Chapter 5-8 Landscaping Requirements

The requirements of this section shall not apply retroactively to existing buildings, structures, or paved areas, including requirements for bufferyards.

Any use for which site plan approval is required under § 5-10-31(2) shall provide landscaping in accordance with the regulations of this section, including the following development:

New buildings and paved areas.

Expansions of existing buildings that exceed 50% of the existing floor area of the building.

Expansions of paved areas that exceed 50% of the existing paved area.

In the case of expansions, only the new portion of building or paved area shall provide landscaping per the requirements of this chapter.

Where insufficient site area remains to comply with all provisions of this section, the City may require compliance to the greatest extent practical.

This chapter is designed to encourage preservation of existing plants on the site by granting them double point values per § 5-8-4.

Single-family, two-family, agricultural land uses, and all uses in the Central Mixed-Use Zoning District are exempt from landscaping requirements.

Changes to the landscaping plan. The City may allow or require changes to the landscaping plan of § 5-8-3 or the landscaping requirements of § 5-8-4, as provided for below.

The Zoning Administrator and the Plan Commission shall have the authority to allow alterations or substitutions of one type of plant for another to the landscaping requirements as long as the altered requirements achieve an equivalent or greater level of landscaping on a site. Such alternations or substitutions may be based on the following:

Unusual conditions.

The consideration of landscape architecture approaches.

The preservation of existing trees.

The consideration of Wisconsin native landscaping.

When larger size plantings are provided as part of the overall landscape plan.

When more shrubs may be appropriate versus more trees, and vice versa.

Utility or other easements.

The Zoning Administrator and the Plan Commission shall have the authority to require the modification of any landscaping plan, including the rearrangement of landscaping points on a site, to better meet aesthetic, environmental, and stormwater objectives.

§ 5-8-3 Landscape plan.

The applicant shall provide a landscaping plan drawn at a reasonable scale to clearly delineate the landscape improvements and depict the following, at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator:

The name and address of the developer/owner, name of architect/designer, date of plan preparation, date and description of all revisions, name of project or development, scale of plan, and North point indication.

All property lines and easements.

Zoning of the subject property and abutting properties.

The location, size, and type (common and botanical) of all existing plant material on the site and designation of all trees and shrubs to be saved and/or removed.

The location, quantity, size at planting, and type (common and botanical) of all proposed plant material. All plants shall be drawn at the spread they will achieve at maturity.

The number of landscaping points per Figure 5-8-4d for all plant material.

(7)

Linear feet of the new/expanded building foundation and street frontage.

(8)

Square footage of the total lot and new/expanded paved area.

§ 5-8-4 Landscaping requirements.

[8-5-2024]

Landscaping shall be provided based on the following requirements for street frontages, paved areas, and bufferyards.

Building foundations.

For every 100 linear feet of building foundation, the landscaping installed shall at a minimum meet the number of landscaping points specified in Figure 5-8-4d.

Shade trees and tall trees shall not be used to meet building foundation landscaping requirements.

Building foundation landscaping shall be placed so that at maturity, the plant's drip line is located within 10 feet of the building foundation.

Building expansions shall be subject to the same landscaping formula requirements as new buildings (see Figure 5-8-4a). The formula shall not be applied to portions of the building foundation developed prior to the adoption of this Title 5.

The measurement of the building foundation may be simplified as the smallest single rectangle that contains the entire building perimeter, except that the sides of the building facing an adjacent public street, where the actual perimeter shall be measured.

(f)

Indoor food production and processing land uses are exempt from building foundation landscaping requirements.

Paved areas.

For every 10 off-street parking stalls or 10,000 square feet of pavement (whichever yields the greater landscaping requirement), landscaping shall at a minimum meet the number of landscaping points specified in Figure 5-8-4a.

Paved area landscaping shall be placed so that at maturity, the plant's drip line is located within 10 feet of the paved area. Landscaping area does not have to be provided in one contiguous area. Plants used to fulfill this requirement shall visually screen parking, loading, and circulation areas from view from public streets.

A minimum of 30% of all points shall be devoted to medium or tall trees, or a combination of such trees, and a minimum of 40% of all points shall be devoted to shrubs.

Parking lot design.

Landscaped medians shall be used to break large parking areas into distinct pods, with a maximum of 200 spaces in any one pod.

Parking spaces must be broken by a tree island at the rate of one island for each linear row of 15 parking spaces for single-row or peninsula configurations, or for each 30 parking spaces in double-row configurations. This requirement does not apply to properties in the Institutional Zoning District.

The end of every parking aisle shall have a landscaping island.

All tree islands and landscaped areas with trees shall have a minimum width of nine feet as measured from outside the curb or frame.

All landscaped areas without trees, but planted with shrubs, shall have a minimum width of three feet measured from inside the curb or frame.

In paved areas, perennials or ornamental grasses may be substituted for required low shrubs at the rate of two perennials or two ornamental grasses per one low shrub or three perennials or three ornamental grasses per one medium shrub.

Landscaping used to comply with the parking lot screening requirements of § 5-7-11(9) shall count toward the landscaping requirements of this section.

