The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum landscaping and screening requirements in order to maintain and protect property values, to enhance the city's appearance, to visually unify the city and its neighborhoods, to improve the character of certain areas of the city, to reduce erosion and storm water runoff, to promote the use of drought-resistant native species, and to maintain or replace existing vegetation and to prevent and abate public nuisances.

(Ord. No. 1132, § 2(Exh. A), 7-11-2013)

A.

This chapter applies to all uses and activities developed in the city.

B.

Full site improvements are required for landscaping if a development proposal is:

1.

New development;

2.

Conversion from a residential use to a nonresidential use;

3.

Expanding the square footage of an existing structure by twenty percent; or

4.

The construction valuation is fifty percent of the existing site and building valuation.

5.

If any existing foundation or fence layout precludes full compliance herewith, then the landscaping requirements may be modified by the planning director.

(Ord. No. 1132, § 2(Exh. A), 7-11-2013)

A.

The types of landscaping required by this chapter are articulated in Table 18.725.030-1 and further illustrated in Figure 18.725.030-1.

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Table 18.725.030-1
Screening and Buffering Standards

Figure 18.725.030-1

B.

The plant units installed shall meet the requirements of Chapter 18.830. Applicants shall use plants on the native plant species list to the greatest extent possible, and shall avoid using plants on the nuisance or prohibited plant lists, as required by RDC 18.830.020

(Ord. No. 1132, § 2(Exh. A), 7-11-2013; Ord. No. 1232, § 2(Exh. A), 4-27-2017; Ord. No. 1325, § 2(Exh. A), 9-24-2020)

A.

Walls, fences and berms shall meet the requirements of Table 18.725.040-1.

B.

Table 18.725.040-1 shall be read with Tables 18.725.030-1 and 18.725.050-1 to determine fence/wall screening requirements and options.

Table 18.725.040-1

(Ord. No. 1132, § 2(Exh. A), 7-11-2013)

A.

The city shall require screening and buffering to separate dissimilar uses from each other and from public streets, in order to eliminate or minimize potential negative impacts of any planned use on a neighboring residential use. Screening and buffering shall meet the requirements of Table 18.725.050-1.

B.

To determine the type of screening and buffering required by Table 18.725.050-1:

1.

Identify the zoning district and proposed use of the subject site by referring to the Ridgefield zoning map and to any approved plans for the site (left column, Table 18.725.050-1). Parking area shall include parking spaces, driveways, access aisles, loading spaces and all other parking-related uses.

2.

Identify the zoning district of adjoining property by referring to the Ridgefield zoning map and by surveying surrounding land uses (top row, Table 18.725.050-1).

3.

Determine the screening and buffering distance and type for the proposed zone or use and type of adjacent use. In a case of overlapping types of buffers, the higher type shall prevail.

4.

Determine the screening and buffering standards by referring to the screening and buffering types in Table 18.725.030-1, Figure 18.725.030-1 and Table 18.725.040-1.

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Table 18.725.050-1
Landscaping, Screening and Buffering Matrix ³

Table Notes:

(1)

In order to reduce to a seven-foot wide landscape buffer, one or more direct pedestrian connections between on-site uses and the public street shall be required. Pedestrian connections may be constructed through the required landscaped buffer.

(2)

Along a pedestrian street, the landscaping buffer for front and street side yards may be reduced to zero feet if the building is located within ten feet of the property line.

(3)

When buffer standards and relevant setback standards do not match, the greater of the two shall apply.

(4)

Parcels adjacent to Interstate 5 right-of-way shall install a fifteen-foot wide landscape buffer adjacent to Interstate 5. The buffer shall include landscaping consistent with the L5 standard, except that fifty percent of the required understory trees shall be Dwarf Globe Blue Spruce (Picea pungens 'globosa') and any wall, other than a required retaining wall, shall be prohibited.

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C.

The applicant shall indicate screening and buffering, as required by the screening and buffering matrix, on the required plan.

D.

The applicant shall locate screening and buffering on the perimeter of a lot or parcel, extending to the lot or parcel boundary line. Landscaping buffers as provided in Table 18.725.050-1 shall meet the standards for the site along all property lines. Where parking areas or outdoor storage are located along the site's perimeter, buffers shall be provided to meet the standards for parking areas or outdoor storage for the portion of the perimeter devoted to such use.

E.

The applicant shall not locate required buffering on any portion of an existing or dedicated public or private street or right-of-way.

F.

Limitations. All areas for screening and buffering shall remain void of buildings and structures (except pathways), parking, lighting (except lighting of pathways) and utilities (unless underground). Buildable land required for screening and buffering may be used to satisfy landscape and open space requirements and may be included in the density calculation of the site.

G.

The screening and buffering matrix (Table 18.725.050-1) and the screening and buffering standards (Table 18.725.040-1) shall be applied in all zoning districts. If a higher intensity use is permitted in any district (e.g., multiple family in an RLD 4 district) through the CUP or PUD process, this use will be considered as if it were in a more intensive zone.

H.

The PUD design process may supersede the buffer standards in this chapter.

I.

Required walls and fences shall be located as near the property line as practicable.

