A.   The purpose of this chapter is to provide landscaping requirements and performance standards which:

      1.   Enhance and promote the image of the community's desert environment;

      2.   Conserve groundwater resources in conformance with the Arizona Groundwater Code, Title 45, Chapter 2, by:

         a.   Specifying the use of arid landscape design principles and standards,

         b.   Helping utilize stormwater, and control and reduce runoff,

         c.   Specifying the use of plant materials from approved lists,

         d.   Encouraging the use of effluent;

      3.   Protect the public health, safety and general welfare by:

         a.   Minimizing noise, air, water, dust and visual pollution,

         b.   Screening and buffering incompatible land uses,

         c.   Preserving property values and the character of neighborhoods,

         d.   Reducing the heat and glare absorbed and radiated by development,

         e.   Conserving energy resources,

         f.   Helping to control soil erosion,

         g.   Controlling the spread of invasive and noxious plants,

         h.   Increasing traffic safety, and

         i.   Protecting air quality by reducing dust emissions.

   B.   The intent of this chapter is to ameliorate adverse impacts between potentially incompatible uses and zones by requiring a minimum level of buffering and screening. This chapter does not determine the compatibility of two different uses or zones, which is determined by the board of supervisors.

   C.   Scope.

      1.   The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all development, unless excepted elsewhere in the Code, except development within the ML zone and RVC zone adjacent to the ML zone, and conversions of apartment complexes to condominiums with landscape plans that were approved with the apartment development plan.

      2.   New development. The provisions of this chapter apply to all new tentative plans and development plans submitted after October 1, 1985;

      3.   Expansion of existing uses. Approved plans and development existing prior to October 1, 1985 shall comply with the regulations under which approval was given, and shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter if proposed expansion will exceed twenty-five percent of the gross floor or lot area of the existing development.

      4.   Landscape plan submittal. A landscape plan shall be submitted to the planning division of the development services department for the following:

         a.   Any development plan or subdivision plat that requires ten or more parking spaces, except for development within the ML zone and RVC zone adjacent to the ML zone, development of single-family dwellings where all parking is contained within structures and carports on individual, subdivided lots, and development plans for apartment conversions to condominiums that have landscape plan that were approved by the planning division and development services department.

         b.   When screening, buffering or landscaping is required by the chapter,

         c.   When screening, buffering or landscaping is required by the board of supervisors as a condition of rezoning or other reason,

         d.   Reserved.

         e.   Any landscaping requiring review by the planning division required to fulfill requirements of the General Commercial Standards (Chapter 18.39), Golf Course Zone (Chapter 18.59), Hillside Development Overlay Zone (Chapter 18.61), Historic Overlay (Chapter 18.63), Major Resort Zone (Chapter 18.40), Sign Standards (Chapter 18.79) or Grading Standards (Chapter 18.81).

(Ord. 2015-7 § 5 (part), 2015; Ord. 2006-97 § 1 (part), 2006; Ord. 2003-72 § 4 (part), 2003; Ord. 1986-187 § 1 (part), 1986; Ord. 1985-171 § 1 (part), 1985)

   A.   Certain terms used in this chapter shall be defined as follows:

      1.   Amenity landscaping. Any landscaping that is required to mitigate for the negative environmental affects to a site caused by paving and impervious structures;

      2.   Bufferyard. Landscaping elements, screening devices, and landforms used for reduction of the potentially adverse impacts of adjoining, dissimilar land uses as depicted in the Landscape Design Manual;

      3.   Effluent. Reclaimed wastewater;

      4.   Environmental zone design principle. The landscape management and design principle of identifying planting areas throughout the site that have, or will be designed to have, similar maintenance, irrigation and exposure requirements. Zones may range from arid to wet. The plant palette for each zone should clearly reflect the function and design objective of the zone. Application of this principle promotes rational site planning and efficient, attractive, cost-effective landscaping;

      5.   Gross parking area. The total square footage of the development site minus the first floor square footage of all buildings and storage yards, bufferyards and drainage structures;

      6.   Landscaping. The combination of landscape elements in a designed, specific application that meets the purposes of this chapter. Landscape elements may include vegetation, such as trees, cacti, shrubs and groundcovers and other elements such as walls, earth berms, planters, and other architectural or structural elements;

