The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum landscape requirements to enhance the appearance of developments, extend the green space network of the city, reduce heat and glare, control soil erosion, conserve water, ensure ongoing maintenance of landscape areas, reduce wildfire hazards, and ensure that landscape installations do not create hazards for motorists or pedestrians.
(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)
The requirements contained in this chapter apply to all new and existing development and shall be in addition to any other development standards and regulations contained elsewhere within the Development Code (e.g. Water Efficient Landscaping).
(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)
When this chapter is applicable to new projects or existing development, as identified in section 17.56.020 (Applicability), preliminary and final landscape plans shall be submitted in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and review of such plans shall be conducted as part of the design review process.
A. 
Preliminary landscape and irrigation plan. A preliminary landscape plan and irrigation plan shall be submitted to the designated approving authority. This plan must show a water budget that includes the estimate water use (in gallons), the irrigated area (in square feet), precipitation rate, and flow rate in gallons per minute as well as conceptual locations for trees, shrubs, ground cover, etc., and a corresponding list of planting material by species, quantity, and size.
B. 
Final landscape and irrigation plan. After a preliminary landscape and irrigation plan has been approved by the designated approving authority, a final landscape and irrigation plan shall be submitted to the planning director in conjunction with site improvement plans. The final landscape planting and irrigation plans shall be prepared by a registered licensed landscape architect and shall be in substantial compliance with the preliminary landscape and irrigation plan approved by the designated approving authority. Final plans shall show the exact location of and irrigation for trees, shrubs, and ground cover. The final landscape plan shall include, at a minimum, plant name, plant quantity, plant size, location of impervious surfaces, utilities and lighting, irrigation system, and plans for tree retention and removal where applicable. The final landscape plan should also include a water budget that includes the estimated water use (in gallons), the irrigated area (in square feet), precipitation rate, and flow rate in gallons per minute.
(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)
Landscaping plans subject to review. When the requirements of this chapter are applicable as established in section 17.56.020 (Applicability), the following landscape plan review process shall be conducted in conjunction with design review for the proposed action, pursuant to the requirements of section 17.16.130 (Minor Design Review) and section 17.20.040 (Major Design Review).
1. 
Approving authority. The designated approving authority shall be the same as the designated approving authority of the entitlement for new projects or existing development as identified in section 17.56.020 (Applicability). For projects in the wildland-urban interface fire area, the fire chief is an additional approving authority.
2. 
Approval of preliminary and final plans. The designated approving authority shall review and approve the preliminary landscape and irrigation plan. Upon approval of the preliminary landscape and irrigation plan, a final landscape and irrigation plan shall be submitted to the approving authority prior to issuance of building permits for new projects or applicable expansions to existing development as established in section 17.56.020 (Applicability).
3. 
Approval required. The landscaping shall not be installed until the applicant receives approval of the final landscape and irrigation plan by the approving authority and any applicable permits have been issued.
4. 
Changes to final plans. Changes to the approved final landscape and irrigation plans that affect the character or quantity of the plant material or irrigation system design are required to be resubmitted to the original approving authority for approval before installation.
(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)
A. 
General location for landscape improvements. Landscaping shall be provided in the following locations for all types of development as listed below, unless the designated approving authority determines that the required landscape is not necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter. Nothing in this chapter is intended to discourage landscaping in excess of the minimum requirements listed herein.
B. 
Setbacks, public frontage, and street frontage. All setback areas required by this code, areas between the curb and setback, public frontage areas, or portions of the site with any street frontage, shall be landscaped and maintained in compliance with this chapter except where an area of a required set-back is improved with a paved surface such as a sidewalk or driveway.
1. 
In all Industrial Zones the front and exterior side yard setback areas adjoining public rights-of-way are required to be landscaped, including the property frontage within the right-of-way.
2. 
Trees are required along sidewalks and primary street frontage, in addition to other landscaping requirements.
C. 
Undeveloped areas. All areas of a site that are part of an entitled/approved master planned development application, such as pad sites being held for future development, shall be landscaped in compliance with this chapter.
D. 
Parking areas. Within parking lots, landscaping shall be used for shade and climate control, to enhance project design, and to screen the visual impact of vehicles and large expanses of pavement consistent with the requirements of this chapter.
E. 
Pedestrian paths and pedestrian entrances. Along pedestrian pathways and at building entrances, trees shall be provided in compliance with this chapter for shade and climate control, to define the public space, and moderate high temperatures and wind speeds.
