Chapter 12.24
SURFACING OF PLANTING STRIPS
Sections:
12.24.030 Surfacing prohibited.
12.24.010 Policy statement.
It is declared to be the policy of the city that all planting strips, as hereinafter defined, 34 inches wide or wider located within residential districts shall remain unsurfaced, be free and unobstructed so as to allow the planting, growing and maintenance of trees, flowers and shrubs in said areas. [1937 Code § 441.1.]
12.24.020 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms, phrases and words shall have the meaning given in this section:
A. “Block” is one side of a street between two intersecting streets.
B. “Planting strip” is that area or space lying, existing or being between the sidewalk and curb of any public street or highway in the city. [1937 Code § 441.2.]
12.24.030 Surfacing prohibited.
No person, firm or corporation shall place, deposit, install, maintain or allow the placing, depositing, installation or maintenance of any concrete, cement, stone, bricks, concrete blocks, cinder blocks, wood blocks, building blocks, flagstone, asphalt or other paving materials or any other or similar hard-surfacing material in any portion of any planting strip 34 inches wide or wider, which is located within any residential district, as the same is defined by PMC Title 18, except as hereinafter provided. [1937 Code § 441.3.]
12.24.040 Exceptions.
Subject to other provisions of this code and the laws of the state, hard-surfacing of portions of planting strips mentioned in PMC 12.24.030 is permitted as follows:
A. Concrete driveway entrances not exceeding a total width of 24 feet for each lot or parcel of land used as a single-family dwelling site;
B. For other than single-family dwelling sites, such other driveway entrances as may be approved by the planning commission of the city, when off-street parking is required;
C. For lots or parcels of land used as single-family dwelling sites, walkways, at the front of and not exceeding a total width of one foot for every 10 front feet of such lot or parcel;
D. For corner lots or parcels of land used as single-family dwelling sites, walkways along the street side thereof not exceeding a total width of one foot for every 10 feet along the street side;
E. Extension of sidewalks to the curb at street intersections;
F. Whenever a lot or parcel of land located within a residential district has either its front, or side in the case of a corner lot, in a block wherein all the other lots or parcels of land are not subject to the provisions of PMC 12.24.030, then the planting strip at the front of or at the side of (whichever is applicable) the lot or parcel of land shall also be exempt from the provisions of PMC 12.24.030;
G. Whenever a lot or parcel of land located within a residential district is used for a school, church or parking lot, the planting strip at the front or at the side of (whichever is applicable) the lot or parcel of land shall also be exempt from the provisions of PMC 12.24.030. [Amended during 2007 recodification; 1937 Code § 441.4.]
12.24.050 Other prohibitions.
Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed as allowing the hard-surfacing of any planting strips of any width, or in any zoning district of the city, contrary to PMC 12.32.090, requiring not less than 12 square feet of open ground around every street tree as the same is defined in Chapter 12.32 PMC. [1937 Code § 441.5.]