      7.   Mini-oasis design concept. The landscape design technique of allocating a generous portion of a site's landscape water where it will return maximum benefit in terms of cooling, aesthetic pleasure and exposure to people;

      8.   Plant size.

         a.   Gallons, in regard to plant size is the container size generally accepted by trade professionals to denote or specify plant materials size;

         b.   Caliper shall refer to tree trunk size measured as follows:

            i.   For 15 gallon and 24 inch box containers, measure the trunk at the widest point within the first four to six inches above ground.

            ii.   For 36 inch box and larger containers, measure the trunk at the widest point six to twelve inches above ground.

            iii.   For multiple stem trees, measure the second largest stem within the first six inches above the origination point, or six inches above ground if all stems originate from the soil. The caliper for multiple stem trees shall be determined by averaging no more than the diameter of three of the largest stems.

            iv.   Trees with all branches above twelve inches from the ground are classified as single stem trees.

      9.   Screening element. Any landscaping or structure used to conceal or reduce the negative visual and audio impacts of certain land uses or activities from streets or adjacent development. The height of a screening device is measured from the highest finished grade abutting the element to be screened;

      10.   Walls or fences. Any structure intended for confinement, prevention of intrusion, boundary identification or screening of an activity or land use.

      11.   Decorative masonry wall. Masonry wall that is stuccoed and painted, has a textured, colored surface, or contains other elements that improve the aesthetic appearance of gray slump block walls, as approved by the planning director.

      12.   Natural Desert Bufferyard. A bufferyard that is composed of undisturbed areas in which disturbance is prohibited except to enhance small areas by planting the same plant material and density as undisturbed areas endemic to the site area.

(Ord. 2006-97 § 1 (part), 2006; Ord. 1985-171 § 1 (part), 1985)

   A.   Scope. This section provides general standards for bufferyards, landscape designs and landscape plans. Specific design references, standards and plant lists in the form of a landscape design manual are hereby adopted to ensure compliance with this chapter. The landscape design manual may be amended by resolution of the board after a noticed public hearing. The planning director may approve minor changes to the landscape design manual. Landscape reference materials and plant lists are available at the planning and development services department.

   B.   General Standards.

      1.   Landscape designs shall be in harmony with the environmental context of the development site. Preservation of native, on-site vegetation shall be a primary objective of site planning for development. Specimen plants shall be given particular consideration for retention on site. Property owners shall comply with the provisions of Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 3-904;

      2.   Wherever the undisturbed natural desert landscape cannot be preserved, or has been disturbed through past land use and is no longer representative of the native habitat, landscape design and construction shall promote the use of transplanted, on-site desert plants, container plants, seeded desert plants and inorganic groundcovers. This standard shall be particularly emphasized on all landscaped areas abutting public rights-of-way, scenic routes and landscaping having high public visibility;

      3.   The environmental zone design principle of appropriate plant selection and placement, based on the function, water requirement and most suitable environmental exposure of the plant materials, shall be used in all proposals. The mini-oasis design provision may be permitted when proposed water-intensive planting designs are found by the planning director to substantially meet criteria found in the landscape design manual;

      4.   Turf applications over ten acres, except as required by the Pima County department of natural resources, parks and Recreation, including parks and recreational facilities, cemeteries and school grounds shall be irrigated with reclaimed water, effluent, or CAP water. Golf course design and its use of turf within Pima County is regulated by the Golf Course zone (Chapter 18.59);

      5.   Plants shall be selected from the approved plant lists within the Landscape Design Manual. Requests for changes in the plant lists may be made to the planning director, who shall review the request and enter all approved changes to the plant list addendum which shall be available from the planning department;

      6.   Trees and shrubs.

         a.   Trees shall be at least five gallons in size, or of comparable height if bare-rooted, at planting time,

         b.   Shrubs shall be at least one gallon in size at planting time,

         c.   Trees and shrubs shall be planted so that at maturity they do not interfere with service lines, traffic sight lines and the property rights of adjacent property owners, and

         d.   Trees planted near public sidewalks or curbs shall be provided with suitable root diverters to minimize heaving of those improvements;

