(a) Purpose and Intent. These standards are intended to establish landscaping regulations that:
(1) Improve the aesthetic appearance of setback areas, common open space areas, public rights-of- way and off-street vehicular parking areas;
(2) Encourage the preservation of existing trees and natural features;
(3) Promote compatibility among different land uses;
(4) Promote the use of generally accepted landscape design principles; and
(5) Protect public health, safety and welfare by minimizing the impact of all forms of physical and visual pollution, controlling soil erosion, screening unsightly areas, preserving the integrity of neighborhoods and enhancing pedestrian and vehicular traffic and safety.
(b) Application. A landscape plan and tree survey shall be required in conjunction with any application for a zoning certificate, a variance, a conditional use permit, a similar use determination, a subdivision plat, or a site plan and design review approval. Such landscape plan and tree survey shall include the following:
(1) The present location, size, and description of all existing major trees, with a designation of existing major trees sought to be removed.
(2) The location, size and description of landscaping materials proposed to be placed on the lot in order to comply with this section.
(3) The location and size of any structures presently on the lot, and those proposed to be placed on the lot.
(4) The proposed location and description of screening to be placed on the lot in order to comply with this section.
(c) General Landscape Provisions.
(1) No zoning certificate, variance, conditional use permit, similar use determination, subdivision plat or site plan and design approval shall be granted until a landscape plan is approved in accordance with this Section.
(2) No landscaped area shall be used for display and/or storage purposes.
(3) The species, location and spacing of trees and shrubs planted in all public rights-of-way and on all sites shall be subject to approval by the Building and Zoning Inspector.
(4) No Certificate of Occupancy shall be granted until all conditions herein have been met; however, in the event landscaping cannot be completed due to weather conditions, or peculiar conditions related to the development of the subject property such as conditions related to phased development, the applicant shall provide financial security, in a form acceptable to the Village, in the amount of one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the cost of materials and installation of all remaining landscaping to be completed and an estimate of such costs in order to be eligible for a Certificate of Occupancy.
(5) When phasing development upon a property, a proportionate share of landscaping acceptable to the Village shall be installed and maintained with each phase based on the size of the proposed phase and shall be considered completed for the purposes of these regulations when such proportionate share of landscaping has been installed, unless special circumstances warrant the installation of a greater amount of landscaping with any phase.
(6) The developer and/or property owner shall be responsible for the installation and maintenance of all landscaping, buffering, perimeter treatment and screening improvements in a healthy condition. This provision shall also apply to single-family and two-family dwellings.
(7) Bare earth shall not be considered landscaping or a landscaped area for the purposes of meeting the landscape requirements herein. Land area shall be considered "covered" if it is used for growing grass, shrubs, trees, plants or flowers, or if covered by decorative rock, stone or wood chips, or otherwise landscaped as provided herein. This provision shall also apply to single-family and two-family dwellings.
(8) These landscaping provisions are not intended to require multiple or overlapping setbacks, buffers and perimeter treatments. When more than one (1) such standard applies, that standard which results in the higher landscaping or buffering requirement shall apply. Buffering and perimeter treatments may be located within the required setbacks and may be counted toward required open space except not as usable open space.
(9) Utility easements which conflict with required buffer yards, perimeter treatment, parkway or median standards may require an alternative design approach to address such conflicts.
(d) Tree Preservation. Unless exempted in accordance with this subsection, all existing major trees shall be preserved. The Building Inspector may approve the cutting down, removal or destruction of a major tree/trees when the tree or trees interferes with the proper development of the lot, provided that the lot is the subject of an application for approval of a zoning certificate, development plan approval or variance, such application is approved and one of the following applies:
(1) The tree or trees will be located within the public right of way.
(2) The subject property cannot be arranged in a manner to avoid removal of the tree or trees at the same time permitting the desirable and logical development of the lot.
(3) The tree/trees are located within the proposed driveway to service a single-family home, and such driveway cannot otherwise be relocated.
(4) The tree is damaged or diseased or can be proven to be of poor quality.
