(a) A landscape bond in the amount of one hundred (100%) percent of the cost of the plant material and installation shall be posted prior to the issuance of a building permit. The landscape bond shall remain in effect for one (1) year after issuance of the final occupancy permit and may be utilized to facilitate the re-planting of dead material or the planting of additional plant material as required by the approved landscape plan.
(b) Where landscaping is required, no building permit shall be issued until the required landscape plan has been submitted and approved, and no Final Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued until the landscaping is completed in accordance with the approved landscape plan as certified on site by an inspector from the City. In instances where conditions do not permit immediate planting of materials, a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy may be issued. The required bond or letter of credit must be made payable to the City in an amount equal to the completed value of landscape plan improvements and the following:
(1) The cost estimate is to be prepared by a landscape architect, landscape contractor or nurseryman using prevailing material and labor costs, which costs shall be set forth in itemized detail. All cost estimates must receive approval of the Planning Administrator.
(2) The area on site must be set aside and reserved for landscaping and irrigation shall be in conformance with the approved landscape plan; and
(3) Landscaping must be installed and approved within one hundred and eighty (180) days of the date the Temporary Certificate of Occupancy is issued, or the bond and irrevocable letter of credit shall thence be immediately forfeited to the City. Prior to the issuance of a Final Occupancy Permit, the City will utilize the funds it receives from the forfeiture of the bond or letter of credit to landscape the property according to the approved landscape plan. If the City installs the landscaping, any bond money in excess of what was expended shall be retained by the City.
(Ord. 09-0-24. Passed 5-19-09.)