A. Screening:
1. Required: Emphasis shall be placed on screening and buffering when adjacent to County or State roadway corridors and in areas where Nonresidential Districts abut Residential Districts. Screening shall be required for service yards, refuse, and waste removal areas, loading docks, truck parking areas, and other similar areas which tend to be unsightly. The screening may be accomplished through the use of walls, fencing, dense planting effective year round or any combination of these elements.
a. Screening shall be in harmony with the materials of the building, surroundings or other furnishing.
b. The screening shall be equal to or greater than the height of the object being screened as deemed appropriate by the City.
c. Required screening shall not be located in the vision clearance areas as defined by this Code.
2. Natural Vegetation: Street or utility easements or planned rights-of-way with natural vegetation shall not be used to meet screening requirements. Removal of any natural vegetation buffer now in place on undeveloped property shall require submittal of a replacement screening plan.
3. Exception: This screening requirement is not applicable to established business or industrial areas adjacent to property that is subsequently rezoned to residential use.
B. Mechanical Equipment: Mechanical equipment, gas meters, satellite dishes, and other utility hardware, whether located on the roof or exterior of the building or on the ground adjacent to it, shall be designed (including exterior color) and located to be aesthetically harmonious and compatible with the building.
1. Screening may be required where the design, color and location of the equipment are found to be ineffective to buffer noise or provide aesthetic harmony.
2. When required to be screened from the public view, the screening shall be with materials similar to the building's exterior materials or by heavy landscaping that will be effective year round or they shall be located so as not to be visible from any public way.
3. The screening shall be one hundred percent (100%) opaque and equal to or greater than the height of the object being screened.
4. No rooftop unit (RTU) shall be visible if viewed at a height of five feet (5') above finish floor level at a distance of one hundred feet (100') from the building; any visible portion of any RTU beyond this point shall be painted to match the primary color of the exterior of the principal structure. Use of parapet walls or pitched roof elements to screen equipment is encouraged. In no case shall wooden fencing be used as a rooftop equipment screen. All RTU screening elements shall match the primary color of the exterior of the principal structure.
5. The mere addition of mechanical equipment to an existing building shall not be considered an addition or a change in building height.
C. Fencing/Retaining Walls:
1. Permit Required: A fence permit is required from the City prior to installation, relocation or alteration of any fence.
2. Height: Fences not more than four feet (4') in height shall be allowed in the front yard setback. Fences not more than six feet (6') high shall be allowed in side and rear yards and behind the front yard setback.
3. Corner Lots: On corner lots, no fence shall be located in a vision clearance area unless it is in compliance with the visibility requirements of subsection 10-4-6
B of this chapter.
4. Finished Face: The finished face of the fence must face outward.
5. Placement On Property Line: Fences may be placed on property lines, provided no damage of any kind results to abutting property.
6. Electric Or Barbed Wire Fences: Electric or barbed wire fences shall only be permitted as an accessory use on farms when related to animal keeping as allowed by section 10-5-10
of this title or farming. This provision shall not apply to invisible fences for dogs or cats, which are allowable fences Citywide.
7. Fence Materials: No fence in any district shall be constructed with the use of razor wire, barb wire, chicken wire, welded wire, branches, wood pallets, hay bales, corrugated metal siding, non-permanent plastic or vinyl materials such as snow fences or silt fences, or any other materials originally intended for other purposes, unless upon the showing of a high degree of architectural quality achieved through the use of such, subject to prior approval from the Zoning Administrator.
8. Retaining walls over four feet (4') in height shall require a fence or guardrail that is a minimum of four feet (4') tall spanning the entire length of the retaining wall that is over four feet (4') tall.
9. Exceptions:
a. Fences directly related to dog kennels, vegetable gardens, flower gardens, tree fences, and similar functions may deviate from the fence material requirements of this chapter, subject to prior approval from the Zoning Administrator. In no case shall fence materials be allowed that pose a danger to the public.
b. Fences up to a maximum height of five feet (5') that are directly related to gardens may be located within the front yard setback provided there is no more than forty (40) lineal feet of fence frontage along a public or private street. The front yard garden fencing shall be constructed of welded wire, garden mesh netting or other non-opaque materials, not including chicken wire, chain link, snow fence or similar fences. The fencing material shall reduce visual impact to adjacent properties and rights-of-way and blend into the environment. Support posts shall be steel, wood or composite with minimum diameter to blend into the natural environment. Except for a door entrance to a garden enclosure, no horizontal posts shall be added to the upper half of the fence to reduce visual impact. All fencing and related posts shall be of natural colors with non-shine finish and shall be subject to review and approval by the Zoning Administrator at the time of a fence permit to ensure that the garden fencing is designed to blend into the natural environment with minimal visual impact.
