Moab City Zoning Code
17.10 Landscaping
Standards
17.10.010 Intent.
The intent of the landscaping requirements in this title shall be to enhance and preserve the community quality of life and property values by enriching the visual environment, supporting public safety, and contributing to a resilient and sustainable environment. (Ord. 23-08 § 3, 2023)
17.10.020 Scope and applicability.
In landscaped areas or where landscaping is required, such landscaping shall comply with the requirements set forth in this title for the specific use and location. The specific requirements relating to landscaping standards shall comply with the level of associated requirements based on scale of development, outlined in the review and procedures section of this title. Exemptions and exceptions are outlined in the review procedures.
A. Required Landscaping.
1. In addition to the specific sections of the Moab Municipal Code requiring landscaping, screening, or buffering, the requirements and regulations specified in this title shall apply to all provisions and processes requiring landscaping, including:
a. Permitted residential uses, including single-household dwellings, two-household dwellings, and multi-household dwellings between three and six units, shall require at least seventy percent of the area contained within a required front or side yard adjacent to a street in any residential or residential-agricultural zone shall be landscaped.
B. Reserved Landscaping Standards.
1. Where specific landscaping standards apply through requirements of a particular use or approval criteria, the more direct requirements of that section shall apply in addition to the standards included in this chapter relating to water conservation methods.
2. Any governing documents, such as bylaws, operating rules, covenants, conditions, and restrictions that govern the operation of a common interest development, are void and unenforceable if they:
a. Prohibit, or include conditions that have the effect of prohibiting, the use of water-conserving plants as a group; or
b. Have the effect of prohibiting or restricting compliance with this chapter. (Ord. 23-08 § 3, 2023)
17.10.030 Landscaping – Maintenance.
Required landscaped areas shall be maintained in a live, clean, orderly, and healthful condition. This is meant to include proper pruning, mowing lawns, weeding, removal of litter, fertilizing, and replacement of dead plants. (Ord. 23-08 § 3, 2023)
17.10.040 General standards.
A. Landscape Material.
1. Plant Material.
a. A minimum of twenty-five percent of the landscaped area coverage must be living plant materials, measured by the spread of plants at maturity. Tree canopies can be included as up to fifteen of the required twenty-five percent.
b. Right-of Way and Private Street Trees.
i. A minimum of one tree for every forty linear feet of street frontage is required in the right-of-way or adjacent to the private street except as outlined in this section.
ii. Required trees shall be a minimum of one-and-one-half inch diameter measured six inches above the soil surface or bare root. Bare root trees may be 2-1, 2-2, P-1 and P-2 stock types.
iii. Trees planted in park strips shall be from among those identified as appropriate for the location on the approved plant list.
iv. All trees planted in the right-of-way with medium or higher water requirements must be irrigated. Trees in the right-of-way with low water requirements can be hand watered until maturity.
v. Standard planting areas for trees shall be no less than eight feet in width.
vi. There shall be no gap between trees greater than one hundred and twenty feet, trunk-to-trunk.
vii. Trees may not be planted in a way that interferes with public safety, including the visibility of pedestrians, oncoming traffic, traffic control devices, or regulatory signs.
(A) Planting within ten feet of another tree, building, fence, streetlight, water infrastructure, wastewater infrastructure, storm water infrastructure, wet utility easement, alley, driveway, or fire hydrant is not permitted.
(B) Planting within twenty feet of stop signs is not permitted.
(C) Planting within twenty-five feet of streetlights is not permitted.
(D) Planting in the corner triangle formed by the first thirty feet along the right-of-way in each direction from the corner is not permitted.
viii. A tree planted, either new or existing, within the front yard of a private property may be counted toward the minimum tree requirement according to the following:
(A) For streets with attached sidewalks, a tree planted within sixteen feet from the back of the street curb.
(B) For streets with detached sidewalks, a tree planted within twelve feet from the back of the sidewalk.
ix. In cases where neither the right-of-way nor private property can meet the standards of this section, the permittee shall sign an agreement to plant or compensate the city for the planting of each affected required tree.
x. Private street trees shall be included in improvements agreements and maintenance agreements.
2. Artificial Plants.
a. Artificial plants do not count toward the required landscape area and do not figure into the water budget calculation.
