, and standards in the Lacey Comprehensive Plan or Municipal Code.

g. Any other alternative mix of plantings can be considered provided the intent of the Type I landscaping type is satisfied.

h. Vegetated LID facilities that satisfy the intent of Type I landscaping are allowed to count towards landscaping requirements.

i. Landscaping shall be native and drought tolerant with exception of trees on the city’s street tree list.

1. Purpose. Type II landscaping is intended to provide visual separation of uses from streets, and visual separation of compatible uses so as to soften the appearance of streets, parking areas and building elevation. This landscaping is used around the perimeter of a site and adjacent to buildings and may be mixed with a Type III landscaping to provide interest along parking lot pedestrian corridors.

a. All plant materials and living ground cover must be selected and maintained so that the entire landscape area will be covered within three years.

b. Provide at least one tree per three hundred square feet of landscaped area. At least fifty percent of the trees must be conifers. Trees may be clustered to avoid blocking views between windows and public spaces and/or private yard areas where desirable. Permitted tree species are those with the ability to develop a minimum branching width of eight feet within five years.

c. Provide shrubs at a rate of one shrub per twenty square feet of landscaped area. Shrubs shall be at least sixteen inches tall at planting and have a mature height between three and four feet.

d. Trees shall be a minimum of two inches in caliper measured six inches above the base at planting and shrubs must be capable of growing to a minimum of four feet in height, within five years. Sufficient soil must be provided to enable growth of trees to maturity. Structural solutions may be required when necessary to support trees with limited soil availability.

e. Provide ground cover to cover the remainder of the planting strip within three years.

f. Any other alternative mix of plantings can be considered provided the intent of the Type II landscaping type is satisfied.

g. When Type II landscaping is used to provide partial screening between uses, a minimum planting area of eight feet in width shall be provided. When Type II landscaping is used adjacent to a building, a minimum five-foot planting area shall be provided.

h. Vegetated LID facilities that satisfy the intent of Type II landscaping are allowed to count towards landscaping requirements.

i. Landscaping shall be native and drought tolerant with exception of trees on the city’s street tree list.

1. Purpose. Type III landscaping is intended to provide visual relief where clear sight is desired. This landscaping type is utilized along pedestrian corridors and walks for separation of pedestrians from streets and parking areas while providing an attractive setting and overstory canopy.

a. This type of landscaping consists of street trees for a large overstory canopy along streets and pedestrian corridors and grass or other approved vegetation for ground cover.

b. Ground cover or low shrubs developed for conditions of the Northwest shall be planted. Turf grass is desirable in planting strips where on-street parking is present. Low shrubs are desirable in areas without on-street parking to provide both visual and physical separation between moving traffic and pedestrians.

c. Place trees to create a canopy in desired locations without obstructing necessary view corridors.

d. Street trees along arterials and collectors shall be those species described in the city’s urban beautification program. Trees used along local access streets or pedestrian walks through parking lots shall be a species approved by the community and economic development department and shall be chosen for attractiveness, rooting habits, disease and pest resistance, and habitat value. All trees shall be a minimum of two inches in caliper measured six inches above the base at planting. Decorative protection may be placed around trees. Sufficient soil must be provided to enable growth of trees to maturity. Structural solutions may be required when necessary to support trees with limited soil availability.

e. Provide ground cover to cover the remainder of the planting strip within three years.

f. Earthen berms with grass or other vegetative ground cover and other design features may be worked into landscaping, provided the resultant effect of providing a pedestrian-friendly environment and visual relief where clear sight is required can be achieved.

g. The minimum width for Type III landscaping shall be six feet to provide adequate rooting area for large street trees and to provide adequate streetscape. A four-foot width may be used through parking area pedestrian walks where accent trees are used and less width is required.

h. Vegetated LID facilities that satisfy the intent of Type II landscaping are allowed to count towards landscaping requirements.

i. Landscaping shall be native and drought tolerant with exception of trees on the city’s street tree list.

1. Purpose. To provide visual relief and shade in parking areas.

(1) If the parking area contains no more than twenty-five parking spaces, at least thirty-five square feet of landscape development must be provided for each parking stall proposed.

(2) If the parking area contains more than twenty-five spaces, at least fifty square feet of landscape development must be provided for each parking stall proposed.

(1) The minimum width for Type IV landscaping shall be six feet to provide adequate rooting area for large street trees and to provide adequate streetscape. A four-foot width may be used through parking area pedestrian walks where accent trees are used and less width is required.

