(A) All exposed ground areas on a lot or parcel surrounding a principal or accessory structure that are not devoted to drives, sidewalks, patios or parking lots shall have a minimum of four (4) inches of topsoil and be covered with sod, seed or other landscaping materials as approved by the city.
(B) Non-residential uses are subject to the same requirements and may be subject to additional landscaping as determined by the Planning Commission and City Council.
(C) All required landscaping shall be replaced by the property owner if vegetation dies or is otherwise removed. Landscaping may be located within a utility or drainage easement, but the owner of the property shall be responsible for any cost associated with removing and replacing said landscaping if work within the easement requires removal of the landscaping.
(D) Existing vegetation, which are of acceptable species, size and location and are of good quality, may be used to fulfill landscaping requirements.
(E) A landscape deposit, as established by resolution of the City Council, will be collected at the time of building permit application. The deposit shall be in the form of cash, letter of credit, or other means as approved by the city. Said deposit will be released when all required landscaping is installed. Landscaping must be completed within one (1) year of building permit issuance or the deposit will be forfeited.
(Ord. 395, passed 7-6-2010) Penalty, see § 150.999