A.
Application Requirements. A landscaping plan, landscaping grading plan, irrigation plan and shading plan shall be required for all development review (minor and major), conditional use permits, subdivisions, and any other permit when the Community Development Director deems it necessary.
1.
The landscaping plan, landscaping grading plan, irrigation plan and shading plan shall be submitted under one application consistent with the provisions of Chapter 17.125 (Common Application Processing Procedures). The landscaping plan, landscaping grading plan, irrigation plan and shading plan may be submitted on four separate exhibits or may be combined on one to three exhibits, provided that the information required to be displayed for each plan is legible and clearly discernible.
2.
No less than the number of copies as determined by the Community Development Director of the landscaping plan, landscaping grading plan, irrigation plan and shading plan shall be submitted for approval by the Community Development Director.
3.
All landscaping shall comply with Chapter 17.160 (Landscaping Standards), Chapter 17.165 (Water Efficient Landscapes), and the City's Landscape Design standards and Guidelines in regard to water-efficient landscaping.
4.
All plans shall show the following information:
a.
The first sheet of a multiple sheet set shall contain a title block with the name and address of the project, sheet number, and numbers of sheets and a revision block to indicate date and type of revisions.
b.
Each sheet shall show the required technical data, including scale of drawing, north arrow, date drawn, and dates of revisions (if applicable), all property lines and project limits, if other than property limits, all easements, fences, walls, curbs, roads, walks, structures, mounds, swales, manholes, banks, and all plant and landscaping materials, grading, irrigation and other exterior elements proposed. A legend shall also be included for each symbol used.
B.
Landscaping Plan Requirements.
1.
The location of all existing landscaping materials, and where proposed landscaping material is to be placed shall be shown. Existing trees shall be preserved whenever it is practical to do so and shall be shown on the landscaping plan. Any existing trees to be removed shall also be shown on the landscaping plan.
2.
The quantities, sizes and locations of all trees, shrubs and ground cover, hydroseed and wildflower mixtures, etc., shall be indicated. Trees shall be a minimum 15 gallon size. Shrubs shall be a minimum five-gallon size; however, the use of smaller plants may be approved for areas where color or growth habits make it suitable.
3.
All trees and shrubs shall be drawn to reflect the average specimen size at 15 years of age. Trees shall be drawn to size as indicated on the shade tree list as provided in the Riverside County Guide to Trees, Shrubs and Ground Covers.
4.
All plants shall be listed by correct botanical name and common name.
5.
The soil surface of all planters shall be shown planted or covered with suitable material.
6.
Lawns shall be indicated by common name of species and method of installation (seeding, hydro mulching or sodding).
7.
Proposed treatment of all ground surfaces, including paving, turf and gravel.
8.
Planting details and methods of application shall be shown.
9.
Complete construction detail referencing (fencing, walls, etc.) shall be indicated.
C.
Landscaping Grading Plan Requirements. The grading plan shall show the drainage of all planting areas and the heights of mounds. Mounds shall not exceed 3:1 slope, and no mound over 30 inches high shall be placed within 10 feet of any street and/or alley intersections.
D.
Irrigation Plan Requirements. An irrigation plan shall show the following:
1.
Locations of all irrigation components, such as sprinkler heads, valves, pipes, backflow prevention devices and water taps, and if applicable, automatic controllers, quick couplers, hose bibs and washer boxes.
2.
Proposed radius or diameter of throw (sprinkler coverage) at a stated pressure (PSI) for each sprinkler head.
3.
Worst case irrigation system pressure loss calculations.
4.
Static water pressure PSI (pounds per square inch), available GPM (gallons per minute), water pressure zone, agency reading locations and source of information for each one.
5.
Required water budget calculations based on the Riverside County Guide to Trees, Shrubs and Ground Covers.
E.
Shading Plan Requirements.
1.