3. Approved Plant List.
a. At least ninety percent of all forbs, shrubs, and trees and one hundred percent of groundcovers and ornamental grasses used to landscape each site regulated by this section shall be selected from the City of Moab approved plant list, as calculated by applicant’s choice of quantity or percent spread at maturity. Plant material that is not on the approved plant list must meet the other requirements within this section.
b. Spring bulbs that do not require additional irrigation are exempt from the approved plant list requirement.
c. Plants may be added to the approved plant list by meeting the criteria and following the process in Appendix C.
d. Pursuant to the Utah Noxious Weed Act, Section 7, no plants shall be planted from the Grand County Noxious Weeds List (available here: https://www.grandcountyutah.net/168/Noxious-Weeds)
4. Cool Season Turf Limits.
a. Cool season turf areas shall be composed of grasses found on the City of Moab approved plant list.
b. Cool season turf shall not be used in more than ten percent of total landscaped area or two hundred square feet of turf, whichever is greater. In any landscaping plan including a water budget, turf may exceed cool season turf limits if additional turf fits within the budget. Turf still must meet the other requirements in this section.
c. Areas with slopes greater than twenty-five percent shall be landscaped with deep-rooted water-conserving plants for erosion control and soil stabilization. No turf grasses or overhead irrigation is allowed on slopes greater than twenty-five percent.
d. Park strips and other landscaped areas less than eight feet wide shall be landscaped with water-conserving plants that do not include cool season turf.
5. Mulch.
a. Shall be applied at a minimum depth of two inches to three inches and as appropriate to each species. Nonporous material shall not be placed under the mulch.
b. Shall be applied to the soil surface, not against the plant stem, or high against the base of trunks to minimize disease.
c. Because mulching can limit the successful propagation of some native plants, native plants, when appropriate, are exempt from these mulching requirements.
d. To provide habitat for beneficial insects and other wildlife, up to five percent of the landscape area may be left without mulch.
6. Water Features.
a. Recirculating water systems shall be used for water features.
b. Water features with a cumulative water free fall greater than four feet shall install a wind shut-off sensor.
c. Pool and spa covers are highly recommended.
d. For purposes of the water budget calculation, the surface area of a water feature shall be included as a high water use hydrozone with a seventy-five percent irrigation efficiency.
7. Hydrozoning.
a. The City of Moab approved plant list is categorized by nonirrigated/very low, low, medium, and high-water use plants. Each hydrozone shall have plant materials with similar water use (for example, low with low; very low with very low).
b. Plants of a very low hydrozone are not to be planted in a moderate to high hydrozone.
c. Temporarily irrigated areas of the landscape during the establishment period shall be included in the low water use hydrozone for the water budget calculation.
B. Irrigation System Criteria.
1. This subsection applies to landscaped areas that are required to have permanent irrigation. For landscape areas that do not require permanent irrigation, these are recommendations for irrigation systems. For commercial and large-scale developments:
a. Smart irrigation controllers (i.e., weather-based controllers and soil moisture-based controllers) and spray sprinkler bodies labeled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense Program or with published reports posted on the Smart Water Application Technologies website are required.
b. Dedicated landscape water meters/sub-meters shall be installed for all nonresidential irrigated landscapes of five thousand square feet or more.
c. The irrigation system shall be designed to prevent runoff, low head drainage, overspray, or other similar conditions where irrigation water flows onto nontargeted areas, such as adjacent property, nonirrigated areas, hardscapes, roadways, or structures.
d. Minimum pop-up height for sprinklers in turfgrass areas shall be six inches.
e. Check valves or anti-drain valves are required on all sprinkler heads.
f. The irrigation system shall be designed to ensure that the operating pressure at each emission device is within the manufacturer’s recommended pressure range for optimal performance.
g. Sprinklers within a zone shall have matched precipitation rates, unless otherwise directed by the manufacturer’s recommendations. Sprinkler spacing shall be designed to achieve the highest possible distribution uniformity using the manufacturer’s recommendations. Spacing must achieve head-to-head coverage.
h. A pressure regulating valve shall be installed and maintained by the consumer if the static service pressure exceeds eighty pounds per square inch (psi). The pressure-regulating valve shall be located between the meter and the first point of water use, or first point of division in the pipe, and shall be set at the manufacturer’s recommended pressure for the sprinklers.
i. Overhead irrigation shall not be permitted within twenty-four inches of any nonpervious surface. Allowable irrigation within the setback from nonpervious surfaces may include drip, drip line, or other low flow nonspray technology. The setback area may be planted or unplanted. The surfacing of the setback may be mulch, gravel, or other porous material.
j. Where feasible, trees shall be placed on separate valves from shrubs, groundcovers, and turfgrass to facilitate the appropriate irrigation of trees. The mature size and extent of the root zone shall be considered when designing irrigation for the tree.
k. Narrow or irregularly shaped areas less than eight feet in dimension in any direction shall not utilize overhead sprinkler irrigation.
l. Manual shut-off valves (such as a gate valve, ball valve, or butterfly valve) shall be installed as close as possible to the point of connection of the water supply.
m. Backflow prevention devices shall be required to protect the potable water supply from contamination by the irrigation system and comply with local plumbing codes.
