(A) Materials.
(1) General.
(a) Required landscaped areas shall be planted with a combination of ground covers, shrubs, vines, and trees. A minimum of one different plant type per 1,000 square feet of lot area shall be provided, up to a maximum of ten different plant types.
(2) Required water efficient plants. One of the following options of types of plants shall be chosen to ensure that the landscape project meets water efficiency requirements.
(a) Option A: all low water plants. Exclusive of garden areas dedicated to edible plants, all plants and trees shall be low or very low water use (average California Department of Water Resources study, Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS) plant factor of 0.3). Option A is available for all residential and non-residential areas.
(b) Option B: primarily low water plants. Exclusive of garden areas dedicated to edible plants, at least 75% of the landscape area shall contain low or very low water use plants (average WUCOLS plant factor of 0.3). Option B is only available for residential areas.
(c) Option C: water use calculation. The estimated total water use (ETWU) of the landscaping shall not exceed the maximum applied water allowance (MAWA), calculated pursuant to the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). Option C is available for all residential and non-residential areas.
1. Department of Water Resources Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance compliance required. Where Option C: water use calculation is selected, all requirements of the Department of Water Resources Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance shall apply.
(3) Size and spacing. Plant materials shall be grouped in hydrozones in accordance with their respective water, cultural (soil, climate, sun and light), and maintenance needs. Plants shall be of the following size and spacing at the time of installation:
(a) Ground covers. Ground cover plants other than grasses shall be at least the four-inch pot size. Areas planted in ground cover plants other than grass seed or sod must be planted at a rate of one per 12 inches on center.
FIGURE 23.17.050.A.3.A: GROUND COVER PLANTING
(b) Shrubs. Shrubs shall be a minimum size of one gallon. When planted to serve as a hedge or screen, shrubs shall be planted with two to four feet of spacing, depending on the plant species.
FIGURE 23.17.050.A.3.B: SHRUB PLANTING
(c) Trees. Required trees must be planted in the ground. All parkway tree species shall be in accordance with the city's Street Tree Planting Plan.
1. Residential development. A minimum of one 24-inch box tree per 50 feet of street frontage shall be provided within the yard fronting the street. A minimum of at least one 24-inch box tree shall be required.
2. Mixed-use and non-residential development.
a. A minimum of one 36-inch box tree per 50 feet of street frontage shall be provided within the yard fronting the street.
b. A minimum of one tree of at least 15-gallon size shall be planted per 20 linear feet or as appropriate to create a tree canopy over the required setback along interior property lines abutting Residential Zones.
FIGURE 23.17.050.A.3.C.II.2: TREES; MIXED-AND NON-RESIDENTIAL USES ADJACENT TO RESIDENTIAL ZONES
(4) Artificial turf.
(a) Material. Artificial turf must meet minimum material standards, including the following:
1. The turf shall have a minimum eight-year no-fade warranty as issued by the manufacturer.
2. The turf shall be cut-pile infill, minimum pile height one and two-thirds inches and a maximum of one and three-quarter inches, with parallel long slit blades.
3. The synthetic turf blades (not including the thatch layer) shall be required to contain at least two natural green colors.
4. The turf must contain a beige or tan thatch layer.
5. Be affixed to a permeable triple-layer backing and allow water to percolate through the synthetic grass at a drain rate of at least 30 inches per hour, to an adequate drainage system installed underneath the artificial turf to prevent run-off, pooling and flooding.
6. The synthetic turf shall comply with all federal and state standards related to lead and heavy metal content.
7. The fill material shall be of silica sand or zeolite material that is brushed in to keep the blades upright and achieve a natural grass look. Any replacement fill shall be the same. The use of rubber crumb infill is prohibited.
8. Must be constructed to maximize dimensional stability, resist damage during normal use and minimize UV degradation with a tear grab strength of at least 200 pounds. It must be resistant to staining, weather, insects, rot, mildew, and fungus and shall be non-allergenic and non-toxic and able to pass the pill burn test for flammability.
9. The use of indoor/outdoor carpeting, and artificial shrubs, flowers, tress, and vines instead of natural plantings is prohibited.
(b) Installation. Artificial turf must be installed pursuant to manufacturers requirements by a licensed professional with experience in the installation of artificial turf. In addition:
1. Installation must include removal of all existing plant material and three inches of a compacted aggregate base that provides adequate drainage and ensure stability.
2. The area must be sloped and graded to prevent excessive pooling, runoff, or flooding onto adjacent property. Artificial turf areas must be sufficiently drained to live planting areas to provide complete infiltration of runoff.
3. Artificial turf must be permanently anchored over the entire coverage area with nails and glue, and all seams must be nailed, or sewn and glued so as to conceal the edges, with the grain pointing a single direction.
4. All existing irrigation infrastructure in the covered area, including piping and sprinkler heads that are no longer used must be capped or removed and shall not be visible.
5. Artificial turf must be separated from live planting areas by a barrier such as a mow strip or bender board to prevent mixing of natural plant materials and artificial turf.
6. All efforts shall be made to protect existing trees and tree roots from damage during installation.
7. Artificial turf may not be installed within a five-foot diameter of the trunk of any tree.
8. Artificial turf is prohibited in all parkways.
(c) Maintenance. Artificial turf must be maintained in an attractive and clean, unfaded condition free of weeds, stains, debris, tears, holes, depressions, ruts, odors and looseness at edges and seams. Damaged or worn areas in the artificial turf surface must be repaired or removed and replaced in a manner that results in consistent appearance with the existing artificial turf. The artificial turf surface must be replaced once it is unable to be maintained as required. Vehicle parking on artificial turf is prohibited.
(5) Natural turf. Natural turf is subject to the following limitations, unless further restricted pursuant to state law or other regulations.
(a) No more than 25% of the landscaped area may be natural turf.
(b) The installation of natural turf on slopes greater than 25% is prohibited.
(c) Natural turf is prohibited in locations that are less than ten feet wide.
(6) Mulch. A minimum three-inch layer of mulch shall be applied on all exposed soil surfaces of planting areas. Mulch shall not be required in turf areas, creeping or rooting groundcovers, or direct seeding applications where mulch would be detrimental to the health of the planted materials.
(7) Compost. Compost at a rate of at least four cubic yards per 1,000 square feet to a depth of six inches into landscape area (unless contra-indicated by a soil test) shall be incorporated, unless stricter requirements apply pursuant to state law or other regulations.
(B) Water features. Recirculating water shall be used for all decorative water features.
(C) Dimension of landscaped areas. No landscaped area smaller than three feet in any horizontal dimension shall count toward required landscaping.
(D) Prescribed heights. The prescribed heights of landscaping shall indicate the height to be attained within three years after planting.
(E) Driveway and intersection visibility. All landscaping shall comply with § 23.12.190.
(F) Maintenance. All planting and other landscape elements shall be maintained in good growing condition. Such maintenance shall include, where appropriate, pruning, mowing, weeding, cleaning, fertilizing, and regular watering. Inert matter, such as gravel, decorative stone, or other acceptable materials not consisting of live vegetation shall be kept neat, well-ordered, and clear of the public right-of-way. Wherever necessary, plantings shall be replaced with other plant materials to ensure continued compliance with applicable landscaping requirements.
(Ord. 4823, passed 1-22-24)