(f)

Paved area expansions shall be subject to the same landscaping formula requirements as new paved areas (see Figure 5-8-4a). The formula shall not be applied to paved areas developed prior to the adoption of this Title 5.

Street frontages.

For every 100 linear feet of street frontage of a developed lot abutting a public street right-of-way, the landscaping installed shall at a minimum meet the number of landscaping points specified in Figure 5-8-4a.

Street frontage landscaping shall be placed so that at maturity, the plant's drip line is located within 10 feet of the public street right-of-way.

Unless meeting the requirements in Subsection (3)(e), below, landscaping shall not be located within a public right-of-way. Landscaping shall not impede vehicle or pedestrian visibility. See § 5-7-5.

Shrubs shall not be used to meet street frontage landscaping requirements. All required points shall be devoted to a combination of medium deciduous trees and tall deciduous trees.

The City may require the street frontage landscaping to be placed within the right-of-way and may collect fees to purchase and install such landscaping.

Yards.

For every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area of all principal and accessory buildings on the site, the landscaping installed shall at a minimum meet the number of landscaping points specified in Figure 5-8-4a.

The intent of this section is to provide yard shade and to require a visual screen of a minimum of six feet in height for all detached exterior appurtenances (such as HVAC, utility boxes, standpipes, stormwater discharge pipes and other pipes).

Landscaping required by this section is most effective if located away from other areas required for landscaping such as building foundations, street frontages, paved areas, protected green space areas, or bufferyards.

Building expansions shall be subject to the same landscaping formula requirements as new buildings (see Figure 5-8-4a). The formula shall not be applied to portions of buildings developed prior to the adoption of this Title 5.

Bufferyards. A bufferyard is a combination of distance and a visual buffer or barrier. It includes an area, together with the combination of plantings, berms, and fencing that are required to eliminate or reduce existing or potential nuisances (e.g., dirt, litter, noise, glare, signs, and incompatible land uses, buildings, or parking areas).

The required level of bufferyard opacity is listed in Figure 5-8-4b. Detailed bufferyard requirements are listed in Figure 5-8-4c. Opacity is a quantitatively derived measure which indicates the degree to which a particular bufferyard screens the abutting property. The required level of opacity indicated is directly related to the degree to which the potential character of development differs between different zoning districts.

Bufferyards shall be located along (and within) the outer perimeter of a lot wherever two different zoning districts abut one another. Bufferyards shall not be required in front yards or along public street frontages.

To ensure that the year-round screening objectives are fulfilled, only the plant classifications in Figure 5-8-5b listed as "Appropriate for Screening" shall count toward bufferyard point totals, unless nonscreening plants are used in combination with a solid fence or a berm of six feet or more, in accordance with Figure 5-8-4c.

Reduction of required bufferyard width.

Intent. This subsection is intended to allow for the reduction of the required width of a required bufferyard where the presence of permanently protected green space or similar areas provides equivalent permanent screening and separation benefits as would be provided by the otherwise required bufferyard.

Where the minimum permitted width for the required bufferyard is not available under the current or proposed state of development, the Zoning Administrator may reduce the width required for the bufferyard to that currently available on the site, provided that the portion of the site that requires a bufferyard contains one or more of the following:

Steep slopes that contain retaining walls or rip-rap.

Permanently undevelopable green space or other permanently protected green space designated on site plans such as a native or restored prairies or park savannas, wetlands, bodies of water, floodplains, drainageways, upland woods, stormwater basins, or other natural resource protection areas, including areas protected by covenants or conversation easements.

If permanently protected green space is located on an adjoining property adjacent to the portion of a site that requires a bufferyard, the Zoning Administrator may reduce the width required for the bufferyard. The reduction shall consist of no more than one foot for every three feet of permanently protected green space on the adjoining property, as measured from the property line at a right angle into said adjacent property. There shall be no reduction in the number of landscape points required.

Use of required bufferyard and landscaped areas.

Any and all required bufferyards or landscaped areas may be used for passive recreation activities. Said areas may contain pedestrian or bike trails provided that no required landscaping material is eliminated; the total width of the required bufferyard, or the total area of required landscaping, is maintained; and all other regulations of this chapter are met.

No swimming pools, tennis courts, sports fields, golf courses, or other such similar active recreational uses shall be permitted.

No parking, buildings, outdoor light fixtures, and no outdoor display of storage of materials shall be permitted.

Paving in such areas shall be limited to that required for necessary access to or across the subject property or for a passive recreational use such as paved multiuse trails or pedestrian walkways.

Determination of landscaping requirements.

The requirements of this chapter are additive to each other and any other landscaping or screening requirements in this chapter.

Landscape points used to meet one requirement (e.g., building foundations, paved areas, street frontages, yards, or bufferyards) shall not be used to meet another requirement.

(7)

Measurement and calculation.

Landscaping point values shall be doubled for mature existing landscape plantings that are retained and protected with the development of the site. Existing plantings eligible for double point values shall be determined by the Zoning Administrator.

In calculating the number of required landscaping points under the provisions of this chapter, all areas and distances on which required calculations are based shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number of square feet or linear feet.

§ 5-8-5 Classification of plant species.

