This chapter promotes and encourages high quality landscape improvements that recognize and respect the limited availability of water in the State of California. These provisions are intended to effect landscapes that can be maintained with low water use serviced by irrigation systems that will not overuse or waste the available water supply. This chapter promotes the consideration of water conservation measures through appropriate design, installation, and maintenance of landscape and irrigation systems.
(Ord. 2004-884; Ord. 2019-1056 § 3)
A. 
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to:
1. 
All new and rehabilitated landscape projects for public agencies and private developments, whether commercial, industrial or institutional, that would require a land use permit or building permit;
2. 
Developer-installed landscaping for single-family and multi-family residential development projects.
B. 
Exemptions.
1. 
Landscaping for a single-family residence;
2. 
Landscaping for multi-family residences with a total landscaped area of less than 2,500 square feet.
3. 
Landscaping for nonresidential developments with a total landscape area of less than 1,000 square feet;
4. 
Cemeteries;
5. 
Registered historical sites;
6. 
Ecological restoration projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system;
7. 
Landscape projects that existed prior to the effective date of this chapter, unless such landscaping is rehabilitated;
8. 
Landscape projects with conditions that, in the determination of the Community Development Director, would reasonably or necessarily be exempt.
(Ord. 2004-884; Ord. 2019-1056 § 3)
A. 
Landscape design and construction shall emphasize water conservation through the appropriate use and groupings of plant materials that are adapted to particular sites and to particular climatic, geological, or topographical conditions. The use of turf should be limited to only those areas designated for active recreational use or where irrigated by reclaimed water. The practice of heavily mulching all shrub beds is strongly encouraged.
B. 
All landscape plan approvals are subject to and dependent upon the applicant complying with all applicable City ordinances, codes, regulations, adopted policies, and the payment of all applicable fees.
C. 
Should any provision of this chapter conflict with any other provisions of the development code or any adopted specific plan the more restrictive shall apply.
D. 
All landscaped areas shall be maintained in an attractive and healthy condition, as evidenced by proper pruning, mowing of turf areas, weeding, removal of litter, fertilization, replacement of plants when necessary, and the regular application of appropriate quantities of water to all landscaped areas.
E. 
All irrigation systems shall be maintained in proper operating condition. Water line breaks, head/emitter ruptures, overspray or runoff conditions, and other irrigation system failures shall be repaired immediately.
(Ord. 2004-884; Ord. 2019-1056 § 3)
The submittal, review, revision, and approval of all required landscape and irrigation plans shall be in compliance with the following provisions:
A. 
Landscape and irrigation plans shall be prepared in accordance with the specifications contained within the "Yorba Linda Guidelines and Specifications for Landscape Development" available from the Community Development and/or Engineering Departments.
B. 
All final landscape and irrigation plans shall be prepared by a Landscape Architect or other person licensed by the State to prepare such plans. Conceptual landscape and irrigation plans may be prepared by the property owner or any other person capable of producing drawings that accurately reflect the landscape concept.
C. 
Final landscape architectural plans, subject to all applicable plan check fees, shall be submitted for the review and approval of the City Landscape Architect per the Standard Plan Check process prior to the installation of exterior hardscape, landscape planting, and/or irrigation. All final landscape plans shall be completed and approved prior to issuance of grading permits or building permits, whichever occurs first. Final plans may also be subject to review and approval of the Community Development Department prior to the Engineering Department's approval, if specific conditions so warrant such action.
D. 
Final landscape and irrigation plans shall be in substantial compliance with the approved conceptual landscape and irrigation plans. When it is determined by the Community Development Director or the City Landscape Architect that the final plans are not substantially in compliance, the final plans shall be submitted to the Planning Commission for review and approval.
E. 
Any modification to an approved final landscape or irrigation plan must be approved by the City Landscape Architect, and may require the approval by the Community Development Director prior to installation, unless he or she determines that the plans are not substantially in compliance, in which case subsection D, shall apply.
F. 
The Community Development Department may verify installations are in compliance with the approved final landscape and irrigation plans prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
(Ord. 2004-884; Ord. 2019-1056 § 3)
The design and installation of all proposed landscape improvements subject to this chapter shall comply with the following standards:
A. 
Landscape design shall include a selection of plant materials based upon their adaptability to the climatic, geologic, and topographical conditions of the site. The protection, preservation, and enhancement of native species and natural areas are encouraged. The use and placement of native species and preservation of natural areas in close proximity to development, however, must comply with the "Orange County Fire Authority Fuel Modification Guidelines," and landscape plans are subject to review and approval of the Orange County Fire Authority.
B. 
Landscape design shall encourage the use of drought tolerant plant materials, drip irrigation systems, the use of reclaimed water, and minimal use of turf.
C. 
Landscape design shall address fire protection requirements in areas that are fire prone.
D. 
Landscape design shall provide for the grouping of plant materials that have similar water demands to facilitate appropriate and efficient water applications.
E. 