C. Landscape Water Budget.
1. All irrigated landscaped areas must be included in the water budget calculation. See Appendix A for details regarding the maximum applied water budget calculation.
2. The total irrigation water needed for all hydrozones cannot exceed a maximum applied water budget of fifteen gallons/season/sq. ft. (twenty-four in./season) of irrigated landscape area unless special features are included or the landscaped areas only use plants designated as low listed on the approved plant list.
3. Special features include:
a. Ecological restoration projects;
b. Bioretention areas;
c. Nonirrigated pervious areas;
d. Storm water conveyance infrastructure (vegetated swales);
e. Graywater applied to the landscape according to relevant regulations (% based on % living plant material primarily watered with graywater);
f. Native plants selected from approved plant list;
g. Secondary water irrigation.
4. If any combination of the special feature areas totals to at least five percent of the total irrigated hydrozone area, then the maximum applied water budget increases by one gallon/season/sq. ft.
5. If any combination of the special feature areas totals to at least ten percent of the total irrigated hydrozone area, then the maximum applied water budget increases by two gallon/season/sq. ft.
6. Active rainwater catchment systems, including rain barrels or cisterns, are also incentivized in the calculation through a reduced overall irrigation water need. (Ord. 23-15 § 3, 2023; Ord. 23-08 § 3, 2023)
17.10.050 Buffering and screening requirements.
A. Zone Boundary Buffering.
1. Zone boundary buffering shall be installed and maintained along nonresidential zoning district boundaries (other than streets) that abut residential zones. Zone boundary buffering shall consist of, at minimum:
a. One canopy tree per fifty linear feet.
b. One ornamental/evergreen tree per fifty linear feet.
c. One shrub per every fifteen linear feet.
d. The maximum spacing between plants shall not exceed twenty feet at maturity.
e. Screening shall be installed and maintained at eight feet minimum.
f. A buffer shall be installed and maintained at ten feet in width.
g. Reference: Table 17.10.050 Buffer Landscape Specification, Figure 17.10.050.A, and Figure 17.10.050.B.
Figure 17.10.050.A.
Figure 17.10.050.B.
B. Standard Buffering.
1. Standard buffering shall be installed and maintained where specifically or otherwise required within the Moab Municipal Code (MMC). Standard buffering shall consist of, at minimum:
a. One canopy tree per one hundred linear feet.
b. One ornamental/evergreen trees per fifty linear feet.
c. One shrub per twenty-five linear feet.
d. Maximum spacing between plants shall not exceed twenty-five feet at maturity.
e. Screening shall be installed and maintained at six feet minimum.
f. A buffer shall be installed and maintained at eight feet in width minimum.
g. Reference: Table 17.10.050, Buffer Landscape Specification, Figure 17.10.050.A, and Figure 17.10.050.B.
C. Buffer Landscape Requirements.
1. Landscaping specifically required within zone boundary buffering and standard buffering shall be regulated and maintained as follows:
a. Trees shall be a minimum of one-and-one-half inch diameter measured six inches above the soil surface or bare root at time of installation. Bare root trees may be 2-1, 2-2, P-1 and P-2 stock types.
b. Clustering of plant material is allowed if the maximum spacing requirement is not exceeded.
c. Each existing shrub preserved may count towards the required shrub amount if it is identified on the approved plant list.
d. Existing trees that are preserved may count as two new trees towards the required tree amount if it is identified on the approved plant list.
e. Fractional landscaping quantities shall be rounded to the nearest whole number.
f. Required buffering trees and shrubs shall be maintained as provided in Section 17.10.030, Landscaping – Maintenance.
g. The developing land use is responsible for the creation and maintenance of the landscape buffer yard including, but not limited to, the trimming of canopy trees that may encroach onto neighboring property that becomes a nuisance or hazard.
D. Screening Required.
1. Screening shall be required as follows, unless provided specifically elsewhere in this title:
a. Six-foot fence screening shall be required around mechanical equipment, outdoor storage areas, loading/unloading areas visible from an adjoining street or parking area, heating or cooling units for all nonresidential uses, dumpsters or structures built to accommodate the storage of trash and garbage.
b. Screening shall be enclosed on all sides and not contain any openings other than a gate for access which shall be closed at all times when not in use. This full enclosure requirement shall not apply to screening of loading/unloading areas.
c. When a screen wall or fence has both a finished side and an unfinished side, the finished side shall face the adjoining property or, if on the interior of the site, shall face outward toward the perimeter of the site.