Any partial plant derived from the required calculations of this chapter (for example: 23.3 shade trees) shall be rounded up to the next whole plant (for example: 24 shade trees).

(8)

Utility easements. Landscaping materials, fences and berms located within a duly recorded utility, stormwater, or a pedestrian easement shall not count toward meeting a landscaping requirement, unless authorized otherwise by the City and the easement holder. The width of such areas may be counted as part of a landscaping width requirement for bufferyards.

(9)

Other green space areas. Green space areas not used for landscape plantings other than natural resource protection areas shall be graded and seeded or sodded with an acceptable maintainable seed mix, restored to native vegetation. Mulch of plantings or planting beds is acceptable, provided that such mulching consists of organic or natural materials. Mulches shall be installed so that they will not erode, fall, be plowed or otherwise transported into walks, drives, streets or other hard surfaced portions of the site. Alternatively, such areas may be maintained in crop production if a principal use exists on-site and if approved by the Zoning Administrator.

Figure 5-8-4a: Landscaping Requirements for Regular Development*
	Landscaping Component
	Building Foundation	Paved Areas	Street Frontages	Yards	Bufferyards
Type of Landscaping:	Shade trees and tall trees not allowed	A minimum of 40% of points devoted shrubs and 30% to tall and/or medium trees	Shrubs not allowed. All points to be devoted to tall and/or medium deciduous trees	Any type allowed	See types "Appropriate for Screening" in Figure 5-8-5b
Placement of Landscaping:	Within 10 feet of building foundation	Within 10 feet of paved area or within paved area	Within 10 feet of street right-of-way	Any location	Within bufferyard, per Figure 5-8-4f
Calculation of Landscaping Points:	Points per 100 linear feet of building foundation	Greater of: points per 10 parking stalls or 10,000 square feet of paved area	Points per 100 feet of street right-of-way frontage	Points per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area for all buildings on lot	See Figure 5-8-4f
Zoning Districts:
Rural Holding (RH-35)	20	20	20	10	Only required along certain zoning district boundaries See Figure 5-8-4b for requirements
Single-Family Res. (SR-3)	40	40	40	20
Single-Family Res. (SR-4)	40	40	40	20
Single-Family Res. (SR-5)	40	40	40	20
Single-Family Res. (SR-7)	40	40	40	20
Duplex Res. (DR-8)	50	50	50	25
One and Two Fam. Res. (TR-10)	50	50	50	25
Multi-Family Res. (MR-15)	60	60	60	30
Multi-Family Res. (MR-30)	80	80	80	40
Mobile Home Res. (MH-7)	40	40	40	20
Neigh. Mixed Use (NMU)	40	40	40	20
Institutional (I)	40	40	40	20
Suburban Mixed Use (SMU)	40	40	40	20
Urban Mixed Use (UMU)	40	40	40	20
Central Mixed Use (CMU)	0	0	0	0
Intensive Outdoor (IOA)	40	40	40	20
Business Park (BP)	40	40	40	20
Light Industrial (LI)	25	25	25	15
Heavy Industrial (HI)	20	20	20	10
Extraction (EX)	20	20	20	10

*Note: Single-family dwelling units, two-family dwelling units, and agricultural land uses are exempt from landscaping requirements.

Figure 5-8-4b: Required Bufferyard Opacity Values
Apply the required opacity value from this Figure to Figure 5-8-4c and select the most appropriate bufferyard option. Note that certain land uses, conditional uses, and planned development projects may have more stringent bufferyard requirements		RH-35	SR-3	SR-4	SR-5	SR-7	DR-8	TR-10	MR-15	MR-30	MH-7	NMU	I	SMU	UMU	CMU	IOA	BP	LI	HI	EX
Zoning District of Subject Property:	Rural Holding (RH-35)	*
	Single Family Residential-3 (SR-3)	*	0
	Single Family Residential-4 (SR-4)	*	0	0
	Single Family Residential-5 (SR-5)	*	0	0	0
	Single Family Residential-7 (SR-7)	*	0	0	0	0
	Duplex Residential (DR-8)	*	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0
	One and Two Family Residential (TR-10)	*	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0
	Multi-Family Residential-15 (MR-15)	*	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.1	0.1	0
	Multi-Family Residential-30 (MR-30)	*	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.1	0
	Mobile Home Residential (MH-7)	*	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.1	0.1	0
	Neighborhood Mixed Use (NMU)	*	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0
	Institutional (I)	*	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.1	0
	Suburban Mixed Use (SMU)	*	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.1	0
	Urban Mixed Use (UMU)	*	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.3	0.3	0.2	0.3	0.1	0.1	0
	Central Mixed Use (CMU)	*	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.3	0.3	0.2	0.3	0.1	0.1	0.1	0
	Intensive Outdoor Activity (IOA)	*	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.5	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.2	0
	Business Park (BP)	*	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.3	0.3	0.2	0.4	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.1	0	0
	Light Industrial (LI)	*	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.5	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0
	Heavy Industrial (HI)	*	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.3	0.3	0.2	0
	Extraction (EX)	*	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0

*	For properties zoned RH-35, base bufferyard requirements on the proposed zoning district for said property as depicted on the Future Land Use Map in the City of Monroe Comprehensive Plan.

