The following standards shall be considered the minimum requirements for the installation of all plant materials in the City of Sultan.
(Ord. 1244-16 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)
A. 
General. Trees shall not be placed so as to interfere with site drainage, or where they shall require frequent pruning to avoid interference with overhead power and utility lines. Unless otherwise provided in these standards, a minimum number of trees shall be planted or preserved on each site, as follows:
1. 
Single-Family Residential Lots. One tree shall be planted or preserved for every 5,000 square feet of area or fraction thereof of a single-family residential lot. Trees larger than the minimum size may be credited as indicated in Table 16.58-B contained in these standards.
2. 
Multifamily Residential or Nonresidential Lots. One tree shall be planted or preserved for every 2,000 square feet of lot area or fraction thereof of either a multifamily residential or nonresidential lot. Trees larger than the minimum size may be credited as indicated in Table 16.58-B contained within these standards. Additional trees preserved on each lot shall only count for that lot/unit.
B. 
Large Wall Treatment. Wall treatment or landscaping shall be used to soften the impact of large blank walls of multifamily or nonresidential structures. The purpose of this requirement is to incorporate these large structures into the surrounding landscaping and to create a natural and enjoyable work and living environment. Screening or wall treatment shall be installed at a minimum of 10 feet in height and plant material installed shall meet the minimum height requirements of this section.
(Ord. 1244-16 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)
A. 
Where Trees May Be Credited. Trees required to be planted or preserved by these standards shall be used to satisfy the following requirements of other sections of this zoning code, including:
1. 
Interior of parking or other vehicular use areas;
2. 
Perimeter of parking or other vehicular use areas; and
3. 
Perimeter buffers in multifamily residential or nonresidential areas.
B. 
Where Trees May Not Be Credited. Trees required to be planted or preserved by these standards that lie outside the property lines of the subject site may not be credited in the tabulation of the required number of trees to be provided.
C. 
General. In enacting this minimum tree planting requirement, it is the intent to require that a canopy of trees be developed throughout any site proposed for development. This subsection establishes a formula for allocating a certain number of trees to each subarea in a site development. Preservation areas are excluded from the total area in calculating the tree planting requirements as an incentive to preserve significant vegetation. The actual number of trees to be planted or preserved will be established on the individual site development plan(s).
D. 
Allocation Formula. The minimum number of trees required to be planted or preserved within a site shall be determined by applying the formula established in these standards in SMC § 16.58.090. The minimum number of trees required to be planted in a subarea or phase shall be in proportion to the total number of trees required to be planted in the overall site development. This proportion shall be determined by calculating the percent of the subarea or phase relative to the total site proposed for development.
(Ord. 1244-16 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)