Chapter 18.145
LANDSCAPING AND STREET TREES

Sections:

18.145.010    Title.

18.145.020    Purpose.

18.145.030    Scope.

18.145.040    Definitions.

18.145.050    Compliance with other regulations.

18.145.060    Minimum area requirements.

18.145.070    General landscape requirements.

18.145.080    Commercial, industrial and multifamily developments.

18.145.090    Residential subdivisions.

18.145.100    Required tree plantings.

18.145.110    Buffering and screening.

18.145.120    Acceptable street and parking lot trees.

18.145.010 Title.

This chapter shall be known as the Monmouth landscaping and street tree ordinance. (Amended by Ord. 1305, § 1 (Exh. A), November 6, 2012. Code 1983 § 96.305.)

18.145.020 Purpose.

Monmouth recognizes the aesthetic and economic value of landscaping and encourages its use to maintain a pleasant community character. Monmouth values its existing trees and wishes to both protect and retain them. The purpose of this chapter is to promote attractive street views and pleasing commercial frontages; to shade and soften the visual impact of parking lots; to require that trees be protected and retained and, if not possible, to be replaced with similar or appropriate trees; and to establish regulations for the planting, maintenance, removal and replacement of plant materials in the public rights-of-way, and in multifamily, commercial, industrial, and subdivision developments. (Amended by Ord. 1305, § 1 (Exh. A), November 6, 2012. Code 1983 § 96.310.)

18.145.030 Scope.

All construction, expansion or redevelopment of structures or parking lots for commercial, multifamily, or industrial uses shall be subject to the landscaping requirements of this chapter. (Amended by Ord. 1305, § 1 (Exh. A), November 6, 2012. Code 1983 § 96.312.)

18.145.040 Definitions.

In addition to the definitions set forth in MCC 18.45.010, for the purposes of carrying out the intent and purposes of this chapter, words, phrases and terms, as used herein, shall be deemed to have the meaning ascribed to them in this section. To the extent that the definition of a word or phrase in this section differs from the definition of the same or a similar word or phrase in MCC 18.45.010, the definition set forth in this section shall control for the purpose of carrying out and applying the terms and provisions of this chapter.

“Caliper” means the diameter of the tree trunk measured five inches above the base of the tree.

“Ground cover” means low-growing vegetation, excluding grass, which covers the ground in a solid mat.

“Heritage tree” means any tree designated as such by the City Council as provided under MCC 18.155.050.

Multifamily Development. As used in this chapter, “multifamily developments” are those residential uses subject to the site plan review requirements of MCC 18.10.110.

“Noxious weed” means any plant classified by the Oregon State Weed Board that is injurious to public health, agriculture, recreation, wildlife, or any public or private property.

“Park strip” means a portion of street right-of-way that is located between the curb and the sidewalk.

“Plant materials” means trees, shrubs and perennials.

“Remove” or “removal” means the act of eliminating, moving, or taking away any tree from its present location.

“Right-of-way” means the area between a street, or public easement, and private property.

“Severely prune” means to top a tree, or to remove more than 20 percent of the canopy within one year.

“Significant tree” means a particularly impressive or unusual example of a healthy tree defined by size, shape, age or other special species characteristic such as:

(a) Healthy trees over 50 feet in height; or

(b) A group of 12-inch or greater caliper stand of evergreen or non-fruit-bearing, hardwood trees; or

(c) Rare or endangered species, unusual specimens or mature tree species not normally found in this geographic location.

“Street tree” means a tree or substantial shrub on land lying within a right-of-way.

“Topping” means the severe cutting back of limbs within the tree’s crown so as to remove the normal canopy and to disfigure the tree.

“Tree” means any self-supporting woody perennial that matures at a height of greater than six feet.

“Xeriscaping” means a method of landscape design that minimizes water use. Plants whose natural requirements are appropriate to the local climate are emphasized, and care is taken to avoid losing water to evaporation and run-off. The specific plants used in xeriscaping depend upon the climate. (Amended by Ord. 1305, § 1 (Exh. A), November 6, 2012. Code 1983 § 96.315.)

