1. This chapter contains the performance standards and regulations pertaining to the landscape, screening, and lighting elements for various uses and parking areas; requirements for the provision of trees along public rights-of-way; maintenance requirements for trees and other landscape components; and administration and enforcement of these regulations.
2. The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards for the provision, installation and maintenance of landscape plantings in and around the various land uses and associated parking areas. The addition of plant material is to define parking areas, mitigate the view of cars and pavement, help to direct traffic flow, provide continuity to streetscape, minimize noise and glare, moderate heat, wind and other climate effects and to obtain the environmental benefits of increased planting. The landscape requirements are intended to provide buffering between single-family and duplex uses and multiple-family, community facility, office, commercial, and industrial uses. The overall impact of such factors is intended to enhance and protect property values for the benefit of both public and private investment.
3. Buildings and facilities covered: This chapter applies to multiple-family, office, commercial, or industrial buildings but shall not be applicable to single-family or duplex structures or any structure in the agricultural zoning district:
   1. New construction of buildings or parking areas approved by the county after the effective date of this chapter;
   2. Additions, or accumulated total increase of twenty-five (25) percent or more, in gross square foot area of the ground floor, to any existing building;
   3. Additions, or accumulated total increase of twenty-five (25) percent or more in the number of parking spaces provided to any existing parking facility.

(Res. 16, July 2003)

1. General
   1. Landscaping required by this ordinance shall mean living plants in a combination of trees, shrubs, and/or ground cover.
   2. Unless otherwise stated in this ordinance, all size specifications for plant materials shall be based upon the time of planting. When caliper is specified for tree planting, the caliper of the tree trunk shall be measured at twelve (12) inches above the ground level.
   3. Community Facilities shall be those non-residential uses other than home occupations permitted in residential districts.
2. Planting types
   1. Canopy (medium-tall) trees. A self-supporting woody, deciduous plant having not less than one and three quarter (1¾) inch caliper and reaches a mature height of not less than twenty (20) feet and a mature spread of not less than fifteen (15) feet.
   2. Ornamental trees (small). A self-supporting woody, deciduous plant having not less than a one and one-half (1½) inch caliper and normally attains a mature height of at least fifteen (15) feet and usually has one main stem or trunk and many branches. Several species may appear to have several stems or trunks.
   3. Evergreen trees. A tree having foliage that persists and remains green throughout the year and having a height of not less than five (5) feet and maturing to a height of not less than twenty (20) feet.
   4. Shrub. A self-supporting woody perennial plant (deciduous or evergreen) of low to medium height characterized by multiple stems and branches continuous from its base and having a height of not less than two (2) feet and normally maturing to a height of not more than ten (10) feet.
   5. Ground cover. Plants, other than turf grass, which normally reaches an average of maximum height of not more than twenty-four (24) inches at maturity. Ground cover does not include plants commonly referred to as weeds.
   6. Mulch. Non-living organic and synthetic materials customarily used in landscaping designed to retain moisture, stabilize soil temperatures, control weed growth and retard erosion.

(Res. 16, July 2003)

All landscape plans shall fully meet the following performance standards in order to receive approval from the Zoning Administrator.

1. Landscaping shall not hinder the vision of motorists and pedestrians necessary for safe movement into, out of, and within the site (see Sec. 17.40.010.B - Permitted Obstructions - On Corner Lots).
2. Landscaping materials shall be selected and placed in such a manner that they do not interfere with or damage existing utilities.
3. Landscaping should be designed and installed in such a manner so as not to interfere with drainage or storm water runoff from the subject property or adjoining properties.
4. In those instances where onsite sewage disposal is required, the landscaping must not encroach on the area used as the onsite waste water treatment system nor interfere with the performance of said system. This area shall be free from encroachment by plants, shrubs, trees, and buried irrigation systems. The landscape materials shall not block access to the system so as to interfere with maintenance, service or proper operation. Surface water shall be directed away from the vicinity of the onsite disposal area.
5. Landscaping materials shall be selected and placed so that the safe and enjoyable use of surrounding properties is not inhibited.
6. Landscaping shall be selected and placed with sensitivity toward the ultimate size that will be achieved over time.
7. Landscaping with thorns, berries, and other harmful plant characteristics shall be carefully placed to avoid potential harm to people or property on and off-site.

