1. Design and Installation.
a. National Standards, All landscape elements shall be installed in accordance with the practices and procedures established by AmericanHort. Landscape materials shall be healthy and hardy upon installation, and shall be planted with appropriate space and soils to ensure sustained growth.
b. Soil Requirements. Soil type, volume, width, and depth requirements shall be used as required by this Section, to provide adequate soil to help ensure tree survival and growth. Refer to Figure 156.09.B-B. Minimum Soil Depth and Figure 156.09.B-C. Minimum Planting Bed Width.
c. Plant Size Requirements. Landscape materials shall be installed at or above the minimum sizes and at or below the maximum sizes specified in Table 156.09.C-A. Required Landscape Material Size at Installation, unless otherwise noted in this Ordinance.
Landscape Material Type | Minimum Size | Maximum Size |
Deciduous Shade Tree, Single Trunk | 1.5 in caliper | 2.5 in caliper |
Deciduous Shade Tree, Multiple Trunks | 8 ft height | 10 ft height |
Ornamental Tree | 1.5 in caliper | 2.5 in caliper |
Evergreen Tree | 4 ft height | 6 ft height |
Shrubs | 18 in height | 36 in height |
d. Species Diversity. Tree and plant species that are native or naturalized to northeastern Illinois, as well as drought- and salt-tolerant plant materials, shall be used as required by this Section, except for single-unit, two-unit, and townhouse dwellings. Refer to The South Elgin Tree Species List for preferred tree species and Table 156.09.C-B. Species Diversity Requirements, for specifications.
Lot Size | Minimum Percent Drought & Salt Tolerant Species | Species Diversity Requirement |
Lot under 0.5 acres | 50% | None |
Lot between 0.5 and 5 acres | 60% | Total plant material, excluding turf, shall not be comprised of more than 30% of any single species, 50% of any genus, nor 70% of any family |
Lot over 5 acres | 75% | Total plant material, excluding turf, shall not be comprised of more than 5% of any single species, 10% of any genus, nor 20% of any family |
e. Runoff Infiltration. All required parking lot perimeter landscape, buffer yards, and landscape islands shall be designed to accept and facilitate stormwater runoff infiltration through curb design, adequate soil depth, appropriate plant selection, and site grading to convey stormwater to the landscaped areas. Where practical, all landscaped areas shall create bioretention and infiltration areas to assist In water quality protection and facilitate groundwater recharge.
f. Irrigation, Permanent irrigation systems are not required. All irrigation systems shall be designed to minimize the use of water, and require submittal of certification that the system is water efficient (e.g. EPA WaterSense certified). Irrigation systems are not allowed in the right-of-way.
3. Maintenance. All landscape elements shall be maintained in good condition at all times to ensure healthy vegetation and an orderly appearance.
a. Maintenance Responsibility. Landscape elements, such as vegetation and trees, irrigation systems, fences, and walls, shall be maintained. The property owner shall be responsible for the maintenance, repair, and replacement of landscape elements to keep them in good condition for the lifespan of the development and/or parking lot.
b. Surety. A letter of credit, escrow, performance bond, or other surety as approved by the Zoning Administrator, equal to 125% of the value of the landscaping shall remain in place for two years after installation to ensure proper maintenance in accordance with this Section.
c. Establishment of Landscape Elements. All installed landscape material shall be watered, fertilized, and replaced as needed until fully established.
d. Ongoing Maintenance. All landscape elements shall be maintained in good condition in perpetuity and shall have a healthy, neat, and orderly appearance. Any landscape element that is removed due to disease, damage, death, or any other reason shall be replaced within 30 days after the beginning of the growing season, in accordance with the requirements of this Section and the approved landscape plan.