A. Landscaping requirements in setback areas.
1. Single-unit and duplex dwellings-Front-yard and street side-yard setbacks.
a. Setback area paving restrictions. A maximum of 50% of each of the required front-yard and street side-yard setbacks may be paved for off-street parking, driveways, walkways, uncovered patios, and other forms of hardscape. However, this maximum limitation does not apply to that portion of the street side-yard located behind a fence that complies with the street side fence requirements set forth in chapter 17.620.
b. Landscape and maintenance requirements. The unpaved portion of the required front-yard and street side-yard setbacks shall be landscaped and maintained. The landscape shall primarily consist of grass, annuals, perennials, groundcover, shrubs, trees, or other living vegetation provided that artificial turf may be used if it and its substrate is permeable, has a minimum pile height of 1.25 inches, and is not located within the dripline of any trees. Design elements like planters, rocks, mulch, wood chips, bark, or similar elements are permitted when integrated as part of the landscape. All landscaping materials shall be mowed, trimmed, and maintained as often as necessary to prevent overgrowth and blight. No junk, debris, or other similar materials shall be stored in the landscaped setback area.
c. Height restrictions for landscaping located in the clear zone. All landscaping located within the clear zone for driveways and corner lots, as described in section 17.620.100, shall not exceed four feet in height, except that trees exceeding four feet in height are allowed if the tree is maintained free of branches five feet above the finish grade, as defined in section 15.88.050.
d. Vehicle parking requirements-all yard areas. Vehicles, including automobiles, boats, campers, trailers, and other recreational vehicles must be parked on a paved surface, as provided for in section 10.44.010.
2. Multi-unit dwellings (three or more units)-Front-yard and street side-yard setbacks. All minimum required front-yard and street side-yard setbacks shall be landscaped and maintained. The landscape shall primarily consist of grass, annuals, perennials, groundcover, shrubs, trees, or other living vegetation, provided that artificial turf may be used if it and its substrate is permeable, has a minimum pile height of 1.25 inches, and is not located within the dripline of any trees. Design elements like planters, rocks, mulch, wood chips, bark, or similar elements are permitted when integrated as part of the landscape. Driveways and uncovered walkways are permitted to cross over the required front-yard and street side-yard setbacks. The required front-yard and street side-yard setbacks may not be paved for parking or patio areas.
3. Nonresidential-Front-yard and street side-yard setbacks. All minimum required front-yard and street side-yard setbacks shall be landscaped and maintained. The landscape shall primarily consist of grass, annuals, perennials, groundcover, shrubs, trees, or other living vegetation, provided that artificial turf may be used if it and its substrate is permeable, has a minimum pile height of 1.25 inches, and is not located within the dripline of any trees. Design elements like planters, rocks, mulch, wood chips, bark, or similar elements are permitted when integrated as part of the landscape.
4. Residential and nonresidential-Interior side-yard and rear-yard setbacks. There is no minimum landscape requirement for interior side-yard and rear-yard setbacks.
B. Planter required.
1. Except for single-unit and duplex dwellings and where driveways and walkways enter and exit a lot, a landscaped planter is required as follows:
a. A landscaped planter is required to separate all surfaced areas from the adjacent public street; and
b. A landscaped planter is required along the entire perimeter of surface parking lots of more than 30 spaces.
2. The planter shall be surrounded with six-inch raised concrete curbing. The minimum width of the planter, excluding curbing, is six feet, except that front-yard and street side-yard setbacks shall have planters at least as wide as the minimum setback or six feet, whichever is greater. An irrigation system shall be installed in each separate planter area. The landscape shall primarily consist of grass, annuals, perennials, groundcover, shrubs, trees, or other living vegetation, provided that artificial turf may be used if it and its substrate is permeable, has a minimum pile height of 1.25 inches, and is not located within the dripline of any trees. Design elements like planters, rocks, mulch, woodchips, bark, or similar elements are permitted when integrated as part of the landscape. (Ord. 2017-0061 § 81; Ord. 2016-0056 § 1; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)