Table 17.10.050. Example Landscape and Buffer Requirements
Requirements (Minimum plants per 100 linear feet) | Standard Buffering | Zone Boundary Buffering |
|---|---|---|
Canopy Tree | 1 | 2 |
Ornamental/Evergreen Trees | 2 | 2 |
Shrubs | 4 | 6 |
Maximum Spacing at Maturity | 25' | 20' |
Screen Height Minimum | 6' | 8' |
Buffer Depth Minimum | 8' | 10' |
E. Exceptions to Buffering and Screening Requirements.
1. The land use authority may grant an exception to the zone boundary buffering and standard buffering where the land use authority determines that existing natural conditions are such that a lot cannot reasonably accommodate the required buffering or where existing natural conditions on the lot act as sufficient buffering. Alternatively, where the land use authority determines that landscaped screening is inappropriate for a lot, they may require the installation of a fence or wall to meet the buffering requirements. The following factors shall be considered when evaluating any request for exception:
a. Physical characteristics of the site and surrounding area such as topography, vegetation, water features, etc.;
b. Views and noise levels;
c. Proximity or potential proximity to residential uses;
d. Building and parking lot placement; and
e. Location of outdoor storage, display, or sales areas.
2. The land use authority may grant exceptions to screening requirements if existing conditions are such that a lot cannot accommodate the required screening standards. The land use authority may modify the screening requirements based on the following factors:
a. Proximity or potential proximity of residential uses;
b. Sight lines from parking areas, adjacent properties or roadways;
c. Noise levels generated by the facility to be screened; and
d. Physical characteristics of the site and surrounding area such as topography and vegetation may mitigate the need for screening. (Ord. 23-08 § 3, 2023)
17.10.060 Submittal requirements.
A. Landscaping Plan Required.
1. Where landscaping is required in this title, in addition to the specific sections of the Moab Municipal Code requiring landscaping, screening, or buffering, a landscaping plan, providing sufficient materials for review and approval, shall be submitted in accordance with the appropriate review procedures as outlined in this chapter.
B. General standards are numbered as follows for landscaping plans:
1. Plant material;
2. Artificial plants;
3. Plant list;
4. Cool season turf limits;
5. Mulch;
6. Water features;
7. Hydrozoning;
8. Irrigation system criteria;
9. Water budget.
C. The scale of development, redevelopment, or improvement shall determine the level of required landscaping general standards in subsection (B) of this section as follows:
1. General standards 1 – 3 apply to all landscaping plan levels.
2. General Landscaping Plan.
a. Development, redevelopment, or improvements requiring building permit approval.
b. General standards 4 – 7 or 9 shall also apply.
3. Level I Landscaping Plan.
a. Development, redevelopment, or improvements requiring Level I site plan approval.
b. General standards 5 – 9 shall also apply.
4. Level II Landscaping Plan.
a. Development, redevelopment, or improvements requiring Level II site plan, condominium plat or townhome plat, PUD, PAD, MPD, or subdivision approval.
b. General standards 4 – 9 shall also apply.
D. Landscape and Irrigation Documentation Requirements.
1. All projects that are designated by the Planning and Zoning Department as applicable to the provisions of this chapter will require a submittal of a landscape documentation package. This plan will be reviewed by the Development Review Team to ascertain if the design complies with this chapter.
2. General landscape documentation package must follow the template in Appendix B. If the applicant elects to use the landscape water budget approach, they must also complete Appendix A: Landscape Water Budget Calculation Spreadsheet.
3. Level I and Level II landscape documentation package shall be prepared by a licensed landscape architect. Working drawings or a landscape documentation package shall include, but are not be limited to, the following elements:
a. Project data sheet, which shall contain the following:
i. Project name;
ii. Project address, parcel and/or lot number(s);
iii. Checklist or index of all documents in the landscape document package;
iv. Applicant or applicant agent’s name, address, phone number, and email address;
v. Landscape architect’s name, address, phone number, and email address; and
vi. Landscape contractor’s name, address, phone number and email address, if available at this time.
b. The planting plan shall be drawn to scale, including a north arrow, indication of scale, and any off-site design influencing features. The planting plan shall contain:
i. Plant material calculations:
(A) Total landscape area (square feet);
(B) Area of landscape with live plant material and the percentage of the total landscaped area;
(C) Total area in native plant material and its percentage of the total landscaped area;
(D) Total area in special features as they pertain to the water budget and the percentage of the total landscaped area;
(E) Location of all plant materials, a legend with botanical and common names, and size of plant materials. If abbreviations or symbols are utilized for call outs, a legend shall be provided on each page of the planting plans;
(F) Existing trees and plant materials to be removed or retained;
(G) Identify any applicable rain catchment technologies (e.g., cisterns or rain barrels) as they pertain to the water budget;
(H) The location, types and depth of mulch used, noting areas excluded as pollinator habitat or native plantings;
(I) Property lines and street names;
(J) Existing and proposed buildings, walls, fences, utilities, paved areas and other site improvements;
(K) Scale: graphic and written;
(L) Date of design; and
(M) Details and specifications for tree staking, soil preparation, and other planting work.
