(a) Applicability.
(1) Unpaved Parking Areas in the Desert Region. For sites in the Desert Region where parking area paving is not required, landscaping shall not be required.
(2) Countywide Paved Parking Areas. Landscaping for paved parking areas Countywide shall be provided as outlined in Subdivisions (b) through (i), below.
(3) Parking Garages and Structures. The landscaping standards in this Section shall not apply to parking garages or other parking structures.
(b) Landscape and Irrigation Plan Required. A comprehensive landscape and irrigation plan shall be submitted to the Director for approval in compliance with Chapter 83.10 (Landscaping Standards).
(c) Landscape Materials. Landscaping materials shall be provided throughout the parking lot area using a combination of trees, shrubs, and vegetative ground cover. Water conserving landscape plant materials shall be emphasized.
(d) Curbing. Areas containing plant materials shall be bordered by a concrete curb at least six inches high and six inches wide. Alternative barrier designs may be approved by the Director.
(e) Irrigation. Except where xeriscaping is specifically designed and intended not be irrigated, an automatic irrigation system, including drip systems, bubblers, and soakers, shall be provided for landscaped areas, including tree wells, planters, and planting islands.
(f) Location of Landscaping. Parking lot landscaping shall be located so that pedestrians are not required to cross through landscaped areas to reach building entrances from parked cars. Trees and shrubs shall be planted so that at maturity they shall not interfere with a driver's or pedestrian's view of public rights-of-way (e.g. the view of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic, etc.) or otherwise impair public safety, or interfere with the safe operation of a motor vehicle on public streets.
(g) Bumper Overhang Areas. A maximum of two feet of the parking stall depth may be landscaped with low-growth, hearty materials in lieu of paving, allowing a two-foot bumper overhang while maintaining the required parking dimensions. Bumper overhang areas shall not encroach into required walkways or rights-of-way.
(h) Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping.
(1) Adjacent to Streets. Parking areas adjoining a public street shall be designed to provide a landscaped planting strip between the street right-of-way and parking area that is equal to the setback area required by the development standards of the subject land use zoning district. The Director may grant an exception to this requirement if existing structures or substandard parcels preclude its implementation. In this case, the maximum planting strip area shall be provided based on-site conditions.
(A) Parking areas adjoining a public street shall be designed to provide a minimum 15-foot-wide landscaped planting strip between the street right-of-way and parking area. The Director may grant an exception to this requirement if existing structures or substandard parcels preclude its implementation. In this case, the maximum planting strip area shall be provided based on site conditions.
(B) The landscaping, other than trees, shall be designed and maintained to screen cars from view from the street and shall be approximately three feet in height.
(C) Screening materials may include a combination of plant materials, earth berms, raised planters, or other screening devices that meet the intent of this requirement and have been approved by the Director.
(D) Plant materials, walls, or structures within a clear sight triangle of a driveway shall not exceed 30 inches in height in compliance with § 83.02.030 (Clear Sight Triangles).
(2) Adjacent to Residential Use. Parking areas for nonresidential uses adjoining residential uses shall provide a landscaped buffer yard with a minimum 10-foot width between the parking area and the common property line bordering the residential use. A solid masonry wall in compliance with § 83.06.050 (Walls Required Between Different Land Use Districts) and landscaping shall be provided along the property line. Trees shall be provided at a rate of one for each 30 feet of landscaped area and shall be a minimum 15-gallon container stock with a caliper size, at time of planting, which is appropriate for a normal, healthy example of the specified tree variety and no less than three-fourths inches in diameter.
(3) Larger Projects. Parking lots with more than 100 spaces shall provide an appropriate entry feature consisting of a concentration of landscape elements at primary entrances, including specimen trees, flowering plants, enhanced paving, and project identification.
(i) Interior Parking Lot Landscaping. Multi-family residential uses and nonresidential uses shall provide landscaping consistent with the following requirements.
(1) Trees Required.
(A) Number and location. Trees shall be evenly spaced throughout the interior parking area at a rate of one tree for every ten parking spaces. The required number of trees shall not include trees required around the perimeter of the parking area. In the Valley Region, parking lot planters shall provide a minimum of one 15 gallon, multi-branched tree, unless healthy existing trees are used in the planters.
(B) Size. Trees within the parking area shall be a minimum 15-gallon container stock with a caliper size, at time of planting, that is appropriate for a normal, healthy example of the specified tree variety and no less than three-fourths inch in diameter.
(2) Planting areas. Trees shall be located in planting areas that are designed and constructed throughout the parking area. In order to be considered within the parking area, trees shall be located in planters that are bounded on at least three sides by parking area paving. Planters shall have a minimum interior dimension of six feet. Ends of parking lanes shall have landscaped islands.
(Ord. 4011, passed - -2007; Am. Ord. 4043, passed - -2008; Am. Ord. 4057, passed - - 2008)