(A) Scope of regulations. The provisions of this section shall apply to the following:
(1) New construction (attached single-family, multiple-family, and business districts only).
(2) (Reserved).
(3) Remodeling that exceeds 50% of the assessed value of a property located in the B-1 Professional Office District, B-2 Professional Office District, B-3 General Retail District, B-4 Business Park District and B-5 Entertainment District, to the extent that parking variations will not be required.
(4) When screening and/or buffering is required under this chapter.
(B) Definition of terms. In addition to other definitions established in this chapter that are not in conflict with the definitions established in this division (B), the following definitions are applicable to the provisions of this section:
(1) ANNUAL. A plant which completes its life cycle in one year.
(2) BERM. An earthen mound designed to provide screening or a buffer.
(3) BREAST HEIGHT. The location on the outside of the bark of a tree where the measurement of the tree's diameter is taken, usually four and one-half feet above the ground on the uphill side of the tree.
(4) BUFFER. A combination of physical space and vertical elements, such as plants, berms, fences or walls, the purpose of which is to separate and screen inconsistent land uses.
(5) DECIDUOUS. A plant with foliage that is shed annually.
(6) EVERGREEN. A plant with foliage that persists and remains green throughout the year.
(7) GROUND COVER. A plant that grows near the ground densely and spreads. Generally an herbaceous perennial, sometimes a woody shrub or vine.
(8) LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT. A person who, based on education, experience, or both in the field of landscape architecture, is eligible to register and has obtained a certificate to practice landscape architecture under the Illinois Landscape Architecture Act of 1989, as amended (ILCS Ch. 225, Act 315, §§ 1 et seq.).
(9) LANDSCAPE DESIGNER. An individual with experience in landscape design.
(10) LANDSCAPE SCREEN/BUFFER, FULL. The minimum required landscape area between inconsistent land uses.
(11) LANDSCAPE SCREEN/BUFFER, PARTIAL. Selective landscape screening between compatible land uses.
(12) LANDSCAPE YARD. The yard required to be landscaped for the purpose of screening and buffering a development site.
(13) NATIVE PLANT. A plant which is known to have originated in and is characteristic of Illinois.
(14) ORNAMENTAL GRASSES. A group of perennial plants that include true grasses (of the families Proacea and Graminea), sedges (of the family Cyperaceae) and rushes (of the family Juncaceae, including the Juncus and Luzula cultivars). Such grasses are generally planted in groups and may range in size from several inches in height to in excess of six feet. In contrast to turf grasses, which require regular cutting during the growing season, ornamental grasses are typically cut back only once per year, generally in late winter.
(15) ORNAMENTAL TREE. A deciduous tree planted primarily for its ornamental value or for screening. May be any size at maturity but will tend to be smaller than a shade tree.
(16) PARKWAY. That area of land between the property line abutting any public right-of-way, highway or street, and the back of curb, edge of pavement, whether concrete or asphalt, or other improved roadway surface.
(17) PLANT PRESERVATION CREDIT. Credit given for the preservation of existing vegetation meeting the functional requirements of this section, in lieu of required new landscaping.
(18) SCREEN. A method of buffering from or reducing the impact of visual intrusions through the use of plant materials, berms, fences and/or walls or any combination thereof.
(19) SHADE TREE. A tree planted primarily for its high crown of foliage or overhead canopy.
(20) SHRUB. A woody plant, smaller than a tree, which consists of a number of small stems from the ground or small branches near the ground. May be deciduous or evergreen.
(21) SHRUB, LOW. Any shrub which attains a mature height of four feet or less when left unpruned.
(22) SHRUB, TALL. Any shrub which attains a mature height of greater than four feet when left unpruned.
(23) TREE. A large, woody plant having one or several self-supporting stems or trunks and numerous branches. May be deciduous or evergreen.
(24) TURFGRASS. Grasses planted, by seeding or sodding, to establish a lawn that is usually maintained by mowing during the growing season.
(C) Approval process. When a landscape plan is required, the plan shall be submitted to the Director of Community and Economic Development with applications for building permits. The Director of Community and Economic Development will review the plans for compliance no later than 15 working days after receipt of the plans.
(D) Plan preparation. All landscape plans required by this section shall be prepared and signed by a professional landscape architect or landscape designer.
(E) Submittal requirements. The submittal package for a landscape plan shall include planting and site information. The landscape plan may be submitted on a separate sheet or superimposed on a single sheet with the site plan. The submittal package must include the following information:
(1) Site elements.
