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) "Caliper" means the diameter of a tree, measure thirty-six inches above the existing ground.
(c) "Change of use" means a change in the primary function or use of a structure.
(d) "Crown spread" means the distance measured across the greatest diameter of the branch mass of a plant.
(e) "Decorative walls" means barriers constructed of masonry or other appropriate material.
(f) "Developed area" means that portion of a plant 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 forty percent (40%) of the total tree height.
(h) "Encroachment" means any protrusion of a vehicle outside of a parking space, display area, storage area, access way 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) "Landscape" means the placement of landscape material in the planting area in accordance the requirements of this chapter.
(k) "Landscape material" means landscaping consisting of material such as, but not limited to, living trees; shrubs; vines; lawn grass; ground cover; landscape water feature; 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.
(l) "Large tree class species" means trees that reach forty-five feet or more in height at maturity.
(m) "Medium tree class species" means trees that reach twenty-five feet to forty-five feet in height at maturity.
(n) "Multiple use" means a property or structure with more than one primary function, use, and/or tenant.
(o) "Other plants" see Plant material.
(p) "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 of any other person, firm, corporation or fiduciary directly in control of the premises.
(q) "Park" means all public parks having individual names.
(r) "Park Reserve" means a parcel of land dedicated to natural, visual, or recreational purposes.
(s) "Person" includes firms, associations and corporation and persons connected with such firms, associations and corporation.
(t) "Plant material" means living trees; shrubs; vines; lawn grass; ground cover; 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.
(u) "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 and medium tree class species and two-inches (2") caliper minimum for small class species. At least two inches (2") minimum caliper is required for street tree plantings, and at least one and one-half inch (1½") minimum caliper is required for residential plantings. Trees shall have a clear trunk of at least five (5) feet above ground.
(2) Evergreen trees (Pine, spruce, hemlock and fir species and varieties) shall be planted at least six (6) feet in height.
(3) Evergreen shrubs for screening purposes (yew, juniper, holly, boxwood and arborvitae species and varieties) shall be planted at least three (3) feet in height.
(v) "Planting area" means any landscape area of 64 square feet or larger designed for landscape material installation.
(w) "Public street" means all the land laying within the dedicated width of all public streets, boulevards and alleys.
(x) "Retention Area" means any wet or dry retention or detention basin used for holding water.
(y) "Public places" means all other ground owned by the city, county or state.
(z) "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.
(aa) "Single use" means a property or structure with only one primary function or use.
(bb) "Small tree" means all trees that reach a maximum height of twenty-five feet at maturity.
(cc) "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 trees sizes are expressed in inches of caliper, while evergreen trees sizes are expressed in feet of height.
(dd) "Tree standard" see Plant standard.
(ee) "Utility" means any public utility either above or below ground including sewers, drains, manholes and inlets.
(ff) "Vehicular use area" means any paved ground surface area, except public right-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.
(gg) "Visual screen" means an opaque barrier 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.
(hh) "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. 40-98. Passed 8-17-98.)