(5) The tree/trees are an undesirable species in its present location
(e) Tree Replacement. Each existing major tree removed in accordance with subsection (d) above shall be replaced with one (1) tree, having a minimum caliper of one and three-quarters inch (1 3/4") as measured one foot (1') above ground level.
(f) General Landscape Standards.
(1) The following standards shall ensure that landscaping is used to improve the aesthetic quality of a development or site in addition to providing a functional purpose and year-round interest and/or screening.
(2) The size of landscape elements and materials shall meet minimum standards and be consistent with the size of the project and any existing streetscape. Minimum plant sizes are as follows:
(3) Landscaping in parking areas, driveway entrances and intersections shall be designed to meet the minimum clear sight triangle as defined in the Zoning Code.
(4) Monoculture, or the extensive use of a single species of trees, shall be limited in order to minimize the potential for disease or pests to strike a particular species resulting in significant same-species loss. The following limits shall apply:
Table 1105-6
Minimum Plant Size
Minimum Plant Size
Plant Type | Plant Size |
Deciduous trees | Two inches (2") caliper, measured one foot (1') above ground |
Ornamental trees | One-and one-half inches (1 ½") caliper, measured one foot (1') above ground |
Evergreen trees | Six feet (6') in height |
Shrubs | Eighteen inches (18") in height or eighteen inches (18") spread, depending on growth characteristics |
Table 1105-7
Maximum Number of Same Species
Maximum Use of Same Species
Number of Trees on Site | Maximum % Of Same Species |
10-19 | 50% |
20-39 | 33% |
40-59 | 25% |
Over 60 | 15% |
(1) Plant materials used in conformance with the provisions of this section shall conform to the specifications of the American Association of Nurserymen (AAN) for number one grade and shall have all wire and twine removed prior to planting. All trees shall be balled and burlapped or equivalent. Grass sod shall be clean and free of weeds and noxious pests or diseases. Plant materials which are known to be intolerant of the area in which they are proposed to be installed, or whose physical characteristics may be injurious to the public shall not be specified for use.
(2) If any trees or other plant materials die or become diseased and must be removed, the property owner shall be responsible for replacing all materials that were removed. In the event that existing preserved trees die or become diseased and must be removed; the replacement shall be based on the tree credits Table 1105-8. If trees or shrubs are removed for convenience purposes, the property owner shall be responsible for replacing all removed materials elsewhere on the site. If adequate space is not available on the site, the replacement shall occur at a location approved by the Village. Upon issuance of a citation, corrective action shall be completed within sixty (60) days unless the Development Director or designee determines that weather constraints require one additional sixty (60) day period. Failure to meet the requirements of this section shall constitute a violation of this Zoning Code and the penalty requirements shall apply.
(3) Trees and shrubs shall be planted so that at maturity they do not interfere with utility service lines and traffic safety. Trees planted near public sidewalks shall be installed in such a manner as to prevent physical damage to sidewalks, curbs, gutters, pedestrian ways, bike paths and other public improvements. A protective tree grate and vault shall be provided when trees are planted in paved areas such as plazas or sidewalks. This provision shall also apply to single-family and two-family dwellings.
(4) When an applicant presents that the placement of all trees and shrubs as required in this section would create an impractical landscape effect, a portion of the trees and shrubs may be located in alternative locations on the same site, subject to approval by the City Manager or designee.
(5) In no event shall a landscaped setback be less than six feet (6') in width, nor shall the width of the landscaped setback be inadequate to allow for the installation and healthy growing condition for the required amount of trees or shrubs.
(6) In order to promote efficient irrigation and maintenance measures, berms shall not exceed a slope of three to one (3:1) and shall be graded to appear as smooth, rounded, naturalistic forms.
(7) To insure that landscape materials do not constitute a driving hazard, a clear "sight triangle" shall be observed at all street and access drive intersections. In the case of a Village street intersection, the sight triangle shall consist of the area between points twenty feet (20') along both intersecting streets from their respective edge of pavements. Ground cover, perennials, shrubs and trees shall be permitted within the sight triangle provided that perennials and shrubs do not exceed a maximum height of eighteen inches (18") and tree trunks shall be devoid of limbs to a height of eight feet (8').
