Chapter 18.13
LANDSCAPING
Sections:
18.13.030 Areas to be landscaped.
18.13.040 Water Conservation in Landscaping Act compliance required.
18.13.060 General requirements.
18.13.070 Installation and completion.
18.13.010 Purpose.
The purposes of the landscaping regulations are to:
A. Improve the appearance of the community by requiring permanently maintained landscaping;
B. Enhance the appearance of development and minimize or eliminate conflicts between potentially incompatible uses through landscaping;
C. Aid in energy conservation by providing shade from the sun and shelter from the wind;
D. Provide areas on site to absorb rainfall and assist in reducing storm water runoff;
E. Assist in erosion control;
F. Promote conservation and efficient use of water; and
G. Implement the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act. [Ord. 24-002 § 5 (Exh. A).]
18.13.020 Applicability.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the following:
A. All new development.
B. Additions to multi-unit and nonresidential development that expand existing floor area by ten percent (10%) or more.
C. All new and rehabilitated landscaping projects that include new irrigated landscaping over two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet.
D. Exceptions. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to the following:
1. Farming, agriculture, and crop production including vegetable gardens, vineyards, and small orchards.
2. Public recreational areas (designated for active play, recreation or public assembly).
3. Registered local, State or Federal historical sites.
4. Habitat restoration projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system.
5. Mined-land reclamation projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system.
6. Existing plant collections, as part of botanical gardens and arboretums open to the public. [Ord. 24-002 § 5 (Exh. A).]
18.13.030 Areas to be landscaped.
In addition to areas required to be landscaped pursuant to other sections of this code, the following areas shall be landscaped:
A. Required Front and Street Side Setbacks. All required front and street side setbacks shall be landscaped except for areas used for exit and entry.
B. Sloped Areas. All areas with 3:1 or greater slope.
C. Nonresidential Use Abutting or Within Residential Districts. Whenever a nonresidential use is located within or adjacent to a residential district, a five (5) foot wide landscape buffer shall be provided along all interior property lines.
D. Multi-Unit Residential Development Abutting or Within an RL District. Whenever multi-unit residential development is located within or adjacent to an RL district, a five (5) foot wide landscape buffer shall be provided along all interior property lines.
E. Parking Areas. Parking areas as required by Chapter 18.16 DMC, Parking and Loading.
F. Unused Areas. All areas of a project site not intended for a specific use, including areas planned for future phases of a phased development, shall be landscaped or hydroseeded. [Ord. 24-002 § 5 (Exh. A).]
18.13.040 Water Conservation in Landscaping Act compliance required.
All landscaping shall comply with the Department of Water Resources Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Cal. Code of Regulations Title 23 Division 2 Chapter 2.7). The Prescriptive Compliance Option of Appendix D (Cal. Code of Regulations Title 23 Division 2 Chapter 2.7) may be used as a compliance option. [Ord. 24-002 § 5 (Exh. A).]
18.13.050 Landscape plan.
A landscape plan showing compliance with the standards of this chapter shall be submitted with the permit application for all projects for which landscaping is required.
A. Information Required. Landscape plans shall be drawn to scale and shall include the following:
1. Proposed plant locations, species, and sizes.
2. Location of any existing tree over six (6) inches in diameter or over two (2) inches in diameter for oak trees, as measured at forty-eight (48) inches above natural grade, and whether each such tree is proposed for retention or removal.
3. Areas to be covered by nondecorative hardscape features (e.g., concrete, asphalt, gravel, driveways, sidewalks, etc.).
4. Areas to be covered by decorative permeable hardscape features (e.g., brick, stone, mulch, water feature, etc.).
5. Walkways, plazas and sitting areas, play areas, street furniture and other existing or proposed permanent outdoor equipment or decorative landscape features, if any.
6. Proposed method and location of irrigation.
7. Interim landscaping for future phases where deemed necessary by the City.
8. Information demonstrating the Department of Water Resources Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance will be complied with.
B. Alternative Landscape Plan. A modification to the standards of this chapter may be approved through a modification pursuant to Chapter 18.26 DMC, Modifications. The applicant shall demonstrate that the intent of the landscape requirements of this chapter will be achieved through an alternative landscape plan, prepared in accordance with the purposes set forth in this chapter. The alternative landscape plan shall clearly detail the modifications being requested from the provisions of this chapter and the alternative landscape plan reflects the evaluation criteria listed below.
1. Innovative use of plant materials and design techniques in response to unique characteristics of the site or the proposed use.
