The landscaping standards provided in this section shall apply to all parcels within the city.
(A) Landscape Design Manual and Design Guidelines Manual. A Landscape Design Manual and a Design Guidelines Manual, adopted by resolution of the City Council, shall together establish criteria for the design and review of landscape and irrigation plans, and such criteria shall be adhered to in the design of landscape and irrigation plans.
(B) Landscape height. Shrubs, flowers, plants and hedges shall not exceed three feet in height.
(C) Tree location. Trees may be planted in any required yard area.
(D) Landscaping and irrigation system. Landscaping and a permanent irrigation system shall be maintained in the area between the front property line and the dwelling, building or structure.
(E) Landscaping maintenance. Landscaping and vegetation shall be maintained as follows:
(1) All landscaped areas shall be kept and maintained in a manner that does not detract from the appearance of the immediate neighborhood, and that protects the health, safety and welfare of the user, occupants and general public.
(2) All landscaped areas shall be kept and maintained in a neat and clean condition, free of weeds, debris, litter, dead, diseased or dying vegetation and broken or defective decorative elements.
(3) Vegetation in landscaped areas shall be mowed, groomed, trimmed, pruned and watered to maintain a healthy, growing condition.
(4) Irrigation systems shall be kept in good working condition and repair to prevent leaks or public health hazards.
(5) Vegetative overgrowth shall not be permitted in a manner that is likely to harbor rodents, vermin, insects or other nuisances; or impedes, obstructs or denies pedestrian or other lawful travel on sidewalks, walkways or other public rights-of-way.
(6) All property owners shall water, prune, weed and otherwise maintain landscaping in the parkway portions of adjoining streets, including street trees.
(7) Parkway landscaping shall be maintained by the abutting property owner.
(F) Water Conservation in Landscaping Act. Landscape planting shall emphasize drought-tolerant and native species, complement the architectural design of structures on the site and be suitable for the soil and climatic conditions of the site. Consistent with the purposes of Cal. Gov’t Code §§65591 et seq. (Water Conservation in Landscaping Act), all new and rehabilitated landscape projects shall comply with the following water-conserving landscape requirements:
(1) To the greatest extent possible, landscape material shall consist of drought-tolerant plants. Low-water-use plants shall be used in at least 50% of the total planted area. Planted areas shall consist of plant material well-suited to the given soil and climate of the region. Plant selection shall take into consideration water conservation through appropriate use and groupings of plants that are well adapted to particular sites and require similar watering needs and climatic, geological and topographical conditions.
(2) The maximum area permitted for turf shall be 50% of the total landscaped area on the site. Higher percentages may be permitted when sod is an essential part of the development such as playing fields for schools or parks and residential model units. Turf usage shall only be permitted for highly visual and functional use areas. Turf shall not be permitted in areas difficult to irrigate, such as sidewalk strips, slopes over 15% or narrow pathways.
(3) Where decorative water features such as pools, ponds or waterfalls are used in landscaped areas, such features shall incorporate recycling of water and where available, use of reclaimed water. Decorative water features shall be designed to minimize water loss.
(Ord. 1346, passed 5-2-12; Am. Ord. 1379, passed 11-4-15)