A.

Landscaping and screening. The landscaping and screening regulations of this chapter establish minimum requirements for landscaping and screening. The regulations are intended to advance the general purposes of this zoning code and to help:

1.

Maintain and enhance the city's appearance;

2.

Mitigate possible adverse impacts of higher intensity land uses abutting lower intensity land uses;

3.

Reduce the impacts of noise and glare;

4.

Maintain and improve air quality;

5.

Protect surface water quality and reduce the negative impacts of stormwater runoff by reducing impervious surface area and providing vegetated areas that filter and retain greater amounts of stormwater on site;

6.

Moderate heat by providing shade;

7.

Encourage wise use of water resources;

8.

Encourage preservation and replacement of existing trees and landscaping; and

9.

Encourage greater use of low-impact development practices.

The regulations of this chapter will be interpreted, administered and enforced in accordance with the following general principles:

A.

Preservation of existing, healthy trees and shrubs is a top priority and is strongly encouraged.

B.

Trees, shrubs, groundcover and turf must be the primary sources of landscaping and must be installed and maintained to reduce stormwater runoff and ensure safe visibility at intersections and points of vehicular access.

C.

The design of landscape areas to promote low-impact development practices (e.g., bioretention basins, rain gardens, filter strips, and grassed swales) is strongly encouraged and may be used to satisfy the landscaping regulations of this zoning code, subject to compliance with all applicable standards of the Stormwater Management Criteria Manual.

D.

The alternative compliance provisions of Subsection 65.100D. are intended to accommodate creativity in landscape and screening design and address site-specific barriers that prevent strict compliance with the regulations of this chapter.

The landscaping and screening regulations of this chapter apply as set forth in the individual sections of this chapter. The following are expressly exempt from the landscaping and screening regulations of this chapter:

A.

Agricultural uses;

B.

Public parks and open spaces;

C.

Household living uses consisting of a single household on one lot or two households on one lot (existing or proposed); and

D.

Reconstruction of any building that is damaged or destroyed by tornadoes, straight-line winds, ice storms, accidental fire, floods, hail, lightning, or other forces beyond the reasonable control of the property owner.

A.

Purpose. Street trees help maintain and enhance the appearance of the city, contribute to pedestrian safety and comfort and offer environmental benefits by allowing the infiltration of stormwater, reducing urban heating and improving air quality.

B.

Applicability. The street tree planting requirements of this section apply to all the following, except as otherwise expressly stated:

1.

Construction of any principal building or non-accessory parking;

2.

Any addition to or enlargement of an existing principal building when the addition or enlargement exceeds twenty (20) percent of the building's existing floor area; and

3.

Any increase in impervious coverage on the subject lot that exceeds twenty (20) percent of the lot's existing impervious coverage.

C.

Requirements.

1.

Number. At least one large tree is required per thirty (30) feet of street frontage. If large trees are not appropriate due to the presence of overhead lines, other obstructions or site visibility considerations, as determined by the land use administrator, at least one small tree is required per twenty-five (25) feet of street frontage. Street tree requirements may be satisfied by the installation of new trees or by the preservation of existing trees (see Subsection 65.080B.4. to determine available incentives for preservation of existing trees). The tree list prepared by the planning director (see Subsection 65.080A.2.) identifies and classifies street trees by size.

2.

Location.

a.

Required street trees must be located on the subject property within twenty (20) feet of the planned street right-of-way unless the land use administrator determines that the presence of buildings or obstructions or other factors prevent viable tree planting within this area, in which case required street trees must be installed in the first seven (7) feet of the planned street right-of-way, as measured from the outer edge of the right-of-way. Street tree planting in the right-of-way must comply with the regulations of Title 35, Chapter 6 of the Tulsa Revised Ordinances.

b.

The land use administrator is expressly authorized to approve an alternative compliance landscape plan for installation of street trees in alternative locations when circumstances prevent tree planting within the areas described in Subsection 65.040C.2.a. or when compliance with Subsection 65.040C.2.a. would result in a poor growing environment for the tree or damage to public or private improvements.