Figure 5-8-4c: Detailed Bufferyard Requirements
Opacity	Required Number of Landscaping Points per 100 feet	Required Minimum Width (feet)	Required Structure
0.05	00	10	Minimum 44-inch picket fence*
	00	10	Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence*
	40	10	N/A
	36	15	N/A
	33	20	N/A
	31	25	N/A
	29	30	N/A
0.10	00	10	Minimum 44-inch picket fence*
	38	10	Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence*
	91	10	N/A
	80	15	N/A
	73	20	N/A
	68	25	N/A
	65	30	N/A
	62	35	N/A
	00	35	Minimum 4-foot berm
0.20	00	10	Minimum 6-foot solid fence*
	84	10	Minimum 44-inch picket fence*
	133	15	Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence*
	198	15	N/A
	173	20	N/A
	158	25	N/A
	149	30	N/A
	140	35	N/A
	10	35	Minimum 4-foot berm
	135	40	N/A
	00	40	Minimum 5-foot berm
0.30	00	10	Minimum 6-foot solid fence*
	198	15	Minimum 44-inch picket fence*
	320	20	N/A
	240	20	Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence*
	276	25	N/A
	252	30	N/A
	235	35	N/A
	104	35	Minimum 4-foot berm
	223	40	N/A
	44	40	Minimum 5-foot berm
	215	45	N/A
	209	50	N/A
	00	50	Minimum 6-foot berm
0.40	53	10	Minimum 6-foot solid fence*
	330	20	Minimum 44-inch picket fence*
	440	25	N/A
	362	25	Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence*
	385	30	N/A
	349	35	N/A
	208	35	Minimum 4-foot berm
	327	40	N/A
	148	40	Minimum 5-foot berm
	310	45	N/A
	299	50	N/A
	56	50	Minimum 6-foot berm
0.50	150	10	Minimum 6-foot solid fence*
	564	30	N/A
	405	30	Minimum 44-inch picket fence*
	492	30	Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence*
	499	35	N/A
	319	35	Minimum 4-foot berm
	454	40	N/A
	261	40	Minimum 5-foot berm
	422	45	N/A
	405	50	N/A
	160	50	Minimum 6-foot berm
	388	55	N/A
	374	60	N/A
0.60	250	10	Minimum 6-foot solid fence*
	433	35	Minimum 4-foot berm
	541	35	Minimum 44-inch picket fence*
	630	35	Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence*
	626	40	N/A
	379	40	Minimum 5-foot berm
	570	45	N/A
	525	50	N/A
	270	50	Minimum 6-foot berm
	500	55	N/A
	480	60	N/A
0.80	415	30	Minimum 6-foot solid fence*
	655	40	Minimum 4-foot berm
	627	45	Minimum 5-foot berm
	873	45	Minimum 44-inch picket fence*
	910	50	N/A
	505	50	Minimum 6-foot berm
	809	50	Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence*
	804	55	N/A
	744	60	N/A
	710	65	N/A
	677	70	N/A
1.00	636	40	Minimum 8-foot solid fence
	732	50	Minimum 8-foot solid fence
	751	50	Minimum 8-foot solid fence
	867	55	Minimum 8-foot solid fence
	1091	60	Minimum 8-foot solid fence
	1136	60	Minimum 8-foot solid fence
	1083	65	Minimum 8-foot solid fence
	994	70	Minimum 8-foot solid fence
	934	75	Minimum 8-foot solid fence
	892	80	Minimum 8-foot solid fence

Notes: *Fences contributing to landscaping requirements are not permitted along street frontages for nonresidential uses. Where used in combination with plant materials to meet bufferyard requirements, a minimum of 50% of all plant materials shall be located on the exterior side (the side away from the center of the subject property) of the fence. A building wall which does not contain doors (except those used for emergency exit) may be used to satisfy the required fence portions of the bufferyard requirements.

Figure 5-8-4d; Landscaping Points
Plant Category	Landscaping Points Per Plant¹	Minimum Permitted Installation Size
Shade tree	50	1 1/4" diameter
Tall deciduous tree	30	1 1/4" diameter
Medium deciduous tree	15	1 1/4" diameter
Low deciduous tree	10	1 1/4" diameter
Tall evergreen tree	40	4' tall
Medium evergreen tree	20	4' tall
Low evergreen tree	12	4' tall
Tall deciduous shrub	5	12" tall
Medium deciduous shrub	3	12" tall
Low deciduous shrub	1	12" tall
Medium evergreen shrub	5	12" tall/wide
Low evergreen shrub	3	12" tall/wide
Noncontributory plants	0	N/A

Source: A Guide to Selecting Landscape Plants for Wisconsin, E.R. Hasselkus, UW-Extension Publication: A2865
¹	Point values will be increased by 10% for the use of Wisconsin native plant species

Species suitable for landscaping and compatible with local climate and soil factors are listed in Figure 5-8-5a. Plant species native to Wisconsin are noted by an asterisk (*). This list is not intended to be exhaustive, and the Zoning Administrator shall review proposals for the applicability of species not listed and is authorized to approve appropriate similar species. See Figure 5-8-5b for species appropriate for specific and common landscaping situations (e.g., planting under power lines), and Figure 5-8-5c for a list of species to use sparingly or to avoid.

