§ 159.0403 — Landscaping

§159.0403 Landscaping

Prior to the use or occupancy of any lot or premises at least one of the following landscaping requirements must be met. Please refer to Appendix B for illustrations of the requirements for this Section. (a) Zones 1, 2, 3 and 4 -- Option A Provide a landscaped area equal to 25 percent of the total lot area. The landscaped area may be provided at the ground level or on upper level balconies, decks, roofs, with permanently affixed planter boxes or any combination thereof. A minimum of 40 percent of the landscaped area shall be vegetated. (b) Zones 1, 2, 3 and 4 -- Option B (1) Provide a ground level landscaped area equal to 15 percent of the total lot area. (2) For landscaped areas designed as buffers, setbacks or visual backdrops, 40 percent of the area shall be vegetated with a combination of groundcover, vines, shrubs, and trees. (3) For large paved pedestrian spaces such as courtyards or plazas, a minimum 24-inch box tree or 15- gallon eight-foot tall tree shall be required for every 200 square feet of paved area. (4) For narrow pedestrian areas such as malls, where trees may not be appropriate, 25 percent of the ground plane shall be vegetated with potted plants, vines, shrubs, or groundcover. (c) Zone 1 -- Alternate In Zone 1, the landscaping requirements may be satisfied by sidewalk improvements consistent with the encroachment permit Section 159.0405, or an in lieu fee as further described in Section 159.0211(l). (d) Zone 5 -- Option A Provide a landscaped area equivalent to 50 percent of the total lot area. The landscaped area may be located at the ground level or on upper level balconies, decks, roofs with permanently affixed planter boxes or any combination thereof provided the landscaped area is visible from the opposite side of adjacent public rights-of-way (streets). A minimum of 50 percent of the landscaped area shall be vegetated. (e) Zone 5 -- Option B Provide a landscaped area equivalent to 30 percent of the total lot area at ground level, provided the landscaped area is visible from the opposite side of adjacent public rights-of-way (streets). The 15-foot front yard setback shall be fully landscaped except for driveways and walkways. For landscaped areas designed as buffers, setbacks or visual backdrops, 50 percent of the area shall be vegetated with a combination of groundcover, vines, shrubs, and trees. (f) Zone 6 All required yards shall be fully landscaped in accordance with City-wide Landscape Regulations of Land Development Code Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 4 (Landscape Regulations). (g) Parking Lots -- Refer to Section 159.0404(g) for requirements. (h) Landscaping Plans and Maintenance (1) Prior to the issuance of any building permits, a complete set of landscaping and irrigation plans shall be submitted to the City Manager for approval. The landscaping and irrigation plans shall be in conformance with the requirements of this section and with the Landscape Guidelines of the Land Development Manual. (2) All required landscaped areas shall be permanently irrigated and maintained in accordance with the Landscape Guidelines of the Land Development Manual. (3) Paved Surfaces. A minimum of 50 percent of all paved surfaces used for pedestrian activity shall be composed of a textured material such as brick, stone, or tile. The required percentage of textured paving may be combined in a single area such as a courtyard or plaza or integrated with non-textured paving to form bands or other patterns in harmony with the intended architectural theme. See also Streetscape Development Regulations, Section 159.0405 and Appendix D.

(“Landscaping” added 3-27-2007 by O-19595 N.S.; effective 4-26-2007.)