(a) Title block including the name of the project, designer's name, scale of the plan (no smaller than 1" = 50' for plans with trees only; and no smaller than 1" = 20' for plans with shrubs and smaller plants), north arrow and date of the plan.
(b) Property lines, with dimensions.
(c) Name, location, right-of-way and paving widths of all abutting streets.
(d) Zoning and use of all abutting properties.
(e) Natural features such as ponds, lakes and streams; delineation of 100-year floodplain and wetland boundaries in accordance with Chapter 152 of this Code.
(f) Existing and proposed stormwater management ponds and areas.
(g) Required landscape yard width and width of landscape yard provided.
(h) Location, height, dimensions and use of all existing and proposed buildings and other structures, including parking lots, sidewalks and other paved areas; fences and walls; recreational equipment and underground and overhead utility lines in areas where landscaping is proposed. Existing utility lines shall be permitted to remain in such areas.
(i) Approved grading plan at one foot contour interval, with all slopes labeled.
(2) Planting elements.
(a) Location, general type and quality of existing vegetation, specimen trees and natural areas.
(b) For plant preservation credits, existing vegetation areas to be saved, including accurate locations noted and a list of typical species. Note methods and details for protection of existing vegetation during construction. Plant preservation credits may be applied when plants in the required landscape yards are retained to perform required screening and buffering. The landscape requirements of this section may be waived by the Director of Community and Economic Development to the extent that the existing plants meet the requirements for plant preservation credits.
1. Each tree or mass of trees and shrubs preserved in the areas of a required landscape yard shall meet the following requirements:
A. The tree or masses of trees and shrubs shall be alive and in a healthy condition, and shall not be of prohibited species.
B. Trees that are three inches to five inches in diameter, measured at breast height, shall receive 100 landscape points.
C. Trees that are six inches to eight inches in diameter, measured at breast height, shall receive 150 landscape points.
D. Trees that are nine inches to 11 inches in diameter, measured at breast height, shall receive 200 landscape points.
E. Trees that are 12 inches or larger in diameter, measured at breast height, shall receive 300 landscape points.
F. Masses of trees less than three inches in diameter, measured at breast height, and masses of shrubs in landscape yards, may receive up to 100% of the points required for that portion of the landscape yard.
2. As a condition of being granted plant preservation credits, all plants to be preserved shall be protected during construction.
(c) Location of all proposed landscaping improvements, including all areas proposed to be seeded and/or sodded.
(d) Plant list or schedule, including key symbols, quantity, correct botanical and common names and size of all proposed plants.
1. Plant names used shall be identified in accordance with standard horticultural practices and criteria.
2. All plant sizes and conditions listed shall conform to the "American Standards For Nursery Stock," as published by the American Association of Nurserymen, latest edition.
(e) Location and description of other improvements, such as earth berms, walls, fences, screens, sculptures, fountains, lawn furniture, ornamental decorations, signs, lighting and paved areas.
(f) Planting installation detail as necessary to insure conformance with the "American Standards For Nursery Stock," as published by the American Association of Nurserymen, latest edition, and other standards as specified in this section.
(g) General and specific notes to indicate or explain the design and construction procedures to be used.
(F) Landscape standards.
(1) Appropriateness. The landscape plan shall consider the type of use proposed for the development, and shall use plants which will integrate the development site into the surrounding area. Except for new construction of any detached single-family residence or construction of any addition to an existing detached single family residence that enlarges such residence by more than 50% of its existing floor area in the R-1 Single-Family Detached Zoning District, where screening is not required, the type and extent of screening and buffering required will be determined pursuant to division (H) of this section.
(2) Screening. Materials may consist of evergreen trees and shrubs; ornamental trees and deciduous shrubs with dense branching; shade trees; and fences, walls and berms. Planted screens shall be arranged in clusters of plants to create optimum screening according to site conditions.
(3) Fences and walls. Long stretches of a single wall or fence shall not be continued to the point of visual monotony, but shall be varied by using changes in height, different material combinations, offset angles or other types of articulation in combination with landscaping.
(4) Berms. Screening may be accomplished with the use of berms in combination with plants. Slopes shall not exceed 4:1. Berms shall be designed with gently curving slopes so that they are not susceptible to erosion. Staggering berms shall be encouraged to allow for drainage without providing a drainage barrier, and to provide visual variety. Ground cover plants may be used to reduce mowing on berms.
(G) Plant material standards.
(1) All plants shall conform to the "American Standards for Nursery Stock," latest edition, and shall be installed according to the current standards of the American Association of Nurserymen.
