The objectives of this chapter are to improve the appearance of certain setback and yard areas, including off-street vehicular parking and open-lot sales and service areas; and to protect and preserve the appearance, character, and value of the surrounding neighborhoods and commercial businesses to thereby promote the general welfare by providing for installation and maintenance of landscaping for screening and aesthetic qualities of the city.
(Ord. 1244-16 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)
These standards shall be considered as minimum requirements and shall apply to all new development (except a seasonal parking facility, single-family detached dwelling units and duplexes to be built on their own lot and not part of a subdivision) in the city that received preliminary plat approval before the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
(Ord. 1244-16 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)
All landscaping shall be installed in a sound, professional manner with the quality of plant materials as hereinafter described. All elements of landscaping shall be installed so as to meet all other applicable code requirements. Landscaped areas shall require protection from vehicular encroachment as hereinafter provided in SMC §§ 16.58.220 and 16.58.230. The community development director shall inspect all landscaping and no certificates of occupancy shall be issued until the landscaping meets the requirements provided herein.
(Ord. 1244-16 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)
The owner, tenant and/or manager or agent of any property that is required to be developed in accordance with these standards shall be jointly and severally responsible for the maintenance of all landscaping which shall be maintained in good condition so as to present a healthy, neat, and orderly appearance, and shall be kept free from refuse and debris.
(Ord. 1244-16 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)
In instances where healthy plant material exists on a site prior to its development, in part or in whole, for the purpose of providing landscaping for off-street parking or other vehicular use areas, the community development director may adjust the application of these standards to allow credit for existing plant material if, in his or her written opinion, such an adjustment is in keeping with and will preserve the intent of these standards.
(Ord. 1244-16 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)
These standards apply to all areas used for the display or parking of any and all types of vehicles, boats, or heavy construction equipment, whether such vehicles, boats, or equipment are self-propelled or not; and all land upon which vehicles traverse the property as a function of the primary use, including but not limited to activities of a drive-in nature, such as gasoline filling and/or service stations, grocery stores, banks, restaurants, and the like. The development of these activities shall conform to the minimum landscaping requirements hereinafter provided.
(Ord. 1244-16 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)
A. 
Quality. Plant materials used in conformance with the provisions of these standards shall be free of any disease at the time of planting. All plant materials shall be examined by the building, zoning official, city construction inspector one year from the date of their installation and any ground cover, shrubs, or trees found to be in a less than healthy and growing condition shall be replaced by the owner, developer, or their agent.
B. 
Trees. All plant material designated as "trees" on an approved site plan shall be species that are rated as having an average mature spread of crown of greater than 10 feet in the State of Washington. Tree species shall be a minimum of seven feet in overall height measured from the top of the root collar at the time of planting. Trees of species whose roots are known to cause damage to roadways or other public works shall not be planted closer than 12 feet to any roadway, water line or sewer line, unless the tree root system is completely contained within a barrier form, of which the interior containing dimensions shall be five feet square and five feet deep, and for which the construction requirements shall be four-inch thick concrete reinforced with No. 6 road mesh (six by six by six) or equivalent. A list of such tree species shall be maintained by the community development director for the guidance of the public.
C. 
Shrubs and Hedges. Shrubs shall be a minimum of two feet in height when measured at the time of planting. Hedges, where required, shall be planted and maintained so as to establish a continuous, unbroken, solid visual screen within a maximum of one year from the date of installation.
D. 
Vines. Vines shall be a minimum of 30 inches in length at the time of installation and may be used in conjunction with fences, screens, or walls.
E. 
Ground Covers. Ground covers used in lieu of grass shall be planted in such a manner as to present a finished appearance and reasonably complete coverage within three months after installation.
F. 
Lawn Grass. Grass areas shall be planted in species successfully grown as permanent lawns in the State of Washington. Grass areas may be sodded, plugged, sprigged, or seeded, except that solid sod shall be used in areas subject to erosion.
(Ord. 1244-16 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)