18.145.050 Compliance with other regulations.

The regulations set forth herein are intended to apply in addition to and not in lieu of any other applicable regulations, including, but not limited to, Chapter 12.20 MCC, Trees Within Rights-of-Way. (Amended by Ord. 1305, § 1 (Exh. A), November 6, 2012. Code 1983 § 96.320.)

18.145.060 Minimum area requirements.

Landscaped areas may include landscaping: around buildings; in open spaces and outdoor recreation areas; in islands and perimeter planting areas in parking and loading areas; and in areas devoted to buffering and screening as required in this section and elsewhere in this chapter. The following area requirements shall be the minimum areas devoted to landscaping:

(1) Multifamily Developments. In the medium density residential and high density residential zones, a minimum of 15 percent of the gross land area shall be devoted to landscaping in multifamily developments. Interior courtyards, atriums, solar greenhouses, roof gardens and storm drainage retention areas may be included with general landscaped areas in the calculation of this percentage.

(2) Commercial Developments. In all commercial zones, except the Main Street district, a minimum of 10 percent of the gross land area shall be devoted to landscaping in commercial developments.

(3) Industrial Developments. In all industrial zones, a minimum of 10 percent of the gross land area shall be devoted to landscaping in industrial developments.

(4) For expansion of existing developments and parking lots, the required landscape minimum percentage shall be maintained. (Amended by Ord. 1305, § 1 (Exh. A), November 6, 2012. Code 1983 § 96.322.)

18.145.070 General landscape requirements.

The following regulations shall apply to all required landscaping:

(1) All required landscaping shall be installed prior to occupancy of a development unless arrangements are made with the City Manager to complete the landscaping at a later date, in which case a bond, or other form of security acceptable to the City Manager, in an amount sufficient to insure completion of the landscaping is required.

(2) Where landscaping or the preservation of existing trees is required, the property owner, or, in the case of street trees, the owner of the adjacent property, shall maintain the landscaping and/or trees during the normal life of the plant materials. Topping or severely pruning trees shall not occur. Only dead, damaged or diseased plant materials shall be removed and shall be replaced as soon as reasonably possible with aesthetically appropriate plant materials.

(3) Existing Plant Materials. Heritage trees, as designated under MCC 18.155.050, and significant trees, as defined by this chapter, shall be preserved and shall be integrated into the landscape plan when a plan is required. Tree preservation priority shall be given to heritage and significant trees and trees located within, or adjacent to, sensitive natural areas, designated wetlands, floodplains, and well head protection areas. Only healthy trees which are appropriate for the site at their mature size must be preserved. Removal of heritage trees shall be as provided under MCC 18.155.100.

(4) Protection from Construction. Excavations, driveways, and general construction activities shall not occur within six feet of any tree required to be preserved or within 80 percent of the distance between the drip line and trunk of the tree, whichever is greater. Construction plans for property adjacent to significant plant materials including heritage and significant trees must be approved in advance by the City Planner.

(5) Noxious weeds as listed by the Oregon State Weed Board shall be removed during site development.

(6) Xeriscaping may be used as a landscaping option. All xeriscaping plans shall be prepared by a licensed landscape professional. (Amended by Ord. 1305, § 1 (Exh. A), November 6, 2012. Code 1983 § 96.325.)

18.145.080 Commercial, industrial and multifamily developments.

(1) Site plans for all commercial, industrial and multifamily developments shall include a landscape plan, to be reviewed under the provisions of MCC 18.10.110, Site plan review. The landscape plan shall include a detailed planting plan, the location, size and variety of all proposed and existing plant materials, ground cover and lawn areas and the method of irrigating the landscaped areas.

(2) Landscaping shall be irrigated, either with a manual or automatic system to sustain viable plant life. A xeriscaping landscape plan using drought-tolerant plantings may be submitted.

