A. 
Title. The provisions of this chapter shall be known as the "Landscaping and Screening Regulations" of this title.
B. 
Purpose. The purpose of the landscape and screening regulations is to provide for the general welfare and convenience of the public by:
1. 
Increasing the compatibility between different intensities of land uses, by providing visual barriers, visually interrupting the barren expanse of paved parking lots, screening undesirable views which have a blighting impact on surrounding properties, and providing a visual separation and physical buffer between varying intensities of abutting land uses;
2. 
Implementing the comprehensive plan;
3. 
Encouraging the retention of significant existing vegetation to the extent feasible;
4. 
Reducing erosion and water runoff;
5. 
Conserving energy;
6. 
Preserving and promoting urban wildlife habitats;
7. 
Minimizing impacts of noise, light and glare.
(Ord. 893 § 2, 2011)
A. 
Landscaping shall be required within all yards, off-street parking lots and open land uses that are visible to and/or accessible to the public.
B. 
Shade trees shall be required within required landscaping, off-street parking lots and open land uses.
C. 
Screening shall be required as a buffer between activities having a different intensity of use and between certain zoning districts so as to mitigate the impacts of noise, light and glare and human activity.
D. 
All ornamental uses of water in the common areas of a development project, such as ponds, lakes and fountains shall be supplied, operated and maintained with alternative sources of water if they are available.
E. 
Exceptions to the specific requirements may be granted on a case-by-case basis due to either unusual site conditions or other extenuating circumstances.
F. 
The requirements are applicable to all landscaping for new and rehabilitated construction, including:
1. 
All residential development greater than one unit;
2. 
Model homes or temporary development;
3. 
Commercial;
4. 
Industrial;
5. 
Public authorities.
G. 
The requirements shall be used as a guideline for landscaping and irrigation for a single-family residence.
H. 
The requirements do not apply to that portion of a site irrigating edible crops or using nonpotable water.
(Ord. 893 § 2, 2011)
For the purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain works and phrases used in this chapter are defined as follows:
"Landscaping"
means vegetative plantings such as grass, trees, shrubs and vines and related improvements such as pools, walkways, rock work and sculpture which is of a design that will beautify and enhance a property and control erosion and reduce glare.
"Screening"
means a masonry wall, board fence, screened chain link fence, hedge, berm or vegetative planting or combination thereof which is of a design that will provide a visual and audible barrier between land uses having different intensities of use.
"Shade tree"
means trees of a variety approved by the city that will, under ordinary circumstances and growing conditions, provide shade upon reaching maturity.
"Automatic controller"
means a mechanical or solid state timer, capable of operating valve stations to set the days and length of time of a water application.
"Check valve"
means a valve located under a sprinkler head to hold water in the system so it minimizes drainage from the lower elevation sprinkler heads.
"Conversion factor (0.62)"
means a number that converts the estimated total water use from acresinches per acre per year to gallons per square foot per year. The conversion factor is calculated as follows:
(325,851 gallons/43,560 square feet)/12 inches = (0.62)
325,851 gallons = one acre foot
43,560 square feet = one acre
12 inches = one foot
To convert gallons per year to one hundred cubic feet per year, another common billing unit for water, divide gallons per year by seven hundred forty-eight. (Seven hundred forty-eight gallons equal one hundred cubic feet.)
"Estimated total water use"
means the annual total amount of water estimated to be needed to keep the plants in the landscaped area healthy. It is based upon such factors as the local evapotranspiration rate, the size of the landscaped area, the type of plants, and the efficiency of the irrigation system.
"Evapotranspiration"
means the quantity of water evaporated from adjacent soil surfaces and transpired by plants during a specific time.
"Flowrate"
means a portion of the landscaped area having plants with similar water needs that are served by a valve or set of valves with the same schedule. A hydrozone may be irrigated or nonirrigated. For example, a naturalized area planted with native vegetation that will not need supplemental irrigation once established is a nonirrigated hydrozone.
"Hydrozone"
means a portion of the landscaped area having plants with similar water needs that are served by a valve or set of valves with the same schedule. A hydrozone may be irrigated or nonirrigated. For example, a naturalized area planted with native vegetation that will not need supplemental irrigation once established is a nonirrigated hydrozone.
"Irrigation efficiency"
means the measurement of the amount of water beneficially used divided by the amount of water applied. Irrigation efficiency is derived from measurements and estimates of irrigation system characteristics and management practices. For the purpose of this chapter the following factors shall be used:
Spray heads (pop-up or riser)
0.60
Rotor or impact heads
0.70
Bubbler
0.70
Drip
0.76
"Landscape irrigation audit"
means a process to perform site inspections, evaluate irrigation systems and develop efficient irrigation schedules.
