Chapter 17.85
LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS1
Sections:
17.85.010 Statement of intent.
17.85.020 General requirements.
17.85.040 Preservation of significant trees.
17.85.050 Types of landscaping.
17.85.055 Special requirements.
17.85.060 Alternative landscaping option.
17.85.080 Maintenance of plant materials.
17.85.010 Statement of intent.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum requirements and standards for landscaping, buffering, and screening where needed to:
A. Promote safety;
B. Provide screening between incompatible land uses to safeguard privacy and to protect the aesthetic assets of the city;
C. Provide for standards for landscaping of commercial, industrial, and multifamily residential uses with more than five residential units; and
D. Retain significant trees; and
E. Minimize surface water runoff and diversion, facilitate infiltration, prevent soil erosion, and improve the quality of stormwater discharge to protect surface waters;
F. Allow the use of modern construction techniques and materials to provide for screening and buffering in standards for landscaping (i.e., composite materials in place of masonry or concrete or alternate materials for fencing or paving). [Ord. 1102B § 1, 2024.]
17.85.020 General requirements.
A. A plot plan of the proposed landscaping and screening (landscape plan) shall be prepared by a licensed landscape architect, Washington-certified nurseryman, or Washington-certified landscaper and incorporated into plans submitted for preliminary plat, site plan review, conditional use permit, planned unit development, master plan, administrative design review or building permit review.
B. The landscape plan shall contain the following information:
1. Existing plant material and soil to be retained;
2. Proposed plant material to be placed on site. The type, size, number and spacing on plantings must be shown and listed in a table showing plant material, sizes and quantities;
3. Surface parking location and design;
4. Trash and recycling areas and bin location;
5. Loading and service areas location;
6. Screening and buffering: general; perimeter fencing and walls; parking structures; and surface parking lots;
7. All areas where soils are to be amended;
8. Existing or proposed open space areas (natural or enhanced);
9. Timeline for site preparation and installation of plant materials;
10. Critical areas and their buffers. New landscape plans on properties containing critical areas will be held to CMC 17.21.087.
C. All landscape plans shall be drawn to a scale of one inch equals 40 feet, or larger.
D. The applicant shall utilize tree protection techniques including minimizing grading within a tree dripline and avoiding cutting or removing more than 30 percent of a tree’s root system without the approval of a certified arborist. These standards are examples of the minimum necessary standards to provide for the continued healthy life of retained significant trees including during land alteration and construction. The applicant must at all times use all other generally accepted construction practices for tree preservation when working within a dripline for a significant tree to be retained.
E. Root barriers shall be included as specified below when trees are to be planted within 10 feet of the public right-of-way, public or private sidewalk or paved walkway, public or private pedestrian plazas, or within 10 feet of any public water or sewer utility. Root barriers shall meet the following standards:
1. Tree root barrier material shall be installed and shall be from a list of materials approved by public works.
2. The tree root barrier shall extend 15 feet past the tree trunk on each side facing the sidewalk or utility.
3. Tree root barrier material shall be placed at least 24 inches from the curb, sidewalk or utility.
4. Root barrier depth shall be a minimum of 18 inches unless greater depth is specified by the city of Chehalis public works department. [Ord. 1102B § 1, 2024.]
17.85.025 Exemptions.
Exemptions from the requirements of this chapter apply as follows:
A. Single-family residences.
B. Duplex residences when proposing no more than one structure.
C. Multifamily residential developments with:
1. Less than five dwelling units per proposed structure; and
2. No more than one structure per lot; and
3. The parcel abuts only residential zones.
D. The construction of an office, school, commercial, recreational, service, or storage building with:
1. Less than 2,000 square feet of new or remodeled building area, and located on a road not requiring frontage improvements per CMC 12.04.110 except when abutting a residential use; or
2. Less than 1,000 square feet of new or remodeled building area and located on a road requiring frontage improvements per CMC 12.04.110, if the applicant can demonstrate that the cost to meet the landscape requirements exceeds 10 percent of the cost of the development except when abutting a residential use.
E. Renovations or remodels that do not alter the landscaping or building footprint or parking and maneuvering areas. [Ord. 1102B § 1, 2024.]