(g) Street Tree Requirements. It shall be required in all zones and districts that applicants plant trees along public streets of their development. Trees shall be planted in such manner, type, quantity and locations as approved by the Building and Zoning Inspector or the Planning Commission in conjunction with the site plan and design review process, as defined by the following conditions, and that any undeveloped street or existing street with undeveloped frontage shall conform to these requirements at the time of the development.
(1) Trees planted shall be on the list of approved street trees maintained by the Village of Greenfield.
(2) The minimum spacing between this and other trees shall be thirty-five feet (35') for large trees (mature height of fifty feet (50') or more), twenty-five feet (25') for medium trees (mature height of between thirty and fifty feet (30'-50') and fifteen feet (15') for small trees (range from ten to thirty feet (10'-30') at maturity).
(3) The maximum spacing between trees shall be forty-five feet (45') for large trees, thirty-five feet (35') for medium trees, and twenty-five feet (25') for small trees.
(4) The minimum distance between the tree and the edge of the street shall be two and one-half feet (2 ½') for a large tree, two feet (2') for medium tree and one and on-half feet (1 ½') for a small tree. In areas where a sidewalk exists or is proposed, the minimum distance between the tree trunk and both the edge of the street and the sidewalks shall be two feet (2') for a large tree, two feet (2') for a medium tree and one and one-half feet (1 ½') for a small tree, as defined in approved street tree list.
(5) Trees shall be located so that a twenty-foot (20') sight triangle is maintained at street intersections.
(6) A small tree shall be used when planting under or within ten (10) lateral feet of overhead utility wires. A small or medium tree shall be used when planting within ten to twenty (10-20) lateral feet of overhead utility wires.
(7) At the time of platting, the developer shall develop a street tree plan that establishes the species and size of trees to be planted along the streets of the proposed subdivision.
(8) The developers shall be required to maintain all trees for a period of one (1) year after any installation and replace any tree which fails to survive or does not exhibit normal growth characteristics of health and vigor within such one (1) year period. Upon completion of a street tree planting, the landscape contractor shall contact the Building and Zoning Inspector for a preliminary inspection. The one-year guarantee period shall begin after the approval of the Building and Zoning Inspector. A final inspection shall be made at the end of the guarantee period. All trees not exhibiting a healthy, vigorous growing condition, as determined by the city's inspection, shall be promptly replaced at the expense of the developer. Upon replacement, the one-year guarantee period shall recommence for those materials having been replaced.
(9) Most new plantings should be watered in daily for a week of one (1) inch deep of water each day, and after that, weekly waterings of at least one (1) inch deep. Measurable rain of at least one (1) inch is an acceptable substitute for one (1) watering. All plantings should be inspected for infestation and physical damage to the crown, trunk, branches and roots. A qualified arborist should be consulted about infestations and pruning, as well as choice of trees in a singular planting or replanting
(10) All street trees along any one street shall be of the same species and variety to promote a continuous landscape treatment. A change in variety will only be permitted at intersections and other logical beginning and ending points.
(11) The minimum trunk caliper measured one foot (1') above the ground for all street trees shall be no less than two inches (2").
(h) Interior Lot Landscaping. For all new construction or land development for which a building permit and/or a zoning certificate is required, trees shall be provided for within the structure-related property lot lines, equal to or in excess of the following total tree trunk diameters (as measured one foot (1') from the ground level) for the specified building ground coverage square footage or land area square footage, by building and/or land use type, as follows:
(1) All residences and residential land uses, per dwelling unit, there must be planted one-half inch (½") in trunk diameter for everyone hundred and fifty (150) square feet or fraction thereof of building ground coverage, with a minimum of two inches (2") of total trunk diameter.
