For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BERM. An earthen mound designed to provide visual interest, screen undesirable views, and /or decrease noise.
CALIPER. Diameter of a tree trunk. The term CALIPER is used for trees less than 12 inches in diameter. For trees less than four inches in diameter, it is measured six inches from the ground. For trees between four inches and 12 inches in diameter, it is measured 12 inches from the ground.
CITY DEPARTMENT. Any and all departments of the city.
DBH (DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT). The term DBH is used for trees with a diameter greater than 12 inches and is measured four and one-half feet above the ground.
DECIDUOUS. A plant with foliage that is shed annually.
DEVELOPED AREA.
(1) The area of a lot that is disturbed for the purpose of developing structures, parking facilities, loading or storage areas, paved access to off-street parking or loading areas or other areas paved with an all-weather material, or landscaped areas.
(2) For the purpose of calculating landscape points, it may be submitted in the form of the legal description of the property, or a scaled, dimensioned, and well defined area of development that is referenced on the site plan.
DEVELOPER. The legal or beneficial owner of a lot or parcel or any land proposed for development and/or inclusion in a development, including the owner of an option, contract to purchase or lease.
EVERGREEN. A plant with foliage that persists and remains green year-round.
GROUNDCOVER. An evergreen or deciduous planting less than 24 inches in height. Turf grass is excluded.
IRRIGATION SYSTEM. A permanent underground piping and sprinkler head system designed using industry standard methods to provide uniform irrigation coverage over a landscaped area.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT.
(1) A person registered to practice landscape architecture as provided by the State Board of Technical Professions.
(2) LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE means the performance of professional services such as planning, design, preparation of construction drawings and specifications, including the design and layout of roadways, service areas, parking areas, walkways, steps, ramps, pools, the location of buildings and other structures, and the grading of land, surface, and subsoil drainage, erosion control, planting reforestation, and the preservation of the natural landscape, in accordance with accepted professional standards.
LANDSCAPE BUFFER. A combination of living vegetation, such as trees, shrubs, grasses, or ground cover material planted or transplanted and maintained.
LANDSCAPE DESIGNER. Any person submitting a landscape plan who is not a licensed landscape architect, architect, or engineer, shall be “limited to consultation and preparation of plans and specification with respect to choosing types of plants and planning the location thereof.”
LANDSCAPE PLAN. The preparation of graphic and written criteria, specifications, and detailed plans to arrange and modify the effects of natural and human-made features such as plantings, ground and water forms, circulation, walks, structures, and other features to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
LANDSCAPED AREA. Any area that contains trees, shrubs, and/or groundcover that have been claimed for point credits.
MULCH. An organic material such as seed hulls, pine needles, or tree bark used to control weed growth, reduce soil erosion, and reduce water loss.
PARKING LOT. Any off-street, unenclosed ground level facility used for the purpose of temporary storage of motor vehicles. Enclosed parking facilities, such as single or multi-story garages or parking facilities constructed within the confines of a larger building or structure, or parking facilities associated with single-family and duplex residential development are not included within this definition.
PARKING LOT PLANTING. Plantings of hardy trees, shrubs, and/or ground cover required due to the construction of impervious surface parking to be planted within and/or around the perimeter of the parking lot area, excluding parking garages, decks, and covered parking.
PARKING LOT ISLAND. A planting island contained completely within the confines of a parking lot.
PARKING PENINSULA. A planting island that extends out into the parking area and is bounded on at least one side by the outer edge of the paving or a building.
PLANTING PLAN. The preparation of graphic and written criteria of plant placement, plant specification of type, size, and spacing, and other features to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
PLANTING SEASON. The most favorable time to plant trees in the city.
RIGHT-OF-WAY. A strip of land occupied or intended to be occupied by a street, crosswalk, railroad, road, electric transmission line, oil or gas pipeline, water main, sanitary or storm sewer main, or for another special use. The usage of the term RIGHT-OF-WAY for platting purposes shall mean that every RIGHT-OF-WAY hereafter established and shown on a final plat is to be separate and distinct from the lots or parcels adjoining such RIGHT-OF-WAY and not included within the dimensions or areas of such lots or parcels.
SIGHT-PROOF FENCE. A solid opaque fence or wall that is a minimum of six feet in height and is made of wood, masonry, decorative metal, or other suitable material in compliance with the Building Code.
SIGNIFICANT TREE. Any existing tree with a caliper of six inches or greater that is determined to be in good health by a qualified professional (i.e., Urban Forester, Certified Arborist) following guidelines established by the International Society of Arboriculture.
SHRUB. A living self-supporting woody deciduous or evergreen species no less than eight inches in height, and no greater than 15 feet in height, which will remain full and attractive throughout the year.
SPECIMEN TREE. A particularly special example of a species because of its size, age, habit, or any trait that either epitomizes the character of species or makes the tree an unusual example of its species.
TREE. A living self-supporting woody or evergreen plant that normally grows to a minimum height of 15 feet, and which has one or several self-supporting stems or trunks and numerous branches.
TREE CLASSIFICATION TERMS. The terms “small tree,” “medium tree,” and “large tree,” which refer to the size of a tree at the time it is installed or retained (as outlined in § 155.300(A)(3)), regardless of its species.
TURF GRASS. Existing or installed grass that has been sodded, seeded, or hydro-mulched. TURF GRASS eligible for point credits must be located within the property lines of a development. The maximum credit for turf is 25% of the total landscape points required for any site. All TURF credited for points shall completely cover all exposed areas of soil after one full growing season.
XERISCAPE. A method of landscaping that emphasizes water conservation, accomplished by following sound horticultural and landscaping practices, such as planning and design, soil improvement, limited turf areas, use of mulches, use of low-water demand plants, efficient irrigation practices, and appropriate maintenance.
(Ord. passed 2-3-2011, § 2.32.030)