16.28.040 General Provisions.
A.   All landscape plan approvals are subject to and dependent upon the applicant complying with all applicable city ordinances, codes, regulations, and adopted policies.
B.   If the water purveyor for a proposed project has adopted more restrictive water efficient landscaping requirements, all landscaping and irrigation plans submitted shall comply with the water purveyor's requirements. Said plans shall be accompanied by a written document from the water purveyor delineating the more restrictive requirements.
C.   Landscape design shall facilitate the implementation of landscape maintenance practices which foster long-term water conservation and plant viability. These practices may include, but not be limited to, scheduling irrigation based on established industry standards, conducting irrigation audits and establishing a water budget to limit the amount of water applied per landscape acre.
D.   Landscaping for fuel modification zones shall be subject to standards required by the city's Fire Department, and they shall include plant materials, plant spacing, and irrigation as directed by the Fire Department, in consultation with the Development Services Department, and/or Community Services Department.
E.   Landscaping adjacent to the Western Riverside County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan ("MSHCP") conservation areas shall avoid invasive species as listed in the MSHCP.
F.   To the extent feasible, existing mature trees that represent the existing significant landscaping elements shall be preserved as identified in Chapter 16.42 (Tree Preservation).
G.   In the event covenants, conditions, and restrictions are required by the city for any permit subject to this chapter, a condition shall be incorporated into any project approval prohibiting the use of water-intensive landscaping and requiring the use of low water use landscaping pursuant to the provisions of this chapter in connection with common area/open space landscaping. Additionally, such a condition shall also require the covenants, conditions, and restrictions to incorporate provisions concerning landscape irrigation system management and maintenance. Covenants, conditions, and restrictions shall not prohibit use of low-water use plants. Covenants, conditions, and restrictions shall not prohibit the replacement of natural turf with less water-intensive plant species.
(Ord. 539 § 6, 2018; Ord. 443 § 3, 2010; Ord. 182 § 2 (part), 1997)