F. 
Plant type. Landscape planting shall emphasize climate appropriate, drought-tolerant, native, and noninvasive species (especially along natural, open space areas), shall complement the architectural design of structures on the site, and shall be suitable for the soil and climatic conditions specific to the site. Plant species known to be invasive and listed on the California Invasive Plant Inventory published by the California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) are prohibited. In the wildland-urban interface fire area, planting shall emphasize wildfire hazard reduction.
G. 
Planting layout and plant diversity. Plant selection shall vary in type and planting pattern. Informal planting patterns are preferred over uniform and entirely symmetrical planting patterns. Use of deciduous flowering trees and shrubs and colorful plantings is encouraged in conjunction with evergreen species. Groupings of shrubs shall contain multiple plant types, interspersed with varying heights and blooming seasons for year-round interest.
H. 
Street and parking lot trees. Street and parking lot trees shall be selected from the city's adopted master list of street trees and parking lot trees.
I. 
Trees planted within ten feet of a street, sidewalk, paved trail, or walkway shall be a deep-rooted species or shall be separated from hardscapes by a root barrier to prevent physical damage to public improvements.
J. 
In the wildland-urban interface fire area, plant types shall not include those identified as fire prone or those types that are specifically prohibited by the fire district.
K. 
Planting size, spacing, and planter widths. In order to achieve an immediate effect of a landscape installation and to allow sustained growth of planting materials, minimum plant material sizes, plant spacing, and minimum planter widths (inside measurements) are as follows:
1. 
Trees. The minimum planting size for trees for mixed-use, commercial, office, and community/civic uses shall be 15-gallon, with 25 percent of all trees on a project site planted at a minimum 24-inch box size. For mixed-use, commercial, office, and community/civic uses tree spacing with-in perimeter planters along streets and abutting residential property shall be planted no farther apart on center than the mature diameter of the proposed species. Minimum planter widths for trees shall be between five feet and ten feet, consistent with the city's adopted master list of street trees and parking lot trees.
2. 
Trees in industrial zones.
a. 
The minimum planting size for trees for industrial uses shall be 15-gallon with 25 percent of all trees on a project site planted at a minimum 24-inch box size.
b. 
The minimum planting size for trees for industrial uses in primary buildings greater than 200,000 square feet in gross floor area shall be minimum 24-inch box size with 25 percent of all trees at 36-inch box size.
c. 
Tree spacing for all industrial uses within perimeter planters along streets and abutting residential property shall be planted no farther apart on center than the mature diameter of the proposed species. Minimum planter widths for trees shall be between five feet and ten feet, consistent with the city's adopted master list of street trees and parking lot trees.
3. 
Shrubs. Shrub planting shall be a minimum five-gallon size, with a 15-gallon minimum size required where a landscape screen (visual buffer) is conditioned by the designated approving authority (e.g., screening of headlights from drive-through aisles). The minimum planter width for shrubs is four feet.
4. 
Ground cover. Plants used for mass planting may be grown in flats of up to 64 plants or in individual one-gallon containers. Rooted cuttings from flats shall be planted no farther apart than 12 inches on center, and containerized woody, shrub ground cover plantings shall be planted no farther apart than three feet on center in order to achieve full coverage within one year. Minimum planter width for ground cover is two feet, with the exception of sod, which requires a minimum planter width of six feet.
L. 
Synthetic turf (lawns). Synthetic turf may be used as a substitute for natural turf for the purposes of water conservation. The following standards shall apply to the use and maintenance of synthetic turf.
1. 
Synthetic turf shall consist of lifelike individual blades of grass that emulate real grass in look and color and have a minimum pile height of one and one-half inches.
2. 
A proper drainage system shall be installed underneath to prevent excess runoff or pooling of water.
3. 
Synthetic turf shall be installed and maintained to effectively simulate the appearance of a well maintained lawn.
4. 
The use of indoor or outdoor plastic or nylon carpeting as a replacement for synthetic turf or natural turf shall be prohibited.
5. 
Synthetic turf shall be installed in combination with natural plant materials (e.g. trees, shrubs and groundcover) to enhance the overall landscaping design.
M. 
Water efficiency. If applicable, projects are required to comply with provisions within chapter 17.82 (Water Efficient Landscaping) of this article.