(2) All commercial structures, including commercial-related parking, loading and trash storage areas, and all industrial, warehouse, and storage uses and their associated parking, loading, and trash storage areas:
i. Up to twenty thousand (20,000) square feet: one inch (1") trunk diameter for every two thousand (2,000) square feet or fraction thereof with a minimum of two inches (2") of total trunk diameter.
ii. Twenty thousand and one to fifty thousand (20,001 - 50,000) square feet: a total trunk diameter of ten inches (10"), plus one-half inch (½") of trunk diameter for every two thousand (2,000) square feet over twenty thousand (20,000) square feet or fraction thereof.
iii. Over fifty thousand (50,000) square feet: a total trunk diameter of twenty inches (20"), plus one inch (1") of trunk diameter for every four thousand (4,000) square feet over fifty thousand (50,000) square feet or fraction thereof.
iv. All office uses, institutional uses, convalescent and nursing homes and child daycare facilities, including related parking, loading and trash storage areas:
v. Up to nineteen thousand and five hundred (19,500) square feet: one inch (1") in trunk diameter for every fifteen hundred (1,500) square feet or fraction thereof, with a minimum of two inches (2") of total trunk diameter.
vi. Nineteen thousand, five hundred and one to forty-nine thousand and five hundred (19,501 - 49,500) square feet: a total trunk diameter of thirteen inches (13"), plus two inches (2") of trunk diameter for every two thousand (2,000) square feet over nineteen thousand and five hundred (19,500) square feet or fraction thereof.
vii. Forty-nine thousand, five hundred and one (49,501) square feet and more: a total trunk diameter of twenty-five inches (25"), plus two inches (2") of trunk diameter for every three thousand (3,000) square feet over forty-nine thousand and five hundred (49,500) square feet or fraction thereof.
(3) Existing healthy trees and shrubs shall be preserved and incorporated into the overall site and landscape design to the maximum extent practical as determined by the City. Existing trees may be credited toward minimum tree planting requirements as follows:
i. Existing trees, which are preserved, may be credited toward the tree planting requirements of this section according to Table 1105-8 - Credit for Existing Trees. Tree credits shall be given as long as all other provisions and the intent of this Zoning Code are met. Fractional caliper measurements shall be attributed to the next lowest category.
Table 1105-8
Credit for Existing Trees
(In Aggregated Inches)
Credit for Existing Trees (In Aggregated Inches)
CALIPER AT FOUR AND HALF FEET (4.5') ABOVE GROUND | NUMBER OF TREE CREDITS |
20 total inches | 4 (equal to 4 trees) |
13 - 19 total inches | 3 (equal to 3 trees) |
8 - 12 total inches | 2 (equal to 2 trees) |
2 - 7 total inches | 1 (equal to 1 trees) |
ii. No credit shall be given for existing preserved trees that are:
a) Not located on the actual development site;
b) Not properly protected from damage during the construction process;
c) Prohibited species under the caliper size of thirteen inches (13") measured at four and one-half feet (4 ½') above the ground; or
d) Dead, dying, diseased, or infested with harmful insects.
iii. In order to apply for credit, existing trees must be protected during construction. All existing trees shall be protected by the placement of an orange construction fence around the perimeter of the tree/trees. In order to protect the root system of the existing trees, said fence shall be installed at a minimum radius from the trunk. The minimum shall be one foot (1') of radius per one inch (1") of caliper of the tree. (ex. on a six inch (6") diameter tree, the fence shall be placed a minimum of six feet (6') from the trunk of the tree.)
iv. No new tree plantings shall be required if existing trees to remain on the site after development, and the aggregate trunk sizes of such trees, meet or exceed the requirements as set forth above.
v. Any combination of existing and new trees may be used to meet the requirements of this section.
(i) Property Buffer Requirements.