(3) Landscaping with plant materials, lawn and/or ground cover is required in the setback/yard area. Gravel and/or bark mulch may be used for traveled surfaces such as paths and to mulch around the base of individual plant materials. Spacing of the plant materials, ground cover and/or lawn shall be appropriate to the species and the purpose for the planting.

(4) Landscape Contractor Required. All landscaping installations shall be done by a landscape contractor licensed by the State of Oregon. (Amended by Ord. 1305, § 1 (Exh. A), November 6, 2012; Ord. 1374 § 1 (Exh. A), June 20, 2017. Code 1983 § 96.330.)

18.145.090 Residential subdivisions.

Residential subdivisions shall submit, as part of the tentative subdivision plan application, a landscape plan delineating the type and placement of all street trees. For all new subdivisions, trees shall be planted in designated park strips. Where there is no designated park strip, street trees shall be planted in yard areas adjacent to the street. (Amended by Ord. 1305, § 1 (Exh. A), November 6, 2012. Code 1983 § 96.335.)

18.145.100 Required tree plantings.

Tree plantings in accordance with this section are required for all landscape areas, including, but not limited to, parking lots for 10 or more cars and public street frontages.

(1) Street Trees.

(a) Acceptable Trees. Street trees in designated park strips may be planted by the abutting property owner, after obtaining the consent of the City Manager as required by MCC 18.145.070, provided the species is on the list of acceptable species set forth in MCC 18.145.120 and meets all other requirements of this chapter. Street trees under utility wires shall be of a species designated as appropriate in MCC 18.145.120 whose size and growth habit will not interfere with the overhead utility lines. Street trees shall have a minimum of a two-inch trunk caliper and shall be typical of the species, be healthy nursery stock, be free of pests and diseases and be of similar species to existing trees in the area.

(b) Planting Requirements. Street trees shall be planted a maximum of 30 to 50 feet apart based upon the species size as shown in MCC 18.145.120. Trees shall be planted in the appropriate park strip width, subject to limitations regarding planting under power lines as shown in MCC 18.145.120.

(c) Planting, maintenance, and removal of street trees shall comply with all requirements of Chapter 12.20 MCC, Trees Within Rights-of-Way.

(2) Parking Lot Trees. The intent of requiring parking lot trees is to provide a canopy effect to shade and soften the visual impact of the parking lot. Parking lots which provide 10 or more parking places shall have trees in planters at the rate of one tree for every seven parking spaces. The planters shall be a minimum of three feet by three feet and shall be protected by either curbs or tire stops. At the end of each parking aisle and in nonparking areas (excluding traffic aisles) there shall be curbed planters, landscaped with appropriate plant materials.

(3) Areas Where Trees May Not Be Planted. Unless approved otherwise by the City Manager, trees may not be planted:

(a) Within 25 feet of a street corner;

(b) Within 10 feet of fire hydrants and utility poles;

(c) Within 20 feet of street light standards;

(d) Within a 10-foot triangular visual clearance area of a street intersection, driveway or alley;

(e) Within four feet from an existing curb face, except where required for street trees;

(f) Within 10 feet from a water valve, transformer or other above-ground facility of an underground utility;

(g) Within 10 feet of a public sanitary sewer, storm drainage, or water line; or

(h) Where the City Manager determines the trees may be a hazard to the public interest or general welfare. (Amended by Ord. 1305, § 1 (Exh. A), November 6, 2012. Code 1983 § 96.340.)

18.145.110 Buffering and screening.

(1) Buffer plantings are used to reduce apparent building scale, provide a transition between contrasting architectural styles, and generally mitigate incompatible or undesirable views and are used to soften rather than block viewing. Where required, a mix of plant materials shall be used to achieve the desired buffering effect. At a minimum, this mix shall consist of trees, shrubs, and ground cover, and may also consist of existing vegetation, such as natural areas that will be preserved.