3.

Spacing. Street trees are not required to be evenly spaced, but the distance between street trees may not exceed seventy-five (75) feet.

4.

Materials, installation and maintenance. See Section 65.080 and Section 65.090.

Figure 65-1: Street Tree

A.

Purpose. The interior parking lot landscaping regulations of this section are intended to help mitigate the visual and stormwater runoff impacts of parking lots and provide shade for parked vehicles and pedestrians.

B.

Applicability. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the interior parking lot landscaping regulations of this section apply to all the following:

1.

The construction of any new principal building or addition to a principal building that increases the floor area of principal buildings on the subject lot by more than twenty (20) percent;

2.

The construction or installation of any new parking lot containing ten (10) or more parking spaces; and

3.

The expansion of any existing parking lot that increases the number of parking spaces or amount of paved area by more than thirty-three (33) percent.

C.

Exception. Parking areas used solely for the display of motor vehicles for sale, lease or rental are exempt from the interior parking lot landscaping requirements of this section.

D.

Requirements.

1.

Landscape area.

a.

At least thirty-five (35) square feet of interior parking lot landscape area must be provided for each parking space. If compliance with this regulation would result in the loss of required parking spaces, the amount of parking required is automatically reduced by the amount needed to accommodate the required interior parking lot landscape area.

b.

When at least fifty (50) percent of interior parking lot landscape area consists of depressed bioretention areas used for stormwater management, the minimum interior parking lot landscape area requirement is reduced from thirty-five (35) square feet per parking space to twenty-eight (28) feet per parking space. To receive this bioretention credit, the stormwater harvesting area must be at least six (6) inches and not more than eighteen (18) inches in depth and planted with vegetation that can withstand periodic inundation.

2.

Trees and plant material. Required interior parking lot landscape areas must include at least one large tree per ten (10) parking spaces. Small trees may be substituted for large trees if the land use administrator determines that the presence of overhead lines or other obstructions make the installation of large trees unsafe or impractical or would result in poor growing conditions. Minimum tree planting requirements may be satisfied by the installation of new trees or by the preservation of existing trees (see Subsection 65.080B.4. to determine available incentives for preservation of existing trees).

3.

Location and design.

a.

Interior parking lot landscaping must be reasonably distributed throughout the parking lot and provided in landscape islands or medians that comply with all the following requirements:

(1)

They must be bordered by a paved surface on at least two (2) sides;

(2)

They must be at least seven (7) feet wide, as measured from the back of the curb;

(3)

They must include at least one tree per island and be covered with ground cover plants or mulch;

(4)

They must be protected by curbs or other barriers, which may include breaks or inlets to allow stormwater runoff to enter the landscape island; and

(5)

They must be located so that every parking space is within one hundred (100) feet of a tree.

b.

Parking rows that end abutting a paved driving surface must have a landscape terminal island (end cap) at that end of the parking row. All other parking lot landscape islands must be located to comply with all applicable regulations of this section. The regulations of Subsection 65.050D.3.a. apply to the landscape terminal island.

c.

The land use administrator is expressly authorized to approve landscape plans that do not provide terminal islands at the end of each parking row or that otherwise provide for reduced dispersal of interior parking lot landscape areas when proposed landscape planting areas are combined to form functional bioretention areas or to preserve existing trees and vegetation.

4.

Vehicle overhangs. A portion of a motor vehicle parking space may be landscaped instead of paved to meet interior parking lot landscaping requirements. The landscaped area may be up to two and one-half (2.5) feet of the front of the space, as measured from a line parallel to the direction of the bumper of the vehicle using the space. Groundcover plants or mulch must be provided in the allowed overhang area.

5.

Relationship to vehicular use area buffer regulations. Landscape areas and plant material provided to satisfy the vehicular use area buffer regulations of Section 65.060 may not be counted toward satisfying the interior parking lot landscaping regulations of this section (Section 65.050).

6.

Materials, installation and maintenance. See Section 65.080 and Section 65.090.