17.85.040 Preservation of significant trees.
A. Significant Trees – Defined. A “significant tree” is defined as a tree that is not on the prohibited tree list in CMC 12.04.320(J) and is a tree in good health that is 16 inches diameter breast height (measured four and one-half feet above grade) for single trunk trees. For multi-trunked trees, the DBH shall be the average of the tree trunks at DBH for the purpose of determining if it meets the significant tree designation.
B. Applicants required to prepare a landscape plan by this chapter shall retain significant trees except as provided below:
1. Trees that constitute a safety hazard as shown by a professional arborist’s report may be removed. When feasible, options that mitigate the safety hazard and maintain priority snags should be explored.
2. Tree clearing approved through an approved forest practices application are exempt from the requirements of this section.
3. Significant trees within areas required for access and sight distance as defined in this code, and areas to be cleared for required roads, utilities, sidewalks, trails, or storm drainage improvements, are exempt from this requirement.
4. The removal of up to two significant trees per acre within a 12-month period. This exemption may be combined with the items in subsections (B)(1) and (B)(2) of this section.
5. Where it can be demonstrated that removal of a significant tree would allow the site to function for its intended use, significant trees in excess of the maximum allowable removal within a 12-month period may be removed with the approval of the city manager or their designee through the variance process as listed in CMC 17.09.190, subject to variance approval criteria. Trees removed under this circumstance shall be replaced at a ratio of 2:1 and shall be included with the proposed landscaping plan or shall be planted prior to occupancy if no landscape plan is otherwise required. The responsible official may approve use of existing vegetation to fulfill landscaping and screening requirements of this section if that existing landscaping provides at least an equivalent level of screening as the standard required for the development in question.2 [Ord. 1102B § 1, 2024.]
17.85.050 Types of landscaping.
All projects not specifically exempted by CMC 17.85.025 shall be required to provide landscaping that satisfies the functions and specific requirements of this section. Required landscaping shall not apply between buildings in common wall construction situations.
A. Type I – High Screen Landscaping.
1. Purpose. Type I landscaping is intended to provide a very dense sight barrier and physical buffer to significantly separate conflicting uses and land use districts and to screen trash and recycling areas and loading areas.
2. Requirements.
a. Type I landscaping shall be required whenever a commercial or industrial district abuts a residential use.
b. Type I landscaping is also required in a mixed use zoning district when a nonresidential use abuts a residential use.
c. Required Materials. The Type I standard requires enough high shrubs to form a screen six feet high and 95 percent opaque year-round. In addition, one tree is required per 30 lineal feet of landscaped area or as appropriate to provide a tree canopy over the landscaped area. Ground cover plants must fully cover the remainder of the landscaped area with the exception of stormwater bioretention facilities which must be designed and vegetated per the standards in CMC 12.04.340. Bioretention facility plantings may be used in combination with perimeter shrubs to achieve the required width of the buffer, provided a continuous screen six feet high and 95 percent opaque year-round can be achieved within two years of planting.
d. A six-foot-high wall or fence that complies with the Type IV standard shown in Figure 1 with or without a berm may be substituted for shrubs, but the trees and ground cover plants are still required. If a Type IV standard is applied, the minimum width shall be six feet. When applied along street frontage(s), the screen or wall is to be placed along the interior side of the landscaped area.
e. Type I landscaping areas shall provide a minimum width of 15 feet.
f. All plant materials and vegetative ground cover must be selected and maintained so that the entire landscape area will be covered within three years.
g. All intervening area not occupied by trees or shrubs shall be covered by vegetative ground cover, mulch, beauty bark, or rock that will fill the remainder of the required planting area(s).
h. Any other alternative mix of plantings can be considered provided the intent of the Type I landscaping type is satisfied through CMC 17.85.060, Alternative landscape option.
i. Landscape plantings shall be developed or adapted to the conditions of the Northwest.
B. Type II – Low Screen Landscaping.
1. Purpose. Type II landscaping is intended to provide visual separation of uses from streets, and visual separation of compatible uses so as to soften the appearance of streets, parking areas and building elevation. This landscaping is used around the perimeter of a site and adjacent to buildings.