Figure 5-8-5a: Commonly Used Appropriate Landscaping Species
Plant Category	Landscaping Point Value Per Plant	Common Name	Scientific Name
Shade trees	55	Maple (red)	Acer spp.*
Shade trees	50	Birch (river, paper)	Betula spp.
Shade trees	50	Linden (basswood, redmond, little leaf)	Tilia spp.
Shade trees	50	Elms (hybrids)	Ulmus spp.
Shade trees	55	Oak (white)	Quercus spp.*
Shade trees	50	Honey locust (male cultivars)	Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis
Tall deciduous trees	30	Chanticleer pear	Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer'
Tall deciduous trees	33	Hackberry	Celtis occidentalis*
Tall deciduous trees	30	Chinkapin oak	Quercus muehlenbergii
Tall deciduous trees	30	Ginkgo (male cultivars)	Ginkgo biloba
Tall deciduous trees	30	State Street miyabe maple	Acer miyabei 'Morton'
Medium deciduous trees	15	Paperbark maple	Acer griseum
Medium deciduous trees	16.5	Serviceberry	Amelanchier*
Medium deciduous trees	15	Winter king hawthorn	Crataegus viridis
Medium deciduous trees	16.5	Hornbeam (musclewood)	Carpinus caroliniana*
Medium deciduous trees	16.5	Ironwood/hophornbeam	Ostrya virginiana*
Medium deciduous trees	15	Callery pear	Pyrus calleryana
Low deciduous trees	11	Hazelnut	Corylus spp.*
Low deciduous trees	10	Flowering crabapples	Malus spp.
Low deciduous trees	10	Japanese tree lilac	Syringa reticulata
Tall evergreen trees	40	Firs	Abies spp.
Tall evergreen trees	44	Black hills spruce	Picea glauca var. densata*
Tall evergreen trees	40	Serbian spruce	Picea omorika
Tall evergreen trees	44	Pine (except Austrian)	Pinus spp. (not nigra)*
Tall/medium evergreen	33	Juniper (red cedar)	Juniperus virginiana*
Tall/medium evergreen	33	Arborvitae	Thuja spp.*
Tall/medium evergreen	33	Eastern hemlock	Tsuga canadensis*
Low evergreen trees	12	Juniper (Mountbatten)	Juniperus chinensis
Tall deciduous shrubs	5	Elderberry	Sambucus candensis "aurea"
Tall deciduous shrubs	5.5	Dogwood (gray, pagoda)	Cornus spp.*
Medium deciduous shrubs	3	Weigela	Weigela spp.
Medium deciduous shrubs	3	Cotoneaster	Cotoneaster spp.
Medium deciduous shrubs	3	Forsythia (Virgina, rugosa)	Forsythia
Medium deciduous shrubs	3.3	Shrub Rose	Rosa spp.*
Medium deciduous shrubs	3.3	Viburnum (arrowwood, warfaring tree, nannyberry)	Viburnum spp.*
Medium deciduous shrubs	3.3	Potentilla	Potentilla spp.*
Medium deciduous shrubs	3.3	Bush honeysuckle	Diervilla spp.*
Medium deciduous shrubs	3	Ninebark	Physocarpus spp.
Low deciduous shrubs	1	Azalea	Rhododendron (Azalea) spp.
Low deciduous shrubs	1.1	Gro-low sumac	Rbus aromatica*
Tall-medium evergreen shrubs	5	Juniper (Pfitzer)	Juniperus x pfitzeriana
Tall-medium evergreen shrubs	5	Yew (Japanese)	Taxus spp.
Low evergreen shrubs	2	Boxwood	Buxus spp.
Low evergreen shrubs	2	Juniper (sergeant, creeping, andorra)	Juniperus spp.
Perennial plantings	22/20 sf	Coneflower	Echinacea spp.*
Perennial plantings	20/20 sf	Catmint	Nepeta spp.
Perennial plantings	22/20 sf	Black-eyed susan	Rudbeckia birta*
Perennial plantings	20/20 sf	Lily	Lilium spp.
Perennial plantings	20/20 sf	Daylily	Hemerocallis spp.
Perennial plantings	20/20 sf	Ornamental grass	varies
Perennial plantings	20/20 sf	Lady's mantel	Alchemilla spp.
Perennial plantings	22/20 sf	Columbine	Aquilegia spp.*
Perennial plantings	22/20 sf	Aster	Aster spp.*
Perennial plantings	20/20 sf	Jack frost	Brunnera macrophylla
Perennial plantings	22/20 sf	Blazing star	Liatris spp.*
Perennial plantings	20/20 sf	Black bugbane	Cimicifuga simplex "Brunette"
Perennial plantings	20/20 sf	Peony	Paeonia spp.
Perennial plantings	20/20 sf	Pachysandra	Pachysandra spp.
Perennial plantings	22/20 sf	Stonecrops	Sedum spp.*
Perennial plantings	20/20 sf	Astilbe	Astilbe spp.
Perennial plantings	20/20 sf	Hosta	Hosta spp.

