City of Lakeway, TX Residential Landscaping Requirements

(a)

These landscaping requirements are intended to enhance the natural aesthetic beauty of the Lakeway area, to ensure safe sight views along roadways, and to assist slope stabilization and prevent erosion, rapid runoff and sedimentation. Landscaping requirements for nonresidential and multifamily projects can be found in chapter 28.

(b)

Plan requirements.

(1)

A permit application, including a landscape plan for new residences must be submitted prior to requesting a certificate of occupancy inspection. Modifications to landscapes for existing properties which alter the drainage characteristics of the lot require a permit application including a landscape plan. The plans must demonstrate compliance with the landscape requirements contained herein, including measurements and calculations showing that the drainage for the individual lot does not conflict with the approved subdivision plan or state law.

(2)

No landscaping plan shall be approved unless it shows all improvements reasonably necessary to prevent erosion from occurring after completion of development. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued unless the improvements and landscaping shown on the site plan have been installed, constructed or created.

(3)

Prior to the completion of a project or the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, all disturbed areas on the lot or adjacent lots must be stabilized with sod. Restoration shall be acceptable when the grass has grown at least 1-1/2 inches high with 95% coverage, provided no bare spots larger than 9 square feet exist.

(c)

Maintenance and irrigation.

(1)

The property owner or lessee shall be responsible for maintenance of the landscaped areas including the rights-of-way in front of the property. This maintenance includes ensuring that drainage ditches and culverts are functioning properly and are free from obstruction.

(2)

Plants and grass shall present a healthy, neat and orderly appearance and be free of debris, refuse and disease. Deceased plantings shall be replaced no later than one (1) month after dying and shall be replaced on an inch per inch basis.

(d)

Site-specific regulations.

(1)

Planting of vegetation which, when mature, will obstruct visibility and endanger safe vehicular and pedestrian traffic shall not be permitted.

(2)

Retaining walls shall not exceed one (1) foot above the material being retained.

(3)

Rock or river rock with a minimum size of 2" may be used as groundcover for the full landscape area when installed to allow water drainage and infiltration. Nonporous material such as sheet plastic shall not be placed under the rock. Smaller rocks, gravel, or decomposed granite which are installed as impervious cover may be used for paths or groundcover for up to 10% of the total landscape area.

(4)

No trees, shrubs, retaining walls, driveway markers, or other vertical construction shall be constructed or erected nearer than eight (8) feet from the pavement edge of a street without curb and gutter. Shrubs, retaining walls, driveway markers and other vertical construction are permitted up to the back of curb of a street with curb and gutter provided they are no higher than 36 inches.

(5)

Surface water is not permitted to drain laterally across a property line. Drainage from a residential lot shall be directed to within five feet of a property corner before it crosses the property line to the downstream lot. All drainage must be directed to dedicated drainage easements. Surface water may not drain onto a public street. Approved subdivision drainage plans do not take the place of or preclude the city from requiring individual residential drainage plans conforming to the city's requirements.

Green Infrastructure elements such as rain gardens and bioswales are considered as landscaping rather than as infrastructure. Like other landscaping elements, they are installed at the property owner's discretion. The property owner is responsible for the ongoing maintenance of their landscaping in a state of good repair and appearance and is further responsible for all interactions with adjacent property owners. The City shall not be responsible for any maintenance, repair, or impacts of any form of landscaping.

(e)

Landscaping in rights-of-way.

Landscaping in the city right-of-way, other than grass or natural ground cover, must be approved by the code official or authorized designee through a landscape permit.

(f)

Street (front) yard requirements.

(1)

In determining landscaping requirements, the street yard shall extend from a line beginning twelve (12) feet behind the front corners of each building fronting or facing a public or private street and thereafter extend to the side property lines and shall then run to the hard surface of the street.

(2)

A corner lot shall be considered as having two property lines fronting or facing a street and consequently will have two street yards.

(3)

Ground cover of lawn grass or other material approved by the city shall be provided to the hard surface of the street unless specifically prohibited by city, county or state for a particular right-of-way.

(4)

A minimum five-foot-deep landscaping area shall abut the front and at least twelve (12) feet down the sides of a building except for the building entrance walkway (foundation plantings).

(g)

Golf course yard requirements.

(1)

In determining landscaping requirements, the golf course yard shall extend from a line beginning twelve (12) feet behind the corners of each building fronting or facing golf course property and thereafter extend to the side property lines and shall then run to the property line abutting the golf course.

(2)

Properties abutting a golf course shall landscape the golf course yard in the same manner required for landscaping in the street yard unless structure is not visible from the golf course.

(Ordinance 2019-08-26-02 adopted 8/26/19; Ordinance 2023-10-16-03 adopted 10/16/2023)

(a)

Artificial turf shall count as impervious cover.

(b)

Artificial turf may be used as groundcover for any landscaping not to exceed 25% of the total landscape area.

(c)

Artificial turf design and performance standards are that the material shall have a naturalistic color and appearance, be lead-free and flame retardant, a pile minimum of 1.75" and maximum of 2.5", a minimum permeability of 30" per hour, and a minimum face weight of 75 ounces per square yard.

(d)

Artificial turf installation standards are that the material be installed according to the manufacturer's specifications, anchored at all edges and seams with the grain pointing in one direction, a subgrade of a minimum depth of 3" of porous rock aggregate, and solid framing at the edge of the turf. Metal landscaping strips less than 1/2" thick may not be used as framing. Crumb rubber shall not be used as a ballast.

(e)

All artificial turf must be installed and maintained to have a consistent color, shade, and texture throughout with no significantly noticeable streaks, seam marks, or other irregularities.

(f)

Artificial turf shall be held to the same standards of appearance as healthy natural turf, with 95% coverage presenting a healthy, neat, and orderly appearance, no faded areas, stains, heat degradation, or matted areas more than 9 square feet in size, and no obvious holes, tears, or seam separation.

(g)

Artificial turf shall not be installed within the dripline of any protected tree.

(h)

Artificial turf may not be installed within public utility or drainage easements.

(Ordinance 2023-10-16-03 adopted 10/16/2023)