The purpose of this chapter is to:
A. 
Improve the appearance of the community by requiring aesthetically pleasing landscaping on public and private sites, which is permanently maintained for the life of the project;
B. 
Aid in energy conservation by providing shade in summer, and allowing sunlight passage in winter;
C. 
Soften the appearance of parking lots and other development;
D. 
Promote conservation of water resources through the use of native, drought-tolerant plants and water-conserving irrigation practices; and
E. 
Minimize or eliminate conflicts between potentially incompatible, but otherwise permitted, land uses on adjoining lots through visual screening and promote the general welfare and prosperity in the City.
(Ord. 20-03 § 6)
The regulations of this chapter shall apply to:
A. 
New Structures. All new construction projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 500 square feet requiring a building or landscape permit, plan check, or Design Review.
B. 
Additions. Additions that require Design Review Board approval.
C. 
Changes in Use. A change in use or building occupancy designation that results in increased parking requirements where sufficient parking to meet the increase does not exist on the site.
D. 
Rehabilitated Landscaping. Rehabilitated landscape projects 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.
E. 
Existing Landscaping. Any other existing landscape subject to Sections 493 and 493.2 of the California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Division 2, Chapter 2.7.
(Ord. 20-03 § 6; Ord. 20-09 § 5)
The following areas must be adequately screened and landscaped to meet the purpose of this chapter.
A. 
Parking Areas. Parking areas, as required pursuant to Chapter 17.38, Parking and Loading.
B. 
Unused Areas. All visible, undeveloped areas of a project site not intended for a specific use, including areas planned for future phases of a phased development, must be landscaped or left in an undisturbed state provided there is adequate vegetation to prevent erosion and the area is adequately maintained for weed control and fuel maintenance.
(Ord. 20-03 § 6)
A. 
Landscaped Areas. Required landscaped areas must be maintained free from encroachment by any use, structure, vehicle, or feature not a part of the landscaping design, except for any fire hydrants and related fire protection devices, mailbox clusters, pedestals, poles, cabinets, utility-housing boxes, or other permanent fixtures as approved for emergency or service access, or as otherwise allowed by this chapter.
B. 
Vision Clearance. Landscaping must be planted and maintained so that it does not interfere with public safety or traffic safety sight areas; see Section 17.24.210, Regulations Applying to Multiple Districts—Vision Clearance.
C. 
Public Safety. Landscaping must not encroach into the public road right-of-way, unless obtaining the required approvals from the City, nor be allowed to grow into public accessways, such as sidewalk or trails, so as to create an impediment, hazard, risk of injury, or public nuisance.
(Ord. 20-03 § 6)
A. 
Public Landscaping. Landscaping within City rights-of-way or on other City-owned facilities must comply with the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan.
B. 
Private Landscaping. Landscaping may consist of a combination of turf, groundcovers, shrubs, vines, trees, and incidental hardscaping, such as stepping stones, benches, sculptures, decorative stones, and other ornamental features placed within a landscaped setting.
1. 
Plant materials must be selected from among native or non-invasive drought-tolerant species and varieties known to thrive in the region’s climate.
2. 
Recirculating water must be used for decorative water features.
(Ord. 20-03 § 6)
A. 
Applicability. A Landscape Plan must be submitted with the permit application whenever new or rehabilitated landscaping is required, pursuant to Section 17.34.020, Applicability, and where applicable, must contain all required elements of the State and City’s Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO), including a checklist demonstrating preparation and submittal of each of the following required Landscape Documentation Package documents:
1. 
Applicant signature and date with statement, “I agree to comply with the City’s Water Efficient Landscaping requirements and submit a complete Landscape Documentation Package”;
2. 
Water Efficient Landscaping Worksheet, including the following:
a. 
Hydrozone Information Table,
b. 
Water Budget Calculation.
i. 
Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA),
ii. 
Estimated Total Water Use (ETWU);
3. 
Soil Management Report;
4. 
Landscape Design Plan;
5. 
Irrigation Design Plan; and
6. 
Grading Design Plan.
B. 
Required Final Documentation. At the time of final inspection, the permit applicant must provide the property owner with a certificate of completion, certificate of installation, irrigation schedule, and a schedule of landscape and irrigation maintenance.
(Ord. 20-03 § 6; Ord. 20-09 § 5; Ord. 21-07 § 4)