10. Conditional Use Permit Standards: Fences proposed within the Industrial District that are over the height limits established in this section shall require a conditional use permit. A conditional use permit shall not be issued unless it meets the following standards:
a. The fence is in a location where fences up to six feet (6') are permitted.
b. The fence shall not exceed eight feet (8') in height.
c. The fence shall not be located within the minimum building setback, as required for principal structures, from the ordinary high water level of lakes and streams.
D. Landscaping:
1. Purpose:
a. Purpose: The purpose of this subsection is to establish minimum landscaping requirements to create a positive community image; to improve the appearance of vehicular use areas and property abutting public rights-of-way; to require buffering between noncompatible land uses; to protect, preserve and promote the aesthetic appeal, character and value of the surrounding neighborhoods; and to promote public health and safety through the reduction of noise pollution, air pollution, visual pollution and glare.
b. Reduction Of Visual Impacts: The landscaping standards shall require reduction of visual impacts associated with given uses, including, but not limited to:
(1) Truck loading areas;
(2) Trash storage;
(3) Parking lots, interior lot areas and perimeters;
(4) Large unadorned building massing;
(5) Garage doors associated with auto oriented uses; and
(6) Vehicular stacking areas for drive-through uses.
2. General Landscape Requirements For All Zoning Districts:
a. Compliance: No new site development, permanent building or structure construction, remodeling involving outside changes to the site or vehicular use area modifications are allowed, unless the provisions of this subsection are met for the property in its entirety.
b. Preservation: Landowners are encouraged to preserve as much of their property in its natural, native state as possible.
c. Ground Coverage: All upland areas not otherwise forested or improved with buildings, structures, landscaping, or other allowed impervious surfaces shall be sodded or hydroseeded with species normally grown as permanent lawns and established to seventy percent (70%) coverage/thickness, as determined by the Zoning Administrator, except for the following:
(1) Grass seeding may be approved by the Zoning Administrator in areas that have an underground irrigation system. Grass must be established to seventy percent (70%) coverage.
(2) Native seeding may be approved by the Zoning Administrator. A site plan and planting schedule shall be submitted for review. Depending on the size, location and visibility of the native area to adjacent properties and right-of-way, the Zoning Administrator may forward the item to the City Council for consideration. All native areas shall be established to seventy percent (70%) coverage with approved plantings and then maintained at this coverage.
(3) Other coverage methods may be accepted as part of an overall landscape plan.
d. Topsoil: Adequate topsoil shall be added to ensure growth of all plantings.
e. Ground Coverage Not Allowed: Ground coverage shall not include exposed sand, soil or weeds.
f. Maintenance: All landscaped areas shall be maintained by the property owner and kept neat, clear and uncluttered. The property owner shall be responsible for maintenance and replacement of trees, shrubs, grass, ground covers and sodding. If required landscaping is not maintained or replaced, the City may deem this a nuisance and proceed with abatement and recovery of cost upon notice in accordance with the provisions of title 4, chapter 1 of this Code.
g. Landscape Health: Plants must be sound, healthy, vigorous, and free of disease, insect eggs and larvae.
h. Landscape Sizing: The following landscape sizing shall be required at the time of planting. Larger plants may be used or specified at any time.
Landscaping Type | Minimum Size |
Overstory deciduous (shade) trees | 2 inch diameter (measured 6 inches above ground) |
Coniferous (evergreen) trees | 6 feet |
Ornamental trees | 11/2 inch diameter (measured 6 inches above ground) |
Shrubs | 3 gallons |
i. Overstory Tree Equivalency: Up to fifty percent (50%) of the required number of overstory trees on a site may be substituted with an equivalent number of understory trees, smaller trees or shrubs. In such cases, two (2) ornamental trees, two (2) 4-foot coniferous trees, two (2) 1.5-inch diameter overstory trees, or ten (10) shrubs shall be equivalent to one overstory tree.
j. Required Landscaping: Where required trees are removed to allow placement of building addition or site expansion, the required trees shall be replaced elsewhere on the property. Exceptions may be made by the Zoning Administrator if sites become overcrowded with trees based on new planting requirements.
k. Credit For Existing Trees:
(1) Rear And Side Yard Trees: Credit for existing rear and side yard trees cannot be used to offset the front tree requirements.
