The purposes of this Chapter are to:
A. 
Establish uniform landscape standards for new projects, as well as provide a mechanism to require the upgrade of existing landscaping in developments when improvements are proposed;
B. 
Enhance the aesthetic appearance of developments throughout the City by providing standards related to the quality and functional aspects of landscaping;
C. 
Increase compatibility between abutting land uses and between land uses and public rights-of-way by providing landscape screening or buffers;
D. 
Provide for the conservation of water resources through the efficient use of irrigation, appropriate mix of plant materials, use of artificial turf, water recycling features, and regular maintenance of landscaped areas;
E. 
Enhance and increase the compatibility of abutting land uses and public rights-of-way by providing landscape screening and buffers where appropriate.
(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010)
A. 
New Projects. All new proposed development shall provide landscaping in compliance with the requirements of this Chapter, as applicable.
B. 
Existing Uses. The renovation of an existing building or center offers opportunities to upgrade existing on-site landscaping to be consistent with the provisions of the WMC. It is the City's policy to require the improvement of landscaping to the greatest extent practical, considering existing site conditions. In the case of an existing use, if the amount of required landscaping cannot be accommodated because of existing buildings or other physical constraints of a site, the applicant shall provide landscaping toward meeting the landscape requirements, as the Director determines can be reasonably accommodated.
C. 
Changes to Existing Turf or Groundcover. When turf and/or groundcover is proposed to be replaced with one or more landscape material as allowed in this Chapter, and where such change of landscape material is determined not to require a building or landscape permit, plan check or design review, such change shall be subject to a Zoning Clearance, as specified in Chapter 17.515 of this Title. For single-family residential uses, Section 17.310.033 shall apply.
D. 
Artificial Turf. The Artificial Turf Design Standards, as stated in Section 17.310.035 of this Chapter, are applicable to all zoning districts and all uses.
E. 
Projects Subject to the City's Water Efficiency Landscape Measures. Projects subject to all of the City's Water Efficiency Implementation Measures and provisions stated in the City's adopted Handbook of Water Efficiency Landscape Measures, in addition to the provisions stated in this Chapter include all of the following:
1. 
New Landscape Projects. New landscape projects, except for cemeteries, with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 500 square feet, requiring a building or landscape permit, plan check or design review.
2. 
Rehabilitated Landscape Projects. Rehabilitated landscape projects, except for cemeteries, with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet, requiring a building or landscape permit, plan check or design review.
F. 
Projects Subject to Limited Portions of the City's Water Efficiency Landscape Measures. Projects subject to limited portions of the City's Water Efficiency Implementation Measures and provisions stated in the City's adopted Handbook of Water Efficiency Landscape Measures include the following:
1. 
Cemeteries. At a cemetery, Sections 2.9, 2.10, and Appendix C of the City's adopted Handbook of Water Efficiency Landscape Measures shall apply to new landscape projects and Sections 2.9, 2.10 and 3 of the City's adopted Handbook of Water Efficiency Landscape Measures shall apply to rehabilitated landscape projects.
2. 
Graywater Use. New or rehabilitated projects using treated or untreated graywater or rainwater capture on site, any lot or parcels within the project that has less than 2,500 square feet of landscape area and meets the lot or parcel's landscape water requirement (estimated total water use) entirely with the treated or untreated graywater or through stored rainwater capture on-site is subject only to Appendix A of the City's adopted Handbook of Water Efficiency Landscape Measures.
G. 
Exceptions to Chapter 17.310. This Chapter shall not apply to landscaping for:
1. 
Single-family homes, except where subject to the Water Efficiency Landscape Measures, Section 17.310.033 (Modifications to Existing Single-Family Residential Landscaped Areas), and Section 17.310.035 (Artificial Turf);
2. 
Cemeteries, except where subject to the Water Efficiency Landscape Measures;
3. 
A registered local, State, or Federal historical site;
4. 
Publicly-owned parks and open space and government-owned facilities, except where subject to the Water Efficiency Landscape Measures;
5. 
Public schools.
H. 
Exceptions to Water Efficiency Landscape Measures. Projects exempt from the Water Efficiency Landscape Measures, as specified in the City's adopted Handbook of Water Efficiency Landscape Measures but are otherwise subject to the requirements of this Chapter, include the following:
1. 
Ecological restoration projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system;
2. 
Mined-land reclamation projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system;
3. 
Plant collections, as part of botanical gardens and arboretums open to the public;
4. 
Registered local, State, or Federal historical sites.
I. 
