The purpose of this chapter is to establish landscaping regulations that are intended to:

(a)

Enhance the aesthetic appearance of development in all areas of the city by providing standards relating to quality, quantity and functional aspects of landscaping and landscape screening.

(b)

Increase compatibility between residential and abutting commercial and industrial land uses.

(c)

Reduce the heat and glare generated by development.

(d)

Protect public health, safety, and welfare by minimizing the impact of all forms of physical and visual pollution, controlling soil erosion, screening incompatible land uses, preserving the integrity of neighborhoods, and enhancing pedestrian and vehicular traffic and safety.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98)

A concept landscaping plan (which may be included on a detailed site plan) shall be submitted as part of a permit application, pursuant to chapter 9.55 (Applications and Fees).

The concept plan shall meet the intent of this chapter by exhibiting a generalized design layout which adequately demonstrates the desired landscaping program in terms of location, size/scale, function, theme and similar attributes. The concept plan shall provide the review authority with a clear understanding of the landscaping program prior to the preparation of a detailed, comprehensive landscaping plan.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98)

The comprehensive landscaping plan shall be prepared only after approval of the permit application by the review authority. Submittal of the comprehensive plan shall be concurrent with the required grading plan(s) and other documents and reports.

This section and those that follow provide the regulations to be followed in the preparation of the comprehensive landscaping plan/program. In addition to the following regulations, the director may require further information to ensure effective implementation of a comprehensive landscape/irrigation plan.

(a)

Landscaping plans shall be prepared by a landscape architect registered to practice in the State of California.

(b)

Landscape designs shall be in harmony with the surrounding environment.

(c)

Landscape design and construction shall emphasize drought-tolerant landscaping whenever/wherever possible.

(d)

A fully dimensioned comprehensive landscape/irrigation plan shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1)

List of plants (common and Latin);

(2)

Size;

(3)

Location;

(4)

Irrigation plan;

(5)

Hardscape;

(6)

Water elements; and/or

(7)

Any other information deemed necessary by the director.

(e)

The planting of trees, shrubs and ground cover shall comply with the following installation requirements:

(1)

A minimum of 15 percent of the net site area shall be landscaped.

(2)

Landscape areas shall have plant material selected and plant methods used which are suitable for the soil and climatic conditions of the site. Sizes of the plant materials shall conform to the following minimum mix:

Trees:
20 percent, 24-inch box;
50 percent, 15-gallon; and
30 percent, 5-gallon

Shrubs:
60 percent, 5-gallon; and
40 percent, 1-gallon

Ground cover:
100 percent, within one year

In addition, mature specimen trees in 36 inch and 48 inch boxes shall be provided in sufficient quantity, subject to the approval of the director, to provide variety and emphasis of focal areas in the landscaping plan.

(3)

Trees shall be long-lived (minimum life expectancy of 60 years), clean, require little maintenance, be structurally strong, insect and disease resistant, and require little pruning.

(4)

Trees and shrubs shall be planted so that at maturity they do not interfere with utility service lines, traffic safety sight areas, and basic property rights of adjacent property owners, particularly the right of solar access pursuant to section 9.20.015 (Solar Energy Development Standards).

(5)

Trees planted near public curbs shall have a limited root structure and shall be installed so as to prevent physical damage to sidewalks, curbs, gutters and other public improvements. A deep root system shall be used.

(f)

Where trees are planted in paved areas, they shall have a protected tree gate. Tree gates shall be cast iron with a natural finish. A deep root system shall be used.

(g)

Concrete mow strips shall be required to separate all turf areas from other landscaped areas.

(h)

Buffer planting shall occur along all freeways and major arterials in order to visually screen uses and provide noise reduction. This landscaping shall be in addition to the screening requirements outlined in section 9.27.020.

(i)

Appropriate shrubbery and creeping vines shall be provided along all walls and fences adjoining public rights-of-way.

(j)

When inorganic ground cover is used, it shall be in combination with live plants and shall be limited to an accent feature.

(k)

All landscaped areas shall have an approved automatic irrigation system(s).

(l)

All residential developments shall be provided with trees, shrubs, ground cover, and automatic irrigation systems of a type and quality generally compatible with single-family dwellings in the front yard and that portion of the side yards visible from the public rights-of-way and shall be permanently maintained pursuant to section 9.27.040.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98)

Each development shall be provided with sufficient screening so that neighboring properties are effectively shielded from any potential adverse impacts of that development or so that the new developing use shields itself from exiting potential impacts from uses already in operation.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98)

Landscape plans for setback and parkway areas shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a)

Setback and parkway areas shall be properly designed and landscaped in order to establish a high level of development quality while providing for neighborhood identity where appropriate. The design shall utilize uniform street tree plantings with complementary landscape materials.

(b)

Provide a design which ensures the desired screening, shading, appearance and compatibility with established setback and parkway areas, including a sensitive transition between diverse landscape types and patterns.

(c)

Incorporate mounding within the overall design, with landscaped slopes not exceeding a 3:1 ratio, or three feet in height. A minimum depth of six feet of landscaping shall be placed on the exterior side of all perimeter walls and fences.

(d)

Incorporate walls and fences into the landscape design, including the special treatment of meandering walls, and wall breaks or openings where the design shall complement the interior landscaping of the adjacent development.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98)

Landscape plans for any development involving corner parcels shall include additional special design requirements, including, but not limited to, the following:

(a)

A minimum landscape area of 500 square feet for each corner area adjacent to a "major/secondary arterial" street, and 300 square feet for each corner area adjacent to a "collector" street.

(b)

Incorporate significant landscape and water features, including specimen trees, coordination with wall breaks or openings, and special "city entry" image treatment, wherever appropriate.

(c)

Specimen trees shall be a minimum of 24-inch box size.

(d)

Ensure that any corner landscape plan within a "traffic safety sight area" shall be designed to protect public safety.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98)

All required landscaping shall be properly installed, irrigated, inspected and maintained prior to use inauguration or the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, whichever first occurs.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98)

(a)

Maintenance of approved landscaping shall consist of regular watering, mowing, pruning, fertilizing, clearing of debris and weeds, the removal and timely replacement of dead plants, and the repair and timely replacement of irrigation systems and integrated architectural features.

(b)

Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the landowner shall file, with the department, a maintenance agreement and easement subject to the approval of the city attorney. The agreement and easement shall ensure that if the landowner, or subsequent owner(s) fails to maintain the required/installed site improvements, the city may file an appropriate lien(s) against the property in order to accomplish the required maintenance.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98)

Removal of healthy, shade providing, aesthetically valuable trees shall be discouraged.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98)

All landscape plans shall be subject to the applicable regulations of this code, including provisions located in the following chapters:

(a)

Chapter 9.48 Conditional Use Permits

(b)

Chapter 9.26 Off-Street Loading Standards

(c)

Chapter 9.25 Off-Street Parking Standards

(d)

Chapter 9.47 Planned Development Permits

(e)

Chapter 9.20 Property Development Standards

(f)

Chapter 9.29 Sign Standards

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98)