"Landscaped area"
means the entire parcel less the building(s) footprint, driveways, nonirrigated portions of the parking lots, hardscapes such as decks and patios and other nonporous areas. Water features are included in the calculation of the landscaped area. Areas dedicated to edible plants, such as orchards or vegetable gardens, are not included.
"Mulch"
means any material such as leaves, bark, straw or other materials left loose and applied to the soil surface to reduce evaporation.
"Nonpotable water"
means water unfit for human consumption, such as treated or recycled waste water, untreated irrigation water or untreated groundwater.
"Overspray"
means the water which is delivered beyond the landscaped area, wetting pavements, walks, structures or other nonlandscaped areas.
"Plant factor"
means a factor that when multiplied by reference evapotranspiration, estimates the amount of water used by plants. For purposes of this chapter, use the following plant factors:
Low water using:
0.1—0.3
Medium water using:
0.4—0.6
High water using:
0.7—0.9
These plant factors are based on the Water Use Classification of Landscape Species Project (WUCOLS). The project list is intended solely as a guide to help landscape professionals identify irrigation water needs of landscape species. It is not intended to be used as a required, mandatory, approved or master list. The WUCOLS Project is available from the California Department of Water Resources or from the Contra Costa water district.
"Reference evapotranspiration" or "ETo"
means a standard measurement of environmental parameters which affect the water use of plants. ETo is given in inches per day, month or year and is an estimate of the evapotranspiration of a large field of four-to seven-inch tall, cool season grasses that is well watered. Reference evapotranspiration is used as the basis of determining the estimated total water use so that regional differences in climate can be accommodated. (For historical ETo rates see Exhibit B attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter.)
"Runoff"
means water which is not absorbed by the soil or landscape to which it is applied and flows from the area. For example, runoff may result from water that is applied at too great a rate (application rate exceeds infiltration rate) or when there is a severe slope.
"Soil composition"
means the classification of soil based on the percentage of sand, silt and clay in the soil.
"Sprinkler"
means a device which sprays water through a nozzle.
"Station"
means an area served by one valve or by a set of valves that operate simultaneously.
"Turf"
means a surface layer of earth containing mowed grass and its roots. This can be either a cool season or warm season grass. For example, Red Fescue and Tall Fescue are cool season grasses; Bermuda grass, Kikuyu grass, St. Augustine, Zoysia grass, and Buffalo grass are warm season grasses.
"Valve"
means a device used to control the flow of water in the irrigation system.
(Ord. 893 § 2, 2011)
Landscaping in conformance with Section 17.630.008 shall be required as follows:
A. 
Residential uses: within any front yard or side yard adjacent to a street;
B. 
Public and quasi-public uses: within any parking lot, front yard, side yards adjacent to a street or interior open space that is visible from a public right-of-way or accessible to the public;
C. 
Commercial and industrial uses: within any parking lot, front yard, side yard adjacent to a street or open land use that is visible from a public right-of-way or accessible to the public;
D. 
Where a parking lot abuts a public right-of-way there shall be required a landscaped strip of not less than five feet in width contiguous to and parallel to such right-of-way;
E. 
Except for single-family residential uses landscaping shall be subject to design and site development review.
(Ord. 893 § 2, 2011)
Screening in conformance with Section 17.630.009 shall be required as follows:
A. 
Along the interior boundaries between any R, A, or OS zone and any C, IC, PEC, PF or SPF zone.
B. 
Parking lots for more than six vehicles shall be enclosed, except for necessary driveway openings, by screening where contiguous to or within two hundred feet of any property in any R zone, any A zone or the OS zone.
C. 
Where a parking lot abuts a public right-of-way across from property in any R zone, any A zone or the OS zone, such lot shall be screened along that right-of-way to a height of forty-eight inches.
D. 
The following specific uses shall be screened:
1. 
Multiple residential projects having four or more dwellings;
2. 
Public and quasi-public uses such as churches, schools and similar uses;
3. 
The boundaries of new subdivisions upon development;
4. 
Mobile home parks.
(Ord. 893 § 2, 2011)
The exception to the landscape and screening requirements are as follows:
A. 
The standards set forth in this chapter for location and height of landscaping or screening may be modified by the city when such landscaping or screening would constitute a danger to traffic by reason of impairment of vision at a street or driveway intersection.
B. 
Screening shall not be required along a lot line where a building wall, solid fence or freestanding wall of the required height exists immediately abutting and on the other side of the lot line.
