A landscape permit is required for the following and shall apply to the street yard of B-1 zoned development sites where any of the following conditions are present:
(1) 
New construction:
a. 
Any new building construction for which a building permit is required.
b. 
Any construction of a new parking lot.
(2) 
Additions/renovations:
a. 
Any building addition or renovation exceeding 50 percent of the existing building area as defined by the footprint of the existing building for which the building permit is required.
b. 
Any parking lot addition within the street yard by more than 2,000 square feet or ten percent in area of the existing parking lot whichever is greater for which a building permit is required.
(3) 
EXCEPTIONS:
a. 
A landscape permit shall not apply to residential uses with less than three dwelling units within B-1 zoning districts.
b. 
A landscape permit shall not apply to exterior or interior finishing and remodeling that does not increase the existing building area or parking area of the existing development.
c. 
A landscape permit shall not apply to reconstruction of an existing building which was destroyed or ruined by flood, fire, windstorm, or act of God as long as the reconstruction of the existing building does not alter the footprint or area of the existing building and/or parking lot.
(Ordinance 1349, § 4, 9-5-06)
When this section applies to a building site, a landscape plan must be submitted with the building permit application along with associated drawings for the new development (for the purposes of this section a City of Rockport Building Permit Application shall act as the landscape permit application).
(1) 
Two sets of the landscape plans must accompany the building permit application. The landscape plans shall include drawings or overlays, consistent in scale with the building site plan drawings, of proposed landscaped areas with dimensions, and a plant list specifying plant size and associated points consistent with the requirements herein. If changes are made during the installation process, amendments to the landscape plan shall be provided to the landscape official for approval. Preparation of the landscape plan must be completed and endorsed by one of the following:
a. 
Landscape architect currently registered to practice in the state;
b. 
Certified master gardener or certified nurseryperson; or
c. 
Owner.
(2) 
The landscape plan shall contain and clearly index the following information:
a. 
Project name, street address, legal description, date, north arrow;
b. 
Location of lot lines, dimensions of the building site and street yard;
c. 
Size of the proposed landscape area (street yard) for the purposes of satisfying the requirements of this article;
d. 
Clearly referenced tabulation of points earned by the plan for the purposes of satisfying the requirements of this article;
e. 
Description of the plant material shown on the plan, including names (common and botanical), quantities, sizes at installation (heights, spread, and spacing); and
f. 
Identification of existing trees and vegetation (size, location, and species) to be preserved as part of the landscape plan and point tabulation.
(3) 
The landscape official shall review the landscape plan to verify compliance with this article prior to issuance of any permit.
(4) 
The landscape official may issue a temporary certificate of occupancy with a term up to six months, prior to the installation of the requirements of this article under the following circumstances:
a. 
Weather consideration requirements for plant species installation; or
b. 
Receipt of a performance bond or corporate surety bond for landscaping in the amount of $10,000.00.
Failure to comply within the temporary term of six months shall constitute violation of this article and subject the owner to enforcement penalties and procedures.
(5) 
The landscape official may issue a permanent certificate of occupancy prior to the installation of the requirements where a lending institution will not accept a temporary certificate of occupancy for permanent financing and:
a. 
The applicant presents a signed affidavit by an official of the lending institution citing this requirement; and
b. 
The applicant presents a signed affidavit acknowledging that if the requirements of this article are not met within six months from the date on the permanent certificate of occupancy, the owner will be in violation of this article and subject to enforcement penalties and procedures; and
c. 
