A. 
Landscape Plan Required. A landscape plan is required as part of a site plan review application for multi-family and townhouse development, non-residential (including mixed-use) development, and planned unit developments. The landscape plan must be approved prior to the issuance of a building permit. A landscape plan is not required for single-family and two-family dwellings.
B. 
Content of Landscape Plan. Landscape plans must contain the following, unless waived by the Zoning Administrator:
1. 
North arrow and graphic scale, the location and dimensions of all existing and proposed structures, property lines, easements, parking lots and drives, rights-of-way, refuse disposal and recycling areas, pedestrian and bicycle paths, fences, mechanical equipment, overhead utility wires, underground utilities, retention/detention facilities, and other drainage facilities, such as drainage swales.
2. 
The location, quantity, size, name, and condition, both botanical and common, of all existing plant materials on-site, indicating plant material to be retained and to be removed.
3. 
The location, quantity, size, and name, both botanical and common, of all proposed plant material. This includes lawn and turf applications.
4. 
The existing and proposed grading of the site indicating contours at one foot intervals. Any proposed berming, earthwork, or stormwater management basins must also be indicated using one foot contour intervals.
5. 
Elevations of all proposed fences, stairs, and retaining walls.
6. 
Any proposed irrigation plan, if irrigation is provided.
7. 
Any other details as determined necessary by the Zoning Administrator or an applicable review body.
C. 
Minor Changes to Approved Landscape Plans. Minor changes to the landscape plan that do not result in a reduction in the net amount of plant material as specified on the approved landscape plan may be approved by the Zoning Administrator. Changes that reduce the amount of plant materials contained within an approved landscape plan are a major change and must be approved by the body granting approval of the landscape plan initially.
D. 
Alternative Landscape Design. Alternative landscape design intended to improve stormwater quality and/or intended to decrease stormwater quantity will be considered if submitted as part of a site-specific stormwater management plan. Such designs must comply with generally accepted stormwater management best practices.
A. 
No certificate of occupancy will be issued until all the requirements of this chapter and the landscape plan have been fulfilled. Failure to implement the landscape plan, or to maintain the lot in conformance with the landscape plan, may result in the application of fines and penalties, as established in this ordinance. All landscape is subject to periodic inspection.
B. 
If weather prohibits the installation of landscape at the time a certificate of occupancy is applied for, a temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued with provision of a security bond for 125% in favor of the City of the estimated amount of landscape materials and installation cost. The cost of landscape materials and installation must be determined by a landscape architect or other landscape business professional.
A. 
Selection.
1. 
All plant materials must be of good quality and meet American Horticulture Industry Association (AmericanHort) or its ANSI accredited successor's standards for minimum acceptable form, quality, and size for species selected.
2. 
All species must be capable to withstand the seasonal temperature variations of USDA Hardiness Zone 5b (the plant zone for Davenport). A hardiness zone is a geographically defined area in which a specific category of plant life is capable of growing, as defined by climatic conditions, including its ability to withstand the minimum temperatures of the zone.
3. 
The use of species native or naturalized is required. Drought tolerant species are encouraged.
4. 
Invasive species are prohibited.
B. 
Installation.
1. 
All landscape materials must be installed in accordance with current nursery industry standards, and must be properly supported to ensure survival. Support devices such as guy wires or stakes must not interfere with pedestrian or vehicular movement.
2. 
No landscape should be located within any utility easement, with the exception of lawn grass or other resilient ground cover. If landscape material is located within a utility easement and repair or replacement of the utility is needed, the City or utility is not responsible for the replacement of any landscape that may be damaged.
3. 
No plantings may be installed to impede water flow unless part of an approved stormwater plan.
4. 
All plant materials must be free of disease and installed so that soil of sufficient volume, composition, and nutrient balance are available to sustain healthy growth. Installation of plant materials during the appropriate growing season is encouraged.
C. 
Maintenance.
1. 
Landscape materials depicted on approved landscape plans are considered a required site element in the same manner as structures, required parking, lighting, and other improvements. As such, the owner of record or the business or homeowner's association is responsible for the maintenance, repair, and replacement of all landscape materials, fences, steps, retaining walls, and similar landscape elements.
2. 
