The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the people of the city by generally controlling the placement, amount and type of landscaping material installed at developed projects within the city in order to:

   A.   Enhance the aesthetics of the community.

   B.   Conserve natural and energy resources.

   C.   Provide environmental controls such as, but not limited to, the reduction of noise, dust and erosion. (Ord. 138, 1-26-1988)

As used in this chapter, the words and terms defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them herein.

   DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: The use of land, buildings and structures on any property in the city subject to title 10, except individual single-family and two-family dwellings.

   LANDSCAPING MATERIAL: Any of the following materials:

   A.   Living material including, but not limited to, grass, ground covers, shrubs, vines, hedges or trees.

   B.   Nonliving material including, but not limited to, rocks, gravel, sand, tile, bricks and wood. Plastic is not considered a landscaping material.

   PARKING AREA: Those portions of a site area designated for motor vehicle use including, but not limited to, parking stalls, parking spaces, driveways and access driveways.

   SITE AREA: The total surface area of a development project including those unimproved portions of adjoining public right of way. (Ord. 138, 1-26-1988)

   A.   Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a landscape plan for any development project in the city shall be filed concurrently with the submission of a tentative subdivision map, or the application for a special use permit or a building permit in the event a tentative subdivision map or special use permit is not required.

   B.   Unless otherwise required by the manager, the landscape plan shall include the following:

      1.   Identification and location of irrigation and drainage system components.

      2.   Construction details including the specific identification, location, height and architectural elevation of all landscaping material.

      3.   A complete planting list outlining the botanical and common name of all living landscaping material. (Ord. 138, 1-26-1988)

All landscaping materials shall aesthetically enhance and be environmentally compatible with the site area.

   A.   The minimum portions of a site area to be permanently landscaped shall be as follows:

      1.   Subdivision developments, R-1, R-1E, R-2: Thirty percent (30%) of the site area for all permitted uses, with or without a special use permit, except for individual single-family and two- family dwellings.

      2.   Buffer commercial district, BC: Fifteen percent (15%) for all residential developments, except individual single-family or two- family dwellings. Twenty percent (20%) for all permitted commercial uses.

      3.   General commercial district, GC: Ten percent (10%).

      4.   Tourist commercial district, TC: Ten percent (10%).

      5.   Restricted commercial district, RC: Twenty percent (20%).

      6.   Warehouse-industrial, MI-1, MI-2: Landscaping strips shall be provided along the public street frontages at the appropriate width that will result in the landscaping of a minimum of six percent (6%) of the site area.

   B.   All landscaping material for a development project shall be installed in accordance with the landscape plan. The manager may require a good and sufficient surety bond written by a surety company authorized to do business in this state, cash or a letter of credit issued by a bank to be filed with the city clerk prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

      1.   All landscaping material installed in accordance with the landscaping plan shall be inspected and approved by the manager.

      2.   If the landscaping material is not installed in accordance with the landscaping plan, the city council may cause the bond, cash deposit or letter of credit to be forfeited in an amount necessary to complete the installation. (Ord. 138, 1-26-1988)

   A.   Each owner, operator or other person in control of a development project shall be required at all times to keep all landscaping materials in good repair and maintenance.

   B.   If any portion of the landscaping material is damaged, destroyed or otherwise injured, the owner, operator or person in control of the development project shall replace it within thirty (30) days. If the particular season makes such replacement unfeasible then it shall be accomplished within a reasonable period of time but not to exceed six (6) months. (Ord. 138, 1-26-1988)