(Res. 16, July 2003)

1. General
   1. Applications for approval of a landscape plan should be submitted to the Zoning Administrator at least thirty (30) days prior to the date when the plan is needed. Construction or implementation of landscaping prior to approval is done at the applicant's own risk.
   2. An application for approval of a landscaping plan may be denied by the Zoning Administrator if it is incomplete or if its approval would cause a violation of this chapter.
   3. If a landscaping plan is deemed to be incomplete, the Zoning Administrator shall inform the applicant within thirty (30) days, of those elements of the application that are missing but which if supplied would cause the plan to be approved.
   4. If a landscaping plan application is denied because the Zoning Administrator believes its approval would cause a violation of the ordinance, the Zoning Administrator shall identify those portions of the ordinance that he believes would be violated and explain why those portions would be violated.
   5. In conjunction with the requirements of other provisions of this division and the zoning code with respect to site plan review prior to the start of any construction or upon application of any building permit, or culvert or curb cutting permit (issued by the appropriate highway authority), a landscape plan shall be submitted to, reviewed by, and approved by the Zoning Administrator and the appropriate highway authority.
2. Plan requirements and required elements.
   1. Be drawn to scale, including dimensions and distances, location of all property lines, north arrow, date of preparation and revisions, name of designer/drafter;
   2. Delineate the location of all buildings, structures and pavement that are proposed or will remain on the site as well as the location of all existing or proposed watercourses, ponds, or lakes;
   3. Identify the location of any existing or proposed signs, walls, fences, berms (one-foot contour intervals), site furniture, lights, fountains, and sculptures on the site;
   4. Delineate the existing and proposed parking spaces, or other vehicular areas, access aisles, driveways and similar features;
   5. Show the location of above ground and underground utilities to be located on or adjacent to the site. Private sewage disposal facilities, if any, should also be shown;
   6. Show the location of all sidewalks or other pedestrian ways that are proposed for or currently adjoin the site;
   7. Designate by name and location the plant material to be installed or preserved in accordance with the requirements of this division. Plants to be installed should be shown at one-half (½) of mature size;
   8. Identify and describe the location and characteristics of all other landscape materials to be used. Include a plant list that describes the common name (available in any nursery catalog), quantity, and size at installation for each proposed plan;
   9. Show all landscapes features, including areas of vegetation to be preserved, in context with the location and outline of existing and proposed buildings and other improvements on the site, if any. In instances where healthy plant material exists on a site prior to its development, in part or in whole, the requirements may be adjusted to allow credit for such plant material if such an adjustment is in keeping with and will preserve the intent of this chapter;
   10. Include tabulation clearly displaying the relevant statistical information necessary for the Zoning Administrator to evaluate compliance with the provisions of this division. This includes gross acreage, area of preservation areas, number of trees to be planted or preserved, square footage of paved areas, and such other information as the Zoning Administrator may require.
3. Installation and maintenance of landscaping
   1. Immediately upon planting, all trees shall conform to the American Standard for Nurserymen, published by the American Association of Nurserymen, Inc. as revised from time to time.
   2. All new landscaped areas shall be installed prior to the occupancy or use of the premises or if the times of the season or weather conditions are not conductive to planting, the Zoning Administrator may authorize a delay for such planting up to six (6) months after occupancy or use of the buildings or premises. Dead plant material shall be replaced in a timely fashion with living plant material, taking into consideration the season of the year, and shall have at least the same quality of landscaping as initially approved.
   3. The owner of the premises shall be responsible for the care, maintenance, repair of all landscaping, fences, and other visual barriers including refuse disposal area screens etc. All landscaping and screening shall be maintained in a healthy, neatly trimmed, clean and weed-free condition. The ground surface of landscaped areas shall be covered with either grass and/or other types of pervious ground cover located beneath and surrounding the trees and shrubs.
   4. All required shrubs and trees shall be mulched and maintained to a minimum depth of three (3) inches with shredded hardwood bark, cypress, or gravel mulch. Plant groups shall be mulched in a continuous bed in which the edge of the mulching bed does not extend any more than four (4) feet beyond the edge of the plantings. When required shrubs or trees are planted individually and away from nearby plants, they shall be encircled in a mulched area with a diameter of no more than five (5) feet. Evergreen trees are allowed a mulched circle with a diameter large enough to accommodate the spread of the tree and up to four (4) additional feet of mulch beyond the edge of the tree. All mulched areas within or adjacent to pedestrian areas, parking lots, or driveways shall be edged in such a manner so as to minimize scattering of mulch material into such walkway or vehicular areas. Gravel mulch shall also be of a size and shape so as to minimize scattering and being less susceptible to creating a pedestrian hazard. Mulch shall be applied as a weed barrier. Plastic sheeting is not permitted as weed barrier, but filter or landscape fabric that is totally covered by the mulch may be used but is not encouraged under organic mulches (see incentives).
   5. Penalty for non-compliance with maintenance standards. A property owner, notified by the Zoning Administrator, that their landscaping violates the provisions of this chapter shall be granted a reasonable period of time within which to restore or replace said plant material, fence, wall and/or other barrier. If said violation is not corrected within the given period of time, the property owner shall be subject to those provisions as set forth in Chapter 17.78 - Violation - Penalty).
4. Calculation of minimum requirements. The amount of all required landscaping shall be calculated by utilizing the point system described herein. If the applicant decides to create a landscape design by a different means than the point system, they may do so through the Alternative Compliance provisions described below. The landscaping requirements of this section shall be based on formulas found herein. The requirements for a given yard or parking lot shall be the total of all equations listed under the applicable section. In calculating any requirement in this section, should a fraction result of one-half (0.5) or greater, it shall be rounded up to the next whole number.
   1. The following point allocations shall apply for all required landscaping:
      