All landscape materials must be maintained in good condition, present a healthy appearance, and be kept free of refuse and debris. Any dead, unhealthy, or missing plants must be replaced within 30 days of notification, unless an extension is approved by the City.
A. 
Minimum Planting Sizes. Minimum planting sizes are as follows. For the purposes of determining trunk size, the diameter/caliper is measured at six inches above ground level, unless otherwise specified in current ANSI accredited Horticultural Standards.
1. 
Evergreen trees must have a minimum height of six feet.
2. 
Shade trees must have a minimum clear trunk height of four feet above the ground with a two inch caliper.
3. 
Single stem ornamental trees must have a minimum trunk size of two inches in caliper. Multiple stem ornamental trees must have a minimum height of eight feet.
4. 
Evergreen or deciduous shrubs must have a minimum height of 18 inches.
B. 
Species Diversity. Diversity among required plant material is required for visual interest and to reduce the risk of losing a large population of plants due to disease. Table 17.11-1: Plant Diversity Requirements indicates the percentage of diversity required based on the total quantity of species being used. (For example, if a development requires 45 shade trees, no more than 18 trees 40% can be of one species, and there must be a minimum of five different species within the 45 trees.) When the calculation of plant diversity requirements results in a fraction, the fraction is rounded up.
Table 17.11-1: Plant Diversity Requirements
Total Number of Plants per Plant Type
Maximum Number of One Species
Minimum Number of Species
1 to 4
100%
1
5 to 10
60%
2
11 to 15
45%
3
16 to 75
40%
5
76 to 500
25%
8
500 to 1,000
30%
10
1,000+
15%
15
C. 
Berming. If berms are included on a landscape plan, they must comply with the following:
1. 
Berms must be stabilized to prevent erosion.
2. 
Berms must be a minimum of two feet in height.
3. 
Berms of two feet in height and up to six feet in height are limited to a maximum slope of 3:1, as measured from the lot line.
4. 
Berms of six feet in height or more are limited to a maximum slope of 4:1, as measured from the lot line.
5. 
Berms must undulate by height and/or width for visual interest.
[Amended 9-11-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-363]
A perimeter landscape yard is required for all parking lots that are adjacent to streets and alleys and must be established along the edge of the parking lot to create a visually attractive environment. A perimeter landscape yard is also required where a parking lot is adjacent to a public space such as a plaza, public seating area, or park. The landscape treatment must run the full length of the parking lot perimeter and must be located between the lot line and the edge of the parking lot, with the exception of pedestrian accessways. The landscaped area must be improved as follows:
A. 
The perimeter parking lot landscape area must be at least five feet in width along a street or public space. This area shall be increased to seven feet in width if it is utilized as an off-street parking space stall overhang. The perimeter parking lot landscape area must be at least five feet in width along an alley. The C-D and C-V Districts are exempt from perimeter parking lot landscape along an alley; vehicle parking must not overhang into an alley right-of-way.
B. 
Shrubs must be planted and spaced sufficiently to form a continuous linear hedgerow at plant maturity. Alternatively, a mix of shrubs, perennials, native grasses, and other planting types that provide screening of a minimum of three feet in height may be used.
C. 
A minimum of one shade tree must be provided for every 50 linear feet of perimeter landscape yard. Two ornamental trees may be substituted for one shade tree and must be spaced one ornamental tree every 25 feet. Trees may be spaced linearly on-center or grouped to complement an overall design concept.
D. 
Alternatively, a low pedestrian wall a minimum of three feet to a maximum of four feet in height may be used. The pedestrian wall must be masonry, brick, or stone; unfinished CMU is prohibited. No shade trees are required. Required shrubs must be installed between the sidewalk and the wall to provide a softening effect.
E. 
60% of the landscape area outside of shrub and tree masses must be planted in live ground cover, perennials, or ornamental grasses. Mulch or other permeable landscape materials are required for any remaining area.
PARKING LOT PERIMETER LANDSCAPE YARD
All parking lots consisting of 15 or more spaces require interior parking lot landscape as described in this section.
A. 
All rows of parking stalls must terminate in a parking lot island or landscape area.
B. 
