The goal of the landscaping requirements is to beautify and improve the quality of life within the Town of Ranchester. (Ord 216 Appendix 2, 2002)

The landscaping procedures and provisions for the Town of Ranchester are designed to meet the following objectives:

1. To encourage quality development within the Town.
2. To provide a smooth transition between adjoining properties.
3. To screen service yards, parking lots, and other areas which tend to be a nuisance;
4. To improve erosion control.
5. To encourage a sense of commitment to the Town and its residents on the part of developers, schools, and government agencies; and
6. To provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the Town of Ranchester. (Ord 216 Appendix 2, 2002)
   

Landscaping means the use of vegetation and inorganic durable materials such as those identified below, to enhance the visual attractiveness of a site and improve erosion control. For the purposes of satisfying the Town Subdivision and Zoning Ordinances, landscaping shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Formal turf areas.
2. Trees, shrubs, bushes, ground cover, or planting.
3. Sprinkler systems.
4. Decorative rock, natural or manmade.
5. Rooftop gardens, exposed aggregate tile or similar decorative materials used in walkways, excluding sidewalks on public property, driveway approaches, and any architectural features attached to the building.
6. Decorative lighting (standard street lighting or lighting used primarily for security purposes is not considered decorative).
7. Benches, tables, fountains, planters, kiosks and public transit shelters, waterfalls, and manmade streams;
8. Decorative fences; retaining walls, i.e., railroad ties, brick, and flagstone;
9. Ponds, excluding detention and retention ponds;
10. Berms and mounds. (Ord 216 Appendix 2, 2002)
    

1. The owner of any proposed PUD with the exception of single-family and two-family dwellings, must submit and obtain approval of a complete landscaping application before any building permit is issued. Landscaping applications are to be submitted to the Town Engineer. A complete landscaping application consists of:
   1. A planting list;
   2. A time frame for installation or planting;
   3. One copy of a landscaping plan complying with the attached list of landscaping criteria; and
   4. The original and two copies of the attached landscaping application form.
2. At the time the owner submits a landscaping application; the owner shall sign an agreement with the Town to comply with both the landscaping criteria below, and an approval of a landscaping plan, and to complete the landscaping within the time frame stated in the agreement. Upon approval of a landscaping plan by the Town Engineer, the signed agreement shall be filed with the Town Clerk.
3. Within three working days of receiving a landscaping application, the Town Engineer will review the application for completeness with the landscaping criteria. Applications determined to be incomplete will be returned to the owner within the three-day period, along with written notification of additions and corrections necessary for compliance. If the application is complete, the Town Engineer shall approve, approve with contingencies, or deny the application within 12 working days of its receipt and notify the applicant in writing and verbally of the decision. If approved or approved with contingencies, the applicant shall sign a site plan agreement and may obtain a building permit from the office of the Town Engineer. If the application is denied, the Town Engineer shall not issue the applicant a building permit. Appeals of the decisions of the Town Engineer must be requested, in writing, to the Council within 15 working days of the date upon which the owner was notified of the decision. The Council may consider the appeal at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting to be held after receipt of the written appeal. Within 15 working days of the Council meeting at which the appeal was heard, the Council should make a final determination upon the appeal. Any denial not appealed shall become final.
4. If the owner does not receive written notification of non-compliance, the landscaping application is considered approved. The Town Engineer will forward the approved landscaping application to the Building Official within the 15 day period and the Building Official may issue a building permit. (Ord 265 7, 2014; Ord 216 Appendix 2, 2002)
   

The landscaping plan must comply with the following criteria:

1. Minimum size of plant and other materials shall comply with the criteria and specifications set forth by the Town.
2. Inorganic ground cover should consist of rock, lava, and bark installed over a minimum six mil screen type material to prevent weed infiltration.
   1. Redwood bark chips a minimum of one inch (1") in size and a minimum of two inches (2") in depth.
   2. Crushed stone a minimum of one inch (1") in size and a minimum of two inches (2") in depth.
3. Total inorganic landscaping shall not constitute more than 50% of the landscaped area of the land under consideration unless otherwise approved by the Town Engineer.
4. Landscaping of off-street parking lots and loading and unloading spaces shall be located so as to break up the expanse of paving.
5. Landscaping shall be required along the perimeter lot line(s) of all off-street parking lots which abut any public way, residential property, or property zoned for a less intensive use.
6. No artificial trees, bushes, hedges, flowers, or shrubs may be used in landscaping any exterior areas, unless having received prior written approval from the Town Engineer.
7. No synthetic ground cover, such as AstroTurf, is to be used for exterior landscaping unless warranted by soil conditions and unless prior written approval has been received from the Town Engineer.
8. All planted areas must be provided with sprinkler irrigation systems.
9. The owner or occupant, his successors, and assigns, are responsible for irrigating, fertilizing, spraying, pruning, and general maintenance of all plantings and landscaped areas. After 24 months, the owner or occupant, his successors and assigns, may substitute alternate landscaping upon approval by the Town Engineer.
10. Upon demand of the Council, the owner shall replace and replant any plant material that dies within the 24 months maintenance period, or is not in conformity with the landscaping plan.
11. Landscaping shall not:
    1. Interfere with the installation, maintenance, and repair of any public utilities.
    2. Restrict pedestrian or vehicular access; or
    3. Constitute a traffic hazard.
12. The owner shall attempt to use a listing of recommended plantings when selecting landscaping materials as provided by the Town.
13. A minimum percentage of the site shall be landscaped. A list of minimum percentages follows in Section 15-49-150.
14. The landscape plan should be prepared by a landscape architect, landscape contractor, or other qualified person.
15. The landscape plan must be prepared on a scale of 1" = 10' or a multiple thereof and must include:
    1. North arrow, scale, and date of preparation;
    2. Common address and location of land under construction;
    3. Location and width of all interior and abutting roads, highways, rights-of-way, and railroad rights-of-way;
    4. Easements on the land under construction;
    5. Adjoining property lines;
    6. The location, type, and size of all existing plant materials specifying whether the materials are to remain on the site;
    7. The location, type, size, and quantity of proposed plant and other landscaping materials; and,
    8. All other significant features. (Ord 216 Appendix 2, 2002)
       

*For multi-family developments of 16 units or over, the owner is required to expend 6% of the raw land value for landscaping purposes as well as to landscape 20% of the land. (Ord 216 Appendix 2, 2002)