Chapter 18.88
LANDSCAPE PERMIT PROVISIONS

Sections:

18.88.010    Intent.

18.88.020    Applicability.

18.88.030    Incorporation of landscape water efficiency regulations.

18.88.040    Landscape permit and fees required.

18.88.050    Procedure for granting landscape permit by Zoning Administrator.

18.88.060    Appeals.

18.88.070    Revocation.

18.88.010 Intent.

The intent of this chapter is to establish a process for implementation of the California Water Conservation in Landscaping Act by promoting use of region-appropriate plants that require minimal supplemental irrigation, and by establishing standards for irrigation efficiency. The landscape permit shall be obtained by owner of the particular area of land upon which landscape design and installation is desired. It is a violation of this Code to install landscaping greater than two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet without first obtaining a landscape permit and violators will be subject to code enforcement. (Ord. 1871 § 1, 1-11-11).

18.88.020 Applicability.

(a) The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the following landscaping projects:

(1) Projects that are subject to architectural and site approval, building site approval, grading permit or use permit, where cumulative landscaping area exceeds two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet;

(2) New single-family to two-family dwelling for which a building permit is required where cumulative landscaping area exceeds two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet; and

(3) New and rehabilitated cemeteries are limited to the requirements of the water budget calculations, soil analysis, and audit of existing landscapes.

(b) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following landscaping projects:

(1) Any project with a landscape area less than two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet;

(2) Registered local, state or federal historical sites;

(3) Mine reclamation projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system;

(4) Any ecological restoration project that does not require a permanent irrigation system;

(5) Community gardens or plant collections, as part of botanical gardens and arboretums open to the public;

(6) Any commercial cultivation or agricultural products, including but not limited to products of farms, orchards, production nurseries, and forests; or

(7) Any project that uses, primarily, recycled water for irrigation purposes. (Ord. 1871 § 1, 1-11-11).

18.88.030 Incorporation of landscape water efficiency regulations.

The water conservation in landscaping requirements contained in the City’s water service and use rules and regulations are hereby adopted and incorporated by this reference and use insofar as the same rules and regulations are applicable to promote efficient water use in landscaping by promoting use of region-appropriate plants that require minimal supplemental irrigation, and by establishing standards for irrigation efficiency. (Ord. 1871 § 1, 1-11-11).

18.88.040 Landscape permit and fees required.

All applicants who desire to design or install landscaping that is cumulatively exceeding two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet upon a particular area of land, shall first obtain an administrative landscape permit. Applications for landscape permit shall include the following:

(a) Water-Efficient Design Checklist. A water-efficient design checklist shall serve as a preliminary summation of select landscape components to determine whether the proposed landscape is generally consistent with the water efficiency goals of these rules and regulations.

(b) Landscape and Irrigation Design Plans. Landscape and irrigation design plans are required of landscape projects larger than two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet, except projects listed under SCCC 18.88.020(b). The landscape and irrigation design plans shall be prepared as follows:

(1) The landscape and irrigation design plans shall incorporate all applicable elements of the water-efficient design elements. Water-efficiency design elements include plant material, irrigation system, soil, conditioning, mulching, hydrozones, and water features. Details regarding the water-efficient design elements can be found in the Water Conservation in Landscaping Section 24 of the Water Service and Use Rules and Regulations;

(2) The landscape and design portion shall be prepared by, and bear the signature of, a licensed landscape architect, a licensed landscape contractor, or any other person authorized by the State of California to design a landscape; and

(3) The irrigation design portion shall be prepared by, and bear the signature of, a licensed landscape architect, a certified irrigation designer, a licensed landscape contractor, or any other person authorized by the State of California to design an irrigation system.

(c) Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance Schedule. A maintenance schedule shall be established and submitted to the City with the application package or with the landscape installation report. The maintenance schedule shall include, but not be limited to, routine inspection; pressure testing; adjustment and repair of the irrigation system; aerating and de-thatching turf areas; replenishing mulch; fertilizing; pruning; replanting of failed plants; weeding; pest control; and removing obstructions to emission devices. Failed plants shall be replaced with the same or functionally equivalent plants that may be size-adjusted as appropriate for the stage of growth of the overall installation.

(d) Landscape Installation Report. Landscape installation assessment for new or rehabilitated landscapes shall be conducted by a certified landscape professional after the landscaping and irrigation system have been installed. The findings of the assessment shall be consolidated into a landscape installation report.

(e) Water Budget Calculations. A water budget calculation shall not be required if the applicant chooses the plant type restriction option. If the applicant chooses to do a water budget calculation option, the water budget must be completed by a certified professional who is authorized by the State of California to complete a water budget. Detailed requirements of the water budget calculations can be found in the Water Conservation in Landscaping Section 24 of the Water Service and Use Rules and Regulations.

(f) Soil Analysis Report. The City shall have discretion to require soil analysis as a condition of approval for any proposed landscape project. A soil analysis report shall document the various characteristics of the soil, and provide recommendations for amendments as appropriate to optimize the productivity and water-efficiency of the soil. A copy of the soil analysis report shall be made available to the landscape professional preparing the landscape and irrigation design plans and to the City.

(g) Landscape Permit Fee. Application submittal fees are as indicated in the City’s adopted planning application fee schedule for zoning administrator actions, as it may be amended from time to time. (Ord. 1871 § 1, 1-11-11).

18.88.050 Procedure for granting landscape permit by Zoning Administrator.

The procedure for granting landscape permits by the Zoning Administrator shall be ministerial; provided, that all of the requirements of this title are met, and all of the following findings can be made by the Zoning Administrator:

(a) That the establishment or maintenance of the landscaping, under the circumstances of the particular case, is essential or desirable to the public convenience or welfare;

(b) That the designed or installed landscaping will not be detrimental to any of the following:

(1) The health, safety, comfort, and general welfare of persons residing or working in the neighborhood of such proposed landscaping;

(2) Property or improvements in the neighborhood of such proposed landscaping; or

(3) The general welfare of the City;

(c) That the designed or installed landscaping will not impair the integrity and character of the zoning district;

(d) That the designed or installed landscaping is in keeping with the purposes and intent of this title; and

(e) That conditions designated by the Zoning Administrator in connection with the landscape permit are deemed necessary to secure the purposes of this title, including any requirements for guarantees and evidence of compliance with such conditions. (Ord. 1871 § 1, 1-11-11).

18.88.060 Appeals.

In the event the applicant or property owner subject to the landscape permit is not satisfied with the decision of the Zoning Administrator, within seven calendar days following such decision, a written appeal may be made to the Director of Planning and Inspection for a final determination within ten business days of receipt of such appeal. (Ord. 1871 § 1, 1-11-11).

18.88.070 Revocation.

Any landscape permit granted in accordance with the terms of this title may be revoked by the Zoning Administrator if the basis of approval is found to be invalid or if any of the conditions of approval of such permit are violated, or if any law or ordinance is violated in connection therewith, or if the Zoning Administrator finds that the continuance of the landscape permit will endanger the public health, safety or welfare. The revocation decision by the Zoning Administrator may be appealed by the applicant or property owner subject to the landscape permit, within seven calendar days following such decision, by a written appeal to the Director of Planning and Inspection for a final determination within ten business days of receipt of such appeal. (Ord. 1871 § 1, 1-11-11).