(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)
In addition to the general requirements of section 17.56.050 (General Landscape Development Standards), the requirements listed below apply to the special types of landscaping. However, in the wildland-urban interface fire area, the fire district requirements preclude the application of these special types of landscaping.
A. 
Residential landscape. See section 17.56.070 (Additional Requirements for Residential Areas).
B. 
Project entry landscaping. Entries to multi-tenant projects (both residential and nonresidential) shall be designed as a special statement reflective of the character and scale of the project to establish identity for tenants, visitors, and patrons. Flowering access plantings and specimen trees shall be used to reinforce the entry statement.
C. 
Trees adjacent to building walls. With the exception of single-family housing developments, trees shall be planted in areas of public view adjacent to structures at a rate of one tree per 30 linear feet of building length, particularly to interrupt expansive horizontal and vertical surfaces. Tree clusters may be used subject to approval by the approving authority.
D. 
Screening of drive-through aisles. To screen vehicles and associated headlights in a drive-through lane from view of abutting street rights-of-way, a minimum five-foot wide planter shall include a minimum three-foot tall (maximum four-foot tall) landscape barrier planted with trees and other landscaping consistent with those in the parking area. At no time shall this landscape barrier be pruned in a manner that allows the vehicle headlights from the drive-through lane to be visible from abutting street rights-of-way. Plantings shall also be designed to discourage potential safety issues (e.g., persons lying in wait).
E. 
Screening of outdoor equipment. Screening is required according to chapter 17.48 (Fences, Walls, and Screening).
F. 
Wireless communication facilities. Where feasible, facilities shall be installed so as to maintain and enhance existing landscaping on the site, including trees, foliage, and shrubs, whether or not utilized for screening. Additional landscaping may be planted around the tower and related equipment to buffer abutting residential zones or uses and to buffer public trails. Specifically, landscaping around the perimeter of the facility (leased area) shall include dense tree and shrub plantings with the necessary irrigation. Trees shall be fast-growing evergreen species, with a minimum size of 24-inch box. Shrubs shall be a minimum 15-gallon size covering a minimum planter area depth of five feet around the facility. Trees and shrubs shall be planted no farther apart on center than the mature diameter of the proposed species.
G. 
On-site pedestrian pathways. Pedestrian pathway landscaping shall include shade trees placed so as to cover 60 percent of the total pathway area with tree canopies within 15 years of securing building permit.
H. 
Public spaces. Pedestrian space landscaping shall include a combination of shade trees and pedestrian shading devices (e.g. canopies, awnings, and umbrellas) placed so as to cover 60 percent of the total space with a shade canopy within 15 years of securing the building permit.
I. 
Buffering between uses. A landscape buffer shall be provided between residential and nonresidential uses and between single-family uses and multi-family uses containing three or more units. Buffer areas shall include a minimum ten-foot wide planter strip with shrubs and both deciduous and evergreen trees planted a maximum of 30 feet on center.
J. 
Interior property boundaries. When a landscaped area is provided, trees shall be planted at a rate of one tree per 30 linear feet of interior property line within a planter area that is a minimum of six feet wide. Tree clusters may be used subject to approval by the approving authority.
K. 
Sound walls/masonry walls. Where setback and open space areas are screened from public view by walls or similar approved structures, landscaping shall be provided such that 50 percent of the wall shall be covered by landscape material within five years.
L. 
Parking lot landscape. Parking lot landscape includes perimeter planters, abutting parking lots and drive aisles, tree planting for parking lot shade, and a combination of continuous planting strips, planting fingers, and parking islands throughout the parking lot. Parking lot landscape requirements applicable to parking lots with five or more spaces for commercial, industrial, mixed-use, and multi-family residential uses are listed below:
1. 
Number of trees required. Trees shall be installed in planting wells in a parking lot at a rate of one tree for every three parking stalls. Tree selections shall be approved by the planning director.
2. 
Exception for solar collectors. The minimum requirement for trees and shrubs may be waived for the portion of a parking area over which photo-voltaic solar collectors are installed where they also function as shade structures.
3. 
A minimum of ten percent of the total off-street parking area shall be landscaped with trees, shrubs, and appropriate ground cover. The parking area shall be computed by adding the areas used for access drive aisles, stalls, maneuvering, and landscaping within that portion of the premises that is devoted to vehicular parking and circulation.
4. 