(Ord. 893 § 2, 2011)
Required landscaping, to include shade trees, shall be installed in accordance with the following minimum standards. These standards may be exceeded voluntarily by the developer and greater standards may be imposed as a condition of an approved permit:
A. 
Parking lots and other open land uses which are visible to, or accessible to the public shall be landscaped at the following rate:
Parking Lot Size (Spaces)
Open Space Area (Acres)
Percent of Lot In Landscaping
6 or less
.1 AC
4%
7 to 15
.2 AC
7%
16 to 30
.3 AC
10%
31 to 70
.4 AC
13%
71 or more
.5 AC
16%
B. 
Landscaped areas, parking lots and other open land uses shall be required to have shade trees at the rate of sixteen trees per acre or fraction thereof.
C. 
Shade trees generally shall be of a fifteen-gallon can size having a minimum height of six feet and a one-inch caliper. Modification of these standards for equivalent quality of tree may be permitted by the city depending on tree species and quality of stock.
D. 
Shade trees shall be scattered within a parking lot approximately thirty feet apart and may be clustered within landscaped areas.
E. 
Landscaped areas and tree wells shall be contained by pavement, fences or walls, or shall be contained in planters and tree wells bordered by a minimum six-inch-high concrete curb or equivalent approved by the city.
F. 
Planters and tree wells shall have a width of not less than five feet and shall be protected from automobile overhang where necessary through the provision of tire stops or other barriers approved by the city.
G. 
Landscaped areas and planters shall be watered by an automatic irrigation system approved by the city and designed to maximize water conservation.
H. 
All landscaping shall be maintained in good growing condition. Maintenance shall include, where appropriate, pruning, mowing, weeding, cleaning, fertilizing and regular watering. Whenever necessary, planting shall be replaced with other plant materials to insure continued compliance with applicable landscaping requirements.
I. 
Paved and graveled walkways and the use of gravel or similar materials as a landscape feature shall not exceed twenty percent of the landscape area.
J. 
Vegetative materials shall be selected from among those known to be suitable to the climate of the city of Brentwood area.
K. 
In order to foster water conservation programs the use of native plants or other plant material proven to require minimal watering shall be permitted and encouraged.
L. 
Except for shade trees, landscaping or screening shall not exceed three feet in height within thirty-five feet of the street corner on any corner lots.
M. 
Within overhead utility line easements trees shall be of a type that customarily grows to a height not exceeding fifteen feet.
N. 
Within underground utility line easements the planting of trees shall be prohibited.
(Ord. 893 § 2, 2011)
Required screening shall be installed in accordance with the following minimum standards;
A. 
Except where a greater height is required by the city for noise abatement, fences and walls shall not exceed a height of six feet.
B. 
Walls shall be constructed in conformance with the requirements of the city director of public works.
C. 
Fence supports should be on a maximum of six-foot centers and cemented in place and may be four-by-four wood posts, pipe or masonry piers.
D. 
Fence covering shall be masonry, wood boards of not less than one-inch thickness or a chain link type fence with slats, vegetative or other durable screening.
E. 
Fences or walls shall be maintained in good repair, including painting if required, without any signs or advertising thereon except in conformance with the city sign ordinance.
F. 
Vegetative screening may include an evergreen hedge or a mix of evergreen shrubs and trees of a type, density and spacing so that sight and illumination will be obscured through the screening within three years of planting.
G. 
Except for trees, vegetative screening shall be maintained at a height of not less than six feet or more than ten feet.
H. 
An earth berm may be used in combination with any of the above types of screening, but not more than two-thirds of the required height of such screening may be provided by the berm.
I. 
All screening shall follow the lot line of the lot to be screened, or the inside edge of the sidewalks or shall be so arranged within the boundaries of the lot as to substantially screen, from adjoining properties the building, facility or activity required to be screened.
(Ord. 893 § 2, 2011)
A. 
Applicability. The "Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance" of the state of California, as contained in California Code of Regulations Title 23 Waters, Division 2 Department of Water Resources, Chapter 2.7 Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, Section 490 et seq., is hereby adopted by reference as the water efficient landscape ordinance of the city of Brentwood, as the same may be amended from time to time, as if set out in full in this chapter.
B. 
Severability. If any section, subsection, provision or part of this ordinance, or its application to any person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the remainder of this ordinance, and the application of such provision to other person or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect and, to that end, the provisions of this ordinance are severable.
(Ord. 983 § 1, 2017)
All landscaping, shade trees and screening required pursuant to this chapter shall be installed prior to granting of any occupancy permit(s) approval. Except upon submittal of a bond or other surety acceptable to the city, installation may be deferred for a period not to exceed six months from the date of occupancy.
(Ord. 893 § 2, 2011)