(2) Each planting area should contain at least one tree. Planting areas shall be provided with the maximum number of trees possible given recommended spacing for species type. Deciduous trees shall have a minimum size of two inches in caliper measured six inches above the base and shall have the ability to reach a mature height of at least thirty-five feet. Conifers shall have a minimum height of seven feet at planting. Up to one hundred percent of the trees proposed for the parking area may be deciduous. A minimum of seventy percent must be deciduous. Sufficient soil must be provided to enable growth of trees to maturity. Structural solutions may be required when necessary to support trees with limited soil availability. No parking stall shall be located more than fifty feet from a tree.

(3) Provide shrubs at a rate of one shrub per twenty square feet of landscaped area. Shrubs shall be at least sixteen inches tall at planting and have a mature height between three and four feet. Up to fifty percent of shrubs may be deciduous.

(4) Provide ground cover to cover the remainder of the planting strip within three years.

(5) A landscaped area must be placed at the interior end of each parking row in a multiple-lane parking area. This area must be at least eight feet wide and must extend the length of the adjacent parking stall.

(6) Landscaping islands must be placed in every parking row with a maximum spacing of at least one island every seven parking spaces. Said islands shall be a minimum of eight feet in width and shall extend a minimum length of ten feet. Provided, that the site plan review committee may approve of a different configuration in order to provide a more attractive and functional design consistent with the intent of this chapter to promote aesthetic values and a pedestrian-friendly parking lot.

(7) Up to one hundred percent of the trees proposed for the parking area may be deciduous. A minimum of seventy percent must be deciduous.

(8) Landscaping islands and landscape portions of pedestrian corridors may be used for drainage treatment and given credit on drainage calculations under Chapter 5 of the Development Guidelines. However, the primary purpose shall remain landscaping and health of trees and ground cover and aesthetic character shall not be compromised. Additionally in no case shall the grade between the parking lot surface edge and the landscape island or pedestrian corridor surfaces be greater than six inches when a swale concept is utilized and it is intended to meet minimum landscaping space requirements.

(9) Vegetated LID facilities that satisfy the intent of Type IV landscaping are allowed to count towards landscaping requirements.

(10) Landscaping shall be native and drought tolerant with exception of trees on the city’s street tree list.

F. Single-Family Residential. Landscaping is required for the purpose of minimizing surface water runoff and diversion, preventing soil erosion, and promoting the aesthetic character of the community. Native vegetation, ground cover, stands of trees or shrubs existing prior to development of the site may be acceptable to meet the landscaping requirement. All areas subject to clearing and grading that have not been covered by impervious surface, incorporated into a drainage facility or engineered as structural fill or slope shall be amended in accordance with the current City of Lacey Stormwater Design Manual and then landscaped with trees, native and drought-tolerant shrubs and suitable native and drought-tolerant ground cover. Suitable materials for ground cover are those which permit rain water infiltration of the soil and may include sod, shrubs, trees, and/or other native planting materials. Amended soils shall comply with the current City of Lacey Stormwater Design Manual. Single-family residential shall also comply with the provisions of LMC 14.32.066. (Ord. 1539 §128, 2019; Ord. 1496 §106, 2016; Ord. 1310 §53, 2008).

16.80.060 Alternative landscaping option.

A. The applicant may request a modification of the landscaping requirements set forth in LMC 16.80.030 and 16.80.040.

B. The enforcing officer, site plan review committee and/or hearings examiner may approve a modification of the landscaping requirements of this chapter only if:

1. The proposed landscaping implements portions of an urban forestry program or plan duly adopted by the city council;

2. The proposed landscaping represents an equal result that could not have been achieved by strictly following the requirements of this chapter; and

3. The proposed landscaping complies with the stated purpose of this chapter.

C. Natural vegetation or stands of trees existing prior to development of the site may be acceptable to meet all or part of the landscaping requirements. (Ord. 1154 §17, 2001; Ord. 871 §2 (part), 1989).

16.80.070 Species choice.

The applicant shall utilize native regional plant materials or plant materials that complement the natural character of the Pacific Northwest. (Ord. 1496 §107, 2016; Ord. 871 §2 (part), 1989).

16.80.080 Maintenance of plant materials.

A. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner/developer to ensure the provision of healthy, growing landscaping. The property owner shall replace any unhealthy or dead plant materials in conformance with the approved landscape development proposal and shall maintain all landscape material.

