The landscaping and buffering requirements specified in this chapter are intended to foster aesthetically pleasing development which will protect and preserve the appearance, character, health, safety and welfare of the community. These regulations are intended to increase the compatibility of adjacent uses and, in doing so, minimize the harmful impacts of noise, dust and debris, motor vehicle headlight glare or other artificial light intrusions, and other objectionable activities or impacts conducted or created by an adjoining or nearby use, thereby fostering compatibility among different land uses. These regulations are also intended to preserve, enhance and expand the urban forest and promote the prudent use of water and energy resources. Off street parking and unloading facilities within the PO-1, NC-1, CC-1 and GC-1 Zones are subject to section 18.92.030 of this title. (Ord. 2017-01, 4-19-2017, eff. 5-12-2017)

   A.   Whenever the submission and approval of a landscape plan is required by this chapter, such plan shall be an integral part of any application for a commercial project plan approval, SDP proposal, assisted living center proposal, multiple-family development proposal, building permit or occupancy permit (aforementioned uses only). No such permits or approvals shall be issued without City approval of a landscape plan as required in this chapter.

   B.   The Planning Commission may approve a project plan modifying the standards of this chapter if the property owner seeking development approval presents substantial evidence for the modification. The Planning Commission shall determine if the proposed modification constitutes an innovative landscaping design superior to the required landscaping standards. If the Planning Commission grants a modification under this subsection, it shall make particularized findings justifying the modification. (Ord. 2016-01, 5-18-2016, eff. 6-16-2016)

Developments should be designed to incorporate existing large trees, clusters of trees or clusters of large shrubs. (Ord. 2024-03, 4-10-2024)

The following definitions shall apply to the regulation and control of landscaping within this title:

ANNUAL: A plant which completes its life cycle within one year of germination.

BIENNIAL: A plant which completes its life cycle in two (2) years.

BOTANICAL NAME: The Latin scientific name of a plant.

BUFFERING: The use of landscaping (other than mere grass on flat terrain), or the use of landscaping along with berms, walls or decorative fences that at least partially obstruct the view from the street, in a continuous manner, of vehicular use areas, parking lots and parked cars, and detention ponds.

CALIPER: A standard trunk diameter measurement for nursery grown trees taken six inches (6") above the ground for trees up to and including four inch (4") caliper size, and twelve inches (12") above the ground for larger size trees.

CULTIVAR: The plant variety originated in cultivation and not in the wild.

DECIDUOUS: A plant that loses its leaves at the end of the growing season.

DEEP SOAK IRRIGATION SYSTEM: An underground system meant for watering trees in parkway areas.

DETENTION AREA OR DETENTION BASIN OR RETENTION BASIN: A temporary storage of a determined quantity of water with a release rate that is either fixed or variable.

DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE: The committee established to review all applications for development.

DRIP IRRIGATION: A network of narrow tubes or porous tubing which delivers small amounts of water to individual plants in order to reduce the amount of water wasted due to wind, evaporation or spillage.

DRIP LINE: A vertical line extending from the outermost edge of the tree canopy or shrub branch to the ground.

EVERGREEN: A plant which retains its leaves in a living state during the winter.

FOUNDATION AREA: The ground area immediately adjacent to a building on all sides thereof.

GENUS: A class of plants divided into subordinate species.

GROUND COVER: A prostrate plant less than two feet (2') in height at maturity and used for ornamental purposes.

HARDSCAPE: Landscaping which may include interior decorative walkways, curbing or patio areas.

HARDY: A plant which can withstand prolonged exposure to temperatures at or below forty five degrees Fahrenheit (45°F).

ISLAND: A raised planting area, usually curbed, and placed to guide traffic, separate lanes, limit paving (impervious surface), preserve existing vegetation and increase aesthetic quality in parking lots and other areas.

LANDSCAPE PLAN: The preparation of graphic and written criteria, specifications, and detailed plans to arrange and modify the effects of natural features such as plantings, ground and water forms, circulation, walks and other features to comply with the provisions of this chapter.