2. Requirements.
a. A Type II low screen landscaping is required whenever the proposed use abuts a similar zone at a different scale or intensity. For example, a single-family residential zoning district abutting a multifamily residential district or between differing commercial zones.
b. In a mixed use zoning district, the Type II landscaping is required in a similar manner between uses abutting similar uses at different densities. For example, when a neighborhood commercial use abuts a general commercial use or between varying densities of residential uses.
c. Required Materials. The Type II standard requires enough low shrubs to form a continuous screen three feet high and 95 percent opaque year-round. In addition, one tree is required per 30 lineal feet of landscaped area or as appropriate to provide a tree canopy over the landscaped area. Ground cover plants must fully cover the remainder of the landscaped area with the exception of stormwater bioretention facilities which must be designed and vegetated per the standards in CMC 12.04.340. Bioretention facility plantings may be used in combination with perimeter shrubs to achieve the required width of the buffer, provided a continuous screen six feet high and 95 percent opaque year-round can be achieved within two years of planting. A three-foot-high masonry wall or fence at a Type IV standard or a berm may be substituted for shrubs, but the trees and ground cover plants are still required. When applied along street lot lines, the screen or wall is to be placed along the interior side of the landscaped area. See Figure 1.
d. When Type II landscaping is required to provide partial screening between uses, a minimum planting area of eight feet in width shall be provided. This can be decreased to five feet if a Type IV screen is provided to the standard above.
e. All plant materials and vegetative ground cover must be selected and maintained so that the entire landscape area will be covered within three years.
f. All intervening area not occupied by trees or shrubs shall be covered by vegetative ground cover, mulch, beauty bark, or rock that will fill the remainder of the required planting area(s).
g. Any other alternative mix of plantings can be considered provided the intent of the Type II landscaping type is satisfied as allowed through CMC 17.85.060, Alternative landscaping option.
h. In a commercial or multifamily residential zoning district and where a building is to be placed at the buffer line for a front setback, permeable pavement may be used in place of the required ground cover for the length of the building for the front setback only; provided, the required trees are still supplied, the paved area is connected to the public sidewalk, and pedestrian amenities are provided such as benches or pedestrian plazas. The building need not be placed at the required buffer line to utilize this section if the area between the buffer line and the building is devoted entirely to pedestrian only areas.
i. Landscape plantings shall be developed or adapted to the conditions of the Northwest.
C. Type III.
1. Purpose. Type III landscaping is intended to provide visual relief where clear sight is required. This landscaping type is utilized between sites abutting the same zoning or use at the same intensity. For example, if two abutting sites are designated as the same zoning district or within a mixed use zone, the uses are similar in type and density or intensity.
2. Requirements.
a. Required Materials. There are two ways to provide trees and shrubs to comply with a Type III standard. Shrubs and trees may be grouped. Ground cover plants, grass lawn or approved ground cover (i.e., pavers, bark mulch or chips, decorative gravel) must fully cover the landscaped area not in shrubs and trees. See Figure 1 for an illustration of a planting standard that can comply with the Type III standard.
b. Where the area to be landscaped is less than 10 feet deep, one tree shall be provided per 30 linear feet of landscaped area.
c. Where the area is 10 feet deep or greater, one tree shall be provided per 800 square feet and either two high shrubs or three low shrubs shall be provided per 400 square feet of landscaped area.
d. In a commercial or multifamily residential zoning district and where a building is to be placed at the buffer line for a front setback, permeable pavement may be used in place of the required ground cover for the length of the building for the front setback only; provided, the required trees are still supplied, the paved area is connected to the public sidewalk, and pedestrian amenities are provided such as benches or pedestrian plazas. The building need not be placed at the required buffer line to utilize this section if the area between the buffer line and the building is devoted entirely to pedestrian only areas.
e. The minimum width for Type III landscaping shall be six feet along street frontages to provide adequate rooting area for large street trees and to provide adequate streetscape.
f. Ground cover or low shrubs developed for conditions of the Northwest shall be planted. Ground cover in planting strips where on-street parking is present shall be turf type grass, whereas low shrubs shall be required in areas without on-street parking to provide both visual and physical separation between moving traffic and pedestrians.
Figure 1 – Diagram of landscape types:
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Type I – High Screen Landscaping |
Type II – Low Screen Landscaping |
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Type III – General Landscaping |
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Type IV – Sight Obscuring Landscaping Fully sight obscuring fence or wall (chain link with slats or solid material fence or wall) 6 feet in height |
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Combination of berm construction and landscape planting in a solid hedge row to achieve a 6-foot height |
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D. Parking Lot Landscaping.
