The specific purposes of the landscaping
regulations are to:
A.
Improve the appearance and livability of
the community;
B.
Enhance the aesthetic appearance of development
and provide environmental benefits;
C.
Aid in energy conservation;
D.
Protect water quality and prevent soil
erosion by providing trees and vegetated areas that harvest, absorb,
and filter rain and storm water;
E.
Reduce air pollution and absorb greenhouse
gas emissions through the biological filtering capacities of trees
and vegetation, and reduce the negative quality-of-life effects of
heat, noise, and glare;
F.
Promote conservation of water resources
through the installation of properly designed, installed, and maintained
climate-appropriate plants and water-efficient irrigation systems;
G.
Minimize or eliminate conflicts between
potentially incompatible but otherwise permitted land uses on adjoining
parcels through visual screening; and
H.
Soften the appearance and reduce the heat
island effect of parking lots and other development.
(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; Amended by Ord. No. 2567CCS § 1,
adopted December 12, 2017)
The standards of this Chapter apply to the entire parcel for all new developments. Existing parking lots with more than 10 parking spaces shall comply when the parking lot is reconstructed, except for repaving and restriping. All applications must also comply with the provisions of Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 8.108.010, Landscape and Water Conservation Standards.
(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; Amended by Ord. No. 2520CCS § 40,
adopted June 14, 2016)
A landscape and irrigation plan shall
be submitted with the permit application for all projects for which
landscaping is required.
(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; Amended by Ord. No. 2520CCS § 41,
adopted June 14, 2016)
A.
Dimension of Landscaped Areas. No landscaped area smaller than 2 feet wide in any horizontal dimension
shall count toward required landscaping.
(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015)
In addition to the areas required
to be landscaped by District regulations, the following areas shall
be landscaped, and may count toward the total area of site landscaping
required by District regulations.
A.
Required Setbacks. All required
front and street-facing side setbacks, except for areas used for exit
and entry, shall be landscaped.
1.
Common Property Lines Abutting
Residential Districts. Wherever a nonresidential use
is located adjacent to a Residential District or use, a landscape
buffer planted with a mix of trees and shrubs shall be provided along
common property lines. At least 1 tree of at least 15-gallon size
shall be planted per 20 lineal feet or as appropriate to create a
tree canopy over the buffer setback. In addition, at least 3 shrubs
shall be planted per 20 lineal feet. At least 10 percent of the required
trees shall be 24-inch box size. An International Society of Arboriculture
(ISA) certified arborist or equivalent shall be consulted as to the
selection of these trees to facilitate the trees' viability in the
given urban conditions and microclimate.
2.
Commercial, Employment or
Other Nonresidential Use. Five-foot wide landscaped
buffer setback.
3.
Minimum Soil Volumes Above
Subterranean Parking Structures. Subterranean parking
structures shall be designed so that trees and shrubs planted in required
setback areas above subterranean parking structures shall provide
the following:
a.
For both trees and shrubs, soil depth
shall be a minimum 3 feet.
b.
Small stature trees with a mature
crown spread of approximately 10 feet shall be provided a minimum
120 cubic feet of soil volume (approximately 3 feet deep by 4 feet
wide by 10 feet long).
c.
Medium stature trees with a mature
crown spread of approximately 20 feet shall be provided a minimum
500 cubic feet of soil volume (approximately 3 feet deep by 6 feet
wide by 28 feet long).
d.
Large stature trees with a mature
crown spread of approximately 30 feet shall be provided a minimum
1,000 cubic feet of soil volume (approximately 3 feet deep by 10 feet
wide by 34 feet long).
e.
Palm trees shall be provided with
a minimum soil depth of 5 feet and 250 cubic feet of soil volume (approximately
5 feet deep by 5 feet wide by 10 feet long).
B.
Parking Areas. All parking structures and parking surface lots shall meet the provisions of Chapter 9.28, Parking, Loading, and Transportation, and the following:
1.
Landscaping. Up to 2 feet of the front of a parking space as measured from a
line parallel to the direction of the bumper of a vehicle using the
space may be landscaped with ground cover plants instead of paving.
2.
Buffer for Above-Grade Parking
Structures. A parking garage that does not incorporate
ground-floor nonresidential or residential uses or is not otherwise
screened or concealed at street frontages on the ground level, must
provide a 10-foot landscaped buffer for any garage of less than 5
levels and a 15-foot landscaped buffer for any garage with 5 or more
levels.
3.
Surface Parking Lot Landscaping.
a.
One tree per 1,200 square feet of paved area that accommodates vehicular traffic must be provided in a manner that is compliant with Municipal Code Chapter 8.108 and dispersed throughout the paved area. The trees planted in compliance with this Section shall be designed to result in canopy coverage of 50 percent of the parking lots' hardscape within 10 years of the installations of these trees. An International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist or equivalent shall attest to the selection of these trees to facilitate the trees' viability in the given urban conditions and microclimate, to provide the canopy coverage required.
b.