Figure 65-2: Interior Parking Lot Landscaping

A.

Purpose. The vehicular use area buffer regulations of this section are intended to help mitigate the visual and operational impacts of parking lots and other vehicular use areas when such areas are adjacent to streets, highways, residential zoning districts, or agricultural-residential zoning districts.

B.

Applicability. A "vehicular use area" is an area on a lot that is not contained within a garage or similar enclosed or partially enclosed structure that is designed and intended for use by motor vehicles, including parking lots, vehicle storage and display areas, loading areas; and driveways and drive-through lanes. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the vehicular use area buffer regulations of this section apply to all the following:

1.

The construction or installation of any new vehicular use area with a contiguous paved area of three thousand five hundred (3,500) square feet or more; and

2.

The expansion of any existing vehicular use area that results in the addition of three thousand five hundred (3,500) square feet of paved area, in which case the vehicular use area perimeter landscaping requirements of this section apply only to the expanded area.

C.

Requirements.

1.

Street frontage buffers.

a.

When a vehicular use area is located adjacent to a street or highway right-of-way, street frontage buffers must be provided in accordance with this subsection to physically and visually buffer the vehicular use area from the right-of-way.

b.

Street frontage buffers are required only when the vehicular use area is located within one hundred (100) feet of the right-of-way and there are no intervening buildings between the vehicular use area and the right-of-way.

c.

Except as expressly stated for vehicular use areas in the CBD zoning district (see Subsection 65.060C.1.d.), street frontage buffer areas must be at least seven (7) feet in width and include an S1 screen, in accordance with Subsection 65.070C.1.

d.

In the CBD zoning district, required street frontage buffers must be at least three (3) feet in width and include an S1 screen, in accordance with Subsection 65.070C.1.

e.

Groundcover plants must be provided in all street frontage buffer areas not covered by fences or walls.

f.

The vehicle overhang allowance of Subsection 65.050D.4. applies to parking spaces abutting street frontage buffers.

2.

R or AG-R District Buffers

a.

When a vehicular use area is located on a lot abutting an R- or AG-R-zoned lot, an R or AG-R district buffer must be provided in the form of an F1 screen, in accordance with Subsection 65.070-C2.

b.

R or AG-R district buffers are required only when the vehicular use area is located within 100 feet of an abutting R- or AG-R-zoned lot and there are no buildings between the vehicular use area and the abutting R- or AG-R-zoned lot.

c.

Groundcover plants must be provided in all R or AG-R district buffer areas that are not covered by fences or walls.

d.

The vehicle overhang allowance described in Subsection 65.050-D4 applies to parking spaces abutting R or AG-R district buffers.

3.

Materials, installation and maintenance. See Section 65.080 and Section 65.090.

(Ord. No. 24382, §§ 5—8, 6-10-2020)

A.

Purpose. Screening requirements are intended to partially or completely shield expressly identified uses and site features from view of abutting streets or other abutting lots.

B.

Features required to be screened.

1.

General. This subsection establishes screening requirements for several common site features that require visual separation from streets and abutting lots. Other uses, districts, structures and activity areas may also require screening in accordance with other provisions of this zoning code.

2.

Dumpsters. All dumpsters must be screened from view of all street rights-of-way and R-zoned property, and AG-R zoned property. Screening of dumpsters located in alley rights-of-way is not required. Dumpsters may be screened from view by a principal structure or by an F1 screening fence or wall in accordance with Subsection 65.070C.2. When an F1 screening fence or wall encloses a dumpster on four (4) sides, one side of the storage area must be furnished with an opaque, lockable gate kept closed at all times except during waste deposit or collection. The gate must be located and constructed to allow for unobstructed access to each dumpster during collection.

Figure 65-5: Dumpster Screening

3.

Mechanical Equipment.

a.

Ground-mounted equipment. Mechanical equipment located at ground level, such as heating or cooling equipment, pumps, or generators must be screened from view of the street and any abutting R or AG-R districts by walls, fences or vegetation. Screening must be at least as tall as the tallest part of the equipment required to be screened

Figure 65-6: Screening of Ground-mounted Equipment

b.