(2) Plant availability and hardiness. All plants used in landscape plans shall be readily available and shall be proven to be reliably hardy in USDA Zone 5A.
(3) Deciduous trees shall be fully branched, have a minimum caliper of three inches for nonresidential development and two and one-half inches for residential development, as measured at breast height. Specimens shall be properly pruned to maintain a natural form.
(4) Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of six feet in height and fully branched to the ground.
(5) Shrubs shall be supplied in one gallon or larger containers or balled and burlapped.
(6) Ground cover plants shall be planted so that an effective covering is obtained within two growing seasons.
(7) No obstruction which exceeds 18 inches above street level shall be permitted in that portion of a yard within 25 feet of the corner formed by the intersection of any two street right-of-way lines or by the intersection of any street with any access driveway (both sides of such access driveway). Such prohibited obstructions include, but are not limited to, buildings, fences and walls, loading and open storage, plant material, play equipment, signs, rocks, boulders, parking, and other structures; provided that, notwithstanding the restrictions set forth herein, existing vegetation shall be allowed to remain unless it creates a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic as determined by the Director of Community and Economic Development in consultation with the Chief of Police, the Public Services Director and other consultants as deemed necessary and appropriate.
(8) Plant materials, including deciduous and evergreen trees, shall not cause a hazard. Landscape plant material overhanging walks, pedestrian or bicycle paths and seating areas shall be pruned to a minimum height of eight feet; to a minimum height of 15 feet over streets and highways; and to a minimum height of 12 feet above parking lot aisles and spaces.
(9) Landscape plant materials shall be selected which do not generally interfere with utilities above or below ground level at maturity.
(10) Parking lot clearance. No shrub or tree shall be planted closer than two feet from any curb face.
(11) Planting space required. Trees planted in cutouts, in walks or in pedestrian areas shall have a minimum area of open soil of four feet by four feet, or a circle of open soil with a minimum diameter of five feet, and all landscape plant materials beyond the open soil area shall be protected from damage due to pedestrian or vehicular traffic by the use of tree grates, pavers, curbs or edging beyond the open soil area, which do not pose any unreasonable hazard to pedestrians or vehicles.
(12) Landscape plant materials shall be properly guyed and staked in accordance with current industry standards, where necessary. Stakes and guy wires shall be placed so as not to interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
(13) Appropriate methods of care and maintenance of the landscaping materials shall be provided by the owner of the property.
(H) Landscape yards. Except for driveway or sidewalk openings and except for the exempted area provided for in division (G)(7) of this section, a continuous perimeter landscape yard shall be provided for the purpose of screening and buffering with landscaping as provided in this division.
(1) Landscape yard screen/buffers. Except for lots on which a single building is used for both residential and nonresidential uses, as provided in § 156.077(B)(5), a 12 foot wide landscaped yard shall be provided, with a full screen/buffer alongside and/or rear lot lines when a nonresidential use is adjacent to any residential use, or when a multiple-family use is adjacent to a detached or attached single-family use.
(2) Landscaping screen/buffer required. A landscape screen/buffer shall be provided for all landscape yards, and may include plant materials, fences, walls and berms; provided that no credit toward the required landscape points shall be given for solid walls or fences or berms less than two and one-half feet in height. The type and number of plants and other features required shall be determined using the following information:
Number of points required for:
A full landscape screen/buffer:
Example: Landscape yard = 100'
Points required = Half the length x 10, or 50' x 10 - 500 points
If the required amount of landscaping points is unable to be met, the City of Oakbrook Terrace may accept a monetary contribution of $ 10.00 per landscaping point in lieu of the required amount of landscaping points for landscaping elsewhere in the City of Oakbrook Terrace.
(3) Perimeter side and rear yard where landscaping screen/buffer not required. Where no landscaping screen/buffer is required, the side and/or rear yard adjacent to a parking lot shall be, at a minimum, sodded, seeded, or planted with another comparable ground cover.
(4) Number of plants required. Trees and shrubs shall generally have the following point values:
(a) Low shrubs (minimum 24" in height at installation): 10 points;
(b) Tall shrubs (minimum 36" in height at installation): 15 points;
(c) Ornamental trees: 50 points;
(d) Evergreen trees: 60 points; and
(e) Shade trees: 100 points.