      7.   Groundcovers.

         a.   When inorganic groundcovers are used, they shall be in combination with live plants and not exceed two-thirds of the total area of applied groundcovers,

         b.   Turf use, except as required by Pima County Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation, shall be for functional use only, not to exceed an area that is equal to fifteen percent of the required landscaped area, and shall be located, when used, on the development site:

            1)   To mitigate glare and reduce heat near buildings and their openings, windows and patios,

            2)   To enhance a mini-oasis,

            3)   To enhance a pedestrian entryway,

            4)   In an environmental zone compatible with the context of the landscape and architectural design,

            5)   To conserve water and demonstrate this ethic to the public;

         c.   Unpaved areas in any plant bed, median or tree understory within a planter shall be planted with shrubs, accents or vines, or covered with appropriate organic and inorganic groundcovers;

      8.   Irrigation and water accent features:

         a.   All water use for landscape irrigation and enhancement shall conform to the Arizona Groundwater Code (Title 45, Chapter 2) and the adopted groundwater management plan for the Tucson active management area, except areas located outside of the Tucson active management area, which must adhere to the requirements of this chapter,

         b.   Each introduced planting shall be served by a water-conserving, underground irrigation system that incorporates rain sensors and is capable of seasonal adjustments, unless otherwise approved by the planning director. Stormwater harvesting and drip irrigation are the preferred irrigation methods,

         c.   Required landscape areas shall use a separate reclaimed ready irrigation system to promote the use of effluent to irrigate landscaped and turf areas. A note describing effluent use feasibility shall be included on landscape plans indicating briefly: cost-effectiveness, potential sources and availability,

         d.   Landscape designs shall be integrated with improvement plans for the site and shall make maximum use of site stormwater runoff for irrigation purposes, and

         e.   Water design features that use groundwater or CAP water, such as ponds and fountains, shall not exceed more than fifty square feet in size unless approved by the design review committee with a suitable justification to demonstrate why the water design feature requirements cannot be met within fifty square feet.

      9.   Natural features:

         a.   Earth berms shall be designed to transition to existing grades, shall not exceed a slope of 2:1, and shall be adequately covered with plant material, groundcovers or rip-rap to control erosion,

         b.   Natural drainageways and existing, natural vegetation may be used for screening and amenity landscape credit if approved by the planning director, provided such uses are consistent with the county floodplain management ordinance;

      10.   Streetscape sculpture and furniture: Streetscape bufferyards wider than ten feet may be reduced by ten percent of their required width, for each one hundred linear foot section that includes an, approved public sculpture or furniture piece installed and maintained within the bufferyard. Public sculpture and furniture shall be approved by the design review committee (reference Chapter 18.99), subject to standards contained in the landscape design manual;

      11.   Safety design standards:

         a.   Walls, fences, signs, landscaping and other potential obstructions to view in excess of two feet in height shall be placed in accordance with the requirements of Section 18.77.020;

      12.   Public right-of-way standards:

         a.   Landscaping in publicly owned or controlled areas shall be consistent with the purpose and requirements of this chapter, design requirements as specified in the county development standards code, the department of transporation's subdivision street standards, the scenic routes ordinance and the Pima County landscape design manual;

         b.   A right-of-way use permit and maintenance agreement must be obtained from the Pima County Real Property Division prior to installation of any landscaping within the public right-of-way.

      13.   Plant materials spacing: Plants may be grouped, clustered or unevenly spaced to prevent the creation of an unnatural appearance in the landscape, provided that screening and mitigation of site development from streets and adjoining lots is provided and the design complies with the Landscape Manual.

   C.   Stormwater Harvesting Option.

      1.   Stormwater harvesting in bufferyards. When stormwater harvesting systems meet requirements in Section 18.07.030(S)(2) and cover at least three-quarters of the required bufferyard area:

         a.   The height of walls required in the Landscape Design Manual for Bufferyards A through D only may be reduced to three and one-half feet; and

         b.   The density of canopy trees required in the Landscape Design Manual for all bufferyards may be reduced by fifty percent.

