BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY: A required assembly that prevents the flow of water from the water distribution system back to the municipal water source. Compliance with applicable health and water regulations is required.

   DEVELOPMENT: The construction, erection or emplacement of one or more buildings, structures, or surface improvements on land in order to establish or expand a principal residential or nonresidential use.

   DISTRIBUTION UNIFORMITY: The measure of uniformity of irrigation water over an area.

   HARDSCAPE: Elements of the landscape constructed from nonliving materials such as concrete, asphalt, and lumber. Includes patios, decks and paths but does not include driveways and sidewalks.

   HYDROZONE: The grouping of plants with similar water requirements so each zone can be watered with a separate irrigation valve.

   IRRIGATION CONTRACTOR: A person trained to install irrigation systems who meets state and local license, insurance, and bonding requirements, and is able to show proof on demand.

   IRRIGATION DESIGNER: A landscape architect or person who is certified by the Irrigation Association (IA) to prepare irrigation design.

   IRRIGATION PLAN: A plan that shows the components of the irrigation system with water source and size, backflow prevention for culinary source water systems, precipitation rates, flow rate and operating pressure for each irrigation circuit, together with identification of irrigation equipment.

   IRRIGATION VALVE: A device to control the flow of water in an irrigation system.

   LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: A person who is licensed to practice landscape architecture by the state of Utah.

   LANDSCAPE AREA: An entire parcel of real property less building footprints, driveways, nonirrigated portions of parking lots, hardscapes (such as decks and patios), and other nonporous areas. Water features are included in the calculation of landscape areas.

   LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR: A person who is licensed to practice landscape installation by the state of Utah. The license allows grading and preparing plots and areas of land for architectural, horticulture, and decorative treatment, arrangement, and plantings of gardens, lawns, shrubs, vines, bushes and other decorative vegetation.

   LANDSCAPE OR LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE: Maintaining or keeping any landscaping or any area required to be landscaped:

   A.   In a live and thriving condition, with consideration for normal growth and water needs;

   B.   Fertilized, mowed, trimmed, edged, irrigated, mulched and free from weeds, dead plants, litter, refuse, or debris in compliance with regionally accepted horticulture practices.

   LANDSCAPE OR LANDSCAPING: Any combination of living plants, such as trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, succulents, flowers, grass and other plant life that are generally not to be considered to be invasive or noxious plants; natural feature such as rocks, stone, bark chips; nonvegetative permeable ground cover; and structural features, including, but not limited to, fountains, reflective pools, outdoor artwork, screen walls, fences or benches that is planted or placed for the purpose of creating an attractive and pleasing environment. These may be further complemented by earth berms, walls and fences, irrigated pots and planters, all harmoniously combined to produce an aesthetic effect appropriate for its intended use. Landscaping may be designed to enhance and preserve natural features of the site, to make land more attractive for residential or other uses, and to screen unattractive uses, or to act as buffers to visually separate different types of uses.

   LANDSCAPE PLAN: A plan that clearly and accurately identifies the location and species of new and existing trees, shrubs, ground covers, and other plants on site, and includes the irrigation plan.

   OWNER BUILDER: Any person, agent, or firm having a legal or equitable interest in the property.

   PARK STRIP: A ten foot (10') wide area measured horizontally from the back of the street curb opposite of the street within an improved or city approved lot plan less driveway or other approved hardscapes. A city maintained pedestrian sidewalk that parallels within ten feet (10') of the right of way is included in the park strip width.

   STREET TREES: Includes all trees located within the public right of way of all streets within the city.

   TURF: A surface area of mowed grass. (Ord. 2012-08)

The purpose of this chapter shall be to enhance, conserve, and stabilize property values by encouraging pleasant and attractive surroundings in all zones of the city, thus creating the necessary atmosphere for the orderly development of a uniformly pleasant community. Landscaping also minimizes summer heat zones, reduces noise, and removes pollutants. (Ord. 2012-08)

Minimum landscaping standards for city maintained property in the following zones: PD, RA, R-1-10/RA mixed lot size, HD, and OS.

   A.   Application: The requirements of this section shall apply to all new developments, and remodeling of existing developments where the city will maintain any property. Any landscape improvements that will be maintained by the city shall meet the city landscape specifications to include water efficiency requirements, soils amendments, testing, tree plantings, and warranties.

   B.   Design:

      1.   All landscape and irrigation designers and installers shall have all required state and local licenses, insurance, and bonding requirements.

