As used in this chapter:
(a) “Architectural planter” means a container within which plantings may be placed to meet the requirements of this chapter.
(b) “Change of use” means a change in the primary function or use of a structure.
(c) “Compatible” means the ability of adjacent developments to coexist without conflict as determined by zoning classification and land use.
(d) “Crown spread” means the distance measured across the greatest diameter of the branch mass of a plant.
(e) “Decorative walls and fences” means barriers constructed of wood, masonry or other appropriate material.
(f) “Developed area” means that portion of a plat or parcel of land upon which a building, structure, pavement, landscape material or other improvement, excluding public rights of way, has been placed.
(g) “Drip line” means the outer perimeter of the crown spread of a plant. In the case of a narrow crown species tree, the drip line from the base of the trunk shall be 40% of the total tree height
(h) “Encroachment” means any protrusion of a vehicle outside of a parking space, display area, storage area, or access aisle into a landscaped area.
(i) “Ground cover” means natural low growing evergreen perennial plants other than lawn grass installed in such a manner so as to form a continuous cover over the ground.
(j) “Incompatible” means the inability of adjacent developments to coexist without conflict as determined by zoning classification and land use.
(k) “Landscape” means the placement of landscape material in the planting area in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
(l) “Landscape material” means landscaping consisting of material such as, but not limited to, living trees; shrubs; vines; lawn grass; ground cover; landscape water features; and non-living durable material commonly used in landscaping, including, but not limited to, rocks, pebbles, sand, decorative walls and fences, brick pavers, sculpture and earthen mounds, but excluding pavements for vehicular use. Artificial plants are prohibited.
(Ord. C6-86. Passed 3-3-86.)
(m) “Large tree class species” means trees that reach forty-five feet or better in height at maturity.
(n) “Medium tree class species” means trees that reach from twenty-five feet to forty-five feet in height at maturity.
(o) “Multiple use” means a property or structure with more than one primary function, use, and/or tenant.
(p) “Other plants” See Plant Material.
(q) “Owner” means the owner of the premises, including the holder of title thereto subject to contract of purchase, a vendor in possession, a lessee or joint lessees of the whole thereof, or an agent or any other person, firm, corporation or fiduciary directly in control of the premises.
(r) “Park” means all public parks having individual names.
(s) “Park Reserve” means a parcel of land dedicated to natural, visual, or recreational purposes.
(t) “Person” includes firms, associations and corporations and persons connected with such firms, associations and corporations.
(u) “Plant material” means living trees; shrubs; vines; lawn grass; ground covers; perennials; annuals; ornamental grasses; and herbs. All plant materials shall conform to the latest edition of the American Association of Nurserymen, Inc. “American Standard for Nursery Stock.” Plants shall have passed any inspections required under State regulations.
(v) “Plant standard” means, unless otherwise provided, a plant planted to the following minimum dimensions:
(1) Deciduous trees shall be planted at least two inches (2") caliper minimum for large, medium or small tree class species. At least two inches (2") minimum caliper is required for street tree plantings, and at least 1 1/2" minimum caliper for small class species is required for residential plantings. Trees shall have a clear trunk of at least five feet (5') above ground
(2) Evergreen trees (Pine, spruce, hemlock and fir species and varieties) shall be planted at least six feet (6') in height.
(3) Evergreen shrubs for screening purposes (yew, juniper, holly, boxwood and arborvitae species and varieties) shall be planted at least three feet (3') in height.
(w) “Planting area” means any landscape area of 64 square feet or larger designed for landscape material installation.
(x) “Public street” means all the land lying within the dedicated width of all public streets, boulevards and alleys.
(y) “Retention Area” means any wet retention basin used for holding water, excluding dry detention basins.
(z) “Public places” means all other ground owned by the City.
(aa) “Shrub” means a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial plant differing from a non-woody perennial plant by its persistent woody stems and branches and differing from a tree by its low stature and habit of branching from the base.
(bb) “Single use” means a property or structure with only one primary function or use.
(cc) “Small tree” means all trees that reach a maximum height of twenty-five feet at maturity.
(dd) “Tree” means any self-supporting, deciduous or evergreen, wood plant of a species which normally grows to an overall height of at least fifteen feet and normally develops an average mature crown spread or diameter greater than fifteen feet. Deciduous tree sizes are expressed in inches of caliper, while evergreen tree sizes are expressed in feet of height.
(ee) “Tree standard” See “Plant standard”.
(ff) “Urban forestry fee” means fees collected by the City for the exclusive use of purchasing, planting, replacement and maintenance of trees and administration of the urban forestry program. The fees so collected shall be deposited in the Community Environment Fund.
(gg) “Utility” means any public utility either above or below ground including sewers, drains, manholes and inlets.
(hh) “Vehicular use area” means any paved ground surface area, except public rights of way, used by any type of vehicle, whether moving or at rest, for the following purposes, among other possible purposes: driving, parking, loading, unloading, storage or display. Such areas include, but are not limited to, new and used car lots, activities of a drive-in nature in connection with banks, restaurants, filling stations and grocery and dairy stores and other open lot uses, except areas used for parking or other vehicular uses under, on, or within buildings.
(ii) “Visual screen” means a barrier, opaque of living or non-living landscape material put in place for the purpose of separating and obscuring from view those areas so screened to a defined opaqueness.
(jj) “Reconstruction” means rehabilitation or replacement of a structure on property which either has been damaged, altered or removed to an extent exceeding sixty percent (60%) of the assessed valuation of such structure as shown on the most recent tax roll of the County.
(Ord. C17-99. Passed 7-6-99.)