The purpose of this chapter is to establish landscape standards applicable to all zoning districts. The standards and regulations set forth in this chapter shall qualify or supplement, as the case may be, the district regulations set forth elsewhere in this title. (Ord. 03-2005, 9-6-2005)

   A.   Trees: Where required by this title, trees shall be a minimum of fifteen (15) gallon size with forty percent (40%) of the required number of trees to be specimen trees of twenty four inch (24") box size or larger.

   B.   Shrubs: Where required by this title, shrubs shall be a minimum of one gallon size upon installation with fifty percent (50%) of the required number to be five (5) gallon in size. The use of cactus and/or succulents may be substituted for up to fifty percent (50%) of the required shrubs.

   C.   Organic Ground Covers: Where required by this title, organic ground covers shall be a minimum of one gallon size upon installation.

   D.   Inorganic Ground Covers: Where required by this title, inorganic ground covers shall be used and consist of decomposed granite (minimum size 1/2 inch minus) or turf in selected areas may also be considered. A drip irrigation system shall be installed by approved standards.

   E.   Prohibited Trees: The use of fruit producing species of olive and mulberry trees shall be prohibited.

   F.   Required Plant Species: Low water use drought tolerant plant species, as listed on the Arizona state drought tolerant plant list and in section 10-18-2, appendix B of this title, shall be required. (Ord. 03-2005, 9-6-2005)

   A.   Single Residence Developments:

      1.   Required landscaping for a subdivision development shall include the required open space area, retention or detention basins, and the adjacent public right of way.

      2.   The required landscaping for a subdivision development shall be installed in proportion to the construction phasing of the project and in accordance with the approved subdivision landscape plan.

      3.   The front yard landscaping for a single residence lot or dwelling is required to be installed at the time and as a part of the home construction and shall, at a minimum, consist of organic and/or inorganic ground cover. The front yard landscaping is in addition to the local and neighborhood street right of way landscaping required in subsection 10-12-4B of this chapter.

   B.   Multiple Residence Developments:

      1.   The required landscaping for a development shall include the required common area and open space area, retention or detention basins, parking area and the adjacent public right of way as required in section 10-12-4 of this chapter. Installation of the required landscaping shall be in accordance with the approved landscape plan for the development. Any part of the lot or parcel not developed for buildings, structures, vehicular access, streets, parking and utility areas shall be landscaped.

      2.   All developments zoned for multiple residence (attached product, townhouse, condominium, apartments, etc.) shall provide a minimum of one tree and two (2) shrubs, per dwelling unit, in the common or open space areas. This landscape shall be in addition to any other landscape requirements of this title or the subdivision ordinance.

      3.   The required rear and side yards shall contain a continuous, landscaped buffer area having a minimum width of ten feet (10') and containing a minimum of one tree and two (2) shrubs every twenty five feet (25'), or portion thereof, to provide visual screening between adjacent uses.

      4.   All R-2 zoned developments that abut a single residence zoned property shall provide and maintain a landscaped buffer area, a minimum width of ten feet (10'), along the common property line. This landscaped area shall contain a minimum of one tree and two (2) shrubs every twenty five feet (25'), or portion thereof.

      5.   All R-3 and R-4 zoned property that abuts a single residence zoned property or an R-2 zoned property shall provide and maintain a landscaped buffer area, a minimum width of fifteen feet (15'), along the common property line. This buffer strip shall contain a minimum of one tree and three (3) shrubs every twenty feet (20'), or portion thereof.

      6.   A homeowners' or property owners' association shall maintain all landscape materials and landscaped areas, including that within the public rights of way adjacent to the site, in accordance with the approved landscape plan.

      7.   Vegetative screening may be used rather than the use of a perimeter wall when adjacent to any single residence zoning district. If a perimeter wall is constructed it shall be a maximum of six feet (6') in height and decoratively treated on all sides to match the architectural style and design of the development.

      8.   Vehicular parking areas adjacent to the right of way shall be screened to a height of at least three feet (3') by either a solid decorative masonry wall or a landscaped berm, or a combination thereof. The slope of any berm shall not exceed a ratio of one to two (1:2) and shall be landscaped with ground cover to prevent soil erosion. All landscape areas adjacent to the vehicular parking and access areas shall be protected by a permanent vertical barrier or containment, in order to minimize damage by vehicular traffic.

   C.   Commercial And Industrial Developments:

      1.   The required landscaping for an individual site or development shall include the required open space area, retention or detention basins, parking area and the adjacent public right of way as required in section 10-12-4B of this chapter. Installation of the required landscaping shall be in accordance with the approved landscape plan for the individual site or development and the other provisions of this title and the subdivision ordinance. Any part of the lot area not developed for buildings, structures, approved storage, loading and vehicular access, streets, parking and utility areas shall be landscaped.

      2.   All OT and C-1 zoned commercial developments that abut a residentially zoned property shall provide and maintain a landscaped buffer area, a minimum width of ten feet (10'), along the common property line. This landscaped area shall contain a minimum of one tree and two (2) shrubs every twenty five feet (25'), or portion thereof. The front yard landscaping is in addition to the local and neighborhood street right of way landscaping required in subsection 10-12-4B of this chapter.