Each unenclosed parking facility shall provide a perimeter landscaped strip at least five feet wide (inside dimension) where the facility adjoins a side or rear property line. The perimeter landscaped strip may include any landscaped yard or landscaped area otherwise required and shall be continuous, except for required access to the site or parking facility.
5. 
Screening. All surface parking areas shall be screened from streets and adjoining properties, and the open space areas between the property line and public street right-of-way shall be landscaped with a combination of trees, shrubs, and ground cover. Screening between residential and nonresidential uses shall not be less than five feet in height. Parking lot landscaping shall be located so that pedestrians are not required to cross unpaved areas to reach building entrances from parked cars.
6. 
Existing trees. Existing mature trees that are in good health, as determined by a qualified arborist, on a vacant/undeveloped site where there is a proposal for development must be retained in-place whenever possible.
7. 
Planter design. All parking lot planters shall be designed to meet the following minimum requirements:
a. 
Planters shall be separated from maneuvering and parking areas by a concrete curb with minimum dimensions of six inches high by six inches wide.
b. 
Tree planting wells shall have a minimum area of 25 square feet with a minimum dimension of five feet and be enclosed by a concrete curb with dimensions as noted in subsection (7)(a) above.
c. 
A planter located immediately adjacent to a parking stall shall have a 6-inch concrete paver, in addition to the curb as noted in subsection (7)(a) above, along the entire length of the side of the curb (and parallel to the curb) that is closest to the stall to facilitate entering/exiting of a vehicle.
M. 
Landscape planters along the sides of parking stalls shall be a minimum of 90 square feet with a minimal outside dimension of not less than six feet.
FIGURE 17.56.060-1 PARKING LOT LANDSCAPING
FIGURE 17.56.060-2 PARKING LOT PLANTER DESIGN
(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)
A. 
Front yard defined. For the purposes of this section, "front yard" shall mean the area extending across the full width of the lot between the back of sidewalk and the building or structure on said lot. For corner lots, the area extending the full depth of the lot between the back of sidewalk and any perimeter fence, wall or structure, and visible from the right-of-way shall also be included. Lots without parkway and sidewalk improvements shall be measured from the back of curb (See Figure 17.56.070-1 (Front Yard Landscaping Area)).
FIGURE 17.56.070-1 FRONT YARD LANDSCAPING AREA
B. 
Front yard landscaping ratio. Front yard landscaping ratios applicable to single-family residential lots are listed below:
1. 
Hardscape shall occupy a maximum of 50 percent of front yard landscaping.
2. 
The total amount of landscape shall occupy a minimum of 25 percent of the front yard.
3. 
Decorative hardscape shall occupy a maximum of 25 percent of front yard landscaping.
C. 
Front yard landscaping. Front yard landscaping requirements applicable to single-family residential lots are listed below:
1. 
Turf (lawn) areas should be minimized to active play areas where feasible. The use of warm season turf, when desired is preferred.
2. 
Fountains shall be counted as landscape for the purposes of calculating the front yard landscaping ratio and must use a recirculating water system.
3. 
Synthetic turf (lawn) shall be counted as landscape for the purposes of calculating the front yard landscaping ratio and shall comply with the requirements of section 17.56.050 (General Landscape Development Standards).
4. 
Landscape minimum shall be calculated based on the size of the plants at maturity. Landscapes should be designed with appropriate plant spacing based on the mature size of the plant.
5. 
Decorative hardscape. On smaller lots, decorative hardscape can, but is not required to be limited to one material. To provide visual interest on larger lots decorative hardscape shall use more than one uniform size, color or type of material. Decorative hardscape materials can vary in either size, variety or color or material. Table 17.56.070-2 sets forth the standards for landscaping on residential single-family lots, based on overall lot size.
TABLE 17.56.070-2 DECORATIVE HARDSCAPE
Lot Size
Types Required
Less than 5,000 sq. ft.
No variation required
5,001—10,000 sq. ft.
Minimum of 2
10,001 sq. ft. or more
Minimum of 3
6. 
Decorative hardscape shall not be fixed firm in place with concrete or other materials that prevent water percolation or create excess runoff.
D. 
Parkway landscaping. Permitted parkway groundcover landscaping materials and methods for residential lots are listed below:
1. 
Low water use plants, excluding cactus, roses and all other plants that contain sharp, pointed and thorn type plant structures. Plants shall not exceed a height of 18 inches at maturity.
2. 