Where more than 15 parking stalls are provided in a row, one parking lot island must be provided between every 15 parking spaces. As part of the landscape plan approval, parking lot island locations may be varied based on specific site requirements or design scheme, but the total number of islands must be no less than the amount required of one island for every 15 spaces.
C. 
Parking lot islands must be at least the same dimension as the parking stall. Double rows of parking must provide parking lot islands that are the same dimension as the double row.
D. 
A minimum of one shade tree must be provided in every parking lot island or landscape area. If a parking lot island extends the width of a double row, then two shade trees are required. In addition to the required shade trees, a minimum of 60% of the area of every parking lot island must be planted in shrubs, live ground cover, perennials, or ornamental grasses. Mulch or other permeable landscape materials are required for any remaining area.
E. 
In addition to parking lot islands, additional landscape areas must be provided within the interior of parking lots when the parking area is 10,000 square feet or more in area, including parking stalls, islands, and area for vehicular circulation. The minimum total landscape area of a parking lot, including parking lot islands, must be 10% of the total parking lot area. Parking lot perimeter landscape is excluded from the calculation of total parking lot area square footage and is not counted toward required landscape area.
F. 
Parking lot islands and landscape areas are encouraged to be designed to accommodate pedestrian access and stormwater detention and infiltration.
PARKING LOT INTERIOR LANDSCAPE
[Amended 9-11-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-363]
A. 
Areas of any lot that are not covered by structures or pavement must be planted with live landscaping. Stone, mulch, or other permeable landscape materials may be used to satisfy this requirement but must not cover more than 40% of such area and must be designed so such materials are placed so that they are no higher than the height of the curb to prevent spill. Section 17.11.090 contains additional requirements for on-site tree plantings for certain districts.
B. 
Where multifamily and nonresidential (including mixed-use) developments are located 10 feet or more from a street lot line and where the front, corner side, or interior side facade is adjacent to a parking area, foundation landscape must be planted as described below. This planting area is required along 60% of the linear facade area. This percentage may be reduced to accommodate building functional operations during landscape plan review.
1. 
Shrubs must be planted and spaced sufficiently to form a continuous linear hedgerow at plant maturity.
2. 
60% of the landscape area outside of shrub and tree masses must be planted in live ground cover, perennials, or ornamental grasses. Mulch or other permeable landscape materials are required for any remaining area.
3. 
As an alternative, planted pots and/or planter boxes may be used to satisfy up to 30% of the total landscape area requirement if approved as part of the landscape plan. The landscape plan must show the materials and/or models of pots and planter boxes.
SITE LANDSCAPE
[Amended 12-11-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-522]
This section establishes standards for the dimension and required landscape for buffer yards between land uses and/or zoning districts within the rear or interior side yard. Nothing in this section prevents the applicant's voluntary installation of buffer yards where they are not required.
A. 
As of the effective date of this ordinance, buffer yards are required for new construction along interior side and rear yards in the following cases:
1. 
Where the lot line of a multi-family development is adjacent to the lot line of a single-family or two-family district.
2. 
Where a nonresidential use is located within a residential district. This does not include public parks.
3. 
Where the lot line of a nonresidential district is adjacent to the lot line of a residential district. This does not include the AG or OS Districts, or public parks.
B. 
Buffer yards may be located within required setbacks, but must be reserved for the planting of material and installation of screening as required by this section. No parking, driveways, sidewalks, accessory structures, or any impervious surfaces are permitted within the buffer yard area.
C. 
The required design of buffer yards is as follows:
1. 
A buffer yard must be a minimum of 15 feet in width.
2. 
One shade or evergreen tree must be planted for every 30 linear feet of buffer yard length. As part of the landscape plan approval, trees may be spaced at various intervals based on specific site requirements, but the total number of trees planted must be no less than one per 30 linear feet of buffer yard length.
3. 
Existing trees in the buffer yard may count toward the buffer yard tree requirement. This credit is a 1:1 ratio (one existing tree for one proposed tree) regardless of the size of the existing tree.
4. 
Evergreen shrubs must be planted and spaced sufficiently to form a continuous linear hedgerow at plant maturity. As part of the landscape plan approval, shrubs may be spaced at various intervals based on specific site requirements, but the total number of shrubs planted must be no less than one per three linear feet of buffer yard length.