      3.   All C-2 zoned commercial and I-1 and I-2 zoned industrial developments that abut a residentially zoned property shall provide and maintain a landscaped buffer area, a minimum width of twenty feet (20'), along the common property line. This landscaped area shall contain a minimum of one tree and three (3) shrubs every twenty five feet (25'), or portion thereof. This landscape area shall not be used for parking, maneuvering or storage.

      4.   Dense landscaping, combined with architectural treatments, shall be provided to screen unattractive views and features such as storage areas, trash enclosures, railroad sidings and yards, transformers, generators, heavy mechanical equipment and other similar eyesores.

      5.   Vehicular parking areas adjacent to the right of way shall be screened to a height of at least three feet (3') by either a solid decorative masonry wall or a landscaped berm, or a combination thereof. The slope of any berm shall not exceed a ratio of one to two (1:2) and shall be landscaped with ground cover to prevent soil erosion. All landscape areas adjacent to the vehicular parking and access areas shall be protected by a permanent vertical barrier or containment, in order to minimize damage by vehicular traffic. (Ord. 03-2005, 9-6-2005)

   A.   Arterial And Major Collector Streets:

      1.   Any lot, parcel or development, or portion thereof, that is adjacent to an arterial or major collector street, as classified in the Parker general plan, shall be required to landscape the undeveloped portion of the right of way, in addition to the on site landscaping that is required by this title. The right of way landscaping shall be planted in a formal linear pattern creating a tree lined street and shall, at a minimum, consist of one specimen tree and three (3) shrubs planted every forty feet (40'), or fraction thereof, exclusive of that portion of the public rights of way occupied by a driveway area. Additional streetscape such as, but not limited to, benches, school bus stops, trash containers, pedestrian paths and bike trails may be required.

      2.   Individual property owners and/or homeowners' associations shall properly maintain all landscape materials and landscaped areas, including that within the public rights of way adjacent to their property or the development, in accordance with the approved landscape plan, except in and along public rights of way and easements where the town of Parker has agreed to provide maintenance.

      3.   Replacement of dead street trees shall be by the individual property owners or the homeowners' association and shall be completed within six (6) months from the date that the association or property owner is notified by the town.

   B.   Local And Neighborhood Streets:

      1.   All residential lots, parcels or developments (single residence and multiple residence) shall provide, at a minimum, two (2) canopy type shade trees of fifteen (15) gallon size or greater, to be planted in each front yard either within a landscape easement at the back of the sidewalk or within the right of way between the back of curb and the sidewalk, if such a separation exists, except for properties zoned R1-7 that are located within the area denoted/designated as "Parker Central".

      2.   All commercial and industrial lots, parcels or developments shall provide, at a minimum, one specimen tree and three (3) shrubs to be planted in the adjacent public right of way every thirty feet (30'), or fraction thereof, exclusive of that portion of the public rights of way occupied by a driveway area. The right of way landscaping shall be planted in a formal linear pattern creating a tree lined street.

      3.   Individual property owners and/or homeowners' associations shall properly maintain all landscape materials and landscaped areas, including that within the public rights of way adjacent to their property or the development, in accordance with the approved landscape plan, except in and along public rights of way and easements where the town of Parker has agreed to provide maintenance. (Ord. 03-2005, 9-6-2005)

   A.   Any proposed building, building additions, or use of land shall require a site plan to be submitted to the city for review and approval. The site plan shall include information on the required landscaping in compliance with this title and the subdivision ordinance. The landscape information may be submitted as a separate landscape plan and shall be prepared by an Arizona registered landscape architect or an Arizona certified nurseryman. The landscape plans shall be submitted at the time of application for rezoning or conditional use permit or at the time of building permit issuance if none of the above applications are required and shall, at a minimum, contain the following:

      1.   Irrigation plans.

      2.   Call out the location of all existing and proposed species and inorganic ground covers, sidewalks, paths, curbing, fencing, walls, benches, ramadas, fountains, and waterways. Notations should be made concerning any existing trees that will be removed. For fencing and walls, provide a graphic representation as to what is intended relative to the fencing and wall theme.

      3.   Right of way landscaping is required. The entire area of the right of way, between street property line and back of curb (BOC) and/or pavement, except for approved driveways, walkways and bike paths, shall be landscaped.

      4.   Include a plant palette, in list form, on the landscape plans that call out all proposed plant species and inorganic ground covers.

      5.   Call out the specific sizes of all proposed plant and inorganic ground covers. This information shall be included within the plant palette list on the landscape plan.

      6.   Call out the exact quantities for each species of tree, shrub and ground cover per each size and species. This information shall be included within the plant palette list on the landscape plan.

      7.   Indicate the location of any proposed path, trail, or sidewalk on the landscape plan. Call out the material type and width of the surfacing of all proposed paths, trails and walks.

      8.   Call out the type and location of proposed walls/fencing, if applicable. Indicate exact material types for all fencing and walls proposed. A separate twenty four inch by thirty six inch (24" x 36") wall/fence sheet may be required to be submitted.

      9.   Indicate the location of any proposed signs or freestanding monument signs to be located within the landscape area.

      10.   Identify existing lots, streets, fences, walls, wells, or other features as may be applicable.

      11.   Identify the line of sight requirements of the town, county and state.

      12.   Identify the name of the developer, project engineer, and landscape architect/designer on the plan.

   B.   All site plans and/or landscape plans submitted shall be reviewed and approved by the town prior to the issuance of a building permit. (Ord. 03-2005, 9-6-2005)