      

      Tree Classification	Base Value
      Shade (tall or canopy) Trees	18 points
      Evergreen Trees	18 points
      Intermediate (small, medium or ornamental) Trees	12 points
      Shrub classification	Base Value
      Evergreen Trees	18 points
      Evergreen Shrubs	3 points
      Deciduous Shrubs	2 points
      Ground cover classification	Base Value
      Flowering perennials or annuals	8 points per 100 sq. ft.
      Green perennials or annuals	4 points per 100 sq. ft.

   2. Incentives for preserving existing landscaping. Existing landscaping that is in a vigorous growing condition and is not specifically prohibited by this chapter may count toward meeting the point requirements of this ordinance. Furthermore the following plant materials will be awarded five (5) additional points (added to base value) per tree when preserved:
      
      

      Shade (tall or canopy) Trees	12+ inches diameter trunk
      Intermediate (small, medium or ornamental) Trees	15 feet height or taller
      Evergreen Tree	15 feet height or taller

      Additional points may be credited to the owner of "monumental, historic, champion or rare" trees. The Zoning Administrator shall determine the specific point value at the recommendation of the Field Forester for the Urban and Community Forestry Program of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
   3. Incentive for planting larger landscaping. Planting of landscaping larger than the minimum required sizes specified in Section 17.51.012B will be rewarded with five (5) additional points (added to base value) per tree when the proposed sizes are as follows:
      
      

      Shade (tall or canopy) Tree	4 inches diameter (5 inches in Transitional Yards) or greater
      Intermediate (small, medium or ornamental) Trees	10 feet height or taller

