Chapter 18.172
LANDSCAPING STANDARDS
Sections:
18.172.010 General landscaping standards.
18.172.020 Street tree planting standards.
18.172.030 Lot planting standards.
18.172.040 Parking lot planting standards.
18.172.050 Pond planting standards.
18.172.060 Buffer yard planting standards.
18.172.010 General landscaping standards.
This landscaping standards chapter applies to the following zoning districts: PR, AG, AC, ER, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, TR, LR, MH, UV, IS, NC, DC, C1, C2, HC, I1, I2, I3, HI.
The intent of landscaping standards is to maintain community character, enhance the visual quality of developments, screen land uses, and better integrate the built and natural environment. The following standards apply:
(A) Cross-Reference.
(1) Vision Clearance Standards. All landscape materials shall be located to avoid interference with visibility per AMC 18.160.520, Vision clearance standards.
(2) Trees Preservation. Removal of trees shall meet the provisions of Chapter 8.20 AMC, Trees.
(B) Project Applicability. Landscape materials consistent with the requirements of this title shall be required when one of the following conditions is met:
(1) New Primary Structure. An improvement location permit for a new primary structure is obtained.
(2) Addition to Primary Structure. An improvement location permit for an addition to the primary structure that adds 50 percent or more square footage is obtained.
(C) Placement.
(1) Easements. Landscape materials shall not be planted in rights-of-way or easements without permission from the city and/or the easement holder unless otherwise required by this title. A tree canopy, however, may project over a right-of-way or any type of easement.
(2) Infrastructure Interference.
(a) Landscape materials shall be located to avoid interference with overhead and underground utilities.
(b) Landscape materials shall maintain five feet of horizontal clearance from sewer and water lines.
(c) Landscape materials shall not project into sidewalks, pedestrian paths, and the like below a height of seven feet.
(d) Landscape materials shall not project over street curbs or pavement below a height of eight feet.
(D) Maintenance. Trees, vegetation, irrigation systems, fences, walls, and other landscape materials are essential elements of a project. Owners and their successors in title are responsible for the regular maintenance of all landscaping materials such that they are kept in good condition, including street trees located in the adjacent right-of-way. All landscape materials shall be maintained alive, healthy, and free from disease and pests. Failure to maintain minimum landscape materials is a violation of this title subject to the provisions of Chapter 18.196 AMC, Enforcement and Penalties.
(E) Tree Preservation Credits. The preservation of an existing healthy tree shall constitute an in-kind credit toward meeting the landscape standards in this title. A credit shall be granted per tree that contributes to and satisfies similarly to the intent of a particular section of the landscape standards (street trees, lot plantings, pond plantings, or buffer yards) within this title.
(1) Preservation Plan. If tree preservation credits are desired, a tree preservation plan shall be submitted prior to any construction activity. The tree preservation plan shall identify the trees intended to be saved and a strategy for retaining and protecting the trees and their existing root systems.
(2) Credits.
(a) For each preserved deciduous tree with the DBH measurement of eight inches or greater, credit for two deciduous trees shall be granted.
(b) For each preserved evergreen tree eight feet tall or greater, credit for two evergreen trees shall be granted.
(3) Unplanned Damage. Any tree intended to be saved that is removed or damaged shall be replaced in the same proportion as the credits that were originally granted. [Ord. 1746-2023; Ord. 1286-2008. UDO § 5.39.]
18.172.020 Street tree planting standards.
This landscaping standards section applies to the following zoning districts: PR, ER, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, TR, LR, MH, UV, IS, NC, DC, C1, C2, HC, I1, I2, I3, HI.
The intent of the street tree planting standards is to maintain community character and enhance aesthetics along public streets; provide a barrier between pedestrians on sidewalks and vehicles on streets; and better define the edge of streets for vehicular safety and flow. The following standards apply:
(A) Quantity. The quantities listed below are in addition to landscape materials that may be required by lot planting, pond planting, parking lot planting, and buffer yard planting specified in other parts of this chapter.
