Any development in the City of Norwalk, except single-family detached residences, shall provide the following minimum number and size of landscape planting based on the minimum required open space for the development. Lots with single-family detached residences shall have one tree of a minimum 8-foot height for deciduous or 6-foot height for evergreen for each five thousand (5,000) square feet of lot area, or portion thereof. The following is the minimum requirement of trees and shrubs, by number and size, and type of ground cover. Street trees planted in public street right-of-way shall not be counted toward fulfillment of the minimum site requirements set forth below. Plant species to be used for landscaping shall be acceptable to the City and not considered a nuisance or undesirable species, such as trees with thorns, cottonwood or cotton-bearing poplars, elm trees prone to Dutch elm disease, box elder, and silver maple. Existing trees and shrubs to be retained on site may be counted toward fulfillment of the landscaping requirements.
1. Minimum tree requirements at the time of planting for any development, except single-family detached residences - two (2) trees or one (1) tree of the following size per 1,500 square feet of open space, whichever is greater:
40 Percent minimum 2" - 2-1/2" caliper diameter deciduous and/or 8-foot height or greater evergreen.
Balance 8-foot height deciduous and/or 6-foot height evergreen.
2. Minimum shrub requirements at the time of planting for any development, except single-family detached residences - 6 shrubs, or 1 shrub per 1,000 square feet of open space, whichever is greater. Shrubs shall be a minimum of 18" height or minimum one (1) gallon potted.
3. To reduce erosion, all disturbed open space areas shall have ground cover of grass or native vegetation which is installed as sod, or seeded, fertilized and mulched.
However, all single-family residential lots shall be sodded from the front of the front yard building setback to the street pavement.