(5) Continuous or staggered berms of more than five feet in height, which function as screening, may contribute up to 50% of the total landscape points for that portion of a landscape yard. Berm heights of at least two and one-half feet will obtain a credit based on the following:
Berm height x 0.10 = % of points credited (.5' increments)
Example: Landscape yard = 100 feet
100' long berm x 2.5' high x 0.10 = 25% of points credited
(6) The proposed landscaping must function so that maximum effective screening is provided. Both overhead and lower screening and buffering shall be required in order to meet these requirements, unless the Director of Community and Economic Development determines that overhead screening and buffering would unreasonably interfere with overhead utilities. Plant selection should include a variety of plant types. Fences, walls or berms shall be used to increase effective screening, but fences and solid walls shall not provide landscape credits. Trees and shrubs should be used on berms and in front of fences and walls.
Example: 500 landscape points required:
200 points - two shade trees
100 points - two ornamental trees
180 points - three evergreen trees
20 points - two low shrubs
(7) Additional landscape screening/ buffering may be required when a use occurs which may have a high impact on adjacent development, as determined by the Director of Community and Economic Development. A high impact use is one which is expected to have a strong effect on adjacent properties, due to one or more of the following:
(a) Noise;
(b) Outdoor loading spaces;
(c) Exterior storage, attractive nuisances and objectionable views;
(d) Dust, fumes, odors and vibration;
(e) Litter;
(f) Bright lighting during the evening or at night or headlights from vehicles using the development at night;
(g) Height of structures above the maximum permitted building height for the specific zoning district, or adjacent to development in a different zoning district or a zoning district with a lower maximum permitted building height; or
(h) Safety and liability concerns.
(I) Parking lot requirements. The following requirements apply to all parking lot landscaping:
(1) Interior parking lot landscaping. Interior parking lot landscaping shall be required based on total lot area, minus area of the footprint of the building, minus the area of the required yards. If such calculation results in a remaining area of 10,000 square feet or greater, the parking lot must be landscaped as follows:
(a) Area required. Not less than 5% of the interior of a parking lot shall be devoted to landscaping. Landscaping areas located along the perimeter of a parking lot, as required by division (I)(2) of this section, and foundation landscaping areas shall not be included toward satisfying the interior parking lot landscaping requirements.
(b) Landscaping required. The required interior parking lot landscaping areas shall be as follows:
1. Planting islands shall be dispersed throughout the parking lot in a design and configuration satisfactory to the Director of Community and Economic Development.
2. Planting islands shall be a minimum of 120 square feet in area and a minimum of seven feet in width, as measured from back of curb to back of curb.
3. Plant material shall include shade tree species, and although ornamental trees, shrubbery, hedges and other plant materials may be used to supplement shade tree plantings, such plantings shall not be the sole contribution to such landscaping. A minimum of one shade tree shall be provided for every 120 square feet of landscaping area, and a minimum of 50% of every interior parking lot landscaping area shall be improved with approved ground cover, as determined by the Director of Community and Economic Development.
(c) Exception. In the event that the Director of Community and Economic Development determines that the site geometry of the proposed parking lot does not allow strict adherence to the above requirements, the Director of Community and Economic Development may allow and require landscaped islands for at least 10% of the parking lot area using alternate schemes.
(2) Perimeter parking lot landscaping. Perimeter parking lot landscaping shall be required for all parking lots as follows:
(a) Where a parking lot is located within a required yard, or within 20 feet of a lot line, perimeter landscaping shall be required along the corresponding edge of the parking lot. Where required, perimeter landscaping shall be provided within landscape areas five feet in width, as measured from back of curb, excluding any parking space overhang area.
(b) Where a parking lot is located across a dedicated public right-of-way from property zoned or used for residential use, the following perimeter landscaping requirements shall be applicable:
1. Continuous landscaping of evergreen or dense deciduous shrubs shall be provided across 100% of the street frontage to a minimum height of four feet. The height of such shrubs may be reduced if berming is provided so that the combined height of shrubs and berming is not less than four feet. In addition, shade or ornamental trees shall be provided within such landscape area, and the number of trees shall be not less than one tree per 50 feet of frontage, with the number of trees required, rounded to the nearest whole number. Additional plantings may be provided, subject to the approval of the Director of Community and Economic Development.
2. Except where occupied by planting beds, all landscaping areas located in front yards shall be sodded or planted with another comparable ground cover as determined appropriate by the Director of Community and Economic Development.
(c) Where a parking lot is located across a dedicated public right-of-way from property zoned or used for non-residential use, the following perimeter landscaping requirements shall be applicable:
1. Landscaping of evergreen or dense deciduous shrubs shall be provided across 50% of the street frontage to a minimum height of four feet). The height of such shrubs may be reduced if berming is provided so that the combined height of shrubs and berming is not less than four feet. Additional plantings may be provided, subject to the approval of the Director of Community and Economic Development.