c. The irrigation plan shall be drawn at the same scale as the planting plan and shall contain the following information:
i. Location and size of separate water meters from the landscape with the designation of the type (e.g. potable, recycled, well);
ii. Layout of the irrigation system and a legend summarizing the type and size of all components of the system (including backflow prevention assembly (for systems supplied with potable water), flow sensor, master valve, smart irrigation controllers, main and lateral lines, manual valves, remote control valves, sprinkler heads, moisture sensing devices, rain switches, on-site weather monitoring sensors, quick couplers, pressure regulators) and including manufacturer name and model numbers;
iii. Designation of all hydrozones and a hydrozone information table contained in Appendix A;
iv. Static water pressure in pounds per square inch (psi) at the point of connection to the public water supply;
v. Flow rate in gallons per minute and design operating pressure in psi for each valve and precipitation rate in inches per hour for each valve with sprinklers; and
vi. Installation details for irrigation components.
vii. A recommended irrigation schedule and maintenance schedule;
d. A completed landscape water budget calculation spreadsheet that meets all requirements stipulated in Section 17.10.050. (Ord. 23-08 § 3, 2023)
17.10.070 Review procedures.
A. Approval Procedures.
1. The Zoning Administrator shall determine sufficiency and compliance of the submitted landscaping plan. The land use authority responsible for the type and process of development under which landscaping is required (e.g., building permit approval, site plan approval, townhome plat or condominium plat approval, subdivision approval, etc.) shall review and approve the submitted landscaping plan as a part of the proposed development plan. Process, review, and approval procedures for each type of development approval shall be determined by its specific MMC provisions; the landscaping plan shall be supplementary to the development approval.
B. Legal, Nonconforming Landscaping.
1. Legal, nonconforming status shall be determined and processed consistent with the provisions in Chapter 17.12, General Provisions.
2. Upon review of a sufficiently complete landscaping plan, the Zoning Administrator shall determine the ability to continue or expand legal, nonconforming landscaping, given the following parameters:
a. The proposed change to the required landscaping area/yard shall not be greater than the following, based on the smaller calculation:
i. Two thousand square feet or more of change to nonexempt landscaped area; or
ii. Fifty percent or more of change to nonexempt landscaped area;
3. Any modifications to the required landscaping shall come into greater compliance with general standards that are required for all landscaping plan levels.
C. Exemptions.
1. Except as noted otherwise by special circumstances, the provisions of the general standards of Section 17.10.060 shall not apply to:
a. Interior remodels;
b. Tenant improvements;
c. Demolitions;
d. Change of use;
e. Repair of irrigation systems in conjunction with routine maintenance; and
f. Ecological restoration projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system.
2. Except as noted otherwise by special circumstances, only the provisions of Section 17.10.060, general standard 8, irrigation system criteria, shall apply to:
a. Replacement of irrigation systems;
b. Active recreational areas;
c. Cemeteries;
d. Registered local, state or federal historical sites; and
e. Existing plant collections, as part of botanical gardens and arboretums open to the public.
3. Upon review of a sufficiently complete landscaping plan, the Zoning Administrator shall determine qualifying exemptions from the general standards and legal, nonconforming landscaping provisions of this chapter. Exemptions include:
a. Personal agriculture cultivation.
b. Permitted and approved areas under Chapter 17.52, Keeping Limited Numbers of Fowl for Food Production.
c. Permitted and approved agricultural uses.
4. For properties located in the defined USGS geo-hazard, shallow soluble-soil zone, the landscape material, plat material, minimum percentage requirement shall not apply.
D. Exceptions.
1. The City may grant exceptions to the landscaping standards when practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships exist that cause inconsistencies with the purpose and intent of the standards.
2. Requests for exceptions from the standards, policies, or submittal requirements of this document shall be submitted in writing with appropriate documentation and justification to the Zoning Administrator. Exception requests must, at a minimum, contain the following:
a. Standards under which the applicant seeks an exception;
b. Justification for not complying with the standards;
c. Proposed alternate criteria or standards to comply with the intent of the standards;
d. Supporting documentation, including necessary calculations;
e. The proposed exception’s potential adverse impacts for adjacent landowners; and
f. An analysis of the exception request, signed by a qualified landscape professional or qualified irrigation design professional, depending on the topic of the request.
