Native plant landscape areas shall meet the following requirements:
(A) Native plant landscape areas may include plants and grasses eight inches or more in height and which have gone to seed, but may not include any weeds or noxious weeds and must be maintained so as to not include unintended vegetation;
(B) Native plant landscape areas shall not include any plantings, which due to location and manner of growth constitute a hazard to the public or may cause injury or damage to persons or property when such growth is in violation of other applicable sections of city code;
(C) Native plant landscape areas shall not occupy more than 50% of the pervious surface area of the parcel, excluding natural wooded areas, wetlands, water bodies, rain gardens and conservation easements;
(D) Native plant landscape area is setback a minimum of 15 feet from the front property line. On corner lots both street sides shall be deemed a front yard;
(E) A buffer strip not less than five feet from side and rear property lines must be maintained when a native plant landscape area covers more than 25% of the landscaped area of the entire yard. A buffer strip is not, however, required if:
(1) A fully opaque fence at least four feet in height is installed along the lot line adjoining the managed natural landscape area;
(2) The adjacent property is not being used for residential purposes; or
(3) The adjacent residential property also contains a managed natural landscape area covering more than 25% of the landscaped area of the entire yard.
(F) Native plant landscape areas shall not include turf-grass lawns left unattended for the purpose of returning to a natural state; and
(G) The area is maintained according to current industry standards for the kind of vegetation being grown, to include seasonal cutting as appropriate.
(Ord. 2004, passed 11-10-20)