Optional Compliance with the Water Efficiency Landscape Measures. New or rehabilitated landscape projects with an aggregate landscape area of 2,500 square feet or less may comply with the performance requirements established in the City's adopted Handbook of Water Efficiency Landscape Measures or conform to the prescriptive measures contained in Appendix A of the City's adopted Handbook of Water Efficiency Landscape Measures.
(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010; Ord. 2528 § 2, 2016)
A. 
Setbacks. All setback and open-space areas not occupied by driveways, parking areas, walkways, building projections, or approved hardscape areas shall be landscaped. Planters shall be placed adjacent to the street, around buildings, and in parking lots. Front-yard setbacks and high visibility areas shall be landscaped.
B. 
Sight-Distance Triangle. Within a triangular area 10 feet on a side on either side of an access drive, no object shall exceed a height of 30 inches above the top of the curb.
C. 
Location of Planted Areas. Parking-lot landscaping shall be designed so that pedestrians are not required to cross planted areas in order to reach building entrances from parking areas. This should be achieved through proper orientation of planted fingers and islands.
D. 
Bumper-Overhang Areas. In areas where vehicles will overhang a landscape planter, an additional two feet of planter area shall be required. This area shall be planted with low ground cover that is not likely to be damaged by vehicles. See Figure 3-4, Bumper-Overhang Area, for illustration.
Figure 3-4 Bumper-Overhang Area
E. 
Parking Lot Perimeter Landscaping
1. 
Adjacent to streets.
a. 
Parking areas for nonresidential uses adjoining a public street shall be designed to provide a minimum 4-foot wide (inside dimension) landscaped planting strip between the street right-of-way and parking area.
b. 
The landscaping shall be designed and maintained to screen parked cars from street views and plant materials shall be selected to provide a minimum height of 36 inches at the time of planting. The Director may approve screening of less than 36 inches when deemed necessary to protect the public interest. Screening materials may include a combination of plant materials, earth berms, solid masonry walls, raised planters, or other screening devices to meet the intent of this requirement; however, the use of solid masonry walls without plant cover, as a screening material, is prohibited.
c. 
Shade trees shall be provided at a minimum rate of one tree for every 5 parking stalls. The minimum size of trees shall be 15-gallon.
2. 
Adjacent to residential uses.
a. 
Parking areas for nonresidential uses adjoining residential uses shall be designed to provide a minimum 4-foot wide (inside dimension) landscaped planting strip between the parking area and the common property line bordering the residential use.
b. 
To address land use compatibility issues such as nuisance, noise, and light or glare, a solid masonry wall shall be provided along the property line to the maximum height allowed in Table 3-2.
3. 
Within multifamily or small lot residential areas.
a. 
There shall be no more than 10 spaces of uninterrupted parking within open parking areas. Each 10 spaces (or less) shall be separated from adjacent parking spaces by a landscaped area equal in width and depth to a standard parking space (9 feet x 18 feet).
(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010)
A. 
General Requirements
1. 
Minimum landscape area. On sites proposing new development, a minimum of 15 percent of the site shall be landscaped in an effective manner.
2. 
Minimum width of landscaped areas. Landscaped tree planters shall be a minimum width of 4 feet.
3. 
Concrete curb/mow-strip. When in or adjacent to a parking area or drive aisle, planted areas shall be protected with a minimum 6-inch high concrete curb above the surrounding pavement or ground level.
4. 
Maintenance. Landscape areas shall be continuously maintained as approved by the City. Plant materials shall be maintained and trimmed so as to not encroach into the public right-of-way. Trees and shrubs shall not interfere with lighting of the premises or access to emergency apparatus and shall not obstruct the sight distance necessary for safe vehicle travel. Trees shall be trimmed above the ground level to accommodate pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Species shall be selected accordingly.
5. 
Irrigation. All planted areas shall be provided with a permanent automatic irrigation system. This watering system shall consist of piped water lines terminating in an appropriate number of sprinklers or hose bibs to ensure a sufficient amount of water for plants within the planted area.
6. 
Decorative hardscape. Decorative and creative hardscape designs that are consistent with the Design Guidelines Manual shall be encouraged and may be apportioned towards the required 15 percent minimum landscape area, provided that the hardscape design comply with the following criteria:
a. 
A mix of surface colors and textures that creates a pattern such as pavers, tile, brick, colored and stamped concrete (except painted concrete), or any other durable surface shall be utilized;
b. 
Properly irrigated raised planters, pots, hanging or suspended planter boxes, vases, etc., that are consistent with the theme and architecture of the development;
c. 
Site furniture such as benches, on-site light standards, bollards, gazebos, public art, etc., that shall not be located in the public right-of-way and shall be consistent with the theme and architecture of the primary building(s);
d. 