3. Upon receipt of a complete application for an exception, the Zoning Administrator shall prepare a statement to recommend that the exception be approved or denied or to request a modification of the proposed exception.
4. Exceptions shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission. (Ord. 23-15 § 3, 2023; Ord. 23-08 § 3, 2023)
17.10.080 Enforcement.
In addition to any other legal or equitable remedies available to a municipality, the City may pursue enforcement and compliance for landscaping standards in violation, or if the owner of the property violates any of the provisions of this section.
A. Violation.
1. The requirements and regulations set forth herein regulating landscaping standards shall apply to all properties, developments, and development standards where landscaping and landscaped spaces are required:
a. The required landscaping standards shall be maintained and remain consistent with the plans and conditions approved during the appropriate review and approval procedures; or any subsequent review and approval process. The following conditions of violation shall impose the following penalty:
i. The property will be in violation if the landscaping standards for an approved plan are altered or amended without appropriate approval, as outlined in the review procedures of this chapter, thirty days after notice from the City.
ii. The property will be in violation if landscaping is developed without the appropriate approval, as outlined in the review procedures of this chapter, thirty days after notice from the City.
iii. In the event of violation, penalties may be assessed by the City against the owner of the subject property, as determined by Chapter 17.78, Zoning Violations – Penalties.
B. Process of Violation.
1. If the owner of the property violates any of the provisions of this chapter, the City may pursue the violation for noncompliance in accordance with established processes outlined by Chapter 17.78, Zoning Violations – Penalties. (Ord. 23-08 § 3, 2023)
Appendix A. Water Budget.
Maximum Allowed Landscape Water Budget.
Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) = 49.8 inches/season (Mar – Oct)1
Effective precipitation (EP) = 1.7 gal/sf/season (Mar – Oct)2
Irrigated area = hydrozone area in sq. ft.
Water Use Category | Plant Factor3 |
|---|---|
High (including Cool Season Turf and Water Features) | 0.8 |
Medium | 0.5 |
Low | 0.2 |
Very Low/Nonirrigated4 | 0.0 |
Irrigation Method | Default Efficiency |
|---|---|
Overhead | 70% |
Drip | 90% |
Water Feature | 75% |
Special Features to Incentivize Healthy Landscapes (% of irrigated landscape) | Maximum Applied Water Budget (gal/sf/season) |
|---|---|
At least 15% | +3 gal / sf / season |
At least 10% | +2 gal / sf / season |
Special features include:
1. Ecological restoration projects;
2. Bioretention areas;
3. Nonirrigated pervious areas;
4. Storm water conveyance infrastructure (vegetated swales);
5. Graywater applied to the landscape (percent special features based on percentage of living plant material primarily watered with graywater in the overall landscape area);
6. Native vegetation areas;
7. Secondary water irrigation.
1Moller, Alan L., Robert R. Gillies, Utah Climate 2nd Edition, 2008, Utah Climate Center at Utah State University. Note data timeframe is 1889 – 2007.
2Utah Climate 2nd Edition. Precipitation during irrigation season = 6.87 in (Mar – Oct); effective precipitation is equal to 25% of total precipitation during irrigation season.
3Figures based on EPA WaterSense Water Budget tool designations, plus an additional VL/Non-Irrigated category to incentivize VL hydrozone plants
4VL/Non-Irrigated refers to plants that require very little if any supplemental irrigation once the plant has been established (within 2-3 years of planting).
