(A) Purpose. These landscaping standards are established to ensure that each residential development maintains attractive planted areas that provide complementary design components to buildings on a site. These standards are intended to allow for creativity and to provide latitude in the design of landscaping and irrigation plans, and to encourage design that conserves and recycles the resources invested in landscapes. Landscape and irrigation plans are encouraged to take full advantage of the wide range of drought-tolerant landscape material and low-water-flow irrigation systems available within the framework established by this section. All landscaping must comply with City Resolution 3675 establishing guidelines for the preparation of landscape and irrigation plans.
(B) Landscaping required.
(1) Landscaping with plant materials is required in the front yards of all residential development, including detached single-family units.
(2) Landscaping with plant materials must be provided in common open space areas and yard setback areas of multiple-family developments and mobile home parks.
(3) All required front yards must be landscaped.
(4) Landscaping of required off-street parking areas must be provided as set forth in § 16.46.140 (Landscaping Required) of Chapter 16.46 (Off-Street Parking and Loading) of this Title 16.
(5) No more than 20% of any required landscaped area may be covered with hardscape or other non-plant materials such as fountains, rocks, masonry or brick work, paving, or similar feature.
(C) Irrigation required. All required landscape areas must be provided with permanent underground
irrigation systems suitable for the type of landscaping provided.
(D) Landscape maintenance. All landscaping must be maintained in a neat and healthy condition and in a manner that prevents adverse public health, safety, and welfare effects.
(E) Landscape and irrigation plans required.
(1) Landscape and irrigation plans are required for all residential development proposals for five or more units.
(2) The plan must indicate the square footage of each landscaping area, report the total square footage devoted to landscaping with plant materials, identify each landscaping area and the types of plants to be provided therein, list the container size of each plant, and clearly portray the entire landscaping layout and irrigation system.
(3) No building permit may be issued until landscaping and irrigation plans have been reviewed and approved by the Planning Director or the designee.
(F) Water-conserving features. Landscape and irrigation plans must take full advantage of available drought-tolerant landscape materials and low-water-flow irrigation systems, except where such action conflicts with adopted fire prevention plans, or the Fire Chief determines that such would create a fire hazard.
(Ord. 1100, passed 7-6-04)