LANDSCAPE YARDS: A yard devoted exclusively to landscaping except that driveways and sidewalks needed to serve the use and buildings on the lot may be located within a required landscape yard.

LANDSCAPING: Any combination of living plants, such as trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, flowers or grass; natural features such as rock, stone, bark chips or shavings; and structural features, including, but not limited to, fountains, reflecting pools, outdoor artwork, screen walls, fences, or benches.

MICROCLIMATE: A specific expression of the wind, temperature, and precipitation patterns of a specific site or property.

MULCH: Any loose, usually organic, material placed over the soil as a protective covering or for decorative purposes such as ground bark, sawdust, leaves, compost or straw.

PARKING LOT PLANTINGS: A planting area, within or adjacent to a parking area, designed to shade and improve the attractiveness of large areas of pavement.

PARKWAY AREA: The strip of land next to a road which is between the curb and the sidewalk.

PERENNIAL: A plant which will live for three (3) years or more under normal conditions.

PLANTING AREA: The area prepared for the purpose of accommodating the planting of trees, shrubs, and ground covers.

RETENTION AREA: An area designed and used for the temporary or permanent storage of stormwater runoff.

ROOT BALL: Matted roots plus enclosed soil within the pot of a container grown plant.

SHRUB: A small, medium, or large upright plant growing less than five feet (5') to twenty feet (20') in height at maturity that is planted for ornamental or screening purposes.

SITE ANALYSIS PLAN: A plan drawn with sufficient detail to show existing site conditions including steep slopes, wetlands, watercourses, existing vegetation, scenic views, drainageways, fences, easements, and other existing features pertaining to the proposed site.

SPECIES: A category of plants ranking below genus.

STREET TREE OR PUBLIC TREE: A tree in any public place, located on Mapleton City property, or street rights of way, including, but not limited to, parkway areas.

STREET YARD: A planting area parallel to a public street designed to provide continuity of vegetation along the right of way and to soften the impact of development by providing a pleasing view from the street.

TREE: A woody plant with a distinct central trunk.

TREE, ORNAMENTAL: A small to medium tree, growing fifteen (15) to forty feet (40') in height at maturity, that is planted for aesthetic purposes such as colorful flowers, interesting bark, or fall foliage.

TREE PROTECTION ZONE: The area around a tree corresponding to the drip line or ten feet (10') in all directions from the trunk.

TREE, SHADE: A large tree, growing to over forty feet (40') in height at maturity, planted to provide canopy cover shade.

VARIETY: One of possibly many closely related plant species.

XERISCAPE: A reduced water usage landscape achieved through the use of good planning and design, limited turf areas, soil improvements, efficient irrigation, mulching, low water use plants, and appropriate trees, shrubs, and ground cover. (Ord. 2016-01, 5-18-2016, eff. 6-16-2016)

It is the intent of this section to encourage aesthetically pleasing front yards and the use of water conserving landscaping. This section shall apply to all new subdivision lots. This section shall only apply to the front yards of residential homes. For the purposes of this section, the “front yard” shall be defined as the area between the front property line and the front wall of the dwelling. Unless otherwise agreed upon by the developer of a subdivision, the homeowner, within one calendar year of receiving a certificate of occupancy, must provide landscaping with the following minimum standards:

   A.   The front yard of any lot containing a dwelling shall include landscaping. The term “landscaping” shall mean and include the installation of any combination of turf (including either sod or seeded area), planter beds, gardens, trees, shrubs, ground cover, wood chips, mulch, rocks and boulders. At least thirty percent (30%) of the area not covered in hardscape shall include vegetation (i.e., turf, plants, shrubs, trees, etc.).

   B.   Xeriscape designs are permitted and encouraged provided, however, that the failure of an owner to install and maintain landscaping within the front yard under the guise that the vegetation and bare ground that occur naturally on the site constitutes xeriscaping shall not qualify as conforming with the provisions of this section.