Table 1105-9:
Summary of Buffer Requirements
Summary of Buffer Requirements
Zone or District Requiring Buffer | Adjacent Zone or District Required to Provide Buffer | Buffer Requirements |
RE, NS, or NU | CN or D | o 10-foot (10') buffer along all common boundaries; o One (1) tree for every forty feet (40') of linear boundary or fraction thereof; o Continuous six foot (6') high planting, hedge, fence, wall, earth mound or combination thereof. |
RE, NS, or NU | CG | o 15-foot (15') buffer along all common boundaries; o One (1) tree for every forty feet (40') of linear boundary or fraction thereof; o Continuous six foot (6') high planting, hedge, fence, wall, earth mound or combination thereof. |
Any residential use in any zoning district | Any non-residential use in RE, NS, or NU | o 5-foot (5') buffer along all common boundaries; o One (1) tree for every fifty feet (50') of linear boundary or fraction thereof; o Continuous six foot (6') high planting, hedge, fence, wall, earth mound or combination thereof. |
Zone or District Requiring Buffer | Adjacent Zone or District Required to Provide Buffer | Buffer Requirements |
SR, RM, or residential use in other zoning district | IL or IH | o 15-foot (15') buffer along all common boundaries; o One (1) tree for every twenty feet (20') of linear boundary or fraction thereof; o Continuous ten foot (10') high planting, hedge, fence, wall, earth mound or combination thereof. |
Any zone (except for IL or IH) | Adjacent freeway or arterial | o Twenty feet (20') for residential zones and fifteen feet (15') for all other zones adjacent to a freeway or arterial o One (1) tree for each thirty feet (30') of linear boundary, or fraction thereof; o Continuous six foot (6') high planting, hedge, fence, wall, earth mound or combination thereof. |
Any zone (except for IL or IH) adjoining a railroad | Any property with a railroad | o Twenty feet (20') for residential zones and fifteen feet (15') for all other zones adjacent to railroad boundaries; o One (1) tree for each thirty feet (30') of linear boundary, or fraction thereof; o Continuous six foot (6') high planting, hedge, fence, wall, earth mound or combination thereof. |
(1) Grass or Ground Cover Required. Grass or ground cover shall be planted on all portions of the required buffer not occupied by other landscape material. Trees do not have to be equally spaced but may be grouped. All landscape requirements shall be met by the applicant if his/her property is contiguous to property fully developed prior to the passage of this Section. A landscape plan meeting the requirements of this section shall be approved by the Planning Commission or the Building and Zoning Inspector in conjunction with the site plan and design review process before the commencement of construction on the subject property.
(2) Buffer Requirements. When one zoning classification abuts another zoning classification, a
i. Any residential zone adjoining the CN, the required buffer zone is ten feet (10') adjacent to all common boundaries except street frontage and shall include one (1) tree for each forty feet (40') of linear boundary, or fraction thereof, and a continuous six foot (6') high planting, hedge, fence, wall, earth mound, or combination thereof.
ii. Any residential zone adjoining the CG, the required buffer zone is fifteen feet (15') adjacent to all common boundaries except street frontage and shall include one (1) tree for each forty feet (40') of linear boundary, or fraction thereof, and a continuous six foot (6') high planting, hedge, fence, wall, earth mound or combination thereof.
iii. Any residential use adjoining a property located in a residential zone operating with a conditional use; required buffer zone is fifteen feet (15') adjacent to all common boundaries except street frontage and shall include one (1) tree for each forty feet of linear boundary, or fraction thereof, and a continuous six foot (6') high planting, hedge, fence, wall, earth mound or combination thereof.
iv. Any residential zone or any residential use in any zoning classification adjoining an Innovation (I) District required buffer zone is twenty feet (20') adjacent to all common boundaries except street frontage and shall include one (1) tree for each twenty (20) feet of linear boundary, or fraction thereof, and a continuous six foot (6') high planting, hedge, fence, wall, earth mound or combination thereof.
v. Any zone adjoining a freeway or arterial street prohibiting driveways; required buffer zone is twenty feet (20') for residential zones and fifteen feet (15') for all other zones adjacent to a freeway or arterial and shall include one (1) tree for each thirty feet (30') of linear boundary, or fraction thereof, and a continuous six foot (6') high planting, hedge, fence, wall, earth mound or combination thereof.
vi. Any zone (except Innovation) adjoining a railroad; required buffer zone is twenty feet (20') for residential zones and fifteen feet (15') for all other zones adjacent to railroad boundaries and shall include one (1) tree for each thirty feet (30') of linear boundary, or fraction thereof, and a continuous six foot (6') high planting, hedge, fence, wall, earth mound or combination thereof.