   4. Incentive for planting native plant materials and/or recommended trees. Use of plant materials identified as "native" to the area by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Natural History Survey and/or trees listed by the Urban and Community Forestry Program of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and/or the State Tree (White Oak) will be rewarded with five (5) additional points (added to base value) per tree, three (3) additional points per shrub, and one (1) point per ground cover or perennial plant.
   5. Incentive for use of organic mulches without filter or landscape fabric. Use of hardwood cypress mulch without underlying filter or landscape will be rewarded with five (5) additional points for every one hundred (100) square feet of planting bed area mulched in this manner.
   6. Alternative compliance. Petitioners may choose to follow the point system described above or to submit a landscape plan to the Zoning Administrator under the alternative compliance provisions of this chapter. The alternative compliance provisions are intended to give the petitioner the flexibility needed to respond to unique site issues and still meet the intent of this section. Utility conflicts topography problems, and additions to existing structures are examples where alternative compliance may be deemed applicable.
   7. Basis for review. Landscape plans submitted through the alternative compliance process shall fully achieve the Performance Standards and Landscape Plan Requirements as described in Sections 17.51.014 and 17.51.016, A., B., and C.
5. Front yard, corner side yard and through lot landscaping. All developed zoning lots other than those zoning lots that are developed as single-family or duplex or located in an agricultural zoning district, shall provide front and corner side yard landscaping as provided for in this chapter. (Three (3) or more townhouses and condominiums shall not be considered as single-family or duplexes).
   1. The number of points that must be achieved through landscaping for front and corner side yards shall be based on the overall length of the lot frontage as measured along the property line divided by two (2). For example, if the front or corner side lot frontage of a property is two hundred twenty (220) feet in length, and then one hundred ten (110) points must be achieved through landscaping. One-half (½) of the points for front and corner side yard landscaping must be achieved by utilizing plants from the tree classification and one-half (½) must be from the shrub or ground cover classification.
   2. Front yard, corner side yard and through lot frontage landscaping shall be planted in the required front yard, corner side yard and through lot yard. If there is additional area between the required front or corner side yard and the closest on-site parking lot or building all or some of the required landscaping may be planted within such area subject to approval by the Zoning Administrator.
6. Parking lot landscaping. The number of points that must be achieved for parking lots through landscaping shall be equal to the total number of parking spaces provided. The points may be achieved through the use of any combination of trees, ground cover and/or shrubs.
   1. When a parking lot has less than one hundred (100) parking spaces, the landscaping may be placed within interior curbed parking islands and/or within ten (10) feet of the perimeter of the parking lot.
   2. When a parking lot has one hundred (100) or more parking spaces, one-half (½) of the required points shall consist of canopy (medium-tall) trees planted in curb islands within the interior of the parking lot. The intent of this provision is to break up large expanses of pavement and to provide shading by locating canopy (medium-tall) trees away from the perimeter and within the interior of parking lots.
   3. Parking lot islands shall be curbed with concrete, asphalt or a functionally equivalent material that must be approved by the Zoning Administrator. The following materials are not considered functionally equivalent to concrete curbs and are therefore unacceptable for use as curbs within Sangamon county:
      1. Landscape timbers
      2. Railroad ties
      3. Wood/lumber
      4. Concrete wheel stops
   4. The minimum area for planting all types of trees within parking lots shall not be less than one hundred fifty-three (153) square-feet. Shade trees and intermediate trees shall not be planted in any area with a width of less than five (5) feet. Evergreen trees shall not be planted in an area with a width of less than ten (10) feet. Shrubs and ground cover shall not be planted in areas with a width of less than two (2) feet. When plants are proposed to be planted within curbed islands or adjacent to curbs, the width of such planting areas shall be measured from inside of curbs. The locations of the parking lot landscaping will be subject to review by the Zoning Administrator.
   5. No landscaping or walls that exceed thirty (30) inches in height shall be located within ten (10) feet of any parking lot access drive or otherwise located so as to interfere with the sight distance visibility of vehicular traffic or pedestrians.
   6. Walls and fences shall be wrought iron, or simulated wrought iron, wood, stucco or architectural quality brick, stone or textured and pigmented concrete that is compatible within the adjoining building design and architectural integrity of the area.
   7. Vehicles may not overhang the minimum required landscape area. However, planting areas adjacent to parking may be increased by a minimum of two (2) feet, exclusive of the curbing, to allow vehicles to overhang. The adjacent parking space overhanging the planting area may be reduced in size by the same amount, and the parking space overhanging the planting area shall not be required to provide wheel stops in addition to the curbing. Any plant material in the planting area shall be located outside the overhang area and out of the way from danger from vehicles, or shall be ground cover material, no greater than twelve (12) inches in height at maturity.
   8. Other applicable regulations. All other applicable regulations for parking lots apply. The Illinois Accessibility Code will be enforced for all parking lots.
7. Transitional yard landscaping. Where a multifamily residential, manufactured home, business or industrial district side lot line or a rear lot line coincides with the side lot line or a rear lot line of a parcel in a single family or duplex residential district or where a business or industrial district side lot line or a rear lot line coincides with the side lot line or a rear lot line of a parcel in any residential district or developed with a single family residence a transitional yard as required by Section 17.38.050 must be provided. Where no transitional yard is required by Section 17.38.050, a minimum side yard of eight (8) feet and rear yard of twenty (20) feet shall be required in situations as described above. Any such transitional yards shall be landscaped as follows:
   1. The number of points that must be achieved through landscaping in a transition yard shall be based on the overall length of the transitional yard as measured along the transitional yard property line. For example, If the property line running the length of the transitional yard is one hundred eighty (180) feet long, then one hundred eighty (180) points must be achieved through landscaping.
   2. One-half (½) of the points for transitional yard landscaping must be achieved by utilizing plants from the tree classification and one-half (½) must be from the shrub or ground cover classification.
   3. One half (½) of the total points for transitional yard landscaping must also be evergreen or broadleaf evergreen plantings.
   4. All shade trees in a transitional yard must be one and three quarter (1¾) inches caliper size or larger.
8. Screening of activity areas.
   1. On-site activity areas as described below that are within direct view from an adjoining property in a more restrictive zoning district are required to be visually screened with a fence, wall, berm, evergreen planting or combination thereof which achieves a substantially solid six (6) foot visual barrier. If a fence or wall is used to meet this requirement, it must be located between the activity area and the transitional yard. Topography and adjacent uses shall be taken into account to determine the most effective means of screening. This visual barrier shall be required when all or any portion of the subject site that is adjacent to the required transitional yard is planned or used for the following activities:
      1. Refuse container/dumpster loading, unloading, or storage;
      2. Storage of materials or merchandise;
      3. Loading or unloading of goods;
      4. Production, assembly, processing, or demolition of goods;
      5. Parking temporary or permanent of vehicles.
         1. These requirements shall be in addition to all other landscaping requirements of any type.
         2. When plantings are utilized to meet this requirement, they must be capable of achieving a substantially solid visual barrier within two (2) years from the date of the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy by the Sangamon County Department of Zoning and Building Safety.
   2. Refuse disposal area screens. All refuse disposal areas shall be screened from public view by a solid, commercial-grade wood fence, wall, or equivalent material or compact evergreen plantings with a minimum height of six (6) feet and not greater than eight (8) feet in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 17.44 Fences, Walls or Hedges.
   3. Screening for scrap, junk, salvage, reclamation or similar yards. Any scrap, junk, salvage, reclamation or similar yard, or any auto salvage yard shall provide a solid fence or wall on all lot lines with only such openings as are necessary for ingress or egress. Said fence or wall shall be maintained in a neat and orderly appearance and shall be of such height that any materials stored within the confines of the fence cannot be seen above a line of sight established between a point four and one-half (4½) feet above the centerline of the street nearest to that fence, and the top of said fence.