(2) Buffering is required for parking areas containing 10 or more spaces, loading areas, and vehicle maneuvering areas. A minimum five-foot-wide perimeter landscaping buffer shall be provided around parking areas to buffer these uses from adjacent properties and the public right-of-way.

Where parking abuts this perimeter landscape buffer, either parking stops shall be used, or planters shall be increased in width by two and one-half feet. On-site plantings shall be used between parking spaces, as well as between parking bays and vehicle maneuvering areas. Low-lying ground cover and shrubs, balanced with vertical shrubs and trees, shall be used to buffer the view of these facilities. Decorative walls and fences may be used in conjunction with plantings but may not be used alone to comply with buffering requirements.

(3) Screening is required where unsightly views or visual conflicts must be obscured or blocked and/or where privacy and security are desired. Fences and walls used for screening may be constructed of wood, concrete, stone, brick, wrought iron, or other commonly used fencing/wall materials. Acoustically designed fences and walls shall also be used where noise pollution requires mitigation. A chain link fence with slats shall qualify for screening only if a landscape buffer is provided in compliance with this section.

(4) Where landscaping is required for screening and/or buffering, the plant materials shall be at least six feet in height and 80 percent opaque within two growing seasons.

(5) The requirements of MCC 18.145.100(2) and this section shall pertain only to new parking lots.

(6) Refuse Containers or Areas. Any refuse container or disposal area, which would be visible from a public street or right-of-way, shall be screened from view by placement of a solid screen (e.g., wood fence, masonry, or stone wall) not less than five feet in height. Fences shall not exceed seven feet in height. All refuse material shall be contained within the screened area.

(7) Outdoor Swimming Pools. All swimming pools having a depth of two feet or more shall be enclosed by a fence, preventing passage, having a minimum height of four feet. Fences shall have a self-latching gate.

(8) Compliance. The requirements stated in subsection (6) of this section, Refuse Containers or Areas, and subsection (7) of this section, Outdoor Swimming Pools, shall apply to existing refuse containers and areas and to existing outdoor swimming pools.

(9) In applying these screening and buffering standards the Planning Commission shall be guided by the need to protect the public and adjacent land uses from objectionable noise, dust, odors, erosion, heat, glare, unsafe, or unsanitary conditions. All required screening and buffering shall comply with this section pertaining to view obstructions.

(10) The requirements for screening/buffering parking and refuse areas shall not apply to single-detached, duplex, triplex, or townhome residential uses. The requirements for screening and protecting swimming pools shall apply to all outdoor swimming pools whether public or private in any land use zone within the City. (Amended by Ord. 1305, § 1 (Exh. A), November 6, 2012; Ord. 1408, § 1 (Exh. A), May 2, 2023. Code 1983 § 96.342.)

18.145.120 Acceptable street and parking lot trees.

Common Name

Scientific Name

Mature Height

Canopy Spread

Minimum Park Strip Width

Overhead Powerlines

4 feet

8 feet

Yes

No

Accolade Elm

Ulmus japonica x wilsoniana ‘Morton’

70'

60'

 

X

 

X

Akebono Flowering Cherry

Prunus yedoensis

25'

25'

 

X

X

 

American Hornbeam

Carpinus caroliniana

20-30'

20-30'

X

 

X

X

Amur Maackia

Maackia amurensis

12-30'

12-30'

X

 

X

X

Amur Maple

Acer ginnala

20'

20'

X

 

X

X

Anglo Yew

Taxus x media ‘Hicksii’

2-20'

2-20'

X

 

X

X

Aristocrat Pear

Pyrus calleryana ‘Aristocrat’

40'

28'

X

 

 

X

Autumn Blaze Pear

Pyrus calleryana

30'

25'

X

 

X

 

Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry

Amelanchier x grandiflora

20'

15'

X

 

X

X

Bigleaf Snowbell Tree

Styrax obassia

35'

25'

X

 

X

X

Blirelana Plum

Prunus x blireiana

20'

20'

X

 

X

X

Canada Red Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana ‘Canada red’

25'

20'

 

X

X

 