Up to 50 percent of the required landscape area may utilize decorative hardscape.
7. 
Landscape placement restriction. Plant materials shall be placed in such a manner that they do not interfere with the lighting of the premises or restrict access to emergency apparatus such as fire hydrants or fire alarm boxes. Trees or large shrubs shall not be planted under overhead transmission/telephone utility lines or over underground public utilities if their growth might interfere with such utilities.
B. 
Planting Materials
1. 
Trees.
a. 
Number of trees. At least one tree shall be provided for every 500 square feet of total landscaped area. From the total required, at least one tree shall be provided in the parking area, within tree wells or in landscape planters, for every 5 parking spaces.
b. 
Tree container size. The minimum tree-container sizes for all trees on a site shall be specified as follows: 20 percent of all required trees shall be of 24-inch box size or larger and the remaining trees shall not be less than 15-gallon size.
c. 
Placement of trees. Trees shall be placed as follows:
i. 
A minimum of 5 feet between the center of a tree and the edge of a driveway, water or gas meter, or sewer lateral;
ii. 
A minimum of 10 feet between the center of a tree and the point of intersection of the edge of driveways with streets or walkways;
iii. 
A minimum of 10 feet between the center of a tree and a utility pole;
iv. 
A minimum of 8 feet between the center of a tree and fire hydrants or fire-department sprinkler and standpipe connections.
2. 
Groundcover and shrubs.
a. 
Groundcover requirements. Groundcover requirements shall be as follows:
i. 
Turf and artificial turf areas should be limited and trees, shrubs, and ground cover should be planted wherever possible;
ii. 
A minimum of 3 inches of mulch shall be applied to all non-turf planting areas;
iii. 
Live plants used as groundcover shall be provided in a sufficient quantity to achieve 100 percent coverage of all planted areas, excluding areas comprised of non-living forms of groundcover, within 1 year;
iv. 
Crushed rock, pebbles, redwood chips and other forms of decorative pervious materials may be used as groundcover in lieu of live plants, provided that no individual landscaped planter area shall be without shrubs and/or trees.
b. 
Number of shrubs. One shrub or vine shall be provided for every 50 square feet of landscaping area.
c. 
Shrub size. Shrub size shall not be less than 5 gallons.
d. 
Placement of shrubs. Large shrubs shall be placed as follows:
i. 
A minimum of 5 feet between the center of a tree or large shrub and the edge of driveway, water or gas meter, or sewer laterals;
ii. 
A minimum of 10 feet between the center of a tree or large shrub and the point of intersection of the edge of driveways with streets or walkways;
iii. 
A minimum of 10 feet between the center of a tree or large shrub and a utility pole;
iv. 
A minimum of 8 feet between the center of a tree or large shrub and fire hydrants or fire department sprinkler and standpipe connections.
C. 
Plant Selection—Drought-Tolerant Plants. Landscaping shall emphasize drought-tolerant plants whenever/wherever possible. The use of cactus, however, shall be very limited and used only in small areas for accent.
D. 
Irrigation
1. 
Plants that require different amounts of water shall be irrigated by separate valves. If one valve is used for a given area, only plants with similar water use shall be used in that area. Lawn areas and planters shall be irrigated by separate valves.
2. 
Drip systems shall be installed whenever feasible.
3. 
A separate backflow-prevention device and anti-siphon valves shall be installed for irrigation systems.
4. 
A rain-sensing overriding device shall be used so that the irrigation system will automatically turn off in the event of rain.
5. 
The irrigation system shall be designed to prevent overspray and water runoff onto adjacent properties, non-irrigated areas, walks, roadways, or structures.
6. 
An automatic irrigation system using pop-up sprinkler heads shall be required for all new landscapes. Backflow preventers and anti-siphon valves shall be provided in compliance with current codes. Low-flow sprinkler heads shall be used wherever possible.
7. 
The landscape designer shall certify that the plans were designed with the intent to provide the maximum feasible water conservation. This certification shall be located on the irrigation plans and signed by the designer.
8. 
An irrigation schedule that takes into consideration the soil conditions, seasonal changes, and plant material shall be prepared by the landscape architect or contractor and included on the plans. Watering shall be scheduled according to the specifications of Section 13.14.050, Permanent water conservation requirements–Prohibition against waste, of the Westminster Municipal Code. The irrigation schedule shall:
a. 
Include a run time (in minutes per cycle), suggested number of cycles per day, and frequency of irrigation for each station;
b. 
Provide the amount of applied water recommended on a monthly basis.
9. 
Sprinkler heads and risers shall be protected from car bumpers. Pop-up heads shall be installed near curbs and sidewalks.
