All new and rehabilitated landscaping plans undertaken in conjunction with any private development project on commercial, industrial, mixed-use and other nonresidential properties, or those projects requiring a grading, building or use permit, shall comply with the following standards:
(A) Unpaved areas. All unpaved areas, including those portions of required yard areas not utilized for vehicular and pedestrian access, shall be landscaped with plant material, including some combination of trees, shrubs, groundcover and turf. Dry landscape material may be incorporated into the landscape design.
(B) Automatic irrigation system. All landscaped areas shall be provided with an automatic irrigation system, unless the Director of Community Development finds that such an irrigation system, due to the size, location or configuration of the landscaped area, cannot reasonably be installed and maintained.
(C) Plant sizes and plant spacing. To achieve an immediate effect of a landscape installation and to allow sustained growth of planting materials, plant material sizes and plant spacing shall comply with the following standards:
(1) The minimum plant size for trees shall be 15 gallons, unless otherwise specified by the provisions of this chapter. Trees planted within ten feet of a street, sidewalk, paved trail or walkway shall be a deep-rooted species or shall be separated from paved surfaces by a root barrier to prevent physical damage to public improvements. A minimum distance of 15 feet is required between the center of trees to street light standards, water meters, back-flow prevention systems, sewer cleanouts and fire hydrants.
(2) The minimum plant size for shrubs shall be five gallons.
(3) Groundcover, including turf, shall be planted in a manner to provide 100% coverage within one year of initial planting.
(D) Freeway frontage landscaping. Lots with freeway frontage shall provide and maintain freeway frontage landscaping on private property fronting the freeway.
(Ord. 1346, passed 5-2-12; Am. Ord. 1379, passed 11-4-15)