   C.   No more than forty five percent (45%) of the area within the front yard setback shall include hardscape. For the purposes of this section “hardscape” shall be defined as any nonpermeable hard surface located within the front setback (i.e., driveways, walkways, porch, stoop, patio, etc.). If a public sidewalk is located within a public utility easement on the lot, the sidewalk shall not be included in the hardscape limitations.

   D.   A landscape plan shall be submitted with a building permit application detailing how the proposed landscaping will comply with this section.

   E.   The property owner is required to maintain the landscaping in an attractive manner. Grass and weeds shall be maintained at a height of not more than six inches (6") at any time. Dead, decayed, diseased, or hazardous trees, weeds, hedges, and overgrown or uncultivated vegetation that is in a hazardous condition, is an obstruction to pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or that is likely to harbor rats, vermin, or other pests shall be considered a nuisance and shall not be permitted.

   F.   Automatic surface sprinkling system for front yard is encouraged. This will include lawn area, parkway in front of house and between sidewalk and curb. Each station should provide sufficient water to meet needs of plants being watered.

   G.   Separate deep soak irrigation system for street trees and trees planted in planter strips between curb and sidewalk is also encouraged. A drip irrigation system is encouraged for other planting areas.

   H.   Where a parkway or planter strip is present, see section 18.90.120 of this title. (Ord. 2016-01, 5-18-2016, eff. 6-16-2016; amd. Ord. 2024-03, 4-10-2024)

A landscape plan shall be required whenever landscaping or alteration of existing landscaping is required by this title (excluding section 18.90.050 of this chapter) or title 17 of this code, and shall be submitted with the initial application for approval. Such landscape plan shall conform to the requirements specified in this chapter. (Ord. 2016-01, 5-18-2016, eff. 6-16-2016; amd. Ord. 2024-03, 4-10-2024)

   A.   All landscaping shall be installed in accordance with planting procedures established by the American Nursery And Landscape Association and ANSI Z60.1-1996. The installation of all plants required by this chapter may be delayed until the next optimal planting season, as determined by the planning department, subject to the posting of a bond to guarantee installation.

   B.   All landscaping materials, fences and walls, and irrigation systems shall be maintained in good condition so as to present a healthy, neat and orderly appearance, and shall be replaced when necessary. The owner of the premises shall be responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of all landscaping materials, fences and walls. (Ord. 2016-01, 5-18-2016, eff. 6-16-2016)

   A.   Within the SDP zone the following landscaping provisions shall apply:

      1.   At the time of rezoning and preliminary project plan approval, an overall landscaping plan shall be submitted showing typical landscaping (including type, size, number, and location of plant materials) for the following areas: project entrances, perimeter buffers, open space easements and common areas, and streetscape landscaping. Detailed landscape plans for individual lots shall be submitted at the time of project plan approval for individual buildings. Landscape improvements for common open space features shall be developed at each phase of the project.

      2.   A minimum of thirty five percent (35%) of the overall project site and individual lots shall be maintained in permanent landscaped open space.

      3.   Internal circulation roads shall be landscaped with street trees and street side planters. A minimum ten foot (10') width shall be landscaped adjoining the right of way of any such street or road. Streetscape planting shall be consistent throughout the development to provide a unifying landscape theme. Details for these areas shall be submitted with the overall landscape plan at the time of preliminary plat approval. (Ord. 2016-01, 5-18-2016, eff. 6-16-2016)

   A.   All parking lots designed for six (6) or more parking spaces shall provide landscaping in accordance with the provisions of this section. Smaller parking lots shall not be required to provide landscaping other than yard area landscaping and landscaped buffer requirements as specified in other sections of this chapter.

   B.   Parking areas shall be landscaped at a rate of at least four (4) square feet of landscaping per required off street parking stall. Landscaping areas located along the perimeter of a parking lot (beyond the curb or edge of pavement of the parking lot, up to a depth of 10 feet) may be included toward satisfying this requirement. Deciduous trees shall be planted within said parking area landscaping in a manner such that, at maturity of said trees, at least twenty five percent (25%) of the paved surface area of the parking area will be shaded when the sun is directly overhead.