10. 
All trees shall be securely staked with double staking and/or guy-wires. Root barriers may be required for some tree species and locations.
11. 
All irrigation systems shall be designed to reduce vandalism by placing controls in appropriate enclosures.
E. 
Maintenance
1. 
A maintenance schedule that requires periodic water-flow checks, overspray, and viability and growth of the plant materials shall be prepared by the landscape architect or contractor. The maintenance check should be performed by the property owner or designated representative every 6 months.
2. 
Irrigation devices shall be repaired as soon as a fault is detected. Repair of irrigation equipment shall be done with the originally specified materials or their equivalent.
(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010; amended during Supplement No. 2, 1/12; Ord. 2528 § 3, 2016)
Compliance with Water Efficiency Landscape Measures. In addition to the landscape standards specified in Section 17.310.020, Landscape Standards, of this Chapter, all landscape projects subject to the Water Efficiency Landscape Measures, as identified in Section 17.310.010(E) and (F), Applicability, of this Chapter, shall also fully comply with the provisions stated in the City's adopted Handbook of Water Efficiency Landscape Measures. Terms used within this Chapter in regards to the applicability and implementation of the City's Handbook of Water Efficiency Landscape Measures are defined in said Handbook.
(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010; Ord. 2528 § 4, 2016)
A. 
Submission of Landscape Documentation Package Required. A Landscape Documentation Package shall be required for all projects and uses applicable to the provisions of this Chapter, with the exception that the submission of a Landscape Documentation Package shall not be required for changes to existing landscapes as specified in Section 17.310.010(C) (Changes to Existing Turf or Groundcover), Section 17.310.010(D) (Artificial Turf) and Section 17.310.033 (Modifications to Existing Single-Family Residential Landscape Areas).
B. 
Contents of Landscape Documentation Package. A Landscape Documentation Package shall include all of the following:
1. 
Project data—Specifications. The project data for all submittals shall include all of the following:
a. 
Project name, address of parcel(s), and assessor parcel number(s);
b. 
Name and address of property owner(s), project applicant(s), landscape architect(s) or person(s) responsible for preparing plans, and contact person(s);
c. 
Date of plan preparation;
d. 
Index of all sheets submitted (i.e., landscape design, irrigation, etc.).
2. 
Landscape design—Plan specifications. The landscape design (planting and hardscape) plan(s) shall be drawn on the projects base sheets at a scale that accurately and clearly identifies:
a. 
Landscape plans have been prepared and stamped by a professional appropriately licensed in the State of California to provide professional landscape design services, including, but not limited to, a licensed landscape architect, the architect of the development that includes the proposed landscape, or a licensed landscape contractor;
b. 
Plant materials, including trees, shrubs, live groundcover, turf, other vegetation, and decorative pervious materials used as groundcover. In addition to the new plant materials, all existing plants to remain and to be removed or relocated shall be identified. Planting symbols shall be clearly drawn and plants labeled by botanical name, common name, container size, spacing, and quantities of each group of plants indicated;
c. 
All property lines and street names;
d. 
Streets, driveways, walkways, steps and other paved areas;
e. 
Pools, ponds, water features, fences and retaining walls;
f. 
Designation of all hardscape and decorative hardscape areas including total square feet of the hardscape area and the total square feet of the decorative hardscape area. Each decorative hardscape area shall be dimensioned, and the total decorative hardscape area shall also be expressed as a percentage of the total required landscaping;
g. 
Decorative pervious materials used as groundcover, including the total square feet of area devoted to decorative pervious materials, the percentage of such area to the total required landscaping and dimensions for each planted area where decorative pervious materials are provided;
h. 
Existing and proposed buildings and structures including pad elevations, if applicable;
i. 
Natural features including rock outcroppings, existing trees, and existing shrubs that will remain;
j. 
Tree staking, plant installation, soil preparation, and any other applicable planting and installation details;
k. 
A calculation of the total planted area and percentage of turf area;
l. 
Designation of recreational areas;
m. 
Landscape-installation specifications;
n. 
Landscape-maintenance specifications, including the landscape contractor's maintenance period;
o. 
A table showing the quantity of planting material required per Section 17.310.020(B);
p. 
The location of all site improvements required to comply with an approved Water Quality Management Plan.
3. 
Irrigation design—Plan specifications. The irrigation design plan shall be drawn on the projects base sheets, at the same scale as the landscape design plan, and shall accurately identify:
a. 
Irrigation plans have been prepared and stamped by a professional appropriately licensed in the State of California to provide professional landscape design services, including, but not limited to, a licensed landscape architect, the architect of the development that includes the proposed landscape, or licensed landscape contractor;
b. 