Parking area landscaping shall include shade trees from the Riverside County Guide to Trees, Shrubs and Ground Covers, unless otherwise approved by the Community Development Director, so as to provide for adequate shade canopies within 15 years of age as follows:
Table 17.160.010-1 Percentage of Total Parking Area Required to be Shaded | |
|---|---|
Number of Parking Spaces | Percentage of Parking Area to be Shaded (Minimum Percent) |
05—24 spaces | 30 |
25—49 spaces | 40 |
50+ spaces | 50 |
Note: The percentage of parking area required to be shaded shall be based on the number of uncovered parking spaces; driveways and aisles are excluded. Multilevel parking structures are exempt from shading requirements. | |
2.
Trees shall be a minimum 15 gallon size at planting.
3.
Trees shall be planted and maintained throughout the parking area to ensure that within 15 years, the percentage of the parking area that is shaded is no less than the minimum amount required by the table entitled Percentage of Total Parking Area Required to be Shaded. The parking area shading plan shall be developed in compliance with a landscaping plan. Each planting area shall be of adequate size for the landscaping approved and shall have adequate irrigation for that landscaping.
F.
Landscaping Design Standards. Landscaping shall be incorporated into the design of all off-street parking areas, including covered and decked, as follows:
1.
General Landscaping Provisions.
b.
Landscaped areas shall be distributed throughout the entire off-street parking area as evenly as is appropriate in the design of the parking facility.
c.
Nothing in this subsection shall preclude the installation of additional landscaping and the planting of additional trees so long as such planting is consistent with visibility regulations.
d.
Any open areas in the interior shall be landscaped with appropriate plant materials and maintained in good condition as provided in this Title.
e.
All landscaped areas shall be designed so that plant materials are protected from vehicle damage, encroachment or overhang.
f.
All trees shall be double-staked and secured with a rubber or plastic strip, or other commercial tie material. Wire ties shall not be used.
g.
No trees shall be planted within 10 feet of driveways, alleys and/or street intersections.
h.
All landscaping shall be within planters bounded by a curb at least six inches high.
i.
A six-inch high curb with a 12-inch-wide concrete walkway shall be constructed along planters on end stalls adjacent to vehicle parking spaces.
j.
In urban areas, all parking areas shall be screened from view along the entire perimeter of the parking lot by the construction of either a three-foot high and three-foot wide earthen berm, or a three-foot wide planter with shrubbery that can be maintained at a height of three feet. When the parking area is adjacent to a public road right-of-way, the berm or planter shall be five feet in width.
k.
In addition to the perimeter landscaping required by this Title, parking areas of five spaces or more shall be required to provide additional landscaped areas within the parking area. A minimum percentage of the total parking area shall be landscaped as follows:
Table 17.160.010-2 Minimum Percentage of Total Interior Parking Area to be Landscaped | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Parking Spaces Required | 5—24 Spaces | 25—49 Spaces | 50+ Spaces |
Percentage To Be Landscaped | 5.0% | 7.5% | 10.0% |
Percentage To Be Landscaped Along State and County Scenic Highway | 6.0% | 8.5% | 11.0% |
l.
At the discretion of the appropriate authority, a barrier free, four-foot wide paved walkway may be provided through the required planter at street and driveway intersections to provide unencumbered access for persons with disabilities from the sidewalk to the parking lot.
i.
Such a walkway shall be located so as to facilitate the most direct movement of persons using sidewalk curb ramps, if provided.
ii.
Bus shelters may be located within this planter if approved by the Community Development Director. Such shelters shall not be placed so as to reduce the number of trees which are otherwise required by this article.
2.
Planter Provisions. Planters containing organic landscaping shall be provided adjacent to and within parking areas. The dimensions of a planter refer only to that which is plantable area.
a.
No planter shall be smaller than 25 square feet.
b.
Each planter shall include an irrigation system.
c.
The planter shall include shrubs, hedges, and other natural growth or other features such as berms, designed to form a partial visual screen at least three feet in height, except within 10 feet of street and driveway intersections where landscaping shall not be permitted to grow higher than three feet.
d.
