City of Redondo Beach, CA: Landscaping regulations.

§ 10-5.1900 Landscaping regulations.

Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish standards for installation of landscaping in order to enhance the aesthetic appearance of properties within the City, ensure the quality, quantity, and appropriateness of landscape materials, effect a functional and attractive design, improve compatibility between land uses, conserve water, control soil erosion, and preserve the character of existing neighborhoods.

(b)

Criteria. Planting areas within development projects for which a landscape plan is required pursuant to subsection (f) of this section shall comply with the following criteria:

(1)

Plant location.

All required setbacks shall be landscaped with live plants except for walkways, driveways, parking areas and patio areas. Non-organic groundcover shall not be used in place of plant material in planter areas unless utilized as a decorative accent.

Plants shall be grouped according to similar water needs.

Plants shall not interfere with safe sight distances or otherwise block vehicular, bicycle or pedestrian traffic, or conflict with the installation, maintenance, or repair of any public utility.

A planting area a minimum of 18 inches in width shall separate a building from a driveway or parking area as feasible.

Parking lots shall be separated from street frontages and from abutting uses by planting areas. In addition, planting areas shall be interspersed among the parking stalls as feasible, including provision of trees for appearance and shade.

Trees shall be planted at least five feet from a public sidewalk, except that the Community Development Director may require a greater distance for species that may, over time, cause damage to the sidewalk or other public infrastructure. The Community Development Director may require installation of root control barriers where necessary to protect public sidewalks.

(2)

Plant type.

Drought-tolerant plants shall be used where feasible. Recommended drought-tolerant plant species are listed in the City of Redondo Beach List of Recommended Trees and Water Conserving Plants maintained by the Superintendent of Parks. Other plants consistent with the intent of this section, but not included in the List of Recommended Trees and Water Conserving Plants, may be approved by the Community Development Director. The Community Development Director may also permit limited use of tree, shrub, and groundcover species not adapted to the dry summer climate if it can be demonstrated that:

The plant species and landscape changes to provide for the plant species is compatible with the visual quality of the project and has no harmful impact to the surrounding area; and

The non-native/adapted plant is irrigated by runoff water from other landscape areas and/or turf area is reduced to compensate for the increased irrigation water required for the plant species.

Plants shall complement the architectural design of structures on the site, and shall be suitable for the soil and climatic conditions specific to the site.

Plants shall be compatible with the character of the neighborhood.

Plants shall be adaptable to Redondo Beach's coastal environment.

Trees that may, over time, cause damage to public and/or private sidewalks, sewer lines, and other infrastructure shall be avoided, unless the Community Development Director determines that the tree is located a sufficient distance from such infrastructure to prevent damage. Information on the suitability or lack of suitability of different tree species is contained in the City of Redondo Beach List of Recommended Trees and Water Conserving Plants maintained by the Superintendent of Parks. Trees not listed that are determined to be consistent with the criteria of this section may be approved by the Community Development Director.

Trees should be planted to shade turf, groundcover, and shrub planting areas to reduce water evaporation from these areas.

Nonresidential developments. Turf (grass) area (excluding parkways between the public sidewalk and street) shall not exceed 20% of the total landscape area for nonresidential developments, except that higher percentages may be permitted when turf is an essential part of the development such as for playing fields for schools or parks, or integral to the design of the project as determined through the applicable design review procedures.

Lower water usage turf or warm season grasses are recommended for all turf areas.

Use of turf shall be avoided in landscape areas with a dimension of less than eight feet.

It is recommended that turf be separated from new trees to prevent over-watering of the tree, surface rooting, crown-rot, and damage of the tree trunk by grass trimming equipment.

If trees are to be planted in a turf area, only deep-rooted tree species should be used, turf irrigation and drainage should be directed away from the tree, and the tree should be irrigated by a combined bubbler/deep waterpipe fixture.

(3)

Plant size.

Plants shall be sized and spaced to achieve immediate effect and shall normally not be less than a 15 gallon container for trees, five gallon container for shrubs, and a one-gallon container for mass planting. Groundcover coverage must be 100% in one year, with rooted cuttings from flats planted no more than 12 inches on center, and containerized woody, shrub groundcover planted no more than three feet on center.

Landscape plans shall incorporate existing mature trees with trunk diameters of six inches or greater that are compatible with the proposed grades, structures and hardscape. Specimen trees, 36 inch box, or larger may be used to replace an existing mature tree that cannot feasibly be saved.

(4)

Planting areas.

All planting areas shall be served by a permanent underground clock-operated water-efficient irrigation system. A drip irrigation system or other water conserving irrigation system may be required where feasible.

All sloped planting areas abutting hardscape shall be surrounded with a minimum six inch high concrete curb where necessary to prevent erosion.

(5)

Parking lots. New surface parking lots containing 10 or more parking spaces shall provide a minimum of one shade tree for every six spaces. The Planning Commission may also require provision of trees and other landscaping in parking lots in conjunction with any project subject to Planning Commission Design Review.

(c)

Maintenance of landscape. Planting areas shall be permanently maintained, including watering, weeding, pruning, trimming, edging, fertilizing, insect control, and replacement of plant materials and irrigation equipment as needed to preserve the health and appearance of plant materials. All trees, shrubs, and plants which, due to accident, damage, disease, or other cause, fail to show a healthy growth shall be replaced.

Replacement plants shall conform to all the standards which govern the original planting installation.