Receipt of a performance bond or corporate surety bond for landscaping in the amount of $10,000.00.
(Ordinance 1349, § 4, 9-5-06)
(a) 
General.
(1) 
Plant materials:
No artificial plant materials or art objects, shade devices, or any other manmade item may be used to satisfy the requirements of this article. (Plant heights are measured from the top of the root ball or from the soil level in the container, if the plant is in a container, and are awarded points at the time of planting.).
(2) 
Permeable area:
All planted areas and tree wells shall provide sufficient permeable area to foster plant maturity and health.
(3) 
Water sources:
If an irrigation system is not installed at the time of installation, a readily available water supply must be provided with at least one water outlet located within 100 feet of any planted area.
(4) 
Parking lots:
To reduce the thermal impact of un-shaded parking lots, trees shall be planted in islands at the ends of parking spaces and throughout parking spaces so that no portion of the lot is more than 64 feet away from the trunk of a tree unless otherwise approved by the landscape official. This provision is in addition to required landscape points addressed herein.
(b) 
Specific.
The required landscaped area of the site shall be equal to five square feet per linear foot of street frontage, or 15 percent of the defined street yard, whichever is less, to be placed within the street yard area as defined herein. If parking is between the property line and wall line of the building, then a strip of land at least five feet in depth located between the abutting right-of-way (street) and the off-street parking area or other vehicular use area which is exposed to an abutting right-of-way shall be landscaped. Such landscaping shall include one tree for each 50 lineal feet or fraction thereof of right-of-way (street) frontage. A total of one-half point per one square foot of landscape area is required for all permitted landscaping plans, as described in section 106-33 below.
(Ordinance 1349, § 4, 9-5-06)
(a) 
Existing vegetation preservation.
(1) 
Points may be earned through existing vegetation, tree preservation and natural areas under tree canopies. Points for existing vegetation and trees will be based on size and tabulated as if newly planted under the landscape plan. Such natural areas that may be left under tree canopies may only be applicable to common or undisturbed areas on a development site that are not determined as hazardous or as a threat to crime prevention. No plant considered as invasive shall be allowed as part of a landscaping plan under this Code (refer to Table 106-D.8 Invasive Species for illustration purposes only).
(2) 
Xeriscape vegetation may earn points based upon like vegetation as listed in Table 106-A, or, for related vegetation as listed in Table 106-D, as determined by the landscape official.
(b) 
Newly planted vegetation.
(1) 
Street trees:
Five bonus points per tree, existing or new, installed along the property line perimeter of the street right-of-way, can be awarded.
(2) 
Landscape areas:
The area required to be landscaped under this division, including xeriscape and natural areas, shall earn points with trees, shrubs and vegetative plantings as indicated in Table 106-A., of this article.
(3) 
NOTICE:
Consideration should be given to placement and growth potential in regards to utility high wires or other obstacles adjacent to property boundaries and public rights-of-way.
Table 106-A. Point Tabulation Chart.
Plant Classification
Size at Time of Planting
Points
Tree (other than palm)
2" or larger caliper
20
Palm Tree or Cycad – Small
Each 1" height of wood (trunk or bulb) (max 20 pts.)
1
Palm Tree – Large
Each 1' height of trunk (max 30 pts.)
3
Shrub, Perennial or Tree < 3/4" caliper
1 gallon
2
Shrub, Perennial or Tree < 3/4" caliper
3 - 5 gallon
5
Shrub, Perennial or Tree < 3/4" caliper
10 gallon
7
Shrub, Perennial or Tree < 3/4" caliper
15 gallon
10
Shrub, Perennial or Tree < 3/4" caliper
25 gallon/Burlap & Ball
15
Ground Cover or Vine
1 gallon
1
Ground Cover or Vine
5 gallon
2
Perennial or Ground Cover
1 flat
5
Grass (see exceptions in Table 106-D.7)
5 square feet
0.5
(Ordinance 1349, § 4, 9-5-06; Ordinance 1530, § 2, 1-25-11)
(a) 
Plant maintenance and replacement. Required plants must be maintained in a healthy condition at all times. Any plant that dies must be replaced with another living plant that is equivalent in points at least to the initial plant selection within the approved landscape plan within 90 days after notification by the city, if that plant(s) moves the plan below the required points. EXCEPTION: The landscape official may extend the time period for plant replacement up to 60 days to accommodate weather conditions and planting requirements.