A planter at least five feet wide shall be provided adjacent to all public road right-of-ways. Any area within the road right-of-way between the edge of the walkway and outer edge of the right-of-way shall also be developed as a landscaped area in conjunction with the required planter, unless this requirement is waived by the Community Development Director.
i.
A planter at least five feet wide shall be provided adjacent to properties used for residential purposes. Within this planter, one screen tree from the Riverside County Guide to Trees, Shrubs and Ground Covers shall be planted at an average distance apart of at least every 25 feet on center in combination with other plants to provide a dense visual screen.
ii.
A planter at least eight feet wide shall be located at least 45 feet apart for every 150 feet of frontage along a public road right-of-way. Within this planter, trees from the Riverside County Guide to Trees, Shrubs and Ground Covers shall be planted no farther apart than 25 feet on center, and at least five feet, but not farther than 10 feet, from the back of the walkway.
e.
All planters located adjacent to end parking spaces shall have a six-inch high and 12-inch-wide concrete walkway.
3.
Plant Materials Provisions.
a.
Existing mature trees on the site shall be preserved whenever it is practical to do so.
b.
All plant materials shall be maintained free from physical damage or injury arising from lack of water, chemical damage, insects and diseases. Plant materials showing such damage shall be replaced by the same or similar species.
c.
Planting areas shall be kept free from weeds, debris and undesirable materials which may be detrimental to public safety, drainage or site appearance.
d.
Drought tolerant species and native species are to be used to the maximum extent possible over non-drought tolerant and nonnative species.
i.
The quantity and extent of drought tolerant species shall be dependent on the climatic zone of the project.
ii.
Landscaping may include natural features such as rock and stone, non-drought tolerant plants and structural features such as fountains, reflecting pools, art work, screens, wall and fences.
e.
Plant materials shall be grouped together in regard to water and soil requirements. In order to conserve water, alternative types of low volume irrigation concepts may be used, including, but not limited to, drip/trickle, rotary spray, mini-spray, bubbler, and perforated soaker tubing.
4.
General Irrigation Provisions.
a.
An automatic irrigation system for all planted areas shall be required.
b.
Sprinkler spacing shall not exceed the manufacturer's recommended spacing or, if no spacing is recommended, spacing shall not exceed 60% of the diameter of throw (sprinkler coverage).
c.
No sprinklers on risers shall be installed next to walks, streets and/or pavement. Sprinklers in hazardous locations shall be flush mounted on high pop models only.
d.
Backflow prevention devices for sprinklers shall comply with the latest edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code as adopted by the City.
G.
Requests for Modifications from Landscaping Standards. The Community Development Director may, without notice or hearing, permit modifications to the landscaping requirements where topographic or other physical conditions make it impractical to require strict compliance with these requirements.
H.
Enforcement of Landscaping Design Standards.
1.
Prior to the issuance of a final building occupancy certificate, all required landscape planting and irrigation shall have been installed and be in a condition acceptable to the Community Development Director.
2.
Prior to the issuance of a building permit, performance securities in an amount to be determined by the Building and Safety Director shall be filed with said Director, so as to guarantee:
a.
The installation of plantings, walls and fences in accordance with the approved landscaping plan when the total uncovered parking area on the property, including adjoining parcels over which the property has a shared parking agreement, and/or any other parking agreement exceeds 3,600 square feet; and
b.
The adequate maintenance of the planting for one year.
3.
The Building and Safety Director shall be authorized to execute, on behalf of the City, the required agreements and bonds and those forms and terms approved by the City Council. Acceptable forms of security shall be limited to the following:
a.
A bond from a duly authorized corporate surety;
b.
A deposit of cash with the City;
c.
An irrevocable instrument of credit from a regulated financial institution; or
d.
An irrevocable letter of credit issued by a regulated financial institution; provided, that a cash bond is required to guarantee the installation of plantings, walls and fences when the estimated cost is equal to or less than the cost determined by the Building and Safety Department. The remaining performance surety shall be released one year after installation is approved; provided that the planting has been adequately maintained.
(Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)