J.

All plant fractions are rounded off, and existing vegetation may be used to satisfy planting requirements.

(Ord. No. 1132, § 2(Exh. A), 7-11-2013; Ord. No. 1220, § 2(Exh. A), 10-27-2016; Ord. No. 1226, § 2(Exh. A), 12-15-2016; Ord. No. 1232, § 2(Exh. A), 4-27-2017; Ord. No. 1253, § 2(Exh. A), 12-7-2017; Ord. No. 1273, § 2(Exh. A), 10-11-2018; Ord. No. 1290, § 2(Exh. A), 4-25-2019)

A.

Development shall be landscaped to the following minimum standards, calculated as a percentage of the gross site acreage. Notwithstanding the minimums prescribed by this section, the minimum buffer widths described in Table 18.725.050-1 and any requirements of the individual chapter must be met.

Table 18.725.055-1

Notes:

(1)

See RDC 18.260.070(D)(2) for exceptions.

(Ord. No. 1132, § 2(Exh. A), 7-11-2013; Ord. No. 1226, § 2(Exh. A), 12-15-2016)

A.

All trees planted along a public or private street as required by RDC 18.725.050 shall be regulated in accordance with RMC 12.12 and the City Engineering Standards for Public Works Construction.

(Ord. No. 1132, § 2(Exh. A), 7-11-2013; Ord. No. 1178, § 2(Exh. A), 2-12-2015)

Landscape plans shall be prepared by a landscape architect or nursery. Plans shall be neatly and accurately drawn, at a scale that will enable ready identification and recognition of information submitted. Existing landscaped areas shall be shown. Landscaping plans shall show:

A.

Adjacent streets, public and private;

B.

Boundaries and dimensions of site;

C.

Location of on-site buildings;

D.

Location of on-site parking areas;

E.

Location and size of landscape areas;

F.

Location, species and size of planting materials;

G.

Location of outdoor storage areas;

H.

Location of significant trees;

I.

Location of water source(s).

(Ord. No. 1132, § 2(Exh. A), 7-11-2013)

A.

Landscape plant materials will be installed to current nursery industry standards. Planting and irrigation methods shall be clearly shown on the landscape plan.

B.

Landscape plant materials shall be properly guyed and staked to current industry standards. Stakes and guy wires shall not interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic, or in any way, adversely impact public safety.

C.

Mandated deciduous (canopy) trees shall be fully branched, have a minimum caliper of one and one-half inches, and a minimum height of eight feet at the time of planting.

D.

Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of six feet in height, fully branched at the time of planting. Reduction in the minimum size may be permitted if certified by a registered landscape architect that the reduction shall not diminish the plant materials' chance of survival or intended use.

E.

Shrubs shall be supplied in minimum one-gallon containers or eight-inch burlap balls with a minimum spread of twelve inches, except for shrubs used for screening vehicle areas, which shall be supplied in a minimum five-gallon container. Reduction in the minimum size may be permitted if certified by a landscape architect that the reduction shall not diminish the plant materials' chance of survival or intended effect.

F.

Groundcover plantings shall be planted at a maximum of twenty-four inches on center and twenty-four inches between rows. Rows of plants shall be staggered for a more effective covering. Groundcover shall be supplied in a minimum four-inch size container or two and one-quarter inch container or equivalent if planted twelve inches on center.

G.

All landscaping required by this code and approved by the planning director shall be installed prior to the issuance of any final occupancy permits. All required landscaping shall be installed prior to occupancy unless installation is bonded (or other method), for a period not to exceed three months, in an amount determined appropriate by the planning director.

H.

When landscape materials are used to screen vehicle areas, the landscaped area shall provide opacity sufficiently to screen vehicle headlights from public rights-of-way at the time of planting. If such landscaping is not practicable, other mitigation measures may be permitted subject to review and approval by the community development director.

(Ord. No. 1132, § 2(Exh. A), 7-11-2013; Ord. No. 1325, § 2(Exh. A), 9-24-2020)

A.

All landscaping shall be maintained as a condition of use. The property owner shall be responsible for replacing any unhealthy or dead plants for a period of three years after the initial planting.

B.

The planning director shall require a maintenance assurance device for a period of one year from the completion of planting in order to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section. The value of the maintenance assurance device shall equal at least fifty percent of the total landscape materials.

C.

If the landscaping is not being properly maintained, the property owner shall be so notified by the city. If after thirty days from the city's notification the landscaping is still not being maintained then the maintenance device may be used by the city to perform any type of maintenance necessary to ensure compliance with this chapter.

D.

The maintenance assurance device shall be accompanied by an agreement granting the city and its agents the right to enter the property and perform any necessary work. The agreement shall also hold the city harmless from all claims and expenses, including attorney's fees.

E.

Upon completion of the one-year maintenance period, and if maintenance has not been performed by the city, the city shall release the maintenance assurance device.

F.

Landscaping in the right-of-way is subject to the terms of the city engineering standards for public works construction.

(Ord. No. 1132, § 2(Exh. A), 7-11-2013; Ord. No. 1178, § 2(Exh. A), 2-12-2015)