   C.   Landscaped areas shall be improved in conformance with the following requirements:

      1.   Interior parking lot landscaping areas shall be dispersed throughout the parking lot. Landscaped islands shall be required at the end of the parking rows, and at the midpoint of parking rows which exceed ten (10) parking stalls, or every ten (10) stalls if parking rows exceed twenty (20) stalls.

      2.   Interior parking lot landscaping areas shall be a minimum of one hundred twenty (120) square feet in area and shall be a minimum of five feet (5') in width, as measured from back of curb to back of curb.

   D.   The plants used to improve the landscape areas defined above shall conform to the following:

      1.   Primary plant materials used in the interior parking lots shall be deciduous shade tree species in conformance with applicable provisions of section 18.90.070 of this chapter. Ornamental trees, shrubbery, hedges, and other plants may be used to supplement the shade tree plantings in perimeter planting areas, but shall not be the only plants used in such landscaping.

      2.   One shade tree shall be provided for every one hundred twenty (120) square feet of landscaping area.

      3.   A minimum of fifty percent (50%) of every interior parking lot landscaping area shall be planted with ground cover at a density that will achieve complete cover within two (2) years.

   E.   Six inch by six inch (6" x 6") minimum poured concrete curb controls shall be constructed around all required landscaping within the interior of parking lots for the protection of the landscaping, except as follows:

      1.   In the I&M-1 zone, hard surfaced areas used as operational yard areas for trucks, trailers and other incidental vehicles, other than passenger automobiles and light trucks, and which are not parking lots for employees, clients, and customers, shall be exempt from parking lot interior landscaping requirements. (Ord. 2016-01, 5-18-2016, eff. 6-16-2016)

   A.   The requirements of this section shall establish the dimensions and improvement requirements of landscape buffers as required for transitions between dissimilar uses.

   B.   Landscape buffers shall be reserved for vegetation and fencing. No parking, driveways, sidewalks, accessory buildings or other impervious surfaces shall be permitted, unless specifically authorized through the project plan review process. Landscape buffers may be located within required landscape yards as established in the applicable zone regulations. Where both landscape buffers and parking lot landscaping is required the more restrictive shall apply.

   C.   The width of landscape buffers shall be a minimum of ten feet (10'), subject to the following requirements:

      1.   Shade trees shall be planted at the rate of one tree for every thirty (30) linear feet of landscape buffer. (Ord. 2016-01, 5-18-2016, eff. 6-16-2016; amd. Ord. 2024-03, 4-10-2024)

When a project in a commercial zone abuts a residential zone a solid wall at least eight feet (8) feet in height shall be constructed along the property line. The wall shall be decorative block (CMU), precast concrete, or masonry unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission. The wall shall be consistent between adjacent commercial parcels. The Planning Commission may allow a fence or wall of six (6) feet in height for uses that are not anticipated to generate significant noise impacts. Examples may include office, clinics, non drive-through restaurant and financial institutions. (Ord. 2024-03, 4-10-2024)

   A.   All parkways in new developments shall be landscaped in conformance with the provisions of this section.

   B.   Parkways two feet (2') or more in width shall be landscaped with turf grass or with an approved xeriscape design. Parkways less than two feet (2') in width may be landscaped with impervious materials including brick pavers, concrete pavers or concrete. Asphalt shall not be permitted. For xeriscape designs a landscape plan shall be submitted that satisfies the following:

      1.   Plant Coverage: Thirty percent (30%) or more of the parkway surface be covered with vegetation, not including required street trees, within three (3) years of planting or when planting has reached maturity, whichever comes first. For lots with two (2) or more street frontages, this standard shall be applied separately to each adjacent parkway on each street frontage. Water conserving plants shall constitute at least eighty percent (80%) of all plants used. With the exception of trees, no planting material shall exceed thirty six inches (36") in height at maturity.