*	Wisconsin native plant species, identified with an asterisk, are preferred plant materials; an additional 10% has been added to their respective point values.

Figure 5-8-5b: Sample Plant Species Appropriate for Specific Situations
Classification	Landscaping Point Value Per Plant	Common Name	Scientific Name
Appropriate for planting under power lines	Low deciduous tree	Flowering crabapple	Malus spp.
Appropriate for planting under power lines	Low deciduous tree	Japanese tree lilac	Syringa reticulata
Appropriate for utility easements	Low deciduous tree	Japanese tree lilac	Syringa reticulata
	Medium deciduous shrub	Viburnum (arrowwood, warfaring tree, nannyberry)	Viburnum spp.
	Low evergreen shrub	Boxwood	Buxus spp.
Appropriate for screening	Tall evergreen tree	Firs	Abies spp.
	Tall evergreen tree	Juniper (red cedar)	Juniperus virginiana
	Tall evergreen tree	Spruces	Picea spp.
	Tall evergreen tree	Pines	Pinus spp.
	Tall evergreen tree	Douglas fir	Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca
	Tall evergreen tree	Eastern hemlock	Tsuga canadensis
	Medium evergreen tree	Arborvitae	Thuja occidentalis
Salt-tolerant	Shade tree/tall or medium deciduous tree (varies by species)	Maple	Acer spp.
	Shade tree	Sweet gum	Liquidambar styraciflua
	Shade tree (not street)	European horse chestnut	Aesculus hippocastranum
	Shade tree	White oak	Quercus alba
	Low deciduous tree	Flowering crabapples	Malus spp.
	Low deciduous tree	Crape myrtle	Lagerstroemia indica
	Deciduous tree	Honey locust	Gleditsia triacanthos
	Tall deciduous shrub	Dogwood (gray, pagoda)	Cornus spp.
	Tall deciduous shrub	Japanese tree lilac	Syringa reticulata
	Tall deciduous shrub	Common lilac	Syringa vulgaris
	Medium deciduous shrub	Barberry	Berberis spp.
	Medium deciduous shrub	Viburnum	Adoxaceae
	Medium deciduous shrub	Forsythia (Virgina, rugosa)	Forsythia spp.
	Medium deciduous shrub	Rugosa rose	Rosa rugosa
	Small deciduous shrub	Potentilla	Cinquefoils
	Low deciduous shrub	Azalea	Azalea spp.
	Low deciduous shrub	Apline current	Ribes alpinum
	Low deciduous shrub	Snowberry	Symphoricarpos
	Tall evergreen tree	American holly	Ilex opaca
	Tall deciduous shrub	Staghorn sumac	Rhus typhina
	Tall deciduous shrub	Mockorange	Philadelphus
	Tall/medium evergreen shrub	Pfitzer juniper	Juniperus x pfitzeriana
	Tall/medium evergreen shrub	Yew (Japanese)	Taxus spp.
	Low evergreen shrub	Boxwood	Buxus spp.