Landscape design shall illustrate a concern for aesthetic elements such as balance, scale, texture, form, and unity.
F. 
Landscape design shall address the functional aspects of landscaping such as grading, drainage, minimal runoff, erosion prevention, wind barriers, provisions for shade, reduction of glare, and to soften and/or add interest to massive building walls.
G. 
Landscape design shall demonstrate a concern for solar access including exposure and shading of window areas.
H. 
Landscape design shall address the retention of existing mature landscaping that is in good, healthful condition, incorporating such landscaping into the landscape plan where feasible.
I. 
Landscape design shall provide for the planting of all unpaved areas with an effective combination of trees, ground cover, turf, shrubbery, and/or approved alternative landscape materials.
J. 
Landscape design shall include provisions to protect plant materials from damage by the encroaching of overhang of motor vehicles.
K. 
Landscape design shall facilitate the implementation of landscape maintenance practices that foster long-term water conservation. Said practices may include, but not be limited to, scheduling irrigation based on established industry standards, conducting water audits and establishing a water budget to limit the amount of water applied per landscaped acre.
L. 
For areas requiring screening, landscape design shall consider plant species, size and spacing in order to foster screening in order to achieve a 75 percent effective screening within a five-year period following installation.
M. 
Landscape design shall include trees within paved parking areas and other large expanses of paved areas to reduce surface temperatures in order to improve air quality and to promote energy savings or conservation ("heat island" mitigation).
N. 
Landscape design shall limit the use of the Eucalyptus genus of trees within the overall design, due to the general unreliability of the genus in not hosting detrimental insect infestations.
O. 
Landscape design shall be sensitive to selecting plant material that matures to sizes compatible with space allocated; limiting the need for pruning and mature growth control. In addition, planting design shall be sensitive to clear sight visibility at all intersections of vehicular movement.
(Ord. 2004-884; Ord. 2019-1056 § 3)
Irrigation improvements subject to this section shall be provided in accordance with the "Yorba Linda Guidelines and Specifications for Landscape Development" and to the satisfaction of the City landscape architect.
(Ord. 2004-884; Ord. 2019-1056 § 3)
Whenever a chapter of this code or any other code or condition meant to regulate a development refers to specimen vegetation, the following shall apply as shown in Table 18.28-1.
Table 18.28-1 SPECIMEN VEGETATION
Type
Minimum Size
Preferred Size
Trees
15 gallon
24″ box
Shrubs
1 gallon
2 ½ gallon
Groundcover
Flat equivalent to 1″ pot
3″ pot
Flowers
1″ pot
3″ pot
Grass/turf
—
roll sod
(Ord. 2004-884; Ord. 2019-1056 § 3)
Landscape plans may incorporate materials other than plants to achieve aesthetic effects. The prepared landscape plan shall show these materials. Acceptable materials include cobbles, crushed rock, woodchips or bark, stepping stones, decorator edging, fountains and pools, and low-intensity lighting. Additional materials shall not be used in lieu of planting materials.
(Ord. 2004-884; Ord. 2019-1056 § 3)
The maintenance of all landscape improvements subject to this chapter shall comply with the following standards:
A. 
Trees should be maintained in a healthy, growing condition in accordance with the following guidelines:
1. 
Prune trees annually to select and develop permanent scaffold branches to reduce potential for toppling and wind and storm damage while maintaining growth and natural appearance. The primary pruning of deciduous trees should be done during the dormant season.
2. 
Avoid the stripping of lower branches of young trees in order to promote proper caliper trunk growth until the tree is able to stand erect without staking or other support.
3. 
Staking of trees shall be as detailed in the "Yorba Linda Guidelines and Specifications for Landscape Development," and shall include the removal of nursery stakes.
4. 
All pruning cuts should be made to arterial branches or buds. Stub pruning should be avoided.
5. 
No more than 50 percent of foliage should be removed during tree pruning.
B. 
Shrubs should be maintained in a healthy, growing condition in accordance with the following guidelines:
1. 
All pruning cuts should be made to lateral branches or buds, or flush with trunks. Stub pruning should be avoided.
2. 
Topping of shrubs should be done only after interior selective branch pruning has been completed. Indiscriminant shearing of plant material, unless specified in the original landscape plans as "sheared hedge," shall not be performed.
C. 
Dead plants and those in a state of decline should be replaced. Landscape planters and hardscape should be kept free of weeds, leaf build-up, garbage and other debris.
D. 
Where landscaping of portions of a project is to be publicly dedicated for landscape maintenance purposes, the landscaping and irrigation system shall be maintained by the property owner for a period of one full year from the date of City Council acceptance of the overall project improvements. A one-year cash value settlement may be substituted for the extended maintenance period.
E. 
Development projects which include existing Eucalyptus windrows or other significant trees or vegetation shall provide, whenever feasible, for the preservation and enhancement of those trees and plants.
(Ord. 2004-884; Ord. 2019-1056 § 3)