B. Unless entirely landscaped with significant trees preserved under LMC 16.80.040, all areas where new landscaping is being required, excepting new single-family lots, shall be provided with irrigation systems designed by a licensed landscape architect, Washington-certified nurseryperson, Washington-certified landscaper or professional engineer. Said irrigation systems shall be designed, installed and operated to maintain the plant materials to the standards detailed in subsection A of this section. The city may waive landscape irrigation provided an alternative method to irrigate the plantings for three years is approved by the city and a maintenance assurance device in the amount of one hundred percent of the replacement cost of the landscape materials is provided.

C. The city shall require a maintenance assurance device to insure compliance with the requirements of this chapter. The value of a maintenance assurance device must equal at least twenty percent of the replacement cost of the landscape materials, and shall be utilized by the city to perform any necessary maintenance, and to reimburse the city for documented administrative costs associated with action on the device. The maintenance assurance shall be for a minimum period of two years from the completion of planting; however, for Type I landscaping, the period shall be three years. The community and economic development director may adjust the period of maintenance assurances on a case-by-case basis. A separate financial guarantee for maintenance associated with landscaping in the right-of-way and stormwater facilities shall be submitted to the public works department in accordance with Section 3.090 of the Development Guidelines and Public Works Standards.

D. The city may accept, as an alternative to a maintenance assurance device, a contractual agreement or bond between the owner/developer and a licensed landscape architect, Washington-certified nurseryperson, or Washington-certified landscaper, along with a rider or endorsement specifically identifying the city as a party to the agreement for purposes of enforcement. Nothing in this alternative shall be interpreted to in any way modify the conditions of subsection B of this section.

E. If a maintenance assurance device or evidence of a similar device is required under subsections B and C of this section, the property owner shall provide the city with an irrevocable notarized agreement granting the city and its agents the right to enter the property and perform any necessary work.

F. Upon completion of the two-year maintenance period (three years for Type I landscaping), and if maintenance is not required, the city shall promptly release the maintenance assurance device or evidence thereof.

G. All trees, plant materials and landscaped areas shall receive sufficient water to be kept in a healthy and growing manner. (Ord. 1539 §129, 2019; Ord. 1496 §108, 2016; Ord. 1480 §26, 2015; Ord. 1310 §54, 2008; Ord. 1179 §11, 2002; Ord. 965 §17, 1993; Ord. 871 §2 (part), 1989).

16.80.090 Performance assurance.

A. The city may accept, as an alternative to a performance assurance device, a contractual agreement or bond between the owner/developer and a licensed landscape architect, Washington-certified nurseryperson, or Washington-certified landscaper, along with a rider or endorsement specifically identifying the city as a party to the agreement for purposes of enforcement. Nothing in this alternative shall be interpreted to in any way modify the conditions of this subsection A.

B. If a performance assurance device or evidence of a similar device is required under subsection A of this section, the enforcing officer shall determine the specific type of assurance device required in order to insure completion of the required landscaping in accordance with the approved landscaping plan. The value of this device must equal one hundred fifty percent of the estimated cost of the landscaping to be performed, and shall be utilized by the city to perform any necessary work, and to reimburse the city for documented administrative costs associated with action on the device. If costs incurred by the city exceed the amount provided by the assurance device, the property owner shall reimburse the city in full, or the city may file a lien against the subject property for the amount of any deficit.

C. The performance assurance shall be held for a maximum period of one year from the date of acceptance by the city until the landscaping has been installed to the satisfaction of the community and economic development director. Any landscaping not installed after the period of one year shall be grounds for the city to utilize the device to install the necessary landscaping.

D. If a performance assurance device or evidence of a similar device is required under subsection A of this section, the property owner shall provide the city with an irrevocable notarized agreement granting the city and its agents the right to enter the property and perform any required work remaining undone at the expiration of the assurance device.

E. Upon completion of the required landscaping by the property owner, at or prior to expiration of the assurance device, the city shall promptly release the performance assurance device or evidence thereof. (Ord. 1539 §130, 2019; Ord. 1208 §72, 2003; Ord. 1179 §12, 2002; Ord. 1044 §27, 1996; Ord. 965 §18, 1993; Ord. 871 §2 (part), 1989).

16.80.100 Landscape features.

Landscape features such as decorative paving, sculptures or fountains are permitted in the required landscaping area, except where they conflict with the purpose of this chapter. The area devoted to such a feature may not exceed twenty-five percent of the required area. (Ord. 1310 §55, 2008; Ord. 871 §2 (part), 1989).

16.80.110 Repealed

Repealed by Ord. 1480 . (Ord. 1310 §56, 2008).