Low water use turf alternatives (i.e., groundcovers and grasses).
3. 
Synthetic turf, provided it meets the requirements of section 17.56.050.
4. 
Decomposed granite, provided it is installed with a stabilizer in accordance with city standards.
5. 
Gravel may be used as ground cover only if it is three-quarter inch in size (i.e., crushed stone) and is not smooth (i.e., pea gravel or river rock).
6. 
Mulch or bark may be used as a ground cover.
7. 
Mulch, bark or gravel must be installed just below the curb, to prevent migration of material to the sidewalk or street.
8. 
The installation of turf alternatives shall not cause negative impact to existing trees within the parkway. A tree root protection zone of five to six feet from the trunk shall be maintained at all times.
9. 
All trees within the parkway shall be irrigated properly to ensure the life of the tree.
E. 
Trees required. Table 17.56.070-3 (Trees Required in Residential Zones) sets forth minimum standards for the number and size of trees, both on and off site, for new development.
TABLE 17.56.070-3 TREES REQUIRED IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES
Feature/District
LM
M
MH
H
Number of trees/gross acre
40
45
50
50
Percentage of 48-inch box or larger trees
0
0
5%
10%
Percentage of 36-inch box trees
0
10%
5%
10%
Percentage of 24-inch box trees
10%
10%
20%
10%
Percentage of 15-gallon trees
90%
80%
70%
70%
F. 
New windrow plantings of fire resistant tree species may be required to perpetuate a windbreak system at a ratio of 50 linear feet per acre. The location of required windrow plantings shall be generally guided by the established 330-foot × 660-foot grid pattern. Required windrows may follow any portion of this grid, provided the total length of windrows meets or exceeds the minimum length. The use of the 330-foot × 660-foot planting grid is not meant to discourage development of curvilinear local streets. The size, spacing, staking, and irrigation of these trees shall be in accordance with the tree replacement policies set forth in section 17.56.080 (Removal and Replacement of Required Landscaping) except within the urban wildlife interface area (no eucalyptus trees allowed).
G. 
New development. All new development shall comply with the approved final landscape plans and shall be completely installed prior to occupancy.
(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)
A. 
Replacement sizes. All plant material removed from a project in which the planning department has approved the landscape plan shall be replaced with the following replacement sizes: shrubs—five-gallon size; ground cover—flats. Size of replacement trees shall be determined by the planning director based on the conditions of the property. Trees removed or severely and improperly trimmed shall be replaced with an appropriately sized tree as determined by the planning director.
B. 
Tree removal requirements. Requirements for tree removal shall be pursuant to chapter 17.80 (Tree Preservation).
(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)
A. 
Responsibility. Pursuant to the requirements of this chapter, the owner of private property adjoining the area between the curb and the sidewalk known as the parkway shall be responsible to plant, install and maintain landscaping in the parkway for the entire frontage of the property in accordance with this section. This responsibility applies to all commercial, mixed-use, industrial, single-family, multi-family, and mobile home property owners and home owners associations with landscaped areas that are not within a designated Landscape Maintenance District (LMD).
B. 
Maintenance. The property owner is responsible for providing sufficient moisture to the parkway to maintain any landscaping and trees in a healthy condition.
C. 
Landscaping materials. The following landscape or decorative hardscape materials are allowed with developed parkways:
1. 
Low growing planting, excluding cactus, roses and any other plants that contain sharp, pointed or thorn type plant structures. Low water use plants are required for new development.
2. 
Turf and turf alternatives (i.e., groundcovers and grasses). Low water use turf and turf alternatives are required for new development.
3. 
Wood mulches, bark or chips installed in accordance with city standards.
4. 
Synthetic turf, provided it is installed outside of the tree root protection zone, in accordance with city standards.
D. 
Prohibited landscaping materials. The following materials are prohibited within developed parkways:
1. 
Concrete, cobble, pavers, gravel, stones or rocks.
2. 
Bare dirt, for dust control purposes.
3. 
Anything impermeable, permanent or firm fixed in place.
4. 
Plant species known to be invasive according to the California Invasive Plant Inventory.
(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)
Pursuant to the requirements of this chapter, the owner of private property located adjacent to local feeder trails that are within easements on said property, shall be responsible for the maintenance of the applicable local feeder trail to ensure that it is usable and consistent with the trails implementation plan, the city's design/technical standards, and chapter 17.68 (Property Maintenance).
(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)