Perimeter landscaping may not substitute
for interior landscaping. However, interior landscaping may join perimeter
landscaping as long as it extends at least 4 feet into the parking
area from the perimeter landscape line.
c.
Landscaped Buffer for Open
Parking Adjacent to a Public Street. A landscaped area at
least 5 feet wide shall be provided between any surface parking area
and any property line adjacent to a public street, unless a greater
dimension is specified in the base district standards or standards
for specific uses applicable to a site.
d.
Landscaped Buffer for Open
Parking Abutting Interior Property Line. A landscaped area
at least 5 feet wide shall be provided between any surface parking
area and any adjacent parcel for the length of the parking area, unless
a greater dimension is specified in the base district standards or
standards for specific uses applicable to a site.
e.
Layout. Landscaped
areas shall be distributed throughout the parking lot area. Parking
lot landscaping may be provided in any combination of the following:
i.
Landscaped planting strips at least
2 feet wide between rows of parking stalls;
ii.
Landscaped planting strips between
parking areas and adjacent buildings or internal pedestrian walkways;
iii.
Landscaped islands
located between parking stalls or at the ends of rows of parking stalls;
and
iv.
On-site landscaping at the parking
lot perimeter.
f.
Permeable Surfaces. New surface parking lots shall include a minimum of 20 percent permeable
surfaces. Permeable surfaces and grading shall be coordinated so that
storm water can infiltrate the surface in areas with less than 5 percent
slope. Permeable surfaces are encouraged in areas of low traffic or
infrequent use wherever feasible.
g.
Existing Parking Lots. Where compliance with the interior landscaping provisions above
would result in the loss of existing required parking spaces, the
amount of landscaping required shall be reduced to the extent necessary
to accommodate the minimum required parking spaces. A major modification
shall not be required for such reduction.
4.
Drainage. All parking areas shall be properly drained, consistent with the
California Regional Water Quality Control Board and subject to the
approval of the Director of Public Works.
a.
Runoff Prohibited on Sidewalks. Parking areas in nonresidential districts shall be designed so that
surface water run-off will not drain over any sidewalk or adjoining
property.
b.
Cross-Grades. Cross-grades
shall be designed for slower storm water flow and to direct storm
water toward landscaping, bio-retention areas, or other water collection/treatment
areas.
5.
Protection of Vegetation. Landscaped areas, excluding drivable surfaces, shall be protected
by a curb at least 6 inches wide and 6 inches high. Such curbs shall
be designed to allow storm water runoff to pass through.
C.
Unused Areas. All areas of
a project site not intended for a specific use, including areas planned
for future phases of a phased development, shall be landscaped.
(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; Amended by Ord. No. 2567CCS § 2,
adopted December 12, 2017)
A.
General. Landscaping may consist of a combination of groundcovers, shrubs, vines, and trees. Landscaping may also include incidental features such as permeable pathways, stepping stones, benches, fountains, sculptures, decorative stones, or other ornamental features, placed within a landscaped setting. Materials must conform to Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 8.108.
B.
Ground Cover Materials. Ground
cover shall be of live plant material and may not be comprised of
pervious nonplant materials such as permeable paving, gravel, colored
rock, cinder, bark, and similar materials. Mulch must be confined
to areas around shrubs and trees and is not a substitute for ground
cover plants.
C.
Size and Spacing. Plants shall
be of the following size and spacing at the time of installation:
1.
Ground Covers. Ground cover plants other than grasses must be at least the 4-inch
pot size. Areas planted in ground cover plants other than grass seed
or sod must be planted at a rate of at least one per 12 inches on
center.
2.
Shrubs. Shrubs
shall be a minimum size of 1 gallon. When planted to serve as a hedge
or screen, shrubs shall be planted with 2 to 4 feet of spacing, depending
on the plant species.
3.
Trees. Trees
shall be a minimum of 15 gallons in size with a 1 inch diameter at
breast height (dbh). Newly planted trees shall be supported with stakes
or guy wires. Any tree to be planted along a property line or adjacent
to a structure shall be no closer to said property line or structure
than ½ the diameter of the particular species' drip line at
maturity, measured from the center of the tree.
(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; Amended by Ord. No. 2567CCS § 3,
adopted December 12, 2017)
All landscaping shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 8.108 of the Municipal Code.
(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; Amended by Ord. No. 2520CCS § 42,
adopted June 14, 2016)
A.
Consistency with Approved Plans. All landscaping and screening shall be installed consistent with
approved plans and specifications, in a manner designed to promote
and maintain healthy plant growth.
B.
Timing of Installation. Required
landscaping, screening, and irrigation shall be installed prior to
the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the associated project.
(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015)
A.
