Vernal City Zoning Code

It is the purpose of this Chapter to provide for the retention and development of landscaping in order to provide orderly and adequate development of these necessities, and in so doing, promote the comfort, aesthetics and well-being of the citizens of the City. Consequently, there shall be provided at the time of the construction, reconstruction, alteration, expansion or development of commercial, institutional, and multi-family residential uses, landscaping as provided herein.

(Ord. No. 94-15, Enacted, 07/14/94)

1. It shall be the responsibility of the developer to grade, place topsoil, seed or sod, install automatic sprinkler irrigation systems, and properly plant trees, shrubs, and other approved plant materials in accordance with the site plan approved by the Planning Director.
2. All landscape work shall be installed prior to a Certificate of Occupancy of the building being issued. The Planning Director may grant an extension in the event a situation arises that prevents the completion of the required landscaping provided that a financial guarantee in accordance with Section 16.60.010 (F) is filed with the City ensuring the completion of such improvements.

(Ord. No. 94-15, Enacted, 07/14/94)
(Ord. 2016-13, Amended, 11/02/2016)

It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to properly maintain all landscaped areas in accordance with the approved site plan and associated landscape plan. Such landscaping shall be maintained and kept alive and free from weeds and debris.

(Ord. No. 94-15, Enacted, 07/14/94; Ord. No. 95-05, Amended, 04/04/95; Ord. No. 96-27, Amended, 11/20/96)

1. Once the required landscaping has been installed in conformance with the approved site plan, major changes or modifications shall not be made without review and approval of the Planning Director.
   
   
2. Removed vegetation shall be replaced with equal or better quality plant materials. Trees that are necessarily removed shall be replaced in accordance with the approved site plan.

(Ord. No. 94-15, Enacted, 07/14/94)
(Ord. 2016-13, Amended, 11/02/2016)

There shall be a reasonable mix of evergreen trees and deciduous trees, and shrubbery on all development sites to allow for a green winterscape. A minimum of two (2) of the three (3) above groups shall be shown on the proposed site plan.

1. Buffering from neighboring uses;
2. Location of trees and shrubbery in relation to clear vision for traffic.

(Ord. No. 94-15, Enacted, 07/14/94; Ord. No. 96-27, Amended, 11/20/96)

1. CC-1, C-2, CP-2, CCP-1, HC-1, I-1 and F-1 zones.
   1. A minimum ratio of one (1) tree or shrubbery per every 500 square feet of landscaping shall be provided on the overall site plan. For example: Commercial C-2 one (1) acre site shows 5% greenspace; 5% = 2178 sq. ft. divided by 500 = 4.356 rounded to 4 trees or shrubbery for the 1 acre site;
2. R-3, R-4, MX and P-1 zones;
   1. A minimum ratio of one (1) tree or shrubbery per every 1500 square feet of landscaping shall be provided on the overall site plan. For example: A one (1) acre R-4 multi-family site shows 30% open green space: 30% = 13068 sq. ft. divided by 1500 = 8.712 rounded to 9 trees or shrubbery for the one (1) acre site.
3. Coniferous trees (evergreens) shall be a minimum of six (6) feet high. Deciduous trees (leaf bearing) shall be a minimum of two (2) inches caliper. Shrubbery shall be a minimum of ten (10) gallons.

Locations of Trees.

1. Trees shall be incorporated into site design, particularly along street frontages, within common areas, and as part of required buffering. Tree type, size, and spacing shall be appropriate to the scale and layout of the development and may include a mix of shade and ornamental species.
2. Trees shall be located and maintained within the yards so as not to impact public sidewalks or rights-of-way with roots, branches, or other debris.

(Ord. No. 94-15, Enacted, 07/14/94; Ord. No. 96-27, Amended, 11/20/96)

Landscaping shall be provided for all land not covered by buildings or by off-street parking space in those zones requiring landscaping. In zones that require a building set back, the main landscaped area shall be distributed across the site with emphasis on street frontage, buffers, and open spaces.Landscaping shall be arranged to provide functional open space, site buffering, and visual enhancement of development.

Landscaping may include drought-tolerant plantings, native vegetation, decorative rock, and other water wise design elements, provided 50% of landscaped areas incorporate living plant material and are not composed solely of inorganic ground cover.

Landscaping plans shall be submitted with site plans according to site plan regulations. All zones shall require the following minimum landscaping regulations:

Park-like amenities such as sports courts, pavilions, and similar recreational or community-oriented features may be credited toward required landscaping areas, subject to approval and provided that a minimum amount of living plant material is maintained in accordance with this section.

1. Residential.
   1. R-3 Residential: Residential developments of three units or more shall have minimum landscaping of 20% of the lot area.
   2. R-4 Residential: Multi-family developments of three units or more shall have minimum landscaping of 28% of the lot area.
   3. R-4 Residential: Townhome developments shall have minimum landscaping of 15% of the lot area.
2. Commercial.
   1. CC-1 Central Commercial Zone: None, except for areas of the development not covered by buildings or parking.
   2. C-2 Commercial Zone: Commercial developments shall have a minimum landscaping of 5% of the lot area. Multi-family dwellings shall meet the same requirement as the R-4 Residential zone.
   3. CP-2 Planned Commercial Zone: Commercial developments shall have a minimum landscaping of 5% of the lot area. Multi-family dwellings shall meet the same requirement as the R-4 Residential Zone.
   4. CCP-1 Planned Commercial Zone: None, except as required by the Planning Commission.
3. I-1 Industrial Zone shall have a minimum landscaping of 5% of the main building area.
4. P-1 Parks zone shall have a minimum landscaping of 40% of the lot area.
5. F-1 Fairgrounds zone shall have a minimum landscaping of 15% of the lot area.
6. HC-1 Health Care Zone shall have a minimum landscaping of 10% of the lot area.
7. MX Mixed use zone: Developments shall have minimum landscaping of 10% of the lot area.

(Ord. No. 94-15, Enacted, 07/14/94; Ord. No. 97-01, Amended, 07/02/97)(Ord. 2005-01, Amended, 04/06/2005)

1. All traffic channelization islands shall be fully landscaped.
2. All landscaped areas abutting any paved area shall be curbed with a six (6) inch high continuous concrete curb.
3. At intersections of streets, driveways, sidewalks, etc., landscaping shall be limited to a height of not more than four (4) feet above street level within the area required for minimum site distance.

(Ord. No. 94-15, Enacted, 07/14/94; Ord. No. 96-27, Amended, 11/20/96)

All undeveloped, unpaved areas not utilized for parking, access, storage and/or future expansion areas shall be maintained free of weeds and trash.

(Ord. No. 94-15, Enacted, 07/14/94)

Parking is prohibited upon any front, side, rear, or interior landscaped area.

(Ord. No. 94-15, Enacted, 07/14/94)

A minimum ten (10) foot width of landscaping, including a combination of trees, shrubs, and ground covers shall be provided to create a buffer adjacent to any residential use or zone boundary.

(Ord. No. 94-15, Enacted, 07/14/94)

The retention of existing healthy, desirable tree species on-site is preferred. Buildings and parking areas should be designed around existing trees wherever possible.

(Ord. No. 94-15, Enacted, 07/14/94)