(2) Mature Trees: Credit trees, when mature, must be able to be seen by passing public when site is completed.
(3) Minimum Requirements: Such trees fulfill the minimum requirement as to size and species. The Zoning Administrator shall determine the amount of the credit for such existing trees based upon their location and distribution in the lot.
l. Protection Of Existing Trees: Proper precautions to protect trees during development shall be indicated on grading and landscape plans submitted for plan review. The following protective measures shall be followed:
(1) Tree Fencing: Installation of snow fencing or polyethylene laminate safety netting placed at the drip line or at the perimeter of the critical root zone (CRZ), whichever is greater, of significant trees, specimen trees, and woodlands to be preserved. No grade change, construction activity, or storage of materials shall occur within this fenced area.
(2) Soil Chemistry: Measures shall be taken to prevent a change in soil chemistry due to concrete washout and leakage or spillage of toxic materials, such as fuels or paints.
(3) Retaining Walls: Installation of retaining walls or tree wells to preserve trees must be no closer than the drip line or at the CRZ, whichever is greater.
(4) Utilities: Placement of utilities in common trenches shall be located outside of the drip line of trees to be preserved. The use of tunneled installation for utilities is encouraged.
(5) Aeration, Fertilizer And Irrigation Systems: The use of tree root aeration, fertilization, and/or irrigation systems is encouraged to promote the health of trees to be preserved.
(6) Transplanting: Transplanting of existing trees is encouraged. If trees cannot be immediately transplanted, the trees shall be moved to a protected area for later transplanting into the construction area.
(7) Staking Of Trees And Plant Hardiness: The property owner is responsible for keeping trees in a plumb position. When staking is required, it shall occur so as not to create any hazards or unsightly obstacles. All wires shall be encased in hose to prevent tree damage.
3. Landscape Plan Submission: Prior to commencement of turf removal, grading, or planting, the property owner or developer shall prepare a landscape plan acceptable to the City for review. The contents of the plan shall include the following:
a. A landscape plan shall be submitted providing all information required in this subsection. The plan shall be drawn to a scale between one inch equals eight feet (1" = 8') scale and one inch equals one hundred feet (1" = 100'), showing and labeling by name and dimensions all existing and proposed property lines, easements, utility lines, buildings, and other structures, vehicular use areas (including parking stalls, driveways, service areas, square footage), and water outlets.
b. Planting schedules including the quantity of plants to be installed, common name, botanical name, plant size at installation and at full growth, and root type (balled and burlapped, container).
c. Typical elevations and/or cross sections as may be required.
d. Title block with the pertinent names and addresses (property owner and person drawing plan), scale, date, north arrow.
e. Existing landscaping shall be shown including species and size. Any approved material in satisfactory condition may be used to satisfy this subsection in whole or in part.
4. Landscape Performance Standards For R-1, R-1A, R-2, RS And RR Districts:
a. Ground Coverage: Subject to subsections D2c and D2e of this section.
b. Tree Requirements:
(1) Minimum: A minimum of one deciduous tree shall be planted in the front yard between the principal structure and street right- of-way. In the case of a multiple frontage lot, each frontage will require a deciduous tree. If the house is on the lake, the planting requirement will apply to both the street frontage and land between the lake and the house.
(2) Credit For Existing Trees: A credit for existing trees that are preserved which meet the minimum size requirements can be granted by the City.
(3) Trees Not Allowed: Trees listed in subsection D5h of this section are not allowed to be used as a credit or as acceptable tree planting.
c. Landscape Completion And Escrow:
(1) Certificate Of Occupancy: No certificate of occupancy will be issued until after the property has been brought to final grade and all required plantings and ground cover are installed.