Roof-mounted equipment. Mechanical equipment placed on roofs must be screened in one of the following ways, if the equipment is within 50 feet of an R or AG-R zoning district:

(1)

A parapet along facades facing the R or AG-R district that is as least as tall as the tallest part of the equipment;

(2)

A screening fence or wall around the equipment that is as least as tall as the tallest part of the equipment required to be screened; or

(3)

An equipment setback from roof edges facing the R or AG-R district by at least 3 feet for each one foot of equipment height.

Figure 65-7: Screening of Roof-mounted Equipment

C.

Type of screens.

1.

S1, low-profile screen.

a.

Purpose. The S1, low-profile screen is intended to help soften visual impacts of certain site features and provide an "urban edge" along lot borders and other site features, while maintaining some visibility of the areas required to be screened.

b.

Design. The S1 screen requires shrubs planted to form a continuous visual barrier (hedge) at least three (3) feet in height. A screening wall with a minimum height of two and one-half (2.5) feet and a maximum height of three (3) feet may be substituted for the shrubs. Walls used to satisfy S1 screening requirements must be constructed of brick, stone, cast stone, formed concrete or similar durable, low-maintenance materials.

2.

F1, screening fence or wall.

a.

Purpose. An F1 screening fence or wall is required in those instances where a complete visual barrier is needed.

b.

Options. F1 screening requirements may be met by either of the following options:

(1)

The installation of an opaque fence at least six (6) feet in height and at least one tree per twenty-five (25) linear feet of fence; or

(2)

The installation of a masonry wall with a minimum height of six (6) feet.

c.

Street setback. When located in the required street setback, required F1 screening fences and walls may not exceed four (4) feet in height.

3.

Materials, installation and maintenance. See Section 65.080 and Section 65.090. Any tree planting requirements associated with F1 screens may be satisfied by the installation of new trees or by the preservation of existing trees (see Subsection 65.080B.4. to determine available incentives for preservation of existing trees).

4.

Modification of requirements.

a.

Applicable screening requirements may be waived or modified through the alternative compliance approval process (see Subsection 65.100D.) or through the special exception approval process when:

(1)

Existing features provide a visual screen equivalent to the screening requirements of this section;

(2)

The screening requirements cannot be achieved; or

(3)

The screening is prohibited by other ordinances or regulations.

b.

An extension of time to install required screening may be approved through the special exception approval process when the properties benefited by the screening are undeveloped.

5.

Screening or setbacks triggered by proximity to nonresidential areas/features. When a screening wall or fence or setback is required by this zoning code because a use abuts one or more R or AG-R districts, such wall, fence, or setback is not required if the actual use of the abutting R or AG-R district is a freeway, expressway, turnpike, nonresidential use; or a nonresidential development area. This exemption from screening does not apply to junk or salvage yards.

(Ord. No. 24279, §§ 4, 5, 12-11-2019; Ord. No. 24382, §§ 9—12, 6-10-2020)

A.

General.

1.

Applicability. The regulations of this section apply to all trees, plant materials, and other features used to satisfy the landscaping and screening requirements of this zoning code.

2.

Tree list. The planning director must annually prepare a list of recommended and prohibited tree species for use in administering and enforcing the regulations of this chapter.

3.

Selection. Trees and plants used to satisfy the requirements of this zoning code must:

a.

Meet or exceed the plant quality standards established in the latest edition of the American Standard for Nursery Stock (ANSI Z60.1);

b.

Be native to North America or adapted for growing conditions in the Tulsa area, as determined by the land use administrator; and

c.

Not be artificial plants or plants listed as prohibited species on the recommended and prohibited tree list.

4.

Planting areas. All planting areas must have amended soil to help ensure the health of newly installed plant material.

B.

Trees.

1.

Types. Unless otherwise expressly approved by the land use administrator, trees used to satisfy the tree planting requirements of this chapter must be selected from the recommended tree list (see also Subsection 65.080A.2.).