      2.   Landscape plans shall make provisions for erosion control on all graded sites.

      3.   A landscape and irrigation plan shall be submitted to the city for review at the same time the drawings and plans are submitted for the development of the site.

      4.   Plants well adapted for the Santa Clara climate with cold hardiness to fifteen degrees Fahrenheit (15°F) shall be used. Street trees shall be selected from the Santa Clara approved tree list.

      5.   Plants with similar water needs shall be grouped together in "hydro zones". Spray heads, tree watering systems and plant emitters shall not be connected to the same valve.

      6.   All landscape that will be maintained by the city shall comply with Santa Clara landscape specifications to include soils testing, irrigation efficiency, and warranty requirements.

      7.   Drought tolerant plants with low fuel volume or moisture content that will blend with native vegetation shall be used for projects located at the interface between urban areas and natural (nonirrigated) open space.

      8.   Stormwater retention and detention basins shall meet the requirements of the stormwater ordinance in title 13 of this code.

      9.   Landscape plans for projects developed in multiple phases shall clearly specify the landscape improvements required in conjunction with each phase.

      10.   Plans for ongoing maintenance of right of way areas shall be included when landscape and irrigation plans are submitted.

      11.   Plants with thorns, spikes, or other hazardous protrusions shall not be planted within three feet (3') of sidewalks, trails, or public walking areas and no portion of said plants shall encroach within two feet (2') of any public walkways.

   C.   Installation:

      1.   No permits or construction plan approvals shall be issued for any development until the landscaping plan is approved and the appropriate cash deposit, or bond, is provided to the city guaranteeing the installation of all landscaping shown on the approved landscape plan.

      2.   Landscape and irrigation installers shall follow the plans that have been signed and approved by the city.

      3.   The city may inspect landscaping improvements, and may require corrective measures regarding the installation of site landscaping and irrigation system improvements found not to comply with the approved plan.

      4.   Soil preparation shall be provided to assure healthy growing conditions for plants. All improvements to be maintained by the city shall meet requirements of the Santa Clara landscape specification to include soils testing and specified warranty.

      5.   The landscape contractor shall provide the city with a letter certifying that all improvements have been installed in accordance with the city approved plan and specifications prior to the bond release.

   D.   Irrigation:

      1.   A backflow prevention assembly shall be properly installed and tested to meet city, county, and the state of Utah requirements.

   E.   Trees:

      1.   Required trees and plantings shall comply with the Santa Clara street tree and tree planting ordinance, tree species requirements, and applicable Santa Clara landscape and irrigation specifications. (Ord. 2012-08)

The following standards shall apply to all districts:

   A.   Preservation Of Natural Features: The preservation of natural features that enhance the development, and will benefit the community including trees, scenic points, view corridors, historic buildings or locations, unique geological formations, and other community assets shall be preserved and incorporated into the overall landscape plan.

   B.   Park Strip Hard Surface And Streetscape Materials: Park strip hard surface material includes material that is not plant material, does not need watering, and is a permanent surface. Examples would include colored concrete, stamped concrete (e.g., Bomanite), concrete pavers. In general, it is preferable to have no more than fifty percent (50%) of the parking strip area covered in hard surface material. Hard surface sections should alternate with planted sections and be complementary to the surrounding landscape. All hard surface material must be installed according to the specifications within the Santa Clara standard construction specifications and details for municipal construction. Landscaped sections used in conjunction with hard surface sections should not include trees if the park strip is less than six feet (6') wide by eight feet (8') long. If park strip is six feet (6') wide, planting may include trees planted equal distant from the sidewalk and curb and gutter in a planter bed no smaller than six feet (6') wide by eight feet (8') long, sod, ground cover, drought tolerant shrubs, bark, or colored mulch not to exceed three feet (3') in height. Planting near the driveway entrance shall comply with the zoning ordinance.

   C.   Street Trees: Street tree species selection shall be listed in Santa Clara tree species specification. On required landscape strips Santa Clara tree species specification street trees shall be planted in the front park strip area centered between the sidewalk and the curb to minimize tree conflicts and to maximize tree root zone. All park strips and landscaped street islands shall have root barrier a minimum of eighteen inches (18") in depth around the entire perimeter of the planting area. Where the park strip is less than six feet (6') in width or the sidewalk has been placed against the curb, street trees shall be planted four feet (4') behind the sidewalk. Trees rated with low or medium root damage potential are recommended. (Ord. 2012-08)