Location and size of separate water meters for the landscaped areas as required, including service line and size;
c. 
Location and size of the point of connection for the existing or modified irrigation system;
d. 
Location, type, and size of all components of the irrigation system, including automatic controllers, main and lateral pipes, valves, sprinkler heads, moisture-sensing devices, rain switches, quick couplers, backflow prevention devices, and automatic rain shut-off devices;
e. 
Static water pressure at the point of connection to the public water supply;
f. 
Flow rate (gallons per minute), application rate (inches per hour), and design operating pressure (pounds per square inch) for each remote-control valve and head radius or water coverage for each head (diameter for full heads);
g. 
Estimated annual water use expressed in inches per square foot of landscaped area per year;
h. 
Hydrozones of high, medium, and low water usage, differentiated by color or patterning. All plants listed on the plant list or legend shall be classified and grouped by category of hydrozone;
i. 
Table or sheet showing compliance with the irrigation requirements outlined in Section 17.310.020(D);
j. 
Symbols, brand name and model number for each sprinkler head and irrigation device.
C. 
Projects and Uses Subject to Water Efficiency Landscape Measures. All projects and uses determined to be subject to the City's Water Efficiency Landscape Measures, as specified in Section 17.310.010, Applicability, of this Chapter, shall be subject to the additional Landscape Documentation Package requirements as stated in the City's adopted Handbook of Water Efficiency Landscape Measures.
(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010; Ord. 2528 § 5, 2016)
A. 
The provisions of this Section apply to all single-family residential uses.
B. 
Within any yard area, required to be landscaped as specified in Section 17.300.020(D)(2) (Setback Regulations and Exceptions), where an area of existing turf, plants, shrubs, and/or trees greater than 200 square feet is proposed to be removed for the purpose of modifying or replacing the existing landscaping within such yard area, and where artificial turf is not proposed, then the following provisions shall apply:
1. 
Decorate pervious materials, such as crushed rock, pebbles, or wood chips may be provided as groundcover, in lieu of turf and other live landscaping, provided that a ratio of at least one plant, shrub, or tree for each 25 square feet of area devoted to decorative pervious materials shall be provided within the same yard area that is required to be landscaped. A minimum of 60 percent of all required plants or shrubs shall be at least 5 gallons in size and all trees shall be at least 15 gallons in size. Decorative pervious material areas shall not be used for parking.
2. 
Decorative hardscape materials, consisting of rock, stone, brick, sculptural elements or similar impervious materials may be included within the overall landscaped area, not to exceed 50-percent of the required landscaped area for any front or street side yard. Decorative hardscape areas shall not be used for parking.
3. 
The property owner(s) or authorized agent shall obtain a Zoning Clearance, as specified in Chapter 17.515 of this Title, for the purpose of determining compliance with the provisions of this Section, prior to modifying or replacing the existing landscaping.
4. 
No portion of a landscaped area shall be used for parking.
(Ord. 2528 § 6, 2016)
A. 
For all uses requiring a landscape plan as specified in Section 17.310.010, proposed artificial turf areas shall be shown on a landscape plan and considered as part of the overall proposed landscape design. For uses which are not subject to the Landscape and Irrigation Design Standards as specified in this Chapter, the property owner or owner's authorized agent shall be required to comply with the provisions stipulated in Section 17.310.035(B), prior to the installation of any artificial turf area.
B. 
The installation and use of artificial turf shall be subject to the following standards:
1. 
Allowed materials include cut-pile in-filled type artificial turf, composed of nylon, polyethylene and/or polypropylene as defined in Article 7 of this Title.
2. 
All areas of artificial turf shall have a 8-year to 12-year minimum no-fade warranty.
3. 
The use of indoor or outdoor plastic or nylon carpeting as a replacement for artificial turf shall be prohibited. Artificial shrubs, flowers, trees, and vines in-lieu of living plant materials shall be prohibited.
4. 
All artificial turf areas shall be anchored at the edges and seams, with a proper drainage system. A bender board, acceptable to the City, shall be installed to prevent intrusion of living plant material into the artificial turf area.
5. 
All artificial turf areas must be maintained in a green, fadeless condition at all times and shall simulate the appearance of a well maintained lawn.
6. 
Vehicle parking shall be prohibited on artificial turf.
7. 
Installation shall be performed by a licensed professional in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements and specifications.
For single-family residential uses, where artificial turf is proposed in the front and/or street side yard areas, at least ten percent of such yard area shall be devoted to live plants, including live turf, shrubs, groundcover and trees.
(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010; Ord. 2528 § 7, 2016)