2.

Size.

a.

New trees. New or transplanted trees provided to satisfy the requirements of this zoning code must comply with the following minimum size requirements:

(1)

Large trees must be deciduous, with a minimum caliper size of two (2) inches and a minimum height of twelve (12) feet at the time of installation.

(2)

Medium trees must have a minimum caliper size of two (2) inches and a minimum height of eight (8) feet at the time of installation.

(3)

Small trees must have a minimum caliper size of one and one-half (1.5) inches and a minimum height of six (6) feet at the time of installation.

(4)

Evergreen trees must have a minimum height of six (6) feet at the time of installation.

b.

Overhead lines. Trees to be installed below overhead lines must be selected from the list of small trees specified on the recommended and prohibited tree list or be otherwise expressly approved by the land use administrator.

3.

Species. If more than ten (10) trees are required, no more than forty (40) percent may be of a single species. If more than twenty-five (25) trees are required, no more than twenty-five (25) percent may be of a single species. This requirement applies to trees being planted, not to existing trees.

4.

Existing (preserved) trees.

a.

Preserved trees will be credited toward satisfying the tree planting requirements of this zoning code in accordance with the regulations of this subsection (Subsection 65.080B.4.).

b.

Credit will be given on the following basis:

(1)

Preserved trees up to six (6) inches in diameter at breast height (DBH) will be credited as three (3) trees;

(2)

Preserved trees larger than six (6) inches DBH, up to twelve (12) inches DBH will be credited as four (4) trees;

(3)

Preserved trees that are more than twelve (12) inches DBH up to twenty-four (24) inches DBH will be credited as five (5) trees; and

(4)

Preserved trees that are more than twenty-four (24) inches DBH will be credited at a ratio of ten (10) trees.

c.

The tree preservation incentive credits provided in this subsection (Subsection 65.080B.4.) may not be used to reduce the number of trees required by this chapter by more than fifty (50) percent.

d.

To receive tree preservation credit, the following additional conditions must be met:

(1)

Preserved trees for which credit is given must be in good health and condition and may not be prohibited species;

(2)

The original grade of the dripline area of a preserved tree may not be changed; and

(3)

Tree protection fencing must be installed around the outer limits of the dripline area and remain in place from commencement of construction activity until all exterior work is complete. Tree protection fencing must consist of orange vinyl construction fencing, chain link fencing, snow fencing or other similar fencing at least forty-two (42) inches in height and supported at no more than ten-foot intervals by posts or stakes to keep the fence upright and in place. A visible warning/no-disturb sign must be affixed to fence at one hundred-foot intervals.

e.

The land use administrator is expressly authorized to reduce off-street parking requirements to allow for the preservation of existing trees.

f.

If healthy, preserved trees are removed, they must be replaced by the number trees for which credit was given.

g.

If preserved trees die or are lost to storms or natural causes within one year of the date of approval of the landscape plan, they must be replaced by the number trees for which credit was given. If preserved trees die or are lost to storms or natural causes beyond one year of the date of approval of the landscape plan, they must be replaced by an equal number of trees (1:1 basis).

C.

Shrubs.

1.

New shrubs.

a.

Deciduous shrubs must have a minimum container size of five (5) gallons.

b.

Evergreen shrubs must have a minimum container size of five (5) gallons.

c.

Shrubs may also be balled and burlapped.

d.

If more than seventy-five (75) shrubs are required, no more than forty (40) percent may be of a single species.

2.

Existing (preserved) shrubs. Existing shrubs may be used to satisfy the landscaping and screening requirements of this zoning code if protected and maintained during site development and construction phases of work and if such plants are not otherwise prohibited.

D.

Ground cover.

1.

All required landscape areas that are not planted with trees or shrubs must be covered with ground cover plants, which may include turf. Mulch must be confined to areas underneath trees and shrubs and is not an allowed substitute for ground cover.

2.