   C.   Parkways four feet (4') or more in width shall include trees. Such trees shall be spaced not more than thirty feet (30') apart and shall have a minimum caliper size of one inch (1").

   D.   Vegetation which causes a public safety problem, as determined by the city engineer, may be removed by the city.

   E.   Occupancy permits for new commercial or multi-family residential buildings shall not be issued unless abutting parkway landscaping has been installed or a bond provided to guarantee installation.

   F.   Where a parkway strip has been installed, the abutting property owner shall provide landscaping as provided in this section and shall continue to maintain the landscaping in a healthy, safe, attractive, and nuisance free condition. This shall include taking appropriate measures to water and trim plant materials, and to keep the parkway weed free.

   G.   It shall be unlawful for any person to remove from a parkway any landscaping required by the provisions of this chapter. This provision shall not apply to routine parkway maintenance.

   H.   In all new subdivisions and developments requiring street improvements (curb, gutter, sidewalks and street trees), the developer shall, as part of the development, install the concrete work around the parkway strip, along with sleeves underneath or through the sidewalk to accommodate eventual deep soak irrigation system.

   I.   Unless a developer agrees to install landscaping in a parkway it shall be the homeowner’s responsibility to install said trees and landscaping. The trees shall conform to the adopted Mapleton City tree list or otherwise approved by the Community Development Director.

   J.   General tree care and maintenance is the responsibility of the property owner. However, Mapleton City may periodically prune and spray parkway trees as needed to allow for proper street and sidewalk maintenance. Utah Power And Light may, with the city’s permission, maintain safe distances between tree limbs and power lines in the area.

      1.   If a parkway tree needs to be removed because of disease or death, the property owner shall be responsible to remove it and replace it. (Ord. 2016-01, 5-18-2016, eff. 6-16-2016; amd. Ord. 2024-03, 4-10-2024)

   A.   A property owner that abuts or adjoins a public right-of-way that does not include curb, gutter, parkway or sidewalk may install landscaping up to the road pavement edge with the following restrictions:

      1.   Landscaping is limited to grasses, deciduous trees and/or groundcover. Trees shall be setback at least six (6) feet from the road pavement edge.

      2.   No fencing, walls or landscape boulders are permitted.

      3.   Mapleton City is not responsible for impacts to landscaping that may occur during the course of normal City operations within the right-of-way.

      4.   Maintenance of existing trees within the right-of-way shall be the responsibility of the abutting land owner. (Ord. 2024-03, 4-10-2024)

Bonding shall be required for all landscaping improvements prior to obtaining a building permit or commencing work on any commercial or industrial project where landscaping is required by this title. Bonds shall be subject to the requirements as outlined in the adopted Mapleton City bond form. (Ord. 2016-01, 5-18-2016, eff. 6-16-2016; amd. Ord. 2024-03, 4-10-2024)

If the remodeling of a building in any zone causes the exterior of the building to be enlarged, the landscaping requirements of this chapter shall apply, with the following limitations:

   A.   The requirements of this chapter shall not apply where those requirements would conflict with parking requirements, be incompatible with the design of existing buildings, or impair ingress or egress to existing buildings or parking areas.

   B.   The requirements of this chapter shall not be applied to require improvements which cost more than ten percent (10%) of a total remodeling project. (Ord. 2016-01, 5-18-2016, eff. 6-16-2016)

   A.   All landscaping shall be installed and maintained in conformance with an approved landscape plan. Any modification to an approved plan shall require approval of the planning commission or its designee.

      1.   Bonding for all landscape improvements shall be held until required landscaping is inspected and shown to conform to the approved landscape plan.

      2.   Unauthorized changes to a landscape plan shall be corrected by the person responsible for deviating therefrom. Unauthorized changes which remain uncorrected shall be a violation of this chapter and subject to the fines and penalties established in this code.

   B.   The planning department is hereby authorized to bring actions against property owners for violations of this chapter. (Ord. 2016-01, 5-18-2016, eff. 6-16-2016)