Active Rainwater Catchment
Amount of Rainwater Catchment Capacity | Reduction in Calculated Irrigation Water Need (gallons) |
|---|---|
1 x 50-gallon rain barrel | 100 |
2 x 50-gallon rain barrel (100 gal) | 200 |
101 – 500-gallon cistern | 1,000 |
501 – 1,000-gallon cistern | 2,000 |
1,001 – 1,500-gallon cistern | 3,000 |
1,501 – 2,000-gallon cistern | 3,750 |
2,001 – 2,500-gallon cistern | 4,500 |
Sample Hydrozone Tables
Irrigation Water Budget = [(ETo × Plant Factor) – EP] × Irrigated Area ÷ Irrigation Efficiency
Example 1: 1/3 of H, M, L Hydrozones
Hydrozone | ETo | Plant Water | Plant Factor | EP | Irrigation | Irrigation | Hydrozone | Irrigation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zone 1 | 49.8 | H | 0.8 | 1.7 | Overhead | 0.7 | 1,000 | 33,945 |
Zone 2 | 49.8 | M | 0.5 | 1.7 | Drip | 0.9 | 1,000 | 16,059 |
Zone 3 | 49.8 | L | 0.2 | 1.7 | Drip | 0.9 | 1,000 | 5,718 |
TOTAL | (c) 3,000 | (d) 55,722 |
Avg. irrigation water need all zones = (d / c) = 18.6 gal/sf/season
Example 2: 1/4 H and M, 1/2 Low Water Hydrozones
Hydrozone | ETo | Plant Water | Plant Factor | EP | Irrigation | Irrigation | Hydrozone | Irrigation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zone 1 | 49.8 | H | 0.8 | 1.7 | Overhead | 0.7 | 1,500 | 50,917 |
Zone 2 | 49.8 | M | 0.5 | 1.7 | Drip | 0.9 | 1,500 | 24,089 |
Zone 3 | 49.8 | L | 0.2 | 1.7 | Drip | 0.9 | 3,000 | 17,153 |
TOTAL | (c) 6,000 | (d) 92,168 |
Average irrigation water needs = 15.4 gal/sf/season
Example 3: 1/4 H, M, L, VL/Nonirrigated
Hydrozone | ETo | Plant Water | Plant Factor | EP | Irrigation | Irrigation | Hydrozone | Irrigation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zone 1 | 49.8 | H | 0.8 | 1.7 | Overhead | 0.7 | 1,000 | 33,945 |
Zone 2 | 49.8 | M | 0.5 | 1.7 | Drip | 0.9 | 1,000 | 16,060 |
Zone 3 | 49.8 | L | 0.2 | 1.7 | Drip | 0.9 | 1,000 | 5,718 |
Zone 4 | VL | 0 | 1,000 | 0 | ||||
TOTAL | (c) 4,000 | (d) 55,722 |
Average irrigation water needs = 13.9 gal/sf/season
Example 4: 10% H and 1/4 M, 1/2 L, 15% VL w/ a 2,500-Gallon Cistern
Hydrozone | ETo | Plant Water | Plant Factor | EP | Irrigation | Irrigation | Hydrozone | Irrigation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zone 1 | 49.8 | H | 0.8 | 1.7 | Overhead | 0.7 | 600 | 20,367 | |
Zone 2 | 49.8 | M | 0.5 | 1.7 | Drip | 0.9 | 1,500 | 24,089 | |
Zone 3 | 49.8 | L | 0.2 | 1.7 | Drip | 0.9 | 3,000 | 17,153 | |
Zone 4 | 49.8 | VL | 0 | 1.7 | 900 | 0 | |||
Subtotal | (c) 6,000 | (d) 61,609 | |||||||
Rainwater Capture | - | 4,500 | |||||||
TOTAL | 6,000 | 57,109 | |||||||
Average irrigation water needs w/out cistern = 10.3 gal/sf/season Average
Irrigation water needs w/ cistern = 9.5 gal/sf/season Special Features
Special Feature | Special Feature Response |
|---|---|
Total area of Special Features (sq. ft.) | 600 |
Total percent of Special Features | 10% |
Maximum Applied Water Budget (gal/sf/season) | + 2 gal/sf/season |
(Ord. 23-08 § 3, 2023)
Appendix B. General Template.
General Landscape Plan Requirements | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Submissions must comply with the standards in Chapter 17.10. This template is for assistance in creating a general landscape plan, as described in Section 17.10.040. 1. Applicants’ landscape plans must comply with general standards 1 – 3. 2. Then, applicants may choose between the following options: a. Prescriptive option landscape plans shall also follow general standards 4 – 7. Continue to Section I of Appendix B. b. Water budget landscape plans shall also follow general standard 9. Continue to Section II of Appendix B. | ||||
Total Landscaped Area = _______ sq. ft. | ||||
I. Landscape Plan General: Prescriptive Option | ||||
Submittal Requirement | Requirement summary | Submittal | ||
Number | Name | I verify that this landscape contains… | ||
1 | Plant Material | Living Plant Material Minimum >= 25% • Measured by the estimated spread at maturity • Tree canopy may count as up to 15% or the 25% requirement. | sq. ft. | living plant material at maturity |
% | live plant material (Divide sq. ft. of living plant material by total landscaped area and multiply by 100) | |||
Check here if the complete plant list worksheet is attached. | ||||
Trees are required on street frontage, one for every 40 feet. • Alternatives include trees located within allowed areas of private property or an agreement to plant or pay a fee in lieu. See Section 17.10.040. • Required trees are no more than 120 feet apart. | linear feet | of street frontage of the property | ||
trees | Are required (Divide linear feet of street frontage by 40.) | |||
Trees are planted so the number is greater than or equal to one tree for every 40 feet of street frontage. | ||||
trees | in the right-of-way | |||
trees | on private land meeting code requirements | |||
trees | planted in an agreement with the city. Please describe in comments. | |||
2 | Artificial Plants | Artificial plants, including artificial turf, do not count toward the required landscape. | Check box if required landscape does not include artificial plants. | |