5. 
60% of the landscape area outside of shrub and tree masses must be planted in live ground cover, perennials, or ornamental grasses. Mulch or other permeable landscape materials are required for any remaining area.
6. 
Unless otherwise specifically required by the use standards of this ordinance, such as required by the use standards of Chapter 17.08, a solid fence or wall, constructed of wood, vinyl, brick, masonry, or stone, must be erected along 100% of the buffer yard length, with the exception of ingress/egress points. If constructed on a berm, the height of the berm is included and the maximum height of fence and berm is seven feet.
[Amended 9-11-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-363]
a. 
The solid fence or wall must be a minimum of six feet and a maximum of seven feet in height along the rear lot line.
b. 
The solid fence or wall must a minimum of six feet and a maximum of seven feet in height along the interior side lot line up to the abutting lot's front yard line. At the front yard line, the fence must be four feet if a solid fence and six feet if an open fence.
BUFFER YARD
[Amended 12-11-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-522]
In order to restore and preserve the urban canopy, trees are required to be planted on-site. Table 17.11-2: Required On-Site Tree Planting lists the requirements for each district. Existing trees are counted toward this required minimum number. Trees are required to be shade trees unless otherwise noted.
A. 
Required tree plantings must be shown on the landscape plan, when such plan is required. Where a landscape plan is not required, the building permit application must show where required shade trees will be installed.
B. 
Where on-site trees are required in Table 17.11-2, such trees must be planted within the first 15 feet of the front yard. If a district is not listed, no on-site trees are required.
C. 
On-site trees must be planted by the developer/applicant. Once the individual lots are sold, the trees are the responsibility of the property owner. The property owner is also responsible for any trees located within the parkway.
Table 17.11-2: Required On-Site Tree Planting
District
On-Site Trees
R-1
1
R-2
1
R-3/R-3C
1
R-4/R-4C
1
R-MF
Single-Family, Two-Family: 1
Townhouse: 2 per building
Multi-Family: 2 per building
R-MHP
4 per acre
C-3
Lots over 4 acres: 2 per acre
C-OP
Lots over 4 acres: 2 per acre
IC
2 per acre
A. 
Intent. Existing trees over six inches in diameter at breast height and in good condition should be preserved to the maximum extent practicable to act as buffers between adjoining developments and as site amenities.
B. 
Applicability. These standards apply to new multi-family and townhouse residential and non-residential (including mixed-use) development. Trees that are dead or dying, or species deemed to be undesirable by the City, or found to be a threat to public safety, are exempt from these provisions.
C. 
Landscape Credit. Any existing significant trees preserved on a site that are of good health are credited towards fulfillment of the landscape requirements of this ordinance.
D. 
Construction Protection. The following standards must be followed during construction to protect significant trees:
1. 
Within the drip line of any protected tree, there may be no cut or fill over a four inch depth unless a qualified arborist or forester has evaluated and approved the disturbance.
2. 
Prior to and during construction, temporary barriers must be erected around all protected with barriers a minimum of four feet in height, and no closer than six feet from the trunk or one-half of the drip line, whichever is greater. There may be no storage or movement of equipment, material, debris, or fill within the fenced, tree-protection zone.
3. 
During construction, the applicant must prevent the cleaning of equipment or material or the storage and disposal of waste material, such as paints, oils, solvents, asphalt, concrete, motor oil, or any other material, potentially harmful to the tree within the drip line of any protected tree. Nothing within this section is interpreted as an authorization to ignore or violate applicable federal or state hazardous waste laws.
4. 
No damaging attachment, wires, signs, or permits may be fastened to any protected tree.
E. 
Clear-Cutting of Forest Prohibited. Clear-cutting, which is the felling and removal of all trees from a given tract of forest, is prohibited. A forest is a land region with a high concentration of trees, which is divided into an overstory (canopy or upper tree layer) and an understory of vegetation, which may be further divided into a shrub layer, herb layer, and, depending on the ecosystem, a moss layer.
F. 
Protecting Trees on Public Property. Trees located on public property, including the parkway, may not be cut, damaged, or removed without first obtaining permission from the Zoning Administrator, and must be protected during construction in accordance with the standards set forth in this section.