Ground cover plants other than turf must be minimum four-inch pot or plug size. Areas planted in ground cover other than turf must be planted at distances appropriate for the species and at a density that will achieve complete coverage after the second full growing season.

E.

Mulch. All required trees and shrubs must be located within a mulched area and be separated from turf by a minimum distance of two (2) feet (four-foot diameter mulched area). Mulch must be applied to provide a two-inch (minimum) to four-inch (maximum) soil cover, with no weed barrier material visible.

F.

Fences and walls. Unless otherwise expressly stated, fences and walls provided to meet the regulations of this chapter are subject to the regulations of this subsection.

1.

Fences must durable and constructed with materials that are customarily used for fences, including wood, decorative rigid vinyl (polyvinyl chloride), metal or wrought iron. Fence posts must be structurally stable.

2.

The finished side of all fences other than tree protection fences must face the adjacent property or street. Chain-link fencing may not be used to satisfy the regulations of this chapter.

3.

Walls, raised planting beds and planters must be constructed of brick, stone or other durable masonry material approved by the land use administrator.

(Ord. No. 24382, §§ 13, 14, 6-10-2020; Ord. No. 24725, § 22, 11-17-2021)

A.

Installation.

1.

Required landscaping must be installed in accordance with an approved landscape plan.

2.

All trees and plant material must be installed in accordance with sound nursery practices, in a manner designed to encourage vigorous growth.

3.

All newly installed trees must be staked.

4.

Trees and plant material suitable for planting must be balled and burlapped or container grown. Planting areas should be at least twice the diameter of the root system or the container.

5.

All landscaped areas that are adjacent to pavement must be protected with curbs or equivalent barriers. Flush curbs, curb cuts, or other methods must be used to direct stormwater to landscape areas that abut paved areas.

6.

Landscaping may not obstruct traffic visibility at street intersections or driveways and must comply with the intersection sight distance regulations of Title 24 (§103.A) of the Tulsa Revised Ordinances as well as AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) guidelines.

7.

The city is not liable for any damage to above-ground or below-ground improvements or landscaping within the public right-of-way, even when such damage or destruction is the direct result of government action. When landscaping is placed or installed within the public right-of-way, the city has no obligation to replace or repair such landscaping if removed or damaged by city field operations or other governmental functions. The city also has no obligation to maintain above ground or below ground improvements or landscaping within the public right-of-way.

B.

Protection. All landscape areas provided to meet the requirements of this zoning code must be protected from potential damage by adjacent uses and development, including parking and storage areas.

C.

Irrigation.

1.

All required landscaped areas must be provided with irrigation in accordance with one of the following two (2) options:

a.

A permanent irrigation system with a controller to tailor watering schedules to weather and site conditions; or

b.

A temporary irrigation system that provides enough water to ensure that all trees and plants will become established.

2.

Irrigation systems must comply with all applicable building and plumbing codes.

D.

Timing of installation.

1.

All required landscaping and appurtenances, except trees, must be installed prior to the issuance of a final certificate of occupancy.

2.

All required trees must be installed within one hundred twenty (120) days after issuance of a final certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate of occupancy.

E.

Certificate of installation. Within a CO, PUD or MPD district or whenever a mandatory or optional development plan is approved, certification of installation of required landscaping must be provided as required by any express provisions of the CO, PUD or MPD district or mandatory or optional development plan approval that was granted. In all other cases, within one hundred twenty (120) days of the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate of occupancy, written certification by the owner of the property, an architect, landscape architect or engineer licensed to do business in the State of Oklahoma must be submitted to the city stating that all landscaping and appurtenances have been installed in accordance with the approved landscape plan.

F.

Maintenance.

1.

Required landscaping and screening must be continuously maintained, including necessary watering; weeding; pruning; pest control; litter and debris clean-up; and replacement of dead, diseased or damaged plant material.

2.

Failure to comply with an approved landscaping plan, including failure to maintain required landscaping and screening and failure to replace dead, diseased or damaged landscaping, constitutes a violation of this zoning code and is subject to penalties and enforcement under Chapter 85.

