All single and two-family residential lots shall conform to the following landscaping design criteria:
(A) Plant material — existing vegetation. The preservation and maintenance of existing native vegetation and the use of drought-tolerant plant materials or water conservation techniques, as referenced In the St. Johns River Water Management District's Xeriscape Plant Guide, or other comparable publications approved by the Planning Division, is strongly encouraged. The following species, if existing on the residential lot, are not to be used as substitutes for the requirements in this section, nor shall they be planted on site:
Botanical Name | Common Names |
Casuarina | Australian pine, beefwood |
Melaleuca | Cajeput, punk tree, paperbark |
Eucalyptus | Eucalyptus, gum tree |
Schinus terebinthifolius | Brazilian pepper |
Ricinus cummunis | Castor bean |
Melia azedarach | Chinaberry |
Enterolobium cyclocarpum | Ear tree, elephant ear |
Cinnamomum camphora | Camphor tree |
(B) Trees. Any self-supporting woody plant (including mangroves, regardless of height, and palms) of a species which normally, in the county, grows at maturity to a minimum overall height of fifteen (15) feet. Required tree species native to the county must be those species identified by the Brevard County Agricultural Extension Services, Florida Department of Agriculture, Florida Native Plant Society, the City of Palm Bay Planning Division, or as approved by the Planning Director. Tree species shall be a minimum of six (6) feet overall height immediately after planting. Existing wax myrtles, cabbage palms, mangroves, saw palmetto or other native species having a trunk height of at least four (4) feet and having a caliper of at least two (2) inches may be substituted for the tree planting requirements in this section. These native species are strongly encouraged to be preserved on single and two-family residential lots.
(C) Shrubs.
(1) Definition. For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
SHRUB. A bushy, woody plant, usually with several permanent stems, and usually less than ten (10) feet tall at maturity.
(2) Existing vegetation may be used to fulfill the shrub requirements in this section.
(D) Living ground covers. Living ground cover shall include all grasses. Living ground covers used in lieu of grasses shall be planted so as to present a finished appearance.
(E) Nonliving ground covers. Mulch or other types of approved nonliving ground cover. The use of astroturf, marl, crushed shell, coquina, or other road base material as a ground cover is unacceptable. Railroad ties, wood, bricks, and synthetic materials can be used to separate landscape areas, but cannot be used in place of required ground cover.
(F) Lawn grass. Lawn grass used as a living ground cover shall be planted in grass species normally grown as permanent lawns in the county such as, but not limited to bahia, St. Augustine, and Bermuda species. Lawn grass must be used in swales or other areas subject to erosion.
(Ord. 94-15, passed 7-7-94)