3 | Approved Plant List | Ninety percent of forbs, shrubs, and trees shall be selected from the approved plant list. See Section 17.10.040 and approved plant list. | % | of plant material is on the approved plant list. |
Quantity Spread | As measured by (circle one) | |||
One hundred percent of groundcovers and ornamental grasses shall be selected from the approved plant list. See Section 17.10.040 and approved plant list. | Check box if 100% of ground covers and ornamental grasses are on the approved plant list. | |||
4 | Cool Season Turf Limits | Max. = 10% of landscaped area; or Max. = 200 sq. ft., whichever is greater. See Section 17.10.040 and approved plant list. | sq. ft. | in cool season turf |
% | of landscape in cool season turf (Divide sq. ft. turf by total landscaped area and multiply by 100) | |||
Circle the number that confirms cool season turf is either: 1. Less than or equal to 200 sq. ft. OR 2. Less than or equal to 10% | ||||
5 | Mulches | Mulch shall be a minimum of 2" – 3" in landscaped area, except when including pollinator habitat or native planting. See Section 17.10.040. | ” | mulch over the landscape |
Check box if landscape contains an exception to the 2" min. of mulch. Please describe in comments. | ||||
6 | Water Features | Water features shall recirculate water and have wind shut-off devices. Pool and spa covers and recycled water are recommended. See Section 17.10.040 for details. | Check box if the landscape contains no water features | |
Check box if the landscape contains water features with recirculated water and wind shut-off devices, as applicable. Please list devices in comments. | ||||
7 | Hydrozoning | The City of Moab approved plant list is categorized by nonirrigated/very low, low, medium, and high-water use plants. Each hydro-zone shall have plant materials with similar water use. See Section 17.10.040 for details. | Check box if plants are grouped by water use in hydrozones. | |
II. Landscape Plan General: Water Budget Option | ||||
Submittal Requirement | Requirement summary | Submittal | ||
Number | Name | I verify that this landscape contains… | ||
1 | Plant Material | Living Plant Material Minimum >= 25% • Measured by the estimated spread at maturity • Tree canopy may compose up to 15% | sq. ft. | living plant material at maturity |
% | live plant material (Divide sq. ft. of living plant material by total landscaped area and multiply by 100) | |||
Check here if the complete plant list worksheet is attached. | ||||
Trees are required on street frontage, one for every 40 feet. • Alternatives include trees located within allowed areas of private property or an agreement to plant or pay a fee in lieu. See Section 17.10.040. • Required trees are no more than 120 feet apart. | linear feet | of street frontage of the property | ||
trees | Are required (Divide linear feet of street frontage by 40.) | |||
Trees are planted so the number is greater than or equal to one tree for every 40 feet of street frontage. | ||||
trees | in the right-of-way | |||
trees | on private land meeting code requirements | |||
trees | planted in an agreement with the City. Please describe in comments. | |||
2 | Artificial Plants | Artificial plants, including artificial turf, do not count toward the required landscape. | Check here if required landscape does not include artificial plants. | |
3 | Approved Plant List | 90% of forbs, shrubs, and trees shall be selected from the approved plant list. See Section 17.10.040 and approved plant list. | % | Of plant material is on the approved plant list. |
Quantity Spread | As measured by (circle one) | |||
100% of groundcovers and ornamental grasses shall be selected from the approved plant list. See Section 17.10.040 and approved plant list. | Check box if 100% of ground covers and ornamental grasses are on the approved plant list. | |||
9 | Water Budget | See Section 17.10.040 and Appendix A for details. | Check here to indicate a complete water budget is attached. | |
(Ord. 23-08 § 3, 2023)
Appendix C. Approved Plant List Criteria.
Installation of plants that are not on the approved plant list must be preapproved by the City and are up to the discretion of the Zoning Administrator. To obtain approval, the applicant must demonstrate that the plant meets these requirements:
A. The plant cannot exist on the Grand County Noxious Weeds List: https://www.grandcountyutah.net/168/Noxious-Weeds.
B. The plant must be appropriately adapted to Moab’s Plant Hardiness Zone 7 (0° – 10°): https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
C. The applicant must provide a source or sources to confirm the plant is appropriately adapted to the environmental conditions, i.e., soil type, rainfall, temperature, pest conditions, elevation. See resource list of water-wise plants for Utah landscapes for examples: https://extension.usu.edu/cwel/water-wise-plants. (Ord. 23-08 § 3, 2023)