Figure 5-8-5c: Prohibited Species and Species to Use Sparingly
Classification	Common Name	Scientific Name	Prohibited² or Use Sparingly¹	Reason	Alternative
Shade tree	Nonresistant elms	Ulmus spp.	Prohibited	Dutch elm disease	Disease Resistant Elm cultivars: 'Princeton,' 'Valley Forge,' and 'New Harmony' Littleleaf Linden Tilia cordata, (urban tolerant) Kentucky Coffeetree Gymnocaldus dioicus River birch Betula nigra Oaks Quercus spp.
Shade tree	Boxelder	Acer negundo	Prohibited	Spread quickly
Shade tree	Freeman maple	Acer x freemanii	Prohibited	Over-planted
Shade tree	Norway maples	Acer platanoides	Prohibited	Over-planted, dense
Shade tree	Red maples	Acer rubrum	Use spairngly	Prefer acidic soil
Shade tree	Sugar maples	Acer saccharum	Use sparingly	Thrives only in certain conditions; picky
Shade tree	Silver maple	Acer saccharinum	Prohibited	Weak wood and aggressive root systems
Tall deciduous tree	Autumn blaze maple	Acer truncatum	Use sparingly	Over-planted	Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba Hackberry Celtis occidentalis Chanticleer pear Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer'
Tall deciduous tree	Ash trees	Fraxinus spp.	Prohibited	Emerald ash borer
Tall deciduous tree	Bradford pears	Pyrus calleryana "bradford"	Use sparingly	Poorly branches, tend to break
Tall deciduous tree	Cottonwood	Popuplus deltoids, populus fremontii, or populus nigra	Prohibited	Weak wood and aggressive root systems
Tall deciduous tree	Poplar	Populus	Use sparingly	Aggressive root systems
Tall deciduous tree	Willow	Salix	Prohibited	Drops branches
Medium deciduous tree	Ailanthus, tree of heaven	Ailanthus altissima	Prohibited	Invasive nonnative	Serviceberry Amelanchier spp. American hornbeam or musclewood Carpinus caroliniana Eastern redbud Cercis canadensis Serviceberry Amelanchier spp. American hornbeam or musclewood Carpinus caroliniana Eastern redbud Cercis canadensis
Medium deciduous tree	European white birch	Betula pendula	Use sparingly	Bronze birch borer
Medium deciduous tree	White mulberry	Morus alba	Prohibited	Invasive nonnative
Low deciduous tree	Purple leaf cherry plum, Japanese purple plum	Prunus cerasifera 'Atropurpurea'	Use sparingly	Drops fruit	Flowering crabapple Malus spp. American hazelnut Corylus americana Japanese tree lilac Syringa reticulata
Low deciduous tree	Purple sandcherry	Prunus x cistena	Use sparingly	Short-lived
Low deciduous tree	Russian olive	Elaegnus angustifolia	Use sparingly	Drops fruit, nonnative
Tall deciduous shrub	Buckthorns	Rhamnus cathartica	Prohibited	Invasive, nonnative	Gray dogwood Cornus mas Lilacs Syringa spp.
Tall deciduous shrub	Autumn-olive	Elaeagnus umbellata	Prohibited	Invasive, nonnative
Tall deciduous shrub	Multiflora rose	Rosa multiflora	Prohibited	Invasive, nonnative
Medium deciduous shrub	Japanese spirea	Spiraea japonica	Prohibited	Invasive (re-seed)	Red chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia Black chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa Redosier dogwood Cornus sericea Summersweet Clethra Cletbra alnifolia Viburnums Viburnum spp.
Medium deciduous shrub	Burning bush	Euonymus alatus	Prohibited	Invasive nonnative
Medium deciduous shrub	Honeysuckle	Lonicera spp.	Prohibited	Invasive, nonnative
Low deciduous shrub	Japanese barberry	Berberis thunbergii	Prohibited	Invasive; over-planted	Dwarf bush honeysuckle Diervilla lonicera
Tall evergreen tree	Austrian pine	Pinus nigra	Use sparingly	Over-planted	Norway spruce Picea abies Canadian hemlock Tsuja canadensis Scotch pine Pinus sylvestris American arborvitae Thuja occidentalis
Tall evergreen tree	Blue spruce	Picea pungens	Use sparingly	Over-planted
Tall evergreen tree	White pine	Pinus strobus	Use sparingly	Over-planted
Tall evergreen tree	White spruce	Picea glauca	Use sparingly	Over-planted

Notes:
¹	"Species to use sparingly" may be used as part of an overall landscaping plan, but only if the number of individual plants does not constitute more than one plant per 20 total plants within the same plant classification. For example, if a landscaping plan includes a total of 20 tall deciduous trees, no more than one of those 20 trees may be classified as a "Species to use sparingly." The purpose of this provision is to encourage plant species diversity throughout the City.
²	"Prohibited species" shall not be included as part of any landscaping plan that is subject to City review per § 5-8-3. The purpose of this provision is to limit the planting of species that are invasive, have invasive tendencies, or that may perpetuate or spread disease.

Notes:

"Species to use sparingly" may be used as part of an overall landscaping plan, but only if the number of individual plants does not constitute more than one plant per 20 total plants within the same plant classification. For example, if a landscaping plan includes a total of 20 tall deciduous trees, no more than one of those 20 trees may be classified as a "Species to use sparingly." The purpose of this provision is to encourage plant species diversity throughout the City.

"Prohibited species" shall not be included as part of any landscaping plan that is subject to City review per § 5-8-3. The purpose of this provision is to limit the planting of species that are invasive, have invasive tendencies, or that may perpetuate or spread disease.

§ 5-8-6 Standards for rain gardens and bioswales.

Definition.

Rain gardens can serve both as landscaping and stormwater management features on a building site, where appropriately designed and sited. A rain garden is a shallow, depressed garden that is designed and positioned on a site to capture stormwater runoff and allow for the infiltration of water back into the ground. Rain garden plants are carefully chosen for their ability to withstand moisture extremes and potentially high concentrations of nutrients and sediments that are often found in stormwater runoff. A well designed and maintained rain garden serves as an attractive component of an overall landscaping plan for a development site.

Bioswales can serve both as landscaping and stormwater management features on a building site, where appropriately designed and sited. A bioswale is a linear, vegetative stormwater runoff conveyance system that is designed to store and infiltrate water from small storm events back into the ground and direct water from heavy rain events to appropriate storm sewer inlets or other management facilities. The flow of water being conveyed through a bioswale is slowed down, allowing for municipal storm systems to more effectively manage heavier rain events and help reduce the risk of flooding on or off-site. Water being infiltrated or conveyed via a bioswale is also filtered by the vegetation within it, generally improving both ground and surface water quality.

Requirements.

The installation of a rain garden or bioswale may contribute to the overall stormwater management plan for a development site and count toward meeting the City's landscaping guidelines. Rain gardens and bioswales may count for 20 points for every 20 square feet of rain garden or bioswale; points may count toward yard, building foundation, and/or paved area requirements, provided the following requirements are met. Rain gardens and bioswales shall count for no more than 100 points of the required landscaping per site.