2. Preservation or incorporation of existing native vegetation.
3. Incorporation of naturalistic design principles, such as variations in topography, meandering or curvilinear plantings, and grouping of dominant plant materials (trees, large shrubs) in a manner consistent with existing native vegetation.
4. Integration of landscaping and pedestrian facilities in a manner that improves access or incorporates pedestrian-friendly design.
5. Use of additional shade trees to create a greater canopy effect.
6. A greater degree of compatibility with surrounding uses than a standard landscape plan would offer. [Ord. 24-002 § 5 (Exh. A).]
18.13.060 General requirements.
A. Materials.
1. General.
a. Required landscaped areas shall be planted with a combination of ground covers, shrubs, vines, and trees.
b. Landscaping may include paved and graveled walkways and the use of decorative materials such as brick, bark, sand, wood, decorative rock, structural features, or other decorative features, provided they do not cover more than thirty percent (30%) of the area required to be landscaped.
c. Garden areas and other areas dedicated to edible plants are considered landscaped areas and count toward required landscaping.
2. Size and Spacing. Plants shall be of the following size and spacing at the time of installation:
a. Ground Covers. Ground cover plants other than grasses shall be at least four (4) inch pot size. Areas planted in ground cover plants other than grass seed or sod must be planted at a rate of fifty percent (50%) of the plant’s maximum width at maturity.
b. Shrubs. Shrubs shall be a minimum size of one (1) gallon. When planted to serve as a hedge or screen, shrubs shall be planted with two (2) to four (4) feet of spacing, depending on the plant species.
c. Trees.
(i) Required Trees.
(A) RL District. A minimum of one (1) street tree is required for every fifty (50) feet of street frontage, or fraction thereof.
(B) RM District. A minimum of two (2) street trees are required for every fifty (50) feet of street frontage, or fraction thereof.
(C) Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts. A minimum of two (2) street trees are required for every fifty (50) feet of street frontage, or fraction thereof.
(D) Industrial Districts. A minimum of one (1) street tree is required for every fifty (50) feet of street frontage, or fraction thereof.
(ii) Minimum Size. Trees shall be a minimum fifteen (15) gallon size having a minimum height of six (6) feet and a one (1) inch caliper at planting unless the Director approves an equivalent quality of tree based on tree species and quality of stock.
(iii) Tree Selection. Trees shall be selected and planted in compliance with the adopted City of Dixon Tree Selection for Street Trees and Front Yard Trees, and any other applicable list or guide the City adopts for tree selection. Tree selection should consider the Sacramento Tree Foundation’s Air Quality Beneficial Volatile Organic Compound List, or comparable. When all other factors are equal, trees with the highest rating for air quality benefits should be selected.
B. Dimension of Landscaped Areas. No landscaped area smaller than four (4) feet in any horizontal dimension shall count toward required landscaping.
C. Prescribed Heights. The prescribed heights of landscaping shall indicate the height to be attained within three (3) years after planting unless otherwise noted.
D. Intersection Visibility. All landscaping shall comply with DMC 18.11.110, Visibility at intersections and driveways.
E. Maintenance. All planting and other landscape elements shall be maintained in good growing condition. Such maintenance shall include, where appropriate, pruning, mowing, weeding, cleaning, fertilizing, and regular watering. Inert matter, such as gravel, decorative stone, or other acceptable materials not consisting of live vegetation shall be kept neat, well-ordered, and clear of the public right-of-way. Wherever necessary, plantings shall be replaced with other plant materials to ensure continued compliance with applicable landscaping requirements. [Ord. 24-002 § 5 (Exh. A).]
18.13.070 Installation and completion.
A. Consistency with Approved Plans. All landscaping shall be installed consistent with approved plans and specifications, in a manner designed to promote and maintain healthy plant growth.
B. Timing of Installation. Required landscaping shall be installed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the project.
C. Exception – Assurance of Landscaping Completion. The Director may permit the required landscaping to be installed within one hundred twenty (120) days after the issuance of a certificate of occupancy in special circumstances related to weather conditions or plant availability. A surety in the amount equal to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the estimated cost of landscaping, including materials and labor, as well as an agreement that the required landscaping will be installed within one hundred twenty (120) days, must be filed with the City to assure completion of landscaping installation within such time. The surety may take the form of cash deposit, irrevocable letter of credit or bond; and together with the agreement, would provide for payment to the City of any costs incurred in contracting for completion of the required landscaping. [Ord. 24-002 § 5 (Exh. A).]