All land uses shall be provided with landscaping as specified in this section. Subsection (A) specifies requirements for all land uses while subsection (B) identifies additional requirements for non-residential land uses only, and subsection (C) identifies additional requirements for residential land uses only.
A. Landscaping Requirements for All Uses.
1. Setbacks. All setback and open space areas required by this Zoning Ordinance shall be landscaped, except where a required setback is occupied by walkways, decks, approved hardscape, or a driveway, or where a required setback is screened from public view, and it is determined by the Community Development Director that landscaping is not necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter.
2. Unused Areas. All areas of a project site not intended for a specific use (including areas planned for future phases of a phased development), shall be landscaped unless it is determined by the Community Development Director that landscaping is not necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter.
3. Parking Areas. Parking areas shall be landscaped as required by Chapter
19.28 (Off-Street Parking and Loading Standards).
4. Location-Specific Requirements. Location-specific landscaping may be required to provide visual relief or contrast, or to screen incompatible features of the site or use.
5. Street Trees. All land uses requiring a discretionary land use permit shall provide street trees at a maximum spacing of 30 feet along the sidewalk of the site frontage in compliance with the Urban Design/Streetscape Master Plan. In lieu of providing street trees, the Community Development Director may allow the applicant to pay a fee to the Street Beautification Trust Fund, as established by Council resolution. Additionally, the applicant shall provide surety acceptable to the Community Development Director to ensure the ongoing health and maintenance of the street trees in compliance with Section
19.26.080(C) (Performance Guarantee), below.
6. Non-Permeable Surfaces. Landscape areas shall comply with the limitations on non-permeable surfaces provided by Section
19.20.190(D) (Non-Permeable Surfaces).
7. Tree Preservation.
a. Existing mature canopy trees shall be preserved and, in new developments, integrated into a proposed landscape plan, except where their preservation is infeasible, and relocations or removals are performed in accordance with this section.
b. For additional information pertaining to designated or protected heritage trees, refer to the City's Heritage Tree Program.
c. For information and additional requirements pertaining to oak trees, refer to the Los Angeles County Code of Ordinances Chapter 22.174 (Oak Tree Permits).
8. Tree Relocation.
a. Mature Trees. If preservation in the same location is infeasible, mature canopy trees may be relocated on the same property or to another suitable relocation site, pursuant to the following requirements:
i. A zone clearance or other applicable permit is required for the relocation of any mature canopy tree.
ii. A qualified tree expert shall submit a tree relocation plan to be reviewed and approved by the Community Development Director, which shall indicate the location of each existing and/or mature canopy tree to be relocated and shall identify each tree proposed to be retained or relocated.
iii. Relocation must occur elsewhere on the same property where feasible. Where relocation on the same property is determined to be infeasible by a qualified tree expert and with the approval of the Community Development Director, relocation to another suitable relocation site may be permitted where:
(A) A qualified tree expert confirms in writing that there is no available or appropriate location on the property sufficient for tree growth and survival; and
(B) The owner of the proposed suitable relocation site consents in writing to the placement of a relocated tree.
iv. In the event of a relocation, the Community Development Director may consult with the City's arborist or another qualified tree expert and require measures to be taken to mitigate adverse effects on the tree.
b. Immature Trees. Immature trees may be relocated without a zone clearance or other applicable permit.
9. Removal of Trees.
a. Existing mature canopy trees shall be preserved in place. Removal may only be permitted if the applicant requests removal and provides substantial evidence that one of the following criteria are present and the Community Development Director makes a factual determination that the criteria is met:
i. The tree poses a hazard. In order to verify that a hazard exists, the city may require a tree hazard assessment to be performed by a qualified tree expert; or
ii. The tree is planted too close to an existing structure, such that it is either damaging or has the clear imminent potential to damage the structure; or
iii. The roots of the tree are causing damage to paved areas or sewer, plumbing or other underground utility lines; or
iv. The tree has an incurable disease or pest infestation that cannot be eliminated. The City may require this condition to be verified by a qualified tree expert; or
v. The tree has been damaged to the point that it cannot recover and grow properly or that it will grow in a misshapen or unsightly manner as defined by a qualified tree expert; or
vi. A tree may be removed if it is necessary to carry out construction.
b. Notwithstanding, the Community Development Director may determine that the removal of a tree is necessary to carry out construction in compliance with the Fire Code, Building Codes and any other applicable life-safety requirements or applicable standards, and a replacement is provided in accordance with subsection (A)(10) of this section. The Director shall publish a list of all applicable standards and any implementing regulations.
c. Removed mature canopy trees shall be replaced on the same property by new canopy trees in accordance with subsection (A)(10) of this section. If the applicant provides evidence that replacement on the same property is technically or physically infeasible based on existing site conditions or new development, a suitable off-site location on private property may be approved by the Director in accordance with subsection (A)(8) of this section.
10. Replacement of Mature Trees.
a. Any mature canopy tree that is removed shall be replaced with a canopy tree with a minimum 24-inch box size in a location that will grow to replace the removed tree without posing the hazards for which the tree was removed, if applicable, in accordance with Section
19.20.055 of this Code.
b. The Director of Community Development may allow for the substitution of a replacement canopy tree with other forms of landscaping if a qualified tree expert determines that the following conditions apply:
i. There are no other suitable areas available on the site for tree planting; and
ii. The substituted landscape area provides other ecological benefits in the form of nesting, foraging, and other equivalent support for a viable wildlife habitat.
11. Parkways. In residential zoning districts, parkways shall be installed in accordance with Section
19.20.160 of this Code for sidewalk requirements, and Chapter
11.46 of this Code for parkway requirements.
B. Landscaping Requirements for Commercial Uses. (In addition to subsection
A, above).
1. Landscaping Outside Fences and Walls. Freestanding fences or walls that are adjacent to any public street or sidewalk shall be located to provide a landscaped area along the frontage between the fence or wall and the street. Landscaping outside of fences and walls for parking lots shall be in compliance with Section
19.28.100(B) (Parking Area Landscaping Requirements).
a. The landscaped area shall contain the equivalent of at least two square feet of landscaping for each linear foot of frontage, in compliance with a landscaping plan approved by the Community Development Director. Where a hardship exists, the Director may reduce this requirement to a minimum of one square foot of landscaping for each linear foot of frontage in return for a wider landscaped strip.
b. The Community Development Director may approve alternative methods of providing landscaping along fences and walls where an alternative plan will provide equal or better landscaping within the intent of this chapter.
2. Outdoor Dining, Plazas, and Walkways. Projects shall incorporate extensive landscaping including trees and shrubs to provide vertical height and mass for outdoor dining, plazas, and walkway areas. These areas shall be designed and maintained to be visually attractive, usable and accessible by the public, and shall incorporate street furniture and pedestrian-oriented amenities.
3. Landscaping Above Ground Floor Level. Landscaping above the ground floor shall not be considered sufficient to meet the landscape requirements of this chapter.
C. Landscaping Requirements for Other Specific Land Uses. Landscaping requirements for certain other land uses not listed in this section may be found in Chapter
19.36 (Standards for Specific Land Uses).
(Ord. 01-594 § 2, 2001; Ord. 02-643 §§ 18, 22, 2003; Ord. 14-940 §§ 14–16, 2014; Ord. 19-1058 § 47, 2019; Ord. 19-1074 § 9, 2019; Ord. 23-26, 1/22/2024; Ord. 24-16, 6/24/2024)