(b) 
Easements. Property owners may elect to plant within easements within their properties. If easements are not located within their properties, points will not be awarded. Damage to existing plantings in easements due to utility repairs by utility companies or the city will be repaired by the property owner. NOTICE: If an easement becomes unusable, an alternate landscape plan shall be provided to the landscape official for approval.
(c) 
Replacement of trees. Should a tree die or be removed within two years of planting for which credit has been obtained pursuant to the terms required herein, landscape replacement sufficient to equal the area credited shall be required. Tree replacement shall be in accordance with sections 106-16 and 106-35 of this chapter.
(Ordinance 1349, § 4, 9-5-06)
The plants listed below in Table 106-D.1 through Table 106-D.7 are recommended for the Texas coastal zone and immediate environs of the City of Rockport. They are chosen because they are non-evasive and have a lush, "tropical" look while being cold hardy (except as noted) and do not require excessive water and fertilizer once established (except as noted). These plants may not be practical for all areas of the city, therefore the water and sunlight requirements of each specific plant should be considered before its placement on the landscape plan. In addition to the plants set forth in Table 106-D.1 through Table 106-D.7, plants specified in the publication entitled In Our Coastal Gardens - Native and Adapted Plants for the Coastal Bend, published by the Aransas/San Patricio Master Gardener Association, a program sponsored by the AgriLIFE Extension Service, Texas A&M System, are allowed and such "publication" is incorporated herein by reference. Plants not in the publication or in the above tables are not allowed unless approved by the Tree & Landscape Committee. Please see Table 106-A., to calculate points for all plants.
LEGEND FOR TABLES:
F = likely to die in hard freeze
G = suitable for ground cover
H = habitat plant (good for birds and/or butterflies)
N = Coastal Bend native
T = tropical look
W = needs moderate water
Table 106-D.1: Plant specie list—TREES
SCIENTIFIC NAME
COMMON NAME
Acacia famesiana
Huisache (H, N)
Araucaria heterophylla
Norfolk Island Pine (F)
Bauhinia purpurea
Orchid Tree
Brassaia actinophylla, Schefflera actinophylla
Umbrella Tree, Banyon (F, T)
Caesalpinia Mexicana
Mexican Poinciana (H, T)
Cercis canadensis var. Mexicana
Mexican Redbud (H, T)
Cercis canadensis var. texensis
Texas Redbud (H, T)
Chilopsis linearis
Desert Willow (H, T)
Citrus sp.
Citrus (Mex.lime, orange, lemon) (F, T)
Cordia boissieri
Wild Olive (F, H, T)
Diospyros texana
Texas Persimmon (H, N)
Ehretia anacua
Anaqua (N, H)
Ilex Vomitoria
Yaupon Holly (H, N)
Juniperus chinensis
Twisted Hollywood Juniper
Myrica cerifera
Wax Myrtle (H, N, T)
Parkinsonia aculeate
Retama (H, N)
Persea borbonia
Red Bay (H, N, T)
Pinus thunbergia
Japanese Black Pine
Pithecellobium flexicaule
Texas Ebony (F, H, N)
Prosopis glandulosa
Mesquite (H, N)
Prunus Mexicana
Mexican Plum (H)
Quercus macrocarpa
Bur Oak (N, H)
Quercus virginiana
Live Oak (H, N)
Sophora secundiflora
Texas Mountain Laurel (H, N, T)
Taxodium mucronatum
Montezuma Bald Cypress (W)
Ulmus crassifolia
Cedar Elm (N)
Ungnadia speciosa
Mexican Buckeye
Vaccinium arboretum
Farkleberry (N, H)
Vitex agnus-castus
Lavender Tree, Chaste Tree (H)
Table 106-D.2: Plant specie list—LARGE PALMS
SCIENTIFIC NAME
COMMON NAME
POINTS AWARDED
Arecastrum romanzoffianum
Queen Palm (T)
No
Brahea armata
Mexican Blue Palm (T)
Yes
Livistona chinensis
Chinese Fan Palm (T)
No
Sabal palmetto
Florida Sabal (T)
No
Sabal Texana
Texas Sabal (N, T)
Yes
Washingtonia robusta
Fan Palm (F, T)
No
Washingtonia filifera
Fan Palm (T)
No
Table 106-D.3: Plant specie list—SMALL PALMS AND CYCADS
SCIENTIFIC NAME
COMMON NAME
POINTED AWARDED
Butia capitata (Cocos Australis)
Pindo, Jelly Palm, (T)
Yes
C'hamaerops humilis
Mediterranean Fan Palm (T)
No
Cycas revolute
Sago Palm (T)
No
Phoenix roebelenii
Pygmy Date Palm (T)
No
Sabal minor
Dwarf Palmetto (N, T)
Yes
Table 106-D.4: Plant specie list—SHRUBS
SCIENTIFIC NAME
COMMON NAME
COMMENTS
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var wrightii
Flame Acanthus (H, T)
 
