§ 17-65. Landscaped area general requirements.  


Latest version.
  • The minimum total lot area to be landscaped shall be based on the total impervious surface area of the lot. Impervious surface areas shall not be allowed to cover more than eighty-five (85) percent of the lot. The non-impervious area may include but is not limited to grass, shrubs, vines, trees, mulch, and above-ground detention. Underground detention shall not be used to add to the non-impervious surface area.

    Required trees. Trees planted for the purpose of this regulation must meet the following criteria:

    (1)

    All trees shall be from the approved list in sections 17-71 and 17-72 of this article, unless an alternate tree is deemed appropriate by the department director;

    (2)

    Shall be a minimum height of eight (8) feet when planted;

    (3)

    Shall have a height at maturing of at least fifteen (15) feet;

    (4)

    Shall be pollution- and heat-tolerant;

    (5)

    Shall require little maintenance, be mechanically strong, and disease resistant; and

    (6)

    No more than thirty-five (35) percent of one (1) species of tree shall be used for a new development.

    Use of landscaped areas. The parking of vehicles or other equipment and the display or storage of merchandise or goods in landscape strips, borders, islands, or buffers is prohibited.

    Landscaped area grass. A heat and drought tolerant sod grass is required in all grassed areas of a required landscaped strip, border, and planter island.

    Ground cover outside landscaped areas. All disturbed areas outside of the required landscaped areas including rights-of-way must be seeded and stabilized as soon as practicable.

    Water-conserving landscape materials (xeriscape). Creative site development concepts shall be used in order to promote water conservation.

(Ord. No. 43-09, § 1, 10-1-09)