1. Purpose. To provide visual relief and shade in parking areas.
2. Requirements.
a. Quantity.
i. If the parking area contains no more than 25 parking spaces, at least 35 square feet of landscape area must be provided for each parking stall proposed.
i. If the parking area contains more than 25 spaces, at least 50 square feet of Type IV landscape area must be provided for each parking stall proposed.
b. Design.
i. Landscaping shall be provided along all parking and maneuvering areas to the low screen standard if parking areas face perimeter lot lines.
ii. The minimum width for parking lot landscaping shall be six feet for landscape islands and around the property lines abutting the parking area.
iii. Planting areas shall be provided with the maximum number of trees possible given recommended spacing for species type, with a minimum of at least one tree per planting island.
iv. No parking stall shall be located more than 50 feet from a tree.
v. All intervening area not occupied by trees or shrubs shall be covered by vegetative ground cover that will fill the remainder of the required planting area(s) within three years of planting.
vi. A landscaped area must be placed at the interior end of each parking row in a multiple-lane parking area. This area must be at least eight feet wide and must extend the length of the adjacent parking stall.
vii. Landscaping islands must be placed in every parking row with a maximum spacing of at least one island every 10 parking spaces. Parking row islands shall be a minimum of eight feet in width and shall extend a minimum length of 10 feet. Provided, that the city manager or their designee may approve of a different configuration in order to provide a more attractive and functional design consistent with the intent of this chapter to promote aesthetic values and a pedestrian-friendly parking lot so long as the total area of parking lot landscaping required is met.
viii. Landscaping islands and landscape portions of pedestrian corridors may be used for drainage treatment and be given credit on drainage calculations under Chapter 5 of the Development Guidelines. However, the primary purpose shall remain landscaping, and the health of all vegetation and aesthetic character shall not be compromised. Additionally, in no case shall the grade between the parking lot surface edge and the landscape island or pedestrian corridor surfaces be greater than six inches when a swale concept is utilized, and it is intended to meet minimum landscaping space requirements.
ix. Landscape plantings shall be developed or adapted to the conditions of the Northwest.
c. Timing, Selection, Installation, and Maintenance Standards.
i. Street trees shall comply with CMC 12.04.320(J).
ii. Timing. The applicant shall install landscaping and screening required by this section consistent with the approved site plan or an approved modification thereto before the county issues an occupancy permit or final inspection for the development in question; provided, the responsible official may defer installation of plant materials for up to six months after the county issues an occupancy permit or final inspection for the development in question if the responsible official finds doing so increases the likely survival of plants.
iii. Shrubs shall be supplied in a minimum of three-gallon containers or equivalent burlap balls, with a minimum spread of 18 inches to meet the L2 buffer requirement, and minimum of five-gallon containers or equivalent burlap balls with a minimum spread of 30 inches to meet the L3 buffer requirements. Reduction in the minimum size may be permitted if certified by a registered landscape architect that the reduction shall not diminish the intended effect or the likelihood the plants will survive.
iv. Ground cover plants shall be placed so that a complete ground cover can be achieved within three years and staggered for an effective covering. A lawn or flower bed of flowers approved by the responsible official may be substituted for ground cover plants.
v. Tree Selection. Trees may be deciduous or evergreen. The required tree height shall be measured from the ground level at final planting to the top of the tree.
vi. Required trees for parking and loading areas shall be a minimum caliper of two inches and a minimum height of 10 feet at the time of planting.
vii. Required deciduous trees (other than street trees) shall be fully branched, have a minimum caliper of one and one-half inches, and a minimum height of eight feet at the time of planting.
viii. Required evergreen trees (other than street trees) shall be fully branched and a minimum of six feet high at the time of planting.
ix. If the responsible official decides reducing the minimum size of trees will not detract from the desired effect of the trees, the minimum size of trees (other than street trees) may be reduced if the applicant submits a written statement by a landscape architect registered in Washington or expert in the growing of the tree(s) in question certifying that the reduction in size at planting will not decrease the likelihood the trees will survive.
x. Selection Generally. Landscape materials should be selected and sited to produce a hardy and drought-resistant landscape area. Selection should include consideration of soil type and depth, the amount of maintenance required, spacing, exposure to sun and wind, the slope and contours of the site, compatibility with existing native vegetation preserved on the site, water conservation where needed, and the impact of landscaping on visibility of the site for purposes of public safety and surveillance. Landscaping materials shall be selected in accordance with a list of plant materials found in the Standard Details Manual.
xi. All intervening area not occupied by trees or shrubs shall be covered by vegetative ground cover that will fill the remainder of the required planting area(s) within three years of planting.
xii. Earthen berms with grass or other vegetative ground cover and other design features may be worked into landscaping, provided the resultant effect of providing a pedestrian-friendly environment and visual relief where clear sight is required can be achieved.
xiii. Landscaping shall be native and drought tolerant with exception of trees on the city’s street tree list. [Ord. 1102B § 1, 2024.]
