(A) Purpose. Landscaping is to be used to provide attractive planted areas which complement buildings on a site, reduce heat and glare, control soil erosion, and screen unsightly storage and parking areas.
(B) Landscaping requirements.
(1) Landscape coverage of a building site must be provided as follows:
Zone | % Coverage Required (Minimum) |
C/LI | 20% |
LI | 15% |
I | 15% |
Such landscaping may include any landscaping required in off-street parking areas (See § 16.46.140)
(2) Along any property lines abutting a residential zone, a minimum 15-foot landscaped setback must be provided. One tree must be provided for each 20 linear feet of such setback buffer.
(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 Requirements) of Chapter 16.46 (Off-Street Parking and Loading) of this Title 16.
(5) No more than 15% of any required landscaped area can consist of hardscape or other non-plant materials such as patios, walkways, fountains, rocks, bark, masonry or brickwork, or similar feature.
(6) Landscaped areas must have a minimum width of five feet, including any curbs or similar borders. Narrower landscaped areas may be provided but can not be counted toward meeting the coverage requirements set forth in paragraph (1) above.
(7) Any area within required setbacks not used for other purposes must be landscaped.
(8) Landscaping used to screen storage areas, trash enclosures, parking areas, public utilities, and other similar building features must be planted at a height and density to provide the desired screening effect within three years of initial planting.
(9) Street trees must be provided consistent with City Resolution 3675 establishing guidelines for the preparation of landscape and irrigation plans.
(10) All landscaping must comply with City Resolution 3675 establishing guidelines for the preparation of landscape and irrigation plans.
(C) Irrigation required. All required landscape areas must be provided with permanent automatic irrigation systems suitable for the type of landscaping provided.
(D) Landscape maintenance. All landscaping must be permanently maintained in a neat and healthy condition. Maintenance of approved landscaped installations must consist of regular watering, pruning, fertilizing, clearing of debris and weeds, removal and replacement of dead plants, and repair and replacement of irrigation systems and hardscape.
(E) Landscape and irrigation plans required.
(1) Landscape and irrigation plans are required for all development proposals. Such plans must indicate the square footage of each landscaped area, report the total square footage devoted to landscaping, 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.
(2) Landscape design plans must be prepared by a California Registered Landscape Architect, unless waived by the Planning Director or designee.
(3) No building permit will be issued until landscaping and irrigation plans have been reviewed and approved by the Planning Director or designee. The Landscape Architect must certify the plans have been implemented according to the approved plans.
(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; Am. Ord. 1167, passed 11-20-06; Am. Ord. 1305, passed 10-7-20)