Live Oak City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 17
27 STANDARDS FOR LANDSCAPING
§ 17.27.010 Purpose.
This chapter establishes requirements for landscaping to enhance the appearance of development, provide shade, reduce heat and glare, control soil erosion, screen potentially incompatible uses, enhance the quality of neighborhoods and improve air quality.
(Ord. 526 § 1, 2010)
§ 17.27.020 Applicability.
The requirements of this chapter shall be applied to all new development and, to the extent reasonably feasible, enlargement or increase in capacity of any building or change of type of use. Single-family residences and two-family residences are exempt from this chapter except as provided in Section 17.27.110.
(Ord. 526 § 1, 2010)
§ 17.27.030 California Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
The California Model Water Efficient Ordinance, Title 23, Division 2, Chapter 2.7 of the California Code of Regulations, as amended, is hereby adopted by reference into this landscaping ordinance. Whenever a conflict arises between the State code and the standards provided in this chapter, the more restrictive shall apply.
(Ord. 526 § 1, 2010)
§ 17.27.040 Landscape plans.
A.
Preliminary Landscape Plan. A preliminary landscape plan is a conceptual plan that is to be submitted as part of the application for all projects that receive Planning Commission review.
B.
Final Landscape Plan. A detailed landscaping plan shall be submitted to and approved by the Planning Director prior to issuance of a building permit.
(Ord. 526 § 1, 2010)
§ 17.27.050 Areas to be landscaped.
A.
Parking Lots. Parking lots of five or more spaces shall provide landscape areas in the interior of the parking lot based on the number of spaces, as follows:
Number of Parking Spaces | Percent of Total Parking Area to Be Landscaped |
|---|---|
5—24 | 5.0% |
24—49 | 7.5% |
50+ | 10% |
B.
Property Perimeters.
1.
Street Frontages. All areas adjacent to a public street shall be landscaped with a planter averaging at least 10 feet in width. Additionally, any excess right-of-way shall be landscaped in conjunction with the street frontage landscaping, subject to an encroachment permit from the appropriate public agency.
2.
Interior Property Lines. When a commercial or industrial zone district adjoins a residential zone district, or if an R-3 Zone District adjoins and R-1 or R-2 Zone District, a five-foot-wide landscape planter shall be provided along the common property line, but inside of any masonry wall, as provided in Section 17.24.030.D.
C.
Building Perimeters. Any portion of a building that faces customer parking or a public street shall have 20% of the building frontage landscaped.
(Ord. 526 § 1, 2010)
§ 17.27.060 Clear vision triangle.
Any landscaping within the clear vision triangle shall meet the height standards provided in Section 17.24.040.
(Ord. 526 § 1, 2010)
§ 17.27.070 Landscaping materials.
A.
Tree and Shading Standards.
1.
Existing Trees. Existing trees shall be maintained whenever possible and may be used in lieu of planting new trees.
2.
Street Trees. Street frontage landscaping areas must be planted with trees at 30-foot intervals with trees types approved by the City.
3.
Parking Lot Shading. All parking lots shall include shade tree planting designed so that a minimum of 50% of the parking area (includes spaces and back-out areas) is shaded within 15 years of planting.
4.
Minimum Tree Size. All newly planted trees shall be a minimum of 15 gallons in size with a minimum one inch diameter at breast height.
B.
Amount/Types of Vegetation.
1.
Coverage. Vegetation within required landscape areas shall consist of shrubbery, ground cover, and lawns in a quantity such that within five years of planting, at least 50% of the required landscape area shall be covered with living vegetation.
2.
Buffer Landscaping. Required interior side yard perimeter landscaping intended to buffer differing uses, as required in Section 17.24.030.D, shall be heavily landscaped to the extent that it will provide a visual buffer between the uses.
3.
Variation of Trees. Varied tree and other plant species shall be used throughout the parking lot. A single tree species shall not exceed 60% of the on-site trees.
4.
Turf and Drought Tolerant Plants. Lawn shall not exceed 25% of the landscaped area. The use of drought tolerant species and native species is encouraged.
(Ord. 526 § 1, 2010)
§ 17.27.080 Protection of vegetation.
A.
Vehicle Overhang Areas. Where a vehicle overhang of two and one-half feet or less is utilized, the underlying vegetation shall be low growing.
B.
Curbs. All required parking lot landscaping shall be within planters bounded by a concrete curb at least six inches high and six inches wide.
(Ord. 526 § 1, 2010)
§ 17.27.090 Irrigation standards and procedures for water efficiency.
All landscape areas shall be served by an irrigation system consisting of underground piped water lines with low flow sprinklers and/or drip or bubbler systems. Due to varying irrigation requirements, separate control valves and sprinkler and emitter heads shall be utilized when shrubs and lawn are utilized in the same area. The irrigation system shall be designed to minimize over-spray and runoff to nonirrigated areas. Irrigation plans shall include the following to provide better water efficiency for all landscape areas:
A.
Narrow Areas. Sprinklers should not be used in areas less than five feet wide. Drip and bubbler systems shall be used in areas where watering needs do not exceed one and one-half gallons per minute per device.
B.
Automatic Controller. All irrigation systems shall be equipped with an automatic controller capable of multiple system programming. The controller shall have multiple cycle start capacity and a flexible calendar system.
C.
Pop-Up Sprinklers. Pop-up sprinklers in lawn areas shall have at least a four-inch pop-up height.
D.
Rain Shut-Off Valves. All required irrigation systems shall be equipped with automatic rain shut-off devices.
(Ord. 526 § 1, 2010)
§ 17.27.100 Completion of landscaping installation.
A.
Timing. All required landscaping shall be installed in conformance with the standards of this chapter, prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy; or
B.
Surety to Delay Completion. A surety in the amount of 150% of the estimated cost of the landscaping, including materials and labor, is on file with the City. The surety must guarantee that the required landscaping is installed within 120 days of issuance of the certificate of occupancy and an agreement is filed with the City to assure completion of the landscaping within such time. The surety may take the form of cash deposit, irrevocable letter of credit or bond; and together with the agreement, will provide for payment to the City of any costs incurred contracting for completion of the required landscaping.
(Ord. 526 § 1, 2010)
§ 17.27.110 Landscaping for one-family and two-family residences.
Prior to occupancy of any new one-family or two-family residence or prior to the completion of a remodel of a one-family or two-family residence, where the cost of the remodel exceeds 50% of the building value, as determined by the Building Official, the following minimum landscaping is required:
A.
There shall be at least one tree planted in all yards facing a street.
B.
Trees shall be a minimum of 15 gallons in size and planted in accordance with City standards. All trees shall be watered by an automatic irrigation system.
C.
All trees shall be planted adequate distance from public sidewalks, as specified by the City.
D.
Existing healthy trees on the site should be maintained whenever possible, in lieu of planting a new tree.
E.
Not more than 50% of the landscaped area of front and street-side yards shall consist of nonliving materials including gravel, landscape rock, artificial turf, concrete or other nonliving material.
(Ord. 526 § 1, 2010)
§ 17.27.120 Maintenance.
All plantings shall be maintained in a healthy growing condition. Such maintenance shall include, where appropriate, pruning, mowing, weeding, fertilizing, and regular water. Whenever necessary, plantings shall be replaced with other plant materials to ensure continued compliance with all applicable landscaping requirements. Landscaping and irrigation systems shall be located, designed and maintained as specified on the approved landscaping plans. Trees shall be maintained by property owners to be free from physical damage arising from lack of water, chemical damage, accidents, vandalism, insects and disease. Trees showing such damage shall be replaced with another tree.
(Ord. 526 § 1, 2010)