Laguna Beach possesses delicately balanced native ecosystems, which are distinct and valuable natural resources. The preservation and protection of the city's native vegetation and natural hillsides is essential to the economic, social, ecological and aesthetic well-being for property owners and residents. The Laguna Beach native plant communities have intrinsic value in supporting wildlife and biological diversity, and in contributing to stream, groundwater, and ocean water quality. The purpose of this chapter is to provide regulations for the protection, preservation and, where removed or damaged without authorization, restoration of native vegetation and the viability of native species and plant communities. It is also the purpose and intent of this chapter to establish penalties for the unpermitted damage or removal of native vegetation and to establish a procedure for the restoration of such damaged or removed native vegetation.
(Ord. 1566 § 1, 2012)
For the purpose of this chapter, the following words shall have the meaning set forth in this section:
"Habitat, high value"
means areas of vegetation as defined and described in Topic 8 (Vegetation and Wildlife Resources) of the Open Space/Conservation Element of the city's general plan and as inventoried and depicted on Biological Resources Values maps contained therein as "High" habitat value.
"Habitat, moderate value"
means areas of vegetation as defined and described in Topic 8 (Vegetation and Wildlife Resources) of the Open Space/Conservation Element of the city's general plan as "Moderate" habitat value.
"Habitat, very high value"
means areas of vegetation as defined and described in Topic 8 (Vegetation and Wildlife Resources) of the Open Space/Conservation Element of the city's general plan and as inventoried and depicted on Biological Resources Values maps contained therein as "Very High" habitat value.
"Native vegetation"
means a native plant, shrub, tree and grass, other than noxious weeds, that is indigenous to the coastal inland areas of southwest California and that reasonably could have been expected to naturally occur on site. Examples of these types of vegetation are described and included in detail in Topic 8 (Vegetation and Wildlife Resources) of the Open Space/Conservation Element of the city's general plan.
(Ord. 1566 § 1, 2012)
(a) 
This chapter shall apply to: (1) all undeveloped parcels; (2) undeveloped portions of developed parcels that contain mapped moderate value habitat, high value habitat, very high value habitat and/or riparian habitat as defined, described or depicted in the city's general plan; and (3) developed parcels with designated open space. Of specific concern are land areas that are located within the residential/hillside protection zoning district, the open space zoning district, hillside areas, coastal bluffs and land areas that contain or are located adjacent to land containing mapped moderate value habitat, high value habitat or very high value habitat.
(b) 
This chapter is not intended to rescind or impair the implementation of any site-specific city land use, development or subdivision approvals and/or any covenants or deed restrictions in effect prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. To the maximum extent permitted, however, where this chapter and any such approval, covenant or deed restriction conflict or overlap, the more stringent restrictions for the preservation of native vegetation shall prevail and govern, unless otherwise specified.
(Ord. 1566 § 1, 2012)
(a) 
The removal, alteration or destruction of native vegetation is prohibited without approval of the design review approval authority consistent with the stated intent and purpose of this chapter. Such approval shall not be required for: (1) city-approved annual weed abatement; or (2) the maintenance of routine fire hazard abatement programs (vegetation management for fire protection such as fuel modification and fire breaks as authorized by state or local regulations as needed based upon seasonal growing conditions) in accordance with the fire chief that were approved and/or recognized by the city.
(b) 
The restoration of native vegetation shall be required when the city determines that native vegetation has been removed without approval of the design review approval authority and where the vegetation removed includes more than one hundred square feet of vegetation within a five-year period. This includes the removal of vegetation in conjunction with approved development that is in excess of the approved plans.
(c) 
When a violation is suspected or alleged to have occurred, an appropriate city official shall make a site visit and prepare a report to the director of community development. The report shall include: the property address; the name of the property owner; the date and time of the complaint; the date and time of the site visit; whether plant material was left on site; the destination if material was hauled away; the names of contractor or workers on site, if any; any explanation by the owner or a contractor or worker; rough drawing of the disturbed area; and relevant other information deemed relevant by the official. After a determination by the city that a violation has occurred, the city shall issue a stop work order and post a notice of violation on the site and will notify the property owner of the requirement to submit, obtain approval of and implement a restoration plan. The notice shall state the date that by which a restoration plan must be submitted.
(Ord. 1566 § 1, 2012)
A restoration plan shall be submitted by the property owner and prepared under Habitat Restoration Guidelines promulgated by the director of community development within thirty days of being notified by the city of a restoration plan requirement. If requested and upon a showing of good cause, one fifteen-day extension of time may be approved by the director of community development. The plan shall be prepared by a wildlife biologist, ecologist or botanist having successful experience in restoring native vegetation and meets the qualifications of the Habitat Restoration Guidelines. The director of community development or his or her designee shall review the plan for adequacy and completeness within thirty days of receipt. At the discretion of the director of community development or designee, peer review by an independent licensed professional may be required. Associated costs for the restoration plan and peer review shall be paid by the property owner. Implementation of the restoration plan shall be required within sixty days of final approval of the application, unless otherwise determined by the approved restoration plan that an extended planting schedule is necessary. The implementation of the restoration plan shall be conducted by a licensed contractor having successful experience in restoring native vegetation and meets the qualifications of the Habitat Restoration Guidelines. A completion bond may be required at the discretion of the director of community development.
(Ord. 1566 § 1, 2012)
(a) 
The director of community development or designee is authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter. The director of community development or designee may initiate or pursue appropriate enforcement action.
(b) 
Any property owner, person, firm or corporation, whether as principal, agent, employee or otherwise, violating the provisions of this chapter may be subject to one or more of the following, in addition to such other administrative, civil or criminal remedies as may be available to the city:
(1) 
Daily accrual of civil fines associated with the issuance of an administrative citation pursuant to Section 1.15.070(a).
(2) 
Withholding of the issuance of final building permits for a pending project until the approved restoration plan is successfully implemented.
(3) 
Suspension or revocation of project-related building permits and other entitlements or approvals issued for the property.
(4) 
Assessment of city costs associated with restoration of the disturbed areas through a nuisance abatement action or similar proceeding.
(5) 
Penalties as prescribed in Section 1.04.025(B).
(Ord. 1566 § 1, 2012)