2. Except where occupied by planting beds, all landscaping areas located in front yards shall be sodded or planted with another comparable ground cover, as determined by the Director of Community and Economic Development.
(d) For rear and side yards, where a parking lot abuts property zoned and used for non-residential uses, landscaping shall be provided across 50% of that portion of the parking lot abutting the property line to a minimum height of four feet. The height of such shrubs may be reduced if berming is provided so that the combined height of shrubs and berming is not less than four feet. Such plantings shall be concentrated into shrub masses, typically containing seven to nine shrubs per shrub mass. Additional plantings may be provided, subject to the approval of the Director of Community and Economic Development. Except where occupied by planting beds, all side and rear yard perimeter parking lot landscaping shall be sodded, seeded or planted with another comparable ground cover, as determined by the Director of Community and Economic Development.
(J) Prohibited vegetation.
(1) Trees.
Botanical Name | Common Name | Remarks |
Botanical Name | Common Name | Remarks |
Acer negundo | Box Elder | Weak wood; invasive roots; self-seeds; box elder bug |
Acer saccharinum | Silver Maple | Weak wood; invasive roots; self-seeds; disease |
Ailanthus altissima | Tree-of-Heaven | Weak wood; twig litter; self-seeds; invasive roots |
Betula pendula | European Birch | Fatal borer insects; disease |
Catalpa species | Catalpa | Weak wood; leaf and twig litter; disease; self-seeds; invasive |
Eleagnus species | Russian, Autumn Olive | Weak wood, short-lived |
Ginkgo biloba (Female) seeds | Female Ginkgo (Male variety acceptable) | Offensive smelling fruit; seeds |
Gleditsia triacanthos | Thorny Honeylocust | Thorns; seed pods (Thornless and seedless varieties acceptable) |
Juglans species | Butternut, Walnut | Large fruit; difficult to grow plants under |
Maclura pomifera | Osage-orange | Large fruit; thorns |
Malus domesticas | Apple | Large fruit; disease; insects |
Morus species | Mulberry | Weak wood; fruit; self-seeds; invasive |
Populus species | Aspen, Cottonwood, Poplar | Weak wood; short-lived; litter; self-seeds; disease |
Prunus species | Cherry, Peach, Plum | Large fruit; disease; insects; short-lived |
Pyrus communis | Pear | Large fruit; disease; insects |
Rhamnus frangula | Buckthorn | Weak wood; fruit; seeds spread by birds; invasive |
Robinia species | Black Locust | Weak wood; twig litter; self-seeds; invasive roots |
Salix species | Willow | Weak wood; invasive roots; short-lived |
Sorbus aucuparia | European Mountainash | Fatal borers; insects; disease |
Ulmus americana | American Elm | Fatal diseases; insects; self-seeds (Disease resistant varieties acceptable upon prior approval) |
Ulmus pumila | "Chinese" (Siberian) Elm | Weak wood; disease; insects; self-seeds; invasive |
(2) Shrubs and herbaceous plants.
Botanical Name | Common Name | Remarks |
Coronilla varia | Crownvetch | Invasive; intolerant of other plants |
Lonicera japonica | Japanese Honeysuckle | Very invasive; crowds out native understory vegetation |
Lythrum salicaria | Purple Loosestrife | Very invasive; replaces native vegetation in wetlands |
Polygonum cuspidatum (Also known as Follopia japonica) | Japanese Knotwood (also known as False or Mexican Bamboo) | Very invasive; replaces native plants in sun |
Rosa multiflora oints | Multiflora Rose | Very invasive; thorns |
(3) Other invasive species. The following additional invasive species shall be prohibited and, if existing, shall be removed:
Cirsium arvense | Canada thistle |
Dipsacus laciniatus | Cut leafed thistle |
Dipsacus sylvestris | Common teasel |
Lythrum salicaria | Purple loosestrife |
Melilotus alba | White sweet clover |
Phalaris arundinacea | Reed canary grass |
(Ord. 08-1, passed 5-13-08; Am. Ord. 08-13, passed 8-12-08; Am. Ord. 08-38, passed 11-11-08; Am. Ord. 15-19, passed 3-10-15; Am. Ord. 19-9, passed 3-12-19; Am. Ord. 20-29, passed 8-11-20; Am. Ord. 22-24, passed 8-23-22)