1111.09 PARKING LOT LANDSCAPING.
(a) Applicability. All off-street surface parking lots shall comply with the requirements of this section.
(b) Minimum Required Landscaping Area. The minimum total of landscaped area in the form of islands, peninsulas, medians, or other planted space shall be ten (10) square feet per parking space.
(c) Design of Parking Lot Landscaping.
(1) Landscaping areas shall consist of grass or other living ground cover, deciduous and/or evergreen trees and/or shrubs.
(2) Landscaped areas shall be curbed to protect the areas from vehicular intrusion.
(3) The minimum landscaped area of any island, peninsula or median shall be 128 square feet with a minimum planting width of eight (8) feet.
(4) All required landscaped areas shall be more or less evenly distributed throughout, but the distribution may be adjusted to accommodate existing trees or other natural features.
(5) Parking lots with forty (40) spaces or more shall be designed as a series of smaller units no more than five (5) parking spaces wide, separated by a landscaped island, peninsula or median with at least one (1) tree.
(6) A landscaped screening area that is a minimum of five (5) feet in width shall be provided along any side or rear lot line that a parking lot abuts. Screening shall consist of continuous walls, fences, natural vegetation, earth mound or acceptable combination of these elements, provided that screening must be at least six (6) feet high and located not less than three (3) feet from the property line. Fences or walls shall be located not less than twelve (12) inches from the property line.
(7) Natural vegetation shall have a minimum opaqueness of seventy-five percent (75%) during full foliage when viewed from two (2) to five (5) feet from the ground. Full opaqueness shall be achieved not more than three (3) years from planting.
(8) The use of year-round vegetation, such as coniferous evergreens, is encouraged.
(d) Tree standards for parking lot landscaping.
(1) The minimum number of trees shall be one per seventy-five (75) square feet of required parking lot landscaping area. Trees that are part of a required or provided buffer yard may count towards meeting this minimum.
(2) Each row of ten (10) or more parking spaces shall be bookended by a landscaping area with a tree.
(3) The minimum trunk diameter of any new tree shall be two and one-half (2 ½) inches.
(4) Trees shall be located at least four (4) feet from any pavement edge and shall have a clear trunk space of at least four (4) feet above the ground.
(e) Vehicle Overhangs. Parked vehicles may hang over a landscaped area up to two (2) feet. Wheel stops shall be provided to ensure no greater overhang. Where parked vehicles will overhang, a three (3) foot minimum clearance shall be provided from the edge of pavement to all trees and shrubs.
(Ord. 081-2023. Passed 10-3-23.)