SECTION:
9-6-1: Applicability; Exceptions
9-6-2: Compliance Requirements
9-6-3: Residential Use Landscaping
9-6-4: Nonresidential Use Landscaping
9-6-5: Nonresidential Use Landscaping In Parking Lots
9-6-6: Nonresidential Use Lighting Requirements
9-6-7: Accessory Structure Screening
9-6-8: Tree Preservation
9-6-9: Landscape Plan And Deviations
9-6-10: Design Planting And Criteria
9-6-11: Preferred Landscape Materials
9-6-12: Landscape Irrigation Requirements
A. The landscaping requirements of this chapter apply to any premises on which construction occurs for which a building permit is required, except as follows:
1. The remodeling of the interior of a building or the facade of a building that does not alter the location of exterior walls; or
2. The expansion or remodeling of a single-family dwelling; or
3. The moving in of a mobile home or similar modular structure; or
4. Permits for accessory structures such as for storage sheds, carports, driveways, or other similar improvement(s). (Ord. 09-04-15, 4-21-2015)
A. All landscaping requirements of this chapter, including the requirements contained in an approved landscaped plan, must be met prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy and/or prior to the issuance of a business license (permit) for any premises to which these regulations apply. If weather conditions, or similar circumstances delay compliance, the planning director, with approval from the city manager's office, may grant a temporary certificate of occupancy if the owner or owner's agent enters into a signed agreement with the city to fully comply with the landscaping requirements within a specified time, not to exceed sixty (60) calendar days.
B. All landscaping required to be planted must, after installation, be maintained in a good and healthy condition. An organized method of irrigating the landscaped improvements in nonresidential premises may be required as part of the improvements during the building permit process. If the required landscaping becomes diseased, deteriorated, or dies, the owner, agent, and/or operator of the premises must replace the landscaped improvements within sixty (60) calendar days of written notice from the city of Alamo.
C. All fences required by these regulations must be maintained by the owner in good working condition so that there are no damaged or missing boards, planks, or parts, all structural supports are sound and sufficient to maintain the fence in an upright condition, and any surface treatment, including paint or stucco, is substantially maintained in its original appearance to be free from graffiti, noticeable cracking, discoloration, or similar surface defects.
D. All multi-family residential uses shall provide a minimum of ten percent (10%) of the entire site to be devoted to living landscape which shall include grass, ground cover, plants, shrubs, or trees. All nonresidential uses shall provide a minimum of five percent (5%) which may include the required drainage retention on the lot. (Ord. 09-04-15, 4-21-2015)
A. For any premises located in a zoning classification of single- family residential (R-1), said property shall have one shade or ornamental tree typically located within fifteen feet (15') of the front lot line for each sixty feet (60') of lot width or portion thereof. Trees may be semiclustered or spaced linearly and do not need to be planted evenly. If a tree is being proposed other than a shade or ornamental tree listed in section 9-6-11 of this chapter, the owner shall provide two (2) trees for every one shade or ornamental tree required.
B. For any premises located in a zoning classification of multi-family residential (R-2), said property shall have:
1. One shade or ornamental tree for every two (2) units (apartments/condos) located predominantly within the front yard setback. If a tree is being proposed other than a shade or ornamental tree listed in section 9-6-11 of this chapter, the owner shall provide two (2) trees for every one shade or ornamental tree required.
2. All other portions of the front yard which are not improved, must be landscaped prior to occupancy, and perpetually maintained after occupancy.
3. The paved parking area for multi-family residential uses within a front yard or corner side yard shall provide a five foot (5') to eight foot (8') wide landscaped area located between the parking lot and the lots’ front or corner side’s private property line(s).
4. The parking area for multi-family residential uses is to be landscaped similar to the requirements of section 9-6-5 of this chapter.
(Ord. 09-04-15, 4-21-2015; amd. Ord. 101-6-24, 6-4-2024)
A. The premises must have one shade or ornamental tree located in the front yard for each thirty feet (30') of lot width, or portion thereof, measured along the front lot line. However, if the nonresidential use is a school, church, hospital, or government facility, the premises must contain one shade or ornamental tree for every fifty feet (50') of lot width, or portion thereof. The shade trees may be clustered or spaced linearly and do not need to be placed evenly.
B. If a nonresidential use abuts residentially used properties, the nonresidential premises must install an opaque screen fence at least six feet (6') in height located along the abutting lot line (see subsection 9-6-7A of this chapter for allowable fence types). Tapering of the buffer may be required by the city as said buffer approaches the street in order to maximize visibility, if needed. A buffer fence may not be required if an approved fence is already existing on the abutting residential property.
C. All portions of the ground located in the front yard or street side yard which are not covered by driveways, parking lots, and similar permanent improvements, shall be landscaped/sodded.
D. Unless the nonresidential structure is built and has an existing zero side yard via prevailing building and zoning setbacks, or unless the lot's unique configuration would induce minimal adjustment, then all side yards must contain a minimum three foot (3') wide landscaped area extending from the front lot line to the rear lot line. (Ord. 09-04-15, 4-21-2015)
A. Nonresidential premises used for a parking lot within a front yard or street side yard shall provide an eight (8) to ten foot (10') wide landscaped area located between all portions of the parking lot, including vehicle use area, and the public street. The landscaped area shall have a continuous hedge, fence, or berm of a minimum height of three feet (3') to aesthetically screen the parking lot and vehicle use area from the public street. The remainder of the landscaped area shall contain plants, grass, or ground cover. All other portions of the front yard lying between the parking lot and front lot line which are not improved, must be landscaped, too.
B. Nonresidential premises that contain a parking lot or vehicle use area in a side or rear yard that abut residentially zoned/used properties, must have a continuous hedge, fence or berm with a minimum height of eight feet (8') as a visual buffer. The area to be screened must also contain at least one 3-inch caliper shade tree for each fifty (50) linear feet of landscaping or screening, or portion thereof.
C. Nonresidential premises that contain a parking lot or vehicle use area in a side or rear yard that abut other nonresidentially zoned/used properties that are not interfaced or planned to be interfaced, shall have a screen of hedges, fences or berms, of a minimum height of three feet (3'), located between the parking lot and the side or rear lot line, so as to provide screening for at least twenty five percent (25%) of the parking lot and vehicle use area. The required screening may be grouped and need not be spaced evenly. The area required to be screened must also contain a minimum of one 3-inch caliper shade tree for each fifty (50) linear feet of screened area, or portion thereof.
D. All plants used to satisfy the requirements of this section shall be located in landscaped areas that are least 2.5 feet in width.
E. Each required shade or ornamental tree must be planted in a landscaped area of at least thirty (30) square feet.
F. Any nonresidential parking lot with more than ten (10) parking spaces shall provide a minimum one hundred sixty two (162) square feet of landscaping for each twenty (20) parking spaces, or fraction thereof. Landscaped islands, medians, and peninsulas shall be a minimum of six feet (6') in width, and be dispersed throughout the parking lot. A minimum of one shade or ornamental tree shall be provided for each required landscaped island, median, and peninsula. The remaining area or island must be landscaped with plants, not exceeding three feet (3') in height.
G. Landscaped islands, medians and peninsulas within the nonresidential parking lots shall be protected from vehicle intrusion by curbs or similar structures and shall be irrigated. (Ord. 09-04-15, 4-21-2015)
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