Berberis trifoliolata
Agarito (N.H)
 
Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Pride of Barbados (F, T)
 
Callicarpa americana
American Beautyberry (H, N, T)
 
Callistemon spp.
Bottlebrush (F, H, T)
 
Carissa spp.
Natal Plum (F, T)
 
Dasylirion Texana
Texas Sotol
 
Duranta repens
Brazilian Sky Flower (F, H)
 
Eriobotrya hybrid
Coppertone Loquat (W)
 
Erythina herbacea
Coral Bean (H, N)
 
Euryops pecinatus
Golden Shrub Daisy (F, H)
 
Eysenhardtia Texana
Texas Kidneywood (H, N)
 
Feijoa sellowiana
Pineapple Guava (F, H, T)
 
Hamelia patens
Fire Bush, Hummingbird Bush (F, H, T)
 
Hesperaloe parviflora
Red Yucca (H, N)
 
Hibiscus spp.
Tropical Hibiscus (F, T)
 
Ilex vomitoria nana
Dwarf Yaupon
 
Justicia spicigera
Mexican Honeysuckle (H, T)
 
Lantana spp.
Lantana (H, N, T)
 
Leucophyllum spp.
Sage, Cenizo (H, N, T)
 
Malpighia glabra
Barbados Cherry (F, H, N, T)
 
Malvaviscus drummondii
Turk's Cap (H, N, T)
 
Nerium oleander
Oleander (F, T)
 
Raphiolepis indica
Indian Hawthorn (H, T)
 
Russelia equesetiformis
Firecracker Plant {F, H, T)
 
Salvia greggii
Autumn Sage (H, N, T)
 
Sophora tomentosa
Yellow Sophora (N, H)
 
Tecoma stans
Yellow Bells, Esperanza (H, T)
Correct name
Vigueria stenoloba
Skeleton Leaf Goldeneye (H)
 
Vitex trifolia
Veronica (F, T)
Correct name-Variegated
Yucca pendula
Softleaf Yucca (H)
 
Yucca thompsonia
Thompson Yucca (H)
 
Yucca treculeana
Spanish Dagger (H, N)
 
Table 106-D.5: Plant specie list—HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS
SCIENTIFIC NAME
COMMON NAME
COMMENTS
Agapanthus spp.
Lily of the Nile (T, W)
 
Artemesia "Powis Castle"
Artemesia (G)
 
Asclepias sp.
Butterfly Weed (H, N)
 
Asclepias tuberose or Asclepias curassavica
Butterfly Weed (N, H)
 
Aster oblongifolius
Fall Aster (G, H)
 
Chasmanthium latifolium
Inland Seaoats Grass (N, H)
 
Chroemalena odoratum
Crucita Mistflower (N, H)
 
Cuphea hussopifolia
Mexican Heather (F, G)
 
Hedychium coronarium, Alpina zerumbet
Gingers (F, T)
 
Jatropha spp.
Jatropha (F, T)
 
Justicia brandegeana
Shrimp Plant (H, T)
 
Kalanchoe sp.
Kalanchoe (G)
 
Lantana montevidensis, L. sellowiana
Trailing Lantana (G)
 
Melampodium leucanthum
Blackfoot Daisy (G, H)
 