Capital Pear

Pyrus calleryana ‘Capital’

35'

12'

X

 

X

 

Chanticleer Pear

Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’

20-35'

20'

X

 

X

X

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana

20-30'

20'

X

 

X

X

Bur Oak

Quercus macrocarpa

55'

45'

 

X

 

X

Cascara

Rhamnus Purshiana

30'

25'

X

 

X

X

Catalpa

Catalpa speciosa

60'

40'

 

X

 

X

Centurion Crabapple

Malus ‘Centurion’

20'

15'

X

 

X

X

Chancellor linden

Tilla cordata ‘Chancole’

35'

20'

X

 

 

X

Chinese Dogwood

Cornus kousa chinensis

25'

25'

X

 

X

 

Chinese Elm

Ulmus parvifolia

40-50'

45'

 

X

 

X

Chinese Flame Tree

Koelreuteria bipinnata

20-30'

20-30'

X

 

X

X

Chinese Tupelo

Nyssa sinensis

40'

30'

X

X

 

 

Columnar Goldenrain

Koelreuteria paniculata

30'

6'

X

 

X

X

Columnar Siberian Crabapple

Malus Baccata

30'

10'

X

 

 

X

Cornelian Cherry Dogwood

Cornus mas

15-20'

20-25'

X

 

X

X

Crabapple

Malus spp.

10-25'

20'

X

 

X

X

Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia cultivars

20'

20'

X

 

X

X

Crimson Cloud Hawthorn

Crataegus laevigata

25'

18'

X

 

X

X

Crimson Spire Oak

Quercus alba x Q. robur ‘Crimschmidt’

45'

15'

X

 

 

X

David’s Maple

Acer davidii

30'

20'

X

 

X

 

Dogwoods

Cornus spp.

15-30'

30'

X

 

X

X

Eastern Redbud

Cercis canadensis

20-35'

25-40'

 

X

 

X

Edith Bogue Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora

30'

15'

X

 

X

 

English Oak

Quercus robur

50-60'

40'

 

X

 

X

European Hornbeam

Carpinus betulus

50'

35'

 

X

 

X

Forest Green Oak

Quercus frainetto ‘Schmidt’

50'

30'

X

 

 

X

Galaxy Magnolia

Magnolia ‘Galaxy’

35'

25'

X

 

X

X

Glenleven Linden

Tilia cordata ‘Gleneven’

45'

30'

 

X

 

X

Glorybower Tree

Clerodendrum trichotomum

20'

20'

X

 

X

 

Goldenrain Tree

Koelreuteria paniculata

20-40'

20-40'

 

X

 

X

Green Vase Zelkova

Zelkova serrata ‘Green vase’

50'

40'

 

X

 

X

Hackberry

Celtis occidentalis

60-80'

40-60'

 

X

 

X

Hedge Maple

Acer campestre

30'

25'

X

 

X

X

Jacquemontii Birch

Betula jacquemontii

40'

30'

X

 

 

X

Japanese Hornbeam

Carpinus japonicus

20-30'

12-15'

X

 

X

X

Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum

8-20'

6'

X

 

X

X

Japanese Pagoda Tree

Sophora japonica

50-70'

50-70'

 

X

 

X

Japanese Snowbell

Styrax japonicum

20-30'

25'

X

 

X

X

Japanese Tree Lilac

Syringa reticulata

25'

20'

X

 

X

X

June Snow Giant Dogwood

Cornus controversa ‘June snow’

40'

30'

X

 

 

X

Katsura Tree

Cercidiphyllum japonicum

40-60'

20-30'

 

X

 

X

Legacy Sugar Maple

Acer saccharum ‘Legacy’

50'

35'

 

X

 

X

Lilacs

Syringa spp.

