All required landscape plans shall be prepared based on the following standards. All landscape improvements in the required landscape locations, as described in Sections 21A.48.060 and 21A.48.070 shall meet the regulations described in this section.
A. Installation: All landscaping shall be installed in accordance with the current planting procedures established by the American Association of Nurserymen. The installation of all plants required by this chapter may be delayed until the next optimal planting season, as determined by the zoning administrator.
1. At the time of planting:
a. Deciduous Trees: All deciduous trees shall have a minimum trunk size of 1.5 inches in caliper.
b. Evergreen Trees: All evergreen trees shall have a minimum size of 5 feet in height.
c. Shrubs: All shrubs shall have a minimum height or spread of 10 inches depending on the plant's natural growth habit, unless otherwise specified. Plants in 2-gallon containers will generally comply with this standard.
B. General Landscaping Standards:
1. Drought Tolerant or Native Species: 100% of required shrubs, perennial plants, and groundcover used on a site shall be drought tolerant, adapted or native species. The city has compiled a list titled "Salt Lake City Plant List and Hydrozone Schedule", established and maintained by Public Utilities, shall be used to satisfy this requirement. Other plants that are not on the list but are considered drought tolerant, adapted or native and require similar watering needs may also be used.
2. Turf: Turf is not permitted:
a. In the park strip.
b. In parking lot perimeter and interior landscaping areas.
c. In areas that are less than 8 feet in any dimension at the narrowest point.
d. In areas with a slope greater than 25% (4 feet horizontal: 1 foot vertical).
e. In required landscape buffer areas.
3. Mulch: Mulch shall be:
a. At least 3 inches in depth.
b. Used in areas that are not covered with landscaping.
c. Permeable to air and water.
d. Permanent fiber barriers, plastic sheeting, or other impervious barriers are prohibited as an underlayment.
e. Crushed rubber is prohibited.
f. Rock used as a mulch material is limited to 20% of an area where landscaping is required by this chapter.
4. Artificial turf is prohibited in any location where landscaping is regulated by this chapter.
5. Berming is prohibited in parking lot and park strip landscaping unless required in specific district regulations.
C. Specific Park Strip Standards: In addition to General Landscape Standards these provisions shall apply to park strips.
1. Street Trees:
a. Substitutions. The Urban Forester may approve a substitute of the required street tree provision for a cash in lieu payment if the number of required trees cannot be met due to conflicts related to public utilities or right-of-way regulations. A cash in lieu payment, in the amount of cost to purchase and plant the required number of street trees, shall be contributed to the city's Tree Fund;
b. Tree Grates: If new street trees are proposed in a location where the area surrounding the tree will have an impervious surface, tree wells with grates shall be provided with adequate dimensions and sufficient soil volume to accommodate the proposed tree species, subject to review by the Urban Forestry Division.
c. Tree Root Protection: Rock or gravel shall maintain a 2-foot separation from the trunk of a street tree.
2. Vegetation with Thorned, Spined, or Other Sharp Rigid Parts: Vegetation with thorns, spines, or other sharp, rigid parts hazardous to pedestrians and bicyclists, and difficult to walk across are prohibited within 3 feet of a curb, sidewalk, walkway, or driveway.
3. Storm Drain Protection:
a. Rock or gravel shall be set at or below top back of curb or abutting sidewalk grade.
b. Rock or gravel shall have 1 inch or greater diameter. Grades abutting public streets exceeding 4%, as indicated by Public Utilities Division's "4% Grade Streets Map", shall have rock or gravel 3 inch or greater diameter.
4. Pathways: Impervious surface pathways provided between the curb and sidewalk, are permitted subject to the following:
a. Shall not be more than 5 feet in width and shall be located to provide the most direct route from curb to sidewalk.
b. A maximum of 1 pathway per 20 linear feet of park strip is permitted.
c. The pathway area shall be included in impervious surface percentage calculation.
5. Stormwater Curb Controls: Integration of LID (Low Impact Development) practices are encouraged in park strip areas. Stormwater curb cuts are permitted to allow stormwater to enter the landscaped area subject to the following provisions:
a. The design and construction of the stormwater curb cut shall comply with the SLCDPU Standards Practices Manual.
b. All stormwater curb controls are subject to Public Utilities Division review and approval.
6. Encroachments in the Right-of-Way: Structural encroachments are only permitted when specifically approved by city divisions and applicable decision-making bodies (or their designee) and may require an encroachment permit.
a. All encroachments are subject to the following standards, unless specifically allowed elsewhere in this title:
(1) Any raised structure shall be setback from the curb a minimum of 24 inches,
(2) There are no other practical locations for the structure on the private property, and
(3) The proposed structures will serve the general public and are part of general public need, or the proposed structures are necessary for the functional use of the property.
b. Bus Stops and Bike Share Stations: Concrete pads for bus stop benches and/or shelters and bike share stations may be permitted with zoning administrator approval. Impervious surface limitations may be modified upon review.
c. Outdoor Dining: Park strip materials and structural standards may be modified by the Zoning Administrator when outdoor dining is approved pursuant to Section 21A.40.065 of this title.
d. Bike Paths: Bike paths that are separated from the travel lanes with cars are permitted in any existing park strip. Any space between the bike path and the sidewalk and/or curb of the travel lanes are subject to the requirements of this section. (Ord. 12-24, 2024)