Muhlenbergia capillaries
Gulf Coast Muhly (G, N)
 
Muhlenbergia lindheimeri
Big Muhly Grass (N, H)
 
Musa ssp.
Banana (F, T)
 
Penstemon tenuis
Gulf Coast Penstemon (G, H, T, W)
 
Pentas lanceolata
Pentas (H, T)
 
Phyla incisa, Phyla nodiflora
Frog Fruit (G, N)
 
Physostegia angustifolia
Spring Obedient Plant (H, G, T, W)
 
Plumbago spp.
Blue or White Plumbago (F, G, H, T)
 
Rivina humilis
Pigeonberry (G, H, N, T)
 
Rosemarinus sp.
Rosemary (G)
 
Ruellia brittoniana
Katy's Ruellia (G, W)
 
Sa1via coccinnea
Red sage (H, N, T)
 
Salvia leucantha
Mexican Bush Sage (H, T)
 
Salvia "Indigo Spires"
Salvia "lndigo Spires" (H, T)
 
Schizachyrium scoparium
Little Bluestem Grass (N, H)
 
Stemodia tomentosa
Wooly Stemodia (G, N, T)
Sandy soil only
Stipa tenuissima
Mexican Feather Grass (N)
 
Strelitzia Nicolai
Giant Bird of Paradise (T, W)
 
Strelitzia reginae
Bird of Paradise (T, W)
 
Tagetes lemmonii
Copper Canyon Daisy (H)
 
Trachelospermum asiaticum
Asiatic Jasmine (G, T)
 
Wedelia texana
Orange Zexmenia (G, H, N)
New name
Wedelia trilobata
Wedelia (G, T)
 
Table 106-D.6: Plant specie list—VINES
SCIENTIFIC NAME
COMMON NAME
Atntigonon leptopus
Cora1 Vine, Queens Wreath (F, H, T)
Bignonia capreolata
Crossvine (H, T)
Bougainvila spp.
Bougainvillea (F, T)
Lonicera sempervirens
Coral Honeysuckle (H, T)
Passiflora incarnataus
Passionflower (H, N, T)
Senecio confusus
Mexican Flame Vine (H)
Stigimaphyllon ciliatum
Butterfly Vine (F, H, T)
Tecomaria capensis
Cape Honeysuckle (F, H, T)
Trachelospermum jasminoides
Confederate Jasmine (H, T)
Table 106-D.7: Plant specie list—GRASS
SCIENTIFIC NAME
COMMON NAME
POINTS AWARDED
Buchloe dactyloides
Buffalo Grass
Clay soils only; Yes
Cynodon dactylon
Bermuda grass
No
Paspalum vaginatum
Seashore Paspalum
Yes
Stenotaphrum secumdatum "Floralawn"
St Augustine grass "Floralawn"
No
Stenotaphrum secumdatum "Floratam"
St Augustine grass "Floratam"
No
Zoysia japonica
Zoysia grass
Yes
Table 106-D.8: Plant specie list—INVASIVE SPECIES (for illustration purposes only)
SCIENTIFIC NAME
COMMON NAME
COMMENTS
Eichornia crassipes
Water Hyacinth
Not allowed
Hibiscus tiliaceus
Hibiscus Tree (F, T)
Not allowed
Lonicera japonica
Japanese Honeysuckle
Not allowed
Melia azedarach var. umbraculformis
Chinaberry, Texas Umbrella Tree
Not allowed
Pistia stratiotes
Water Lettuce
Not allowed
Ricinus communis
Castor Bean
Not allowed
Sapium sebiferum
Chinese Tallow
Not allowed
Schinus terebinthifolius
Brazilian Pepper
Not allowed
Smilax bona-nox
Green Briar
Considered native, not allowed
Tamarix sp.
Salt Cedar
Not points
Vitis mustangensis
Mustang Grape
Considered native, not allowed
Invasive aquatics as listed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
(Ordinance 1349, § 4, 9-5-06; Ordinance 1530, § 3, 1-25-11)