3.

The property owner is responsible for maintenance of trees and landscaping in accordance with the approved landscape plan and the regulations of this zoning code. Any dead, diseased or damaged trees, landscaping or screening materials must be removed and replaced by the property owner. Property owners are also responsible for replacing or restoring required landscaping that is damaged or destroyed as a direct result of government action or lawful action of a franchise utility provider.

A.

Preparation of landscape plan.

1.

Except as expressly stated in Subsection 65.100A.2., required landscape plans must be accompanied by written certification from an architect, landscape architect or engineer licensed to practice in the State of Oklahoma, that the landscape plan is in conformance with the minimum requirements of this chapter.

2.

Required landscape plans for properties that (a) are subject to an approved mandatory or optional development plan or (b) have a lot area of more than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet and are occupied by buildings with a combined gross floor area of more than fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet, must be sealed and signed by a landscape architect licensed to practice in the State of Oklahoma.

B.

Required information. All building permit applications for sites requiring landscaping must include a landscape plan that complies with the landscape plan submittal requirements specified by the development administrator. Such submittal requirements must be in writing and made available to the public.

C.

Administrative review. After receipt of a complete landscape plan, the development administrator must:

1.

Approve the landscape plan as complying with the requirements of this chapter;

2.

Approve the landscape plan with conditions of approval that will bring it into compliance with the requirements of this chapter; or

3.

Reject the landscape plan as failing to comply with the requirements of this chapter.

D.

Alternative compliance landscape and screening plans.

1.

To accommodate creativity in landscape and screening design and to allow for flexibility in addressing site-specific development/redevelopment challenges, the land use administrator is authorized to approve alternative compliance landscape plans sealed by a landscape architect licensed to practice in the State of Oklahoma. In order to approve an alternative compliance landscape plan, the land use administrator must determine that one or more of the following conditions or opportunities are present:

a.

The subject site has space limitations, an unusual shape or other factors that make strict compliance with applicable landscaping and screening regulations impossible or impractical;

b.

Physical conditions on or adjacent to the site such as topography, soils, vegetation or existing structures or utilities are such that strict compliance is impossible, impractical or of no value in terms of advancing the general purposes of this chapter;

c.

Safety considerations such as intersection visibility, utility locations, etc., make alternative compliance necessary; or

d.

Creative, alternative landscape plans will provide an equal or better means of meeting the intent of the landscaping and screening regulations of this chapter.

2.

The land use administrator is expressly authorized to approve alternative compliance landscape plans for projects implementing low-impact development practices or seeking sustainable development or green building certification from nationally recognized organizations, such as the International Code Council, the U.S. Green Building Council, the International Living Future Institute, the U.S. Green Building Initiative or SITES, as follows:

a.

Sites implementing low-impact development (LID) practices that comply with the City of Tulsa Stormwater Management Criteria Manual are expressly authorized for approval through the alternative compliance provisions of this section.

(1)

LID plans must be sealed by a landscape architect licensed to practice in the State of Oklahoma.

(2)

LID development solutions may be provided in the street right-of-way, subject to approval by all applicable city bodies, departments and agencies. Such improvements must be maintained by the adjoining property owner.

(3)

All aspects of an LID project, including permeable pavement, bioretention areas, rain gardens, filter strips, grassed swales, green roofs, wetlands, natural stream restoration or preservation will be considered part of the approved alternative compliance landscape plan.

b.

Plans for sites for which property owners are seeking sustainable development or green building certification from nationally recognized organizations may be approved as alternative compliance landscape plans.

(1)

Landscape plans must be sealed by a landscape architect licensed to practice in the State of Oklahoma.

(2)

Landscape improvements may be provided in the street right-of-way, subject to approval by all applicable city bodies, departments and agencies. Such improvements must be maintained by the adjoining property owner.

(3)

All proposed aspects of the proposed certification, including hardscape material selections, site lighting, grey water irrigation systems and other components of the site may be considered as part of the approved alternative compliance landscape plan.