(d)

Street tree requirements. Street tree species, size, spacing, and planting standards shall be subject to approval of the Superintendent of Parks. The Superintendent of Parks shall select street trees taking into consideration the following criteria: that the selected tree as proposed to be located will not harm public sidewalks, streets, and infrastructure; that the tree is consistent with water conservation objectives; that the tree requires low maintenance and no pesticides; that the tree will enhance the visual character and identity of City streets; and that the tree complements appropriate existing street trees. Appropriate street trees include, but are not necessarily limited to, trees included in the City of Redondo Beach List of Recommended Trees and Water Conserving Plants. No existing street tree shall be removed without the approval of the City.

(e)

R-1 zone, areas with no parkways. In the R-1 zone, in areas with no parkways, in conjunction with the construction of new homes, existing mature trees in the front yard that are compatible with the proposed development shall be preserved. A specimen tree, 24 inch box, or larger shall be planted in the front yard where there are no existing mature trees or to replace existing mature trees that cannot feasibly be saved.

(f)

Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.

(1)

Adoption by Reference. The California State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, codified at Chapter 2.7 of Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations, and any amendments thereto, is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth below, and shall be known and may be cited as the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance of the City of Redondo Beach. One copy of the California State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance shall be maintained on file in City Hall.

(2)

Conflicts of Law. The development standards relating to landscaping found in this Section 10-5.1900 shall apply in addition to the applicable requirements of the California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. In the event of any conflict between provisions of the California State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and a provision of this Section 10-5.1900, the provision that contains the more stringent landscaping water efficiency requirement(s) shall control.

(g)

Tree trimming within the Harbor/Pier Area. The trimming and/or removal of any trees that have been used for breeding and nesting by bird species listed pursuant to the Federal or California Endangered Species Acts, California bird species of special concern, and wading birds (herons or egrets) within the past five years, as determined by a qualified biologist or ornithologist, shall be undertaken in compliance with all applicable codes and regulations of the California Department of Fish and Game, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

(1)

No tree trimming or removal shall take place during breeding and nesting season (January through September) unless a tree is determined by a qualified arborist to be a danger to public health and safety. A health or safety danger exists if a tree or branch is dead, diseased, dying, or injured and is seriously compromised. Tree trimming or removal shall only be carried out from October 1st through December 31st.

(2)

Trees or branches with a nest of a wading bird (heron or egret), a State or Federal listed species, or a California bird species of special concern that has been active any time in the last five years shall not be removed or disturbed unless a health and safety danger exists.

(3)

Any breeding or nesting tree that must be removed shall be replaced at a 1:1 ratio. Replacement trees shall be native or regionally appropriate non-natives and non-invasive.

A tree replacement and planting plan for each tree replacement shall be developed to specify replacement tree locations, tree size (no less than 36 inch box size), planting specifications, and a five year monitoring program with specific performance standards.

An annual monitoring report for tree replacement shall be submitted for the review and approval of the Waterfront and Economic Development Director and maintained on file as public information.

(4)

Tree trimming or removal during the non-breeding and non-nesting season (October 1st through December 31st) shall follow the following procedures.

Prior to tree trimming or removal, a qualified biologist shall survey the trees to be trimmed or removed to detect nests and submit the surveys to the Waterfront and Economic Development Department. Tree trimming or removal may proceed if a nest is found, but has not been used within the prior five years and no courtship or nesting behavior is observed.

In the event that a wading bird (heron or egret) species, a State or Federal listed species, or a California bird species of special concern return or continue to occupy trees during the non-nesting season (October 1st through December 31st), trimming shall not take place until a qualified biologist has assessed the site, determined that courtship behavior has not commenced, and has given approval to proceed within 300 feet of any occupied tree (500 feet for raptor species (e.g., bald eagles, osprey, owls)).

Trimming of nesting trees shall not encroach within 10 feet of an unoccupied nest of any of the bird species referenced above. The amount of trimming at any one time shall be limited to preserve the suitability of the nesting tree for breeding and/or nesting habitat.

Written notice of tree trimming and/or removal shall be posted and limits of tree trimming and/or removal shall be established in the field with flagging and stakes or construction fencing at least one week before work takes place. The notice and flagging/fencing does not apply to an immediate emergency situation.

(5)

Tree trimming or removal during breeding and nesting season (January-September) shall be undertaken only because a health and safety danger exists, as determined by a qualified arborist, in consultation with the Waterfront and Economic Development Department and the City of Redondo Beach, and shall use the following procedures:

A qualified biologist shall conduct surveys and submit a report at least one week prior to the trimming or removal of a tree (only if it is posing a health or safety danger) to detect any breeding or nesting behavior in or within 300 feet (500 feet for raptors) of the work area. An arborist, in consultation with the qualified biologist, shall prepare a tree trimming and/or removal plan. The survey report and tree trimming and/or removal plan shall be submitted for the review and approval of the Waterfront and Economic Development Director and maintained on file as public information. The plan shall incorporate the following:

A description of how work will occur (work must be performed using non-mechanized hand tools to the maximum extent feasible).

Steps taken to ensure that tree trimming will be the minimum necessary to address the health and safety danger while avoiding or minimizing impacts to breeding and/or nesting birds and their habitat.

Prior to commencement of tree trimming and/or tree removal the qualified biologist shall notify in writing the Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of the intent to commence tree trimming or removal.

(§ 1, Ord. 2905 c.s., eff. August 5, 2003, as amended by § 11, Ord. 2918 c.s., eff. October 21, 2003, § 2, Ord. 2947 c.s., eff. April 6, 2006, § 4, Ord. 3050 c.s., eff. May 20, 2010 [effective date pending subject to litigation], § 1, Ord. 3103 c.s., eff. February 8, 2013, § 1, Ord. 3104 c.s., eff. February 8, 2013, § 1, Ord. 3107 c.s., eff. February 8, 2013, and § 1, Ord. 3192 c.c., eff. December 19, 2020)