6-20'

6-20'

X

 

X

X

Little Leaf Linden

Tilia cordata

30-50'

30'

 

X

 

X

Maidenhair Tree

Ginkgo biloba

40-70'

25-35'

 

X

 

X

Metro Gold Hedge Maple

Acer campestre ‘Panacek’

30'

25'

 

X

 

X

Newport Plum

Prunus cerasifera

20'

20'

X

 

X

X

Norwegian Sunset Maple

Acer truncatum x Acer platanoides

35'

25'

X

 

 

X

Pacific Sunset Maple

Acer truncatum x Acer platanoides

30'

25'

X

 

 

X

Paperbark Maple

Acer griseum

20-30'

20-30'

X

 

X

X

Persian Parrotia

Parrotia persica

35'

20'

X

 

 

X

Pin Oak

Quercus palustrus

60-80'

40'

 

X

 

X

Pyramidal European Hornbeam

Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’

40'

25'

X

 

 

X

Queen Elizabeth Maple

Acer campestre ‘Evelyn’

35'

30'

X

 

 

X

Red Baron Crabapple

Malus ‘Red Baron’

18'

8'

X

 

X

X

Red Oak

Quercus rubra

60-75'

40'

 

X

 

X

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

40-50'

40-50'

 

X

 

X

Redmond Linden

Tilia americana ‘Redmond’

40'

25'

 

X

 

X

Redspire Pear

Pyrus calleryana ‘Redspire’

35'

25'

X

 

 

X

Red Sunset Maple

Acer rubrum ‘Franksred’

45'

35'

 

X

 

X

Rocky Mountain Glow Maple

Acer grandidentatum ‘Schmidt’

25'

15'

X

 

X

X

Rocky Mountain Maple

Acer glabrum

20-35'

20-25'

X

 

X

X

Rocky Mountain White Oak

Quercus gambelli

20-30'

20-30'

X

 

X

X

Sango Kaku Japanese Maple

Acer Palmatum ‘Sango Kaku’

18'

14'

X

 

X

X

Saratoga Ginkgo

Ginkgo biloba ‘Saratoga’

35'

30'

X

 

 

X

Saucer Magnolia/Tulip Tree

Magnolia x soulangiana

15-30'

25'

X

 

X

X

Sawtooth Oak

Quercus acutissima

40'

40'

 

X

 

X

Scarlet Oak

Quercus coccinea

50-80'

45'

 

X

 

X

September Goldenrain

Koelreuteria paniculata ‘September’

30'

25'

X

 

X

 

Smoke Tree

Cotinus coggygria

10-15'

15'

X

 

X

X

Snowcloud Serviceberry/Juneberry

Amelanchier laevis ‘Snowcloud’

25'

15'

X

 

X

X

Sourwood

Oxydendrum arboreum

35'

20'

 

X

 

X

Sterling Linden

Tilia tomentosa ‘Sterling’

45'

35'

X

 

 

X

Sunburst Honeylocust

Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Sunburst’

45'

35'

 

X

 

X

Swamp White Oak

Quercus bicolor

45'

45'

 

X

 

X

Tatarian Maple

Acer tataricum

20-25'

20'

X

 

X

X

Tricolor Beech

Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea Tricolor’

35'

25'

X

 

 

X

Trident Maple

Acer buergeranum

20-30'

25-30'

X

 

X

X

Tulip Tree

Liriodendron tulipifera

60'

30'

 

X

 

X

Turkish Filbert

Corylus colurna

40'

30'

 

X

 

X

Village Green Zelkova

Zelkova serrata ‘Village Green’

40'

38'

 

X

 

X

Vine Maple

Acer circinatum

20-25'

20-25'

X

 

X

X

White Fringe

Chionanthus virginicus

12-20'

12-20'

X

 

X

X

Winged Sumac

Rhus copallinum

15-25'

15-25'

X

 

X

X

Yellow Wood

Cladrastis kentukea

30-45'

30-45'

 

X

 

X

Zekova

Zekova serrata

50-80'

40-60'

 

X

 

X

(Amended by Ord. 1305, § 1 (Exh. A), November 6, 2012; Ord. 1387, § 1 (Exh. A), November 19, 2019. Code 1983 § 96.345.)