Detailed plans shall be provided that show all proposed dimensions of the rain garden or bioswale including length, width, depth, and slope of depression; location of the rain garden or bioswale on the lot relative to hard-surfaced areas, downspouts, and site topography; characteristics of the soil underlying the rain garden or bioswale; description of planting media; the species, number, and size at time of installation of all vegetation proposed for the rain garden or bioswale; and information on any other materials that will be used to line the rain garden or bioswale.

Installation shall not be proposed for any of the following areas of a site:

Areas where there is known soil contamination unless the rain garden or bioswale is proposed to be constructed with an under-drain;

Areas where the characteristics of the soil would not allow for the proper infiltration of water into the ground; or

Areas where there are expected to be high levels of foot traffic, unless such areas are protected from foot traffic.

The owner of the site shall demonstrate that the rain garden or bioswale is properly maintained, specifically: kept free of trash, weeds, debris, and dead or dying plants; any pipes associated with the rain garden or bioswale will be inspected on an annual basis and kept free of debris; and by the beginning of every spring dead plant materials will be cut back or removed.

Bioswales and rain gardens shall be generously and appropriately vegetated to qualify for landscaping points. If bioswales and rain gardens (or portions thereof) are lined with turf but do not include other vegetation, then they will not count toward meeting landscaping point requirements.

(f)

Rain gardens and bioswales may serve as a component of an overall stormwater management plan for a site only if detailed plans, calculations, and specifications are submitted and approved by the City. Detailed plans shall include the location and description of all other stormwater management facilities serving the site, particularly those to which any bioswale will be directed.

§ 5-8-7 Installation requirements.

Installation. Any and all landscaping and bufferyard material required by the provisions of this chapter shall be installed on the subject property, in accordance with the approved site plan within 365 days of the issuance of an occupancy permit for any building on the subject property.

Surety.

If the subject property is to be occupied prior to the installation of all required landscaping and bufferyard material, the property owner shall sign an instrument agreeing to install the landscaping within the 365-day period and shall furnish to the City an irrevocable letter of credit or other form of security acceptable to the City sufficient to guarantee completion of the work. Such security shall be provided by the property owner at the time that the agreement is signed. It shall be in an amount equal to 110% of the estimated actual cost for all of the required elements of the approved site plan and shall specifically guarantee that all such elements shall be made and installed according to the approved site plan. The costs of the work shall be furnished by the property and shall be verified by the City. The financial security shall remain in force until all of the work has been completed and approved by the City. This agreement shall also contain a statement indicating that the property owner's failure to comply with the requirements of the terms of the agreement will constitute a violation of the Title and subject the property owner to a forfeiture upon conviction.

If the required landscaping and bufferyard materials are to be installed during different phases of a subdivision development, the developer may furnish for each phase financial security in an amount sufficient to guarantee completion of the landscaping and bufferyard work performed during a particular phase, unless the Land Division Regulations requires otherwise.

If the property owner is a governmental unit, it may, in lieu of signing an agreement and furnishing a guarantee and file a resolution or letter from officers authorized to act in its behalf, agreeing to comply with the provisions of this chapter.

If existing plant material meets the requirements of this chapter and will be preserved on the subject property following the completion of development, it may be counted as contributing to the landscaping requirements and worth double the landscaping point value per plant.

All landscaping and bufferyard areas shall be seeded with lawn or native ground cover unless such vegetation is already fully established.

The exact placement of plants and structures shall be depicted on the required detailed landscaping plan submitted to the City for its approval. Such plant and structure location shall be the decision of each property owner provided the following requirements are met:

Evergreen shrubs shall be planted in clusters to maximize their chance for survival.

Where a combination of plant materials, berming, and fencing is used in a bufferyard, the fence and/or berm may be located toward the interior or exterior of the subject property and at least 50% of the required landscaping points shall be located toward the exterior of the subject property.

A property owner may establish through a written agreement, recorded with the Register of Deeds, that an abutting property owner agrees to provide on the immediately abutting portion of his or her land a partial or full portion of the required bufferyard, thereby relieving the developer of the responsibility of providing the entire bufferyard on his property. Responsibility for maintenance of bufferyard landscaping shall be included as part of this agreement.

Under no circumstance shall landscaping or bufferyard materials be selected or located in a manner resulting in the creation of a safety or visibility hazard.

The restrictions on types of plants listed in this chapter shall apply.

Upon completion of the approved landscape improvements, a certification of compliance shall also be submitted by the owner or agent.

(7)

Maintenance.

The continual maintenance of all required landscaping and bufferyard materials shall be a requirement of this chapter and shall be the responsibility of the owner of the property on which said materials and plants are required. This requirement shall run with the property and shall be binding upon all future property owners. Development of any or all property following the effective date of this Title 5 shall constitute an agreement by the property owner to comply with the provisions of this section.

The owner of the premises shall be responsible for the watering, maintenance, repair, and replacement of all landscaping, fences, and other landscape architectural features on the site. All planting beds shall be kept weed-free. Plant material which has died shall be replaced with equivalent vegetation within 365 days.