(2) Temporary Certificate Of Occupancy: A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy may be granted before landscaping work is completed, subject to the completion of a Site Improvement Agreement and financial guarantee based on the requirements of section 10-7-8 of this title.
5. Landscape Performance Standards For R-3, C1, C2, OS, I, CI, And PB Districts:
a. Priorities: When establishing landscaped areas for a site, top priority shall be given toward establishing landscaping areas in front yards (between buildings and street frontages). A secondary priority shall be given toward establishing landscaping areas around the site perimeter.
b. Ground Coverage: Subject to subsections D2c and D2e of this section and the following.
c. Tree Requirements:
(1) A minimum of one overstory deciduous or coniferous tree is required for every one thousand five hundred (1,500) square feet of total building floor area, except for garage floor area. If a development does not include an expansion of building floor area, one such tree is required for every seventy five feet (75') of site perimeter.
(2) In addition to the trees required in subsection D5c(1) of this section, a minimum of one overstory deciduous or coniferous tree is required for every seventy five feet (75') of frontage along all roadways. The Zoning Administrator may allow the required street frontage trees to be clustered along the street frontage, provided there is adequate spacing between trees, based on the canopy of the given species at maturity.
(3) Thirty percent (30%) of the total amount of required trees shall be coniferous.
(4) Coniferous trees shall not be located within fifty feet (50') of a driveway.
d. Shrubs: A minimum of one shrub is required for every four hundred fifty (450) square feet of total building floor area, except for garage floor area. If development does not include an expansion of building floor area, one such shrub is required for every forty five feet (45') of site perimeter.
e. Interior Parking Lot Landscaping: In addition to the requirements of this subsection, subsection 10-5-2C12 of this title includes requirements for interior parking lot landscaping.
f. Remodeling Or Redevelopment: In recognition of the fact that properties which have already been developed with permanent improvements as of the effective date hereof generally have less flexibility in meeting landscape requirements, the minimum quantities of trees and shrubs required in subsections D5c and D5d of this section, shall be reduced by one-third (1/3) of the requirements for new construction or development.
g. Landscape Completion And Escrow:
(1) Certificate Of Occupancy: No certificate of occupancy will be issued until after the property has been brought to final grade and all required plantings and ground cover are installed.
(2) Temporary Certificate Of Occupancy: A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy may be granted before landscaping work is completed, subject to the completion of a Site Improvement Agreement and financial guarantee based on the requirements of section 10-7-8 of this title.
h. Trees Not Allowed: Trees not allowed or to be used as credit for existing trees or trees which may not be planted to comply with the requirements are:
(1) Box elder.
(2) Silver maple.
(3) Northern catalpa.
(4) Russian olive.
(5) F. ginkgo (female only).
(6) Mulberry.
(7) Cottonwood.
i. Planting For Wildlife Habitat:
(1) For wildlife habitat, when in doubt, plant:
(A) Spruce or fir rather than pine;
(B) A mixture of red and white oaks, including bur oak;
(C) Fruit and nut bearing plants also edible by humans;
(D) Native species rather than exotics or ornamental cultivars;
(E) More warm season grass (prairie) than cool season grass (brome and bluegrass).
(2) For year long food supply for wildlife:
(A) Highbush cranberry.
(B) Wild plum.
(C) Crabapple.
(D) Red osier dogwood.
(E) Juneberry.
(F) Chokecherry.
(G) Gray dogwood.
(H) Mountain ash.
(I) Staghorn sumac.
j. Recommended Coniferous Trees:
(1) American larch (tamarack).
(2) Balsam fir.
(3) Black Hills spruce.
(4) Colorado spruce (blue spruce).
(5) Northern cedar (arborvitae).
(6) Eastern white pine.
(7) Norway red pine.
(8) White spruce.
k. Recommended Deciduous Trees:
(1) Red and bur oak.
(2) American linden.
(3) Amur maple.
Note: Other materials may be used subject to City approval. Contact the County Extension Service or DNR forestry, and local nurseries for additional information regarding trees conducive to this area. (Ord. 2018-001, 1-2-2018; amd. Ord. 2019-001, 3-19-2019; Ord. 2019-010, 7-16-2019; Ord. 2020-006, 7-21-2020; Ord. 2023-013, 9-19-2023; Ord. 2024-008, 4-16-2024)