Chapter 15.105
LANDSCAPING
Sections:
15.105.040 Landscape materials.
15.105.050 Existing site vegetation.
15.105.070 Safety features – Utilities.
15.105.080 Right-of-way landscaping.
15.105.100 Performance assurance – Bonding.
15.105.110 Pre-existing development – Alterations.
15.105.120 Street frontage requirements.
15.105.130 Perimeter landscaping.
15.105.140 Parking lot landscaping.
15.105.150 Screening requirements.
15.105.160 Review procedures – Minor modifications.
15.105.010 Purpose.
Landscaping is necessary to provide a well-balanced, aesthetically pleasing environment for the residents and visitors of La Conner. Specifically, the requirements of this chapter are intended to accomplish the following:
(1) Maintain and enhance property values;
(2) Enhance the appearance of the development;
(3) Provide adequate buffers between different users;
(4) Improve the character and appearance of the town;
(5) Reduce erosion and storm water runoff. [Ord. 671 § 5.7.A, 1995.]
15.105.020 Applicability.
The standards of this chapter shall apply to all development within the town, except:
(1) A single-family residence in any district in which a single-family residence is allowed. This exception does not preclude landscaping requirements for plats or short plats.
(2) The Historic Preservation District. This area shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 15.50 LCMC. [Ord. 1222 § 2, 2023; Ord. 671 § 5.7.B, 1995.]
15.105.030 General standards.
The following general standards shall apply to all landscaping required under this chapter. [Ord. 671 § 5.7.C, 1995.]
15.105.040 Landscape materials.
Landscaped materials shall include the use of evergreen or deciduous trees and shrubs, perennial or annual flowers, and lawn or combination of such materials. No artificial lawn or plants will be permitted in landscaped areas. [Ord. 671 § 5.7.C.1, 1995.]
15.105.050 Existing site vegetation.
Significant existing trees and shrubs shall be incorporated into the landscaping as much as possible. “Significant trees” shall be those evergreen and deciduous trees at least six inches in diameter at a point five feet above ground level. The site plan for the project shall include the location of significant trees, and shall identify which trees will be retained on the site. Trees shall be treated in accordance with Chapter 15.60 LCMC, Trees. [Ord. 671 § 5.7.C.2, 1995.]
15.105.060 Corner vision.
All landscaping shall provide for unobstructed visibility at intersections as outlined in Transportation Systems LCMC 15.75.130. [Ord. 671 § 5.7.C.3, 1995.]
15.105.070 Safety features – Utilities.
Installation of landscape materials shall not obstruct access to fire hydrants, standpipes, sprinkler connections, utility vaults, telephone pedestals, and other public and private utility facilities. [Ord. 671 § 5.7.C.4, 1995.]
15.105.080 Right-of-way landscaping.
In addition to all other landscaping requirements, the developer may landscape the unused right-of-way between the front property lines(s) and the improved roadway, subject to town planner approval. [Ord. 671 § 5.7.C.5, 1995.]
15.105.090 Maintenance.
All landscaping and screening areas shall be maintained in a healthy, growing condition. Broken, dead, or dying trees, shrubs, or other plants shall be replaced. All landscaping and screening shall be kept reasonably free of weeds and trash. Any property owner who fails to reasonably maintain landscaping and screening areas will be considered to be in violation of this code. [Ord. 671 § 5.7.C.6, 1995.]
15.105.100 Performance assurance – Bonding.
Unless otherwise required by the planning commission, all landscaping and screening required under this chapter shall be installed prior to occupancy of the development. In the event that landscaping improvements cannot be installed prior to application for occupancy, a cash deposit equal to 120 percent of the estimated installation costs shall be required. Such deposit shall be accompanied by a letter which shall stipulate completion of all landscape development no later than six months after the issuance of the certificate of occupancy or date of final approval, whichever is later. If these conditions are not met, the town may use the deposit to perform the landscape development. [Ord. 671 § 5.7.C.7, 1995.]
15.105.110 Pre-existing development – Alterations.
Any development existing prior to the adoption of this chapter which does not satisfy the provisions of this chapter shall be considered a nonconforming use. Additions or alterations to these nonconforming buildings shall require that landscaping commensurate with the extent of improvement be provided in compliance with the provisions of this chapter. [Ord. 671 § 5.7.D, 1995.]
15.105.120 Street frontage requirements.
Planting areas along street frontages shall be designed to soften and enhance the development on the site and provide a pleasant pedestrian environment. Landscaping may include planter boxes, raised planter beds, street trees (which do not conflict with underground or overhead utilities). Plants shall be selected for their seasonal colors and interesting textures. Plants with barbs, thorns, poisonous flowers or berries, and other such characteristics shall be avoided along street frontages. [Ord. 671 § 5.7.E, 1995.]
15.105.130 Perimeter landscaping.
Plantings shall be required in areas within side and rear yards which area is not occupied by structures. A minimum of one tree shall be planted for every 30 linear feet, or fraction thereof, of perimeter length. Shrubs and ground cover plantings shall be in quantities and spacing that will provide for 80 percent ground coverage within three years. When applicable, the screening requirements in LCMC 15.105.150 shall supersede the requirements of this section. [Ord. 671 § 5.7.F, 1995.]
15.105.140 Parking lot landscaping.
Landscaping within parking areas is intended to soften the visual effect created by large expanses of barren asphalt or gravel; increase the amount of permeable surface; and reduce the quantity and speed of runoff from the site. Parking area landscaping shall be located along road frontages and at the ends of parking columns or between parking stalls or rows of parking to break up and define parking areas. [Ord. 671 § 5.7.G, 1995.]
15.105.150 Screening requirements.
When applicable, the requirements of this section shall supersede the other requirements of this chapter.
(1) The requirements of this section are intended to reduce the visual impacts and incompatible characteristics of:
(a) Abutting properties with different land use classifications;
(b) Service areas and facilities, including loading and storage areas;
(c) Any other use or area as required under this section or by the planning commission.
(2) Screen planting shall consist of evergreen trees, such as fir, cedar, pine, etc., planted a maximum of 15 feet on center; deciduous trees for seasonal color and texture; and medium-sized shrubs (three to five feet at maturity) and ground cover plants at a density to form an effective barrier to cover 85 percent of the ground surface within two years.
(3) Dimensional Requirements. The size of the planting area shall be as specified below, based on the type of screening used:
(a) Minimum Width. Screening area shall be 10 feet wide unless the use of a fence or wall is incorporated into the screening, as provided under (b) or (c) below.
(b) Fence Alternative. If a fence option is selected, the width of the screening area may be reduced to five feet. The fence shall be constructed of wood and be sight-obscuring.
(c) Wall Alternative. If a wall at least five feet high is to be used for screening, the screening area may be reduced to two feet. Climbing plants and vines shall be used to add texture and soften the appearance of the wall. Screen walls shall be constructed with masonry, block, or textured concrete, subject to design approval by the town planner or planning commission. [Ord. 671 § 5.7.H, 1995.]
15.105.160 Review procedures – Minor modifications.
(1) Review Procedures. The town planner shall review development proposals under the provisions of this chapter.
(2) Modification. Where full application of these landscaping regulations cannot be met due to lot size, configuration, topography, pre-existing development, etc., the planner will consider minor modifications, substitutions and other methods deemed appropriate to meet the stated intent. The action of the planner shall be final. [Ord. 1191 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 671 § 5.7.I, 1995.]