(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)
All trees shall he planted, maintained, and removed in accordance with section
28.09.020, tree protection.
(Ordinance 2019-08-26-02 adopted 8/26/19; Ordinance 2022-12-19-02 adopted 12/19/2022)
(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)