The following definitions shall apply to this chapter:
ACTIVE RECREATION AREA: An area that is dedicated to active play where grass may be used as the playing surface. Active recreation areas are prohibited in all zones unless they meet the standards herein. Examples of active recreation areas include sports fields, play areas, and other similar uses designated for physical activity. Active recreation areas shall be appropriate for the development, and:
A. A minimum of 1,500 contiguous square feet of lawn area,
B. Not less than 30 feet in any dimension,
C. Not less than 10 feet from areas dedicated to vehicular use, such as street or parking lot,
D. Designed and located to be accessible to large populations, such as at a school, daycare, recreation center, senior center, public park, private park, water park, or religious institution, and
E. Co-located with amenities, including but not limited to trash bins, benches, tables, walking paths, drinking water, playground equipment and/or other recreational amenities.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE: A device, assembly or means designed to prevent backflow, which complies with the specifications of the international plumbing code, and prevents unwanted reverse flow of contaminants through cross-connection into a potable water system.
CHECK VALVE: A device used in sprinkler heads or pipe to prevent water from draining out of the pipe through gravity flow.
CONTROLLER: A device used in irrigation systems to automatically control when and how long sprinklers or drip irrigation systems operate.
DRIP IRRIGATION: An irrigation system that delivers water by adding water at the plant’s base and root zone, usually measured in gallons per hour. Drip irrigation exhibits a droplet, trickle, umbrella or short stream pattern, to reduce evaporation, overspray, and water use, and improving water conservation.
DRIP EMITTER: A drip irrigation fitting that delivers water slowly at the root zone of the plant, usually measured in gallons per hour.
GRADING PLAN: The grading plan shows all finish grades, spot elevations, drainage as necessary, and new and existing contours with the developed landscaped area.
GRASS: A surface layer of earth containing mowed grass with its roots. Lawn and grass are used interchangeably.
GROUND COVER: Material planted in such a way as to form a continuous cover over ground that can be maintained at a height no more than twelve (12) inches.
HARDSCAPE: Elements of landscape constructed from non-living materials such as concrete, boulders, brick, blacktop, and lumber. It includes patios, decks, and paths, but does not include driveways and sidewalks.
HYDROZONE: Portion of landscape area having plants with similar water needs and rooting depth. A hydrozone may be irrigated or non-irrigated.
IRRIGATION PLAN: A plan that shows the components of the irrigation system with water meter size, backflow prevention, precipitation rates, flow rate, and operating pressure for each irrigation circuit, and identification of all irrigation equipment.
IRRIGATION RUNOFF: Irrigation water that is not absorbed by the soil or landscape area to which it is applied, and that flows onto other areas.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: A person who holds a professional license to practice landscape architecture in the state of Utah, and who creates plans suitable to the local area and climate for plant selection, water use, and irrigation system design. Per State Code, licensed landscape architects, licensed architects, licensed land surveyors, and licensed engineers can professionally stamp plans that fall under the practice of landscape architecture if the plans meet local requirements.
LANDSCAPE AREA: For single family dwelling development on a lot or parcel one acre or less, the Landscape Area includes the area that is not the home footprint, driveway, sidewalk or patio. For single family dwelling development on a lot or parcel that is more than one acre, the Landscape Area includes only the one acre area with the single family dwelling footprint in its center. For development other than single family dwellings, the Landscape Area includes any area on the development that is landscaped, or required to be landscaped under county ordinances.
LANDSCAPE DESIGNER: A person who may or may not hold professional certificates for landscape design/architecture, and who generally focuses on residential design and horticultural needs of home landscapes.
LANDSCAPE DOCUMENTATION PACKAGE: The documentation of graphic and written criteria, specifications, and detailed plans to arrange and modify the effects of natural features to comply with the provisions of this chapter. The Landscape Documentation Package shall include a project data sheet, a site plan, a planting plan, an irrigation plan, construction details, and a grading plan.
LANDSCAPE OR LANDSCAPING: Any combination of berms; living plants, such as trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, annuals, perennials, ornamental grass, or seeding; natural features such as rock, stone, or bark chips; and structural features, including but not limited to outdoor artwork, screen walls, fences or benches that create an attractive and pleasing environment.
LANDSCAPE OR LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE: Maintaining or keeping any landscaping, or any area required to be landscaped:
A. In a live and thriving condition, with consideration for normal growth and water needs; and
B. Fertilized, mowed, trimmed, edged, mulched and free from weeds, dead plants, litter, refuse, or debris in compliance with regionally accepted horticultural practice and county ordinances.
LANDSCAPE PLAN: A plan that clearly and accurately identifies the location and species of new and existing trees, shrubs, ground covers, and other plants on a site, and any other landscape element, and includes an irrigation plan.
LAWN: irrigated nonagricultural land planted in closely mowed, managed grasses. Lawn and grass are used interchangeably.
MULCH: Any organic material uniformly applied on the surface of the soil to reduce evaporation or weed growth such as leaves, bark, wood chips, straw; inorganic material such as crushed stone or gravel; other materials left loose and applied to the soil surface for the beneficial purpose of controlling weeds and conserving soil moisture. Mulch shall allow penetration of water and air.
PARK STRIP: A typically narrow landscaped area located between the back-of-curb and sidewalk.
PLANT LIST: A list of locally adaptable and environmentally sustainable plants for compliant Planting Plans as provided by the Washington County Water Conservancy District.
PLANTING BED: An area of landscape that consist of plants, such as trees, ornamental grasses, shrubs, perennials and other regionally appropriate plants.
PLANTING PLAN: A Planting Plan that clearly and accurately identifies the type, size, and locations for new and existing trees, shrubs, planting beds, ground covers, grass areas, driveways, sidewalks, hardscape features, and fences.
POTABLE WATER: Water that is treated to state and federal standards that make it safe for drinking. Potable water may be called culinary water, and may be sourced from a public or private system.
PRECIPITATION RATE: The depth of water applied to a given area, usually measured in inches per hour.
PRESSURE REGULATING VALVE: A valve installed in an irrigation mainline that reduces a higher supply pressure at the inlet down to a regulated lower pressure at the outlet.
PRESSURE COMPENSATING: A drip irrigation system that compensates for fluctuating water pressure by only allowing a fixed volume of water through drip emitters.
REHABILITATED LANDSCAPING: Landscape area in which over 50% percent of existing landscaping is removed and replaced. Includes all landscaping funded in part, or completely, by Washington County Water Conservancy District’s landscape conversion program.
SECONDARY IRRIGATION WATER: Non-potable water that is untreated and used for irrigation of outdoor landscaping.
SLOPE: A vertical rise in feet measured over a horizontal distance, expressed as a percentage, measured generally at right angles to contour lines.
WATER-CONSERVIN G PLANT: A plant that can generally survive with available rainfall once established, with possible supplemental irrigation needed or desirable during spring and summer months or during drought periods. (Ord. 2022-1206-O, 4-19-2022; amd. Ord. 2023-1246-O, 12-19-2023)