(Ord. 2015-7 § 5 (part), 2015; Ord. 2006-97 § 1 (part), 2006; Ord. 1985-171 § 1 (part), 1985)

   A.   Scope:

      1.   Land use zones permitted by this code are ranked according to their land use intensity and restrictiveness (reference Section 18.05.010B). Ranking is based on the type and degree of nuisance or negative impact the more intensive use is likely to impose on less intensive, adjacent land uses. Bufferyards shall be provided between uses to minimize the negative effects of their dissimilarity.

   B.   Bufferyards:

      1.   Purpose: Both the amount of land and the type and amount of planting specified for each bufferyard requirement are designed to ameliorate nuisances between adjacent land uses or between a land use and public street or road, yet to be designed to promote appropriate linkages to compatible land uses and public streets or roads. Appropriate linkages include, but are not limited to design that promotes pedestrian and bicycle path connectivity including safe routes.

   C.   Location of bufferyards:

      1.   Bufferyards shall be located on the outer perimeter of a lot or parcel, extending to the lot or parcel boundary line.

      2.   Portions of required bufferyards shall not be located on an existing or dedicated public or private street right-of-way. However, portions of bufferyards in excess of the bufferyard requirement as determined by Table 18.73-1 and the bufferyard standards illustrated in the Landscape Design Manual may be located on an existing or dedicated public or private street or right-of-way in accordance with the department of transportation's adopted subdivision street standards, board of supervisors Policy F 54.1 Planting in Pima County Right-of-Way, as amended, which includes review and approval of a right-of-way use permit or licensing through the Pima County Department of Transportation Real Property Division.

   D.   Determination of bufferyard requirements:

      1.   To determine the type of bufferyard required between the project site and adjacent parcels, or between the project site and an adjacent street, the following procedure shall be followed:

         a.   Identify the land use zone category of the proposed use on Table 18.73-1, "Bufferyard Requirements," codified in this chapter, and located in the landscape design manual,

         b.   Identify the land use zone category of the existing land use zones adjacent to the proposed use on Table 18.73-1,

         c.   Identify any adjacent street as private, public, major route, and/or scenic route.

         d.   Determine the bufferyard required on each boundary (or segment thereof) of the subject parcel by referring the indicated letter designation from Table 18.73-1 to the bufferyard standards illustrated in the landscape design manual.

      2.   Bufferyard specifications detailed and illustrated in the manual constitute the bufferyard required between the two adjacent land uses. Any of the options contained in the letter designated bufferyard shall satisfy the requirement of buffering between the adjacent land uses. The width of the bufferyard can vary, or meander, provided that the average bufferyard width is not less than the required bufferyard width when measured along any single lineal bufferyard. If a developer is providing pedestrian or bicycle connectivity through a bufferyard to an adjacent site, street or right-of-way, the required wall height within the bufferyard can be lowered to forty-two inches.

      3.   Responsibility for bufferyard:

         a.   When a use is the first to develop on two adjacent vacant parcels, this first use shall provide the required buffer,

         b.   The second use to develop shall, at the time it develops, provide any additional plant material and land necessary to provide any additional bufferyard required between those two uses.

      4.   Existing plant material, structures and land located on the preexisting (first developed) land use which meets the requirements of this chapter may be counted as contributing to the total bufferyard between it and the second (adjacent) land use to develop.

   E.   Use of bufferyards:

      1.   A bufferyard may be used for passive recreation; it may contain sculpture, furniture and pedestrian, bike or equestrian trails, provided that:

         a.   No plant material is eliminated,

         b.   The total width of the bufferyard is maintained, and

         c.   All other regulations of this chapter are met.

      2.   In no event shall the following uses be permitted in bufferyards:

         a.   Playfields,

         b.   Stables,

         c.   Swimming pools,

         d.   Racquetball and tennis courts.