All landscaped areas shall be permanently maintained and kept free of weeds, debris, and litter and in accordance with the requirements set forth in Chapter 8.108 of the Municipal Code.
B.
All plant materials shall be maintained
in a healthy growing condition and diseased or dead plant materials
shall be replaced, in kind, pursuant to the approved plans within
30 days. Alternatively, diseased or dead plant materials may be replaced
with plant materials that have lower water needs, as rated in the
current edition of the Water Use Classification of Landscape Specials
published by the California Department of Water Resources, ANSI/ASABE
S623.1, or equivalent documentation.
C.
Trees shall be maintained by property owners
to be free from physical damage or injury arising from lack of water,
chemical damage, accidents, vandalism, insects and disease. Any tree
required by this Chapter showing such damage shall be replaced with
another tree of consistent caliper and canopy.
(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; Amended by Ord. No. 2567CCS § 4,
adopted December 12, 2017)
The landscape requirements of this
Section for existing buildings and parking areas may be modified subject
to review and approval of the Architectural Review Board, or of the
Landmarks Commission if a City-Designated Historic Resource is involved,
if the Board or Commission determines that an alternative landscape
configuration would meet the objectives of these requirements. The
Architectural Review Board or Landmarks Commission may require either
more or less landscaping than would otherwise be required by this
Chapter if the following findings are made:
A.
That the strict application of the provisions
of this Chapter would result in practical difficulties or unnecessary
hardships inconsistent with the general purpose and intent of the
Santa Monica Municipal Code and the Land Use Element or that there
are exceptional circumstances or conditions applicable to the proposed
project that do not apply generally to other sites covered by the
Chapter;
B.
That the granting of a landscape modification
would not adversely affect public welfare and would not be detrimental
or injurious to property and improvements in the surrounding area;
C.
That the granting of a landscape modification
would allow for the enhancement of shade opportunities and the reduction
of a heat island effect; and
D.
For modification of landscape requirements
for City-Designated Historic Resources, that alternative plant types
and landscape areas would enhance the context of the structure or
harmonize the character defining features of the structure.
(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015)
The following surface parking lot landscaping regulations shall govern the development of new surface parking lots adjacent to and utilized by a City park in lieu of the surface parking lot landscaping standards set forth in subsections (B)(3) and (C) of Section 9.26.050 and the plant size and spacing requirements set forth in subsection (C) of Section 9.26.060. All other applicable provisions of this Chapter shall continue to govern.
A.
One tree per 1,200 square feet of paved area that accommodates vehicular traffic must be provided in a manner that is compliant with Municipal Code Chapter 8.108. The Urban Forester shall be consulted as to the selection of these trees to facilitate the trees' viability in the given urban conditions and microclimate.
B.
Landscaped Buffer for Open Parking
Adjacent to Public Street. A landscaped area at least 5 feet
wide shall be provided between any surface parking area and any property
line adjacent to a public street, unless a greater dimension is specified
in the base districts standards applicable to a site.
C.
Permeable Surfaces. The surface
parking lot shall include a minimum of 20 percent permeable surfaces.
Permeable surfaces and grading shall be coordinated so that storm
water can infiltrate the surface in areas with less than 5 percent
slope. Permeable surfaces are encouraged in areas of low traffic or
infrequent use wherever feasible.
D.
Drainage. The parking area
shall be properly drained, consistent with the Regional Water Quality
Control Board and subject to the approval of the Director of Public
Works.
1.
Runoff Prohibited on Sidewalks. Parking areas in nonresidential districts shall be designed
so that surface water run-off will not drain over any sidewalk or
adjoining property.
2.
Cross-grades. Cross-grades shall be designed for slower storm water flow and to
direct storm water toward landscaping, bio-retention areas, or other
water collection/treatment areas.
E.
Protection of Vegetation. Landscaped
areas, excluding drivable surfaces, shall be protected by a curb at
least 6 inches wide and 6 inches high. Such curbs shall be designed
to allow storm water runoff to pass through.
F.
Visibility and Clearance. Landscaping in planters at the end of parking aisles shall not obstruct driver's vision of vehicular and pedestrian cross-traffic and be built in compliance with Section 9.21.180, Hazardous Visual Obstructions.
G.
Landscaping Size and Spacing. Plants shall be of the following size and spacing at the time of
installation:
1.
Ground Covers. Ground cover plants other than grasses must be at least the 4 inch
pot size. Areas planted in ground cover plants other than grass seed
or sod must be planted at a rate of at least one per 12 inches on
center.
2.
Shrubs. Shrubs
shall be a minimum size of one gallon. When planted to serve as a
hedge or screen, shrubs shall be planted with 2 to 4 feet of spacing,
depending on the plant species.
3.
Trees. Trees
shall be a minimum of 15 gallons in size with a one-inch diameter
at breast height (dbh). Newly planted trees shall be supported with
stakes or guy wires.
(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015)