(1) Interstate and State Highways. Properties that abut an interstate or a state or federal highway shall install a minimum of one canopy tree for every 40 feet of interstate and state or federal highway frontage. Each tree shall have a DBH measurement of at least five inches.
(2) Other Streets. Properties that abut all other streets shall install one canopy tree for every 50 feet of street frontage. Each tree shall have a DBH measurement of at least three inches.
(B) Placement.
(1) Interstates and State Highways.
(a) If a tree plot is available between the curb and the sidewalk, and that tree plot is five feet or greater in width, street trees shall be planted in the tree plot at least two and one-quarter feet from the curb and at least two and one-quarter feet from the sidewalk.
(b) If a tree plot is not available or is less than five feet in width, then the trees shall be planted within 20 feet of the right-of-way, and shall be at least two and one-half feet from the curb and at least two and one-half feet from the sidewalk.
(2) Other Streets.
(a) If a tree plot is available between the curb and the sidewalk, and that tree plot is five feet or greater in width, street trees shall be planted in the tree plot at least two and one-quarter feet from the curb and at least two and one-quarter feet from the sidewalk.
(b) If a tree plot is not available or is less than five feet in width, then the trees shall be planted within five feet of the right-of-way, and shall be at least two and one-half feet from the curb and at least two and one-half feet from the sidewalk.
(C) Escrow. When circumstances prevent the planting of street trees, the city shall be provided with an itemized estimate of the cost of the required street trees and the labor to install the trees. The estimate shall be reviewed and approved by the Zoning Administrator. The petitioner shall submit 110 percent of that amount to the city. The city shall deposit the sum into an escrow account established for the purpose of funding street tree plantings. The funds submitted shall be used exclusively for installing the required street trees along the public street frontages in an area adjacent to or as near to the subject property as possible. If after two years from the date of the submission of the escrow funds, the city has not established the street tree improvements, the petitioner may apply to the city for a full refund of the escrow deposit amount. [Ord. 1746-2023; Ord. 1286-2008. UDO § 5.40.]
18.172.030 Lot planting standards.
This landscaping standards section applies to the following zoning districts: PR, ER, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, TR, LR, MH, UV, IS, NC, DC, C1, C2, HC, I1, I2, I3, HI.
The intent of the lot planting standards is to enhance the visual quality of developments, screen land uses, and better integrate the built and natural environment. The following standards apply:
(A) Quantity. The quantities listed below are in addition to landscape materials that may be required by street tree planting, pond planting, parking lot planting, and buffer yard planting specified in other parts of this chapter.
(1) Foundation Plantings.
(a) Façades of primary structures that front a street and are 80 lineal feet or less shall plant at least three shrubs.
(b) Façades of primary structures that front a street and are over 80 lineal feet shall plant one shrub or ornamental tree for every 20 lineal feet of façade frontage on a street.
(2) Yard Plantings.
(a) Lots 15,000 square feet or less shall plant two canopy trees. Each tree shall have a DBH measurement of at least three inches.
(b) Lots over 15,000 square feet, but less than 30,000 square feet, shall plant four canopy trees. Each tree shall have a DBH measurement of at least three inches.
(c) Lots 30,000 square feet or more shall plant four canopy trees, and then one canopy tree for every additional 15,000 square feet of lot size. Each tree shall have a DBH measurement of at least three inches.
(B) Placement.
(1) Foundation Plantings. Foundation plantings shall be planted along the foundation fronting the street and be located within 10 feet of the building foundation.
(2) Yard Plantings. Yard plantings shall be planted in the front or side yard. [Ord. 1746-2023; Ord. 1286-2008. UDO § 5.41.]
18.172.040 Parking lot planting standards.
This landscaping standards section applies to the following zoning districts: R5, UV, IS, NC, DC, C1, C2, HC, I1, I2, I3, HI.