   F.   Bufferyard options:

      1.   Where the bufferyard originally required between a land use and vacant land turns out to be greater than that bufferyard subsequently required between the first use and the subsequently developed use, the following applies:

         a.   The subsequent establishment of compatible adjacent land uses, as indicated in Table 18.73-1, may eliminate the requirement for a bufferyard. If the requirement is reduced, but not eliminated, the existing use may expand into the excess buffer area, provided that the resulting total bufferyard between the two uses meets the revised bufferyard requirements;

      2.   Property owners may enter into agreements, subject to the approval of the county, with abutting landowners to use adjoining land to provide some or all of a required bufferyard. The total buffer shall equal the requirements of this chapter. Nonconforming uses and plats shall not be created, expanded or allowed by this option, nor shall designated, platted open space be compromised. Agreements must run with the land, be approved by the planning department, and be recorded with the county recorder.

      3.   Contractual reduction of a bufferyard abutting vacant land. When development requiring a development plan or subdivision plat is proposed adjacent to vacant land and the owner of that vacant land enters into a contractual relationship with the owner of the land that is to be developed first, a reduced buffer may be provided by the first use, provided that: the contract contains a recorded agreement whereby that vacant landowner shall assume all responsibility for any additional buffer, if needed by the subsequent development of a more or less intense use on the vacant property.

      4.   A bufferyard is not required in either of the following cases, provided, however, a six-foot-high decorative masonry wall is constructed in lieu of the bufferyard, and the wall requirement is noted on the approved subdivision plat and landscape plan:

         a.   Where a proposed residential development has the same or less density or where the individual lot size along the abutting lots is equal to, or less than the adjacent residential property;

         b.   Where a bufferyard is required along the side or rear yard of an individual residential lot abutting an internal street.

(Ord. 2009-98 § 2 (part), 2009; Ord. 2006-97 § 1 (part), 2006; Ord. 2005-35 § 4, 2005; Ord. 1996-59 § 4, 1996; Ord. 1994-147 § 8, 1994; Ord. 1994-133 § 1, 1994; Ord. 1990-1 § 1 (part), 1990; Ord. 1987-92 § 1 (part), 1987; Ord. 1985-171 § 1 (part), 1985)

   A.   Scope. Amenity landscaping shall be provided for certain specific plans, development plans and land uses in addition to the screening requirements of Section 18.73.040 of this chapter. For example, amenity landscaping can be required as a condition of rezoning, as a requirement of cluster option approval or other action of the design review committee ( campus park industrial, rural village center, major resort, scenic routes, etc.), or for Hillside Development zone revegetation compliance, or by approval or other action of the historical commission for a historic district zone or a historic landmark zone. Buffer areas provided to satisfy screening requirements may be used to reduce site gross area in calculating the amenity landscaping for these land uses. Where amenity landscaping is required or used, but is not determined by parking area calculations, the area, type, density and height of the amenity landscaping shall be approved by the specific review body assigned the review function (e.g. design review committee; subdivision and development review committee; Pima County plans review subcommittee and historic landscape committee of the historic commission).

   B.   Parking Area Amenity Landscape Requirements.

      1.   Scope. Any development that requires ten or more parking spaces (except for development within the ML zone and RVC zone adjacent to the ML zone and development of single-family dwellings where all parking is contained within structures or carports on individual, subdivided lots);

      2.   Standard. An area equal to at least ten percent of the gross parking area shall be devoted to amenity landscaping. Required buffer areas may be subtracted from the gross parcel area in order to determine the gross parking area for purposes of landscaping calculations only;

      3.   Amenity options. The ten percent requirement may be satisfied with the use of combinations of the following elements:

         a.   Pedestrian median walkways within parking lots,

         b.   Twenty-five percent of the area of standard nondecorative concrete sidewalks on site,

         c.   One hundred percent of the area of decorative sidewalks (embossed concrete, exposed aggregate, tile, brick, etc.) on site,

         d.   Landscaped traffic islands, planters or medians within parking areas not required by Chapter 18.75,

         e.   Interior project landscaping; such as building foundation planting, planters, mini-oases, landscaped entryways and assembly areas, sculpture gardens, fountains, demonstration gardens,

         f.   Courts, ramadas and covered walkways,

         g.   Vegetated roofs, limited to plants selected from the approved plant lists within the Landscape Design Manual available at the development services department, pursuant to Section 18.73.030(A).

