The landscaping materials shall consist of the following and are described in more detail in the “Planting Manual” on file at the office of Planning and Community Development.
(A) Walls and fences. Walls shall be constructed of natural stone, brick, or artificial materials arranged in a linear, serpentine, or other alignment; while fences shall be constructed of wood. Chain link fencing will meet approval only if covered with wood strips or plant material. In industrial zones, there should be no height limitation on walls or fences; in all other zones, however, there should be a six-foot height restriction for walls or fences in front yards, and eight-foot height restriction in all other required yards. All walls or fences shall have a minimum opacity of 80%.
(B) Earth mounds. Earth mounds shall be constructed with proper slopes and adequate plant material to prevent erosion.
(C) Plants. All plant materials shall be living plants (artificial plants are not permitted) and shall meet the following requirements.
(1) Quality. Plant materials used in conformance with the provisions of these guidelines shall conform to the standards of the American Association of Nurserymen and shall have passed any inspections required under state regulations.
(2) Deciduous trees. (Trees which normally shed their leaves in the fall.) Shall be species having an average mature crown spread of greater than 15 feet and having a trunk(s) which can be maintained with over five feet of clear wood in areas which have visibility requirements, except at vehicular use area intersections where an eight-foot clear wood requirement will control. Trees having an average spread of crown less than 15 feet may be substituted by grouping of the same so as to create the equivalent of a 15-foot crown spread. A minimum of ten feet overall height or a minimum caliper (trunk diameter, measured six inches above ground for trees up to four inches caliper) of at least one and three-quarter inches immediately after planting shall be required. Trees of species whose roots are known to cause damage to public roadways or other public works shall not be planted closer than 15 feet to such public works, unless the tree root system is completely contained within a barrier for which the minimum interior containing dimension shall be five feet square and five feet deep and for which the construction requirements shall be four inches thick, reinforced concrete.
(3) Evergreen trees. Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of five feet high with a minimum caliper of one and one-half inches and a minimum spread of three feet immediately after planting.
(5) Vines. Vines shall be at least 12 or 15 inches at planting, and are generally used in conjunction with walls or fences.
(6) Grass or ground cover. Grass (of the fescue (Gramineak) or Bluegrass (Poaceae) family) shall be planted in species normally grown as permanent lawns in the county, and may be sodded, plugged, sprigged, or seeded; except in swales or other areas subject to erosion, where solid sod, erosion reducing net, or suitable mulch shall be used, nurse-grass seed shall be sown for immediate protection until complete coverage otherwise is achieved. Grass sod shall be clean and free of weeds and noxious pests or diseases. Ground cover such as organic material shall be placed in such a manner as to present a finished appearance. In certain cases, ground cover also may consist of rocks, pebbles, sand, and similar approved materials.
(D) Maintenance and installation. All landscaping materials shall be installed in a sound, workmanship like manner, and according to accepted good construction and planting procedures. The person in charge or in contract of the properties, whether as owner, lessee, tenant, occupant, or otherwise, shall be responsible for the continued proper maintenance, free from refuse and debris, at all times. All unhealthy or dead plant material shall be replaced within one year, or by the next planting period, whichever comes first; while other defective landscape material shall be replaced or repaired within three months. Violation of these installation and maintenance provisions should be grounds for the Building Inspector to refuse a building occupancy permit or to institute legal proceedings as set forth in other sections of the zoning regulations.
(Prior Code, § 13.4) (Ord. 94-6, passed 8-25-1994)