The intent of this section is to require a reasonable amount of plant materials around and within parking lots to reduce glare, reduce heat buildup, enhance visual quality of developments, screen and mitigate potential conflicts between land uses, reduce noise pollution, reduce wind, minimize storm runoff, and improve air quality. The following standards apply:
(A) Quantity. The quantities listed below are in addition to landscape materials that may be required by lot planting, pond planting, street tree planting, and buffer yard planting specified in other parts of this chapter.
(1) Perimeter Plantings. Parking lots with five or more spaces shall have one deciduous tree per 40 feet of parking lot perimeter and one shrub per 20 feet of parking lot perimeter. Each tree shall have a DBH measurement of at least three inches.
(2) Interior Plantings. Parking lots with 20 or more parking spaces shall have one landscape island for every 20 spaces. Each landscape island shall be at least 180 square feet in area or at least as large as the drip line area of the tree(s), whichever is greater. Each landscape island shall contain at least one tree per 180 square feet in area. Each tree shall have a DBH measurement of at least three inches. Parking lot landscape islands shall be maintained with plant materials and/or mulch. Gravel shall not be permitted.
(B) Placement.
(1) Perimeter Plantings. Perimeter plantings shall be planted within 10 feet of the parking lot edge. Grouping of perimeter plantings is encouraged to imitate natural vegetation.
(2) Interior Plantings. Landscape islands shall be distributed equally throughout the parking lot. [Ord. 1746-2023; Ord. 1286-2008. UDO § 5.42.]
18.172.050 Pond planting standards.
This landscaping standards section applies to the following zoning districts: ER, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, TR, MH, UV, IS, NC, DC, C1, C2, HC, I1, I2, I3, HI.
The intent of the pond planting standards is to require a reasonable amount of plant materials around ponds to enhance the visual quality of the development, add shadows to cool water temperature and provide habitat, and to prevent soil erosion. The following standards apply:
(A) Project Applicability. Pond plantings shall be installed around detention ponds and recreational ponds that exceed 20,000 square feet in area.
(B) Quantity. The quantities listed below are in addition to landscape materials that may be required by lot planting, parking lot planting, street tree planting, and buffer yard planting specified in other parts of this chapter.
(1) Perimeter Planting. One tree per 5,000 square feet of pond area and two shrubs per 8,000 square feet of pond area shall be required.
(C) Placement. Landscape materials shall be installed within 15 feet of the edge of the water, and grouping of landscape materials is encouraged to imitate natural vegetation. [Ord. 1746-2023; Ord. 1286-2008. UDO § 5.43.]
18.172.060 Buffer yard planting standards.
This landscaping standards section applies to the following zoning districts: PR, AG, AC, ER, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, TR, LR, MH, UV, IS, NC, DC, C1, C2, HC, I1, I2, I3, HI.
The intent of the buffer yard planting standards is to screen more intensive land uses from less intensive land uses through the installation of a landscaped buffer yard. The following standards apply:
(A) Project Applicability.
(1) Conflicting Districts. Buffer yards shall be installed along side and rear property lines where conflicting zoning districts meet, as indicated in Table 18.172.060. An “R” in Table 18.172.060 indicates a buffer yard shall be required.
(2) Responsibility. The owner of a property that is more intense shall be responsible for installing the buffer yard at the time the property is rezoned, developed, and/or improved. In the event a property is rezoned, resulting in a conflict with an existing and more intense use or zoning district, then the buffer yard shall be the responsibility of the owner of the property that has the less intense zoning (i.e., the newly rezoned property).
(B) Design.
(1) Depth. Buffer yards shall be a minimum of 20 feet deep.
(2) Placement. Landscape materials shall be installed within the buffer yard such that visual breaks from differing intensity land uses are no greater than 10 feet as measured perpendicular to adjacent property lines.
(3) Plant Quantities. The following shall be the minimum requirements for landscape materials in the buffer yard:
(a) One evergreen tree per 10 feet of contiguous boundary with the conflicting zoning district shall be planted.
(b) One shrub per five feet of contiguous boundary with the conflicting zoning district shall be planted.
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[Ord. 1746-2023; Ord. 1286-2008. UDO § 5.44.]