      4.   For additional requirements, refer to Chapter 18.75, Off-Street Parking and Loading Standards.

   C.   Stormwater Harvesting Option.

      1.   Amenity landscaping reduction for stormwater harvesting. The ten percent amenity landscaping requirement may be reduced by half when the following stormwater harvesting elements are installed:

         a.   All pedestrian walkways and sidewalks shall use accepted porous/pervious pavement, pavers or bricks, or similar water-permeable surface; and

         b.   All landscaped traffic islands shall meet stormwater harvesting requirements for landscape planters in Section 18.75.040(F).

(Ord. 2025-4, 2025: Ord. 2015-7 § 5 (part), 2015; Ord. 2013-42, § 5, 2013; Ord. 2006-97 § 1 (part), 2006; Ord. 2003-72 § 4 (part), 2003; Ord. 1985-171 § 1 (part), 1985)

   A.   Submittal and approval of a landscape plan shall be required prior to approval of a development plan and final plats except for development within the ML zone and RVC zone adjacent to the ML zone.

   B.   Landscape plans shall comply with all requirements listed in the Subdivision and Development Review Committee approved checklist.

(Ord. 2006-97 § 1 (part), 2006; Ord. 2003-72 § 4 (part), 2003; Ord. 1985-171 § 1 (part), 1985)

   A.   Submittal.

      1.   Prior to the submittal of a landscape plan, the petitioner should consult with the department of planning and development services concerning specific submittal requirements.

      2.   Landscape plans for subdivision plats and development plans shall be submitted to the office of the subdivision coordinator for further processing. All other landscape plans shall be submitted to the planning division. A minimum of two copies are required.

      3.   Within thirty working days of plan submittal, the planning division shall notify the petitioner in writing as to any further requirements or amendments necessary for final approval.

      4.   The petitioner shall resubmit any revised plans for final compliance review.

      5.   Review fees shall be as determined by the Board of Supervisors.

   B.   Landscape Plan Review.

      1.   The planning division of the development services department shall review the landscape plan for compliance with all code and special requirements.

      2.   The petitioner shall resubmit any revised plans for final compliance review. A written decision will be provided the petitioner within thirty working days of resubmittal.

      3.   Any change to the underlying development plan or subdivision plat may require resubmittal of a new or revised landscape plan as determined by the planning director.

   C.   All landscaping shall be completed before the certificate of occupancy can be released, if the landscaping is required for a development plan, or before subdivision assurances can be released, if the landscaping is for a subdivision plat. If a project is developed in phases, landscaping and screening requirements shall be completed in sequence with phased development. The planning director may authorize or require the use of assurances in accordance with Section 18.69.070 for phased development, delayed construction projects or to accommodate petitioners requesting to postpone installation of bufferyards along property lines that abut vacant, undeveloped property.

   D.   Appeals. Appeals to the decisions or requirements of the planning division of the development services department may be directed, in writing by the petitioner or other affected individuals, to the design review committee. The appeal must be made within fifteen working days of the date of the departmental decision.

(Ord. 2006-97 § 1 (part), 2006; Ord. 1985-171 § 1 (part), 1985)

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

   B.   Maintenance Assurances. The final approval of any subdivision plat or development plan that includes an approved final landscaping plan shall require covenants or assurances which:

      1.   Ensure the continued maintenance of required landscaping, buffering and associated irrigation systems; and

      2.   Assign the responsibility of maintenance to the property owner or agent, a homeowners' association or other liable entity as approved by the planning director.

   C.   Compliance. Planning division personnel, qualified in landscape architectural review will periodically spot-inspect landscape installations for compliance with this chapter and approved landscape plans.

(Ord. 2006-97 § 1 (part), 2006; Ord. 1985-171 § 1 (part), 1985)

Table 18.73-1: BUFFERYARD REQUIREMENTS (Minimum Bufferyard Required) 

1 - Proposed Mobile Home Park or Subdivision

2 - Proposed Nonresidential Use

a - Adjacent Residential Use/Zone

   Notes:

- The letter designations in this table refer to the bufferyard requirements and standards found within the Landscape Design Manual.

- See Section 18.73.040F for bufferyard options.

(Ord. 1996-59 § 5, 1996)