New projects. New commercial, industrial, mixed-use, multifamily residential and single-family residential projects shall be reviewed by the designated approving authority to ensure landscaping is provided in compliance with the requirements of this article and Chapter 24.04 (Water-Efficient Landscape).

Existing development. Where an existing nonresidential, mixed-use, and/or multifamily residential project requests an amendment that increases the building square footage by 10 percent or more, the designated approving authority shall evaluate the existing landscape to ensure compliance with applicable requirements of this chapter and Chapter 24.04 (Water-Efficient Landscape).

Single-family residential landscape installations equal to or greater than 5,000 square feet in size installed as part of new construction or remodel are subject to the standards of Chapter 24.04 (Water-Efficient Landscape) of the municipal code.

For residential districts, at least 25 percent of the lot area shall be pervious surface. No more than 40 percent of the front yard area shall be non-pervious surface (e.g., used as a driveway). Deviations from these standards may be allowed through site plan and architectural review for small-lot single-family developments at the time of master home plan review where these standards preclude the maximum lot coverage from being achieved.

Remaining unpaved portion of the setback areas shall be landscaped, irrigated, and maintained. All landscaping shall be maintained per the City's Maintenance Guidelines and/or as often as necessary to prevent a nuisance. No junk, debris, or other similar materials shall be stored in the landscaped areas.

Landscaping shall be designed to prevent irrigation water from flowing over paved surfaces. Techniques include:

A minimum of two 24-inch box shade trees are required within the front yard setback of all single-family residences.

Commercial landscaping requirements. Table 25.52-1 (Commercial Landscaping Requirements) identifies the minimum required depth of landscaped areas adjacent to residential districts and public rights-of-way and the minimum required coverage of landscaping for commercial districts and specific commercial uses.

Parking lot hardscape requirements. Parking lot dividers, islands, planters, and planting areas shall be a minimum of 5 feet wide and 10 feet long except that all new or retrofitted tree planters shall be a minimum of 9 feet by 7 feet, measured to the inside perimeter of the planter, and shall have no less than 48 square feet of permeable soil planting area.

Parking lot tree irrigation requirements. Automatic irrigation systems within parking lots shall be installed. Trees shall be irrigated with drip emitters, bubbler heads, or subterranean low-volume drip system. Trees shall be irrigated separately from shrubs and ground covers.

Parking lot tree maintenance and installation requirements. All plants and irrigation systems shall be installed according to Chapter 24.04 (Water-Efficient Landscape). The owner shall guarantee the quality of work, health, and condition of plants and installation of materials including but not limited to plant types, size, spacing, and irrigation systems. Prior to final acceptance of the project, the City shall inspect and verify that the installation is in compliance with the approved plans and specifications. All corrections, adjustments, and/or replacement of landscape elements shall be done prior to final approval by the City. In the event corrections cannot be made or an installation cannot be completed prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the City shall require a cash deposit equal in value to the amount of landscaping not completed. A cash deposit is returned only when the City gives final approval of the project.

Carport structures in lieu of required trees. Shade coverage requirements may be replaced by installing carport structures throughout the parking lot with some trees throughout the parking lot. The use of carport structures shall be approved through the architectural review process. The provision of carports shall not preclude the necessity for providing on-site perimeter landscaping.

The carport design shall be integrated with the project architecture and landscaping providing space for trees between rows of carports creating an aesthetically well-designed project. Three carport-covered parking spaces shall be considered the equivalent of planting of one required tree.

Maintenance shall include, but not be limited to: proper pruning, watering, and fertilization of plants; periodic replacement of decomposed granite; irrigation system repairs and adjustments; removal, adjustment, and/or replacement of tree stakes; and weed removal. All missing, dead, dying, or significantly injured tree(s) must be replaced. Unless otherwise approved, a replacement tree(s) shall be the same size and type as removed. The minimum size replacement tree(s) allowed shall be no less than a 24-inch boxed tree.

All major tree-pruning work for maintenance shall be supervised by an International Society of Arboriculture-certified arborist. All pruning shall be performed with an overall goal of providing maximum tree canopy development. The topping of trees is prohibited. Pruning to reduce the canopy coverage is also prohibited unless otherwise approved by the landscape manager. All significantly injured, decayed or dead trees, and trees found to be significantly damaged by improper pruning shall be removed and replaced. All maintenance work performed shall be in accordance with the City of Palm Desert's landscape maintenance guidelines.