(Res. 16, July 2003)

1. Scope of provisions. Lights shall be installed in all parking areas containing ten (10) or more parking spaces and shall be illuminated between dusk and dawn whenever said premises are open for operation. Open for operation shall be any time that a retail business is open for the sale of goods or services or a retail or office actually has employees working within or upon said premises, other than guards, watchmen, or home occupation. For all parking areas with more than twenty (20) parking spaces the illumination may be provided through the use of pole mounted light fixtures. Building mounted fixtures shall be primarily for aesthetic and security purposes and shall comply with general standards as noted below.
2. Definitions
   1. Disability glare. Stray light produced within the eye by luminance source (usually light source) within the field of view. This light alters the apparent brightness of any object within the visual field and the background against which it is viewed, thereby impairing the ability of a driver to perform visual tasks due to partial blindness.
   2. Full cut-off type fixture. A luminaire or light fixture that by the design of the housing, does not allow any light dispersion or direct glare to shine above a ninety (90) degree, horizontal plane from the base of the fixture. Full cut-off fixtures must be installed in a horizontal position as designed, or the purpose of the design is defeated, and disability glare will result.
   3. Light trespass. Light from an artificial light source that intrudes into or spills over to adjoining sites, streets, public and private property.
   4. Up lighting. Any light source that distributes illumination above a ninety (90) degree horizontal plane.
3. General standards
   1. Site lighting shall include all lighting on property, other than lighting within a fully enclosed building.
   2. Site lighting fixtures shall be compatible with the building design and the adjoining landscape and shall not be used in such a manner as to turn the building itself into "signage."
   3. Parking lot poles/fixtures of the same style, height, color and intensity of lighting shall be used throughout the development area. Varying styles of fixtures may be permitted if it is demonstrated that the styles contribute to an overall theme for the area.
   4. Site lighting shall not result in light trespass by spilling over to adjacent sites or properties to an amount equal to or greater than one (1) lumen.
   5. Site lighting shall not result in disability glare that is directed toward or reflected onto adjoining properties.
   6. Site lighting shall not result in disability glare that is directed toward or reflected onto streets, or interior drives where such glare could negatively impact vehicular or, pedestrian safety.
   7. Except when displaying the flags of the United States of America, State of Illinois or Sangamon county or as may be provided elsewhere in this chapter, site lighting shall at no time be directed upward (up lighting), in a radiating pattern and/or moving or sweeping pattern, or at any angle which will light surfaces other than building walls, parking or pedestrian areas, and landscaped area, and shall not create lighting patterns which will direct light toward residential areas.
   8. All site lighting shall be installed utilizing underground cable.
   9. Except where otherwise provided, fixture heads shall be of full cut-off type which controls the lighting pattern and shields abutting property from direct view of the light source. All fixtures shall be located and oriented in such a manner so as to minimize light trespass to the maximum extent possible.
   10. Site lighting, other than security lighting, shall be turned off when a facility is closed, vacant or otherwise occupied solely by security employees.
   11. Outdoor display lots for vehicles and similar sales facilities shall reduce display fixture illumination within thirty (30) minutes after closing so the remaining illumination levels are sufficient for security purposes only; however, that any illumination used after 11:00 p.m. shall be reduced to levels sufficient for security purposes only.
4. Plan submission requirements. A site plan of the proposed lighting layout and fixtures shall be submitted with foot-candle values noted.

(Res. 16, July 2003)