(j) Parking Area Landscaping Standards.
(1) Parking lots containing more than six thousand (6,000) square feet of area or twenty (20) or more vehicular parking spaces, whichever is less, shall provide interior landscaping of the peninsular or island types of uncompacted, well-drained soil that contains a minimum of six inches (6") of top soil mix, as well as perimeter landscaping peninsular or island types of uncompacted, well-drained soil that contains a minimum of six inches (6") of top soil mix, as well as perimeter landscaping.
(2) For every ten (10) parking spaces or fraction thereof, the applicant shall provide not less than two hundred (200) square feet of interior landscaped parking lot areas containing at least one (1) tree with a minimum diameter of two inches (2") and four (4) shrubs.
(3) The minimum landscape area permitted shall be two hundred (200) square feet with a minimum planting width of ten feet (10').
(4) In order to encourage the required landscape areas to be properly dispersed, and to break up large expanses of parking, no individual landscape area shall be larger than five hundred (500) square feet in size in vehicular use areas less than thirty thousand (30,000) square feet and no individual landscape area shall be larger than two thousand (2,000) square feet in vehicular use areas over thirty thousand (30,000) square feet. Individual landscape areas larger than above are permitted as long as the additional area is in excess of the required minimum total.
(5) All parking lots shall provide perimeter landscaping. Parking lots shall have perimeter landscaping of a minimum width of ten feet (10') exclusive of vehicle overhang. The perimeter landscaping shall consist of a continuous evergreen hedge, evergreen trees, earthen mound or a combination thereof as required to provide a continuous opaque screen, a minimum of thirty-six inches (36") in height, within one (1) year of installation. The perimeter landscape shall also contain a minimum of one (1) deciduous tree per fifty (50) linear feet of parking perimeter.
(6) Parked vehicles may hang over the interior landscaped area no more than two and one-half feet (2 ½'). Concrete or other wheel stops shall be provided to ensure no greater overhang on the landscaped area. Where parked vehicles will overhang, a four-foot (4') minimum spacing shall be provided from the edge of pavement to all trees.
(7) Grass or ground cover shall be planted on all portions of the required landscaping area not occupied by other landscape material. Such material fulfills required interior or perimeter landscaping.
(k) Screening and Landscaping for Service for Structures.
(1) In order to properly screen service structures from the main building and neighboring lots, the following screening requirements shall apply:
(2) Location of screening. Either a solid, opaque fence or wall or earth berm, with a continuous planting of evergreen plant material shall enclose any service structure on all sides, unless such structure must be frequently accessed, in which case screening on all but one (1) side is required. The average height of the screening fence or wall shall be one foot (1') more than the height of the enclosed structure but shall not exceed the maximum permitted height of fences and walls of the District.
(3) Mechanical equipment and service functions associated with a building shall, to the maximum extent feasible, be incorporated into the overall design theme of the building and the landscape so that these functions are out of view from public ways and adjacent properties while allowing convenient access.
(4) Plant material required for screening of service structures shall not count towards the fulfillment of other landscape requirements in this section. No interior landscaping shall be required within an area screened for service structures.
(5) Curbs to protect plant material. Whenever plant material is placed around any trash disposal unit or waste collection unit which is emptied or removed mechanically on a regular basis, a curb to contain the placement of the container shall be provided adjacent to the plant material. The curbing shall be at least one foot (1') from the material and shall be designed to prevent possible damage to the plant material when the container is moved or emptied.
(6) Service structures shall be grouped together whenever possible.
(7) The provisions of this section shall not apply to service structures located on lots with single family and two-family dwellings, except that any generator located within six feet (6') of any lot.
(Ord. 32-2020. Passed 1-19-21.)