17.85.055 Special requirements.
A. The following uses require Type I landscaping along all perimeter lot lines when located above ground and not housed within a building, and if located outside a public right-of-way:
1. Utility substation;
2. Sewage pumping station;
3. Water distribution facility;
4. Communication relay station.
B. The following uses require Type III landscaping along street frontages and throughout the required front setback area, as well as Type II landscaping between the required front setback area and improvements on the property and along interior property lines unless a more stringent requirement is specifically identified in a land use district:
1. Church.
2. Commercial or public parking lot or structure not serving a primary use.
3. Government service building.
4. Community club.
5. School.
6. Hospital.
7. Jail or prison facility.
C. Whenever a nonresidential use is proposed adjacent to a residential zone or residential use in a mixed use zone, a minimum of a Type I landscaping shall be provided along the property boundary separating the uses. Alternative configurations may be considered in accordance with CMC 17.85.060 – Alternative landscaping option.
D. An area around the base of each ground-mounted sign or similar fixtures must be landscaped to include vegetation and may include other materials and components such as brick or concrete bases, planter boxes, or decorative framing.
E. All refuse storage container areas shall be either fully enclosed or screened from view with a Type I landscape buffer.
F. In front yard areas required to be landscaped under city requirements, a minimum of 60 percent of the required area shall be landscaped with natural plant materials. This may include grass or other ground cover, trees, shrubs, and other permitted plant materials. Planting areas shall be designed and constructed in a manner that will make possible normal maintenance such as mowing and watering. [Ord. 1102B § 1, 2024.]
17.85.060 Alternative landscaping option.
A. The applicant may request a modification of the landscaping requirements set forth in CMC 17.85.050 and 17.85.055.
B. The enforcing officer, design review committee and/or hearing examiner may approve a modification of the landscaping requirements of this chapter only if:
1. The proposed landscaping represents an equal result that could not have been achieved by strictly following the requirements of this chapter; and
2. The proposed landscaping complies with the stated purpose of this chapter and provides a more attractive and functional design than would otherwise have been achieved by strictly following the requirements of this chapter.
C. Natural vegetation or stands of trees existing prior to development of the site may be acceptable to meet all or part of the landscaping requirements. [Ord. 1102B § 1, 2024.]
17.85.070 Species choice.
The applicant shall utilize native regional plant materials or plant materials that complement the natural character of the Pacific Northwest. [Ord. 1102B § 1, 2024.]
17.85.080 Maintenance of plant materials.
A. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner/developer to ensure the provision of healthy, growing landscaping. The property owner shall replace any unhealthy or dead plant materials in conformance with the approved landscape development proposal and shall maintain all landscape material.
B. Unless entirely landscaped with significant trees preserved under CMC 17.85.040, all areas where new landscaping is being required, excepting new single-family lots, shall be provided with irrigation systems designed by a licensed landscape architect, Washington-certified nursery person, Washington-certified landscaper or professional engineer. Said irrigation systems shall be designed, installed and operated to maintain the plant materials to the standards detailed in subsection (A) of this section. The city may waive landscape irrigation provided an alternative method to irrigate the plantings for three years is approved by the city and a maintenance assurance device in the amount of 100 percent of the replacement cost of the landscape materials is provided.
C. All trees, plant materials and landscaped areas shall receive sufficient water to be kept in a healthy and growing manner. [Ord. 1102B § 1, 2024.]
17.85.090 Landscape features.
Landscape features such as decorative paving, sculptures or fountains are permitted in the required landscaping area, except where they conflict with the purpose of this chapter. Paving materials may include alternate equivalent materials for paving and masonry. The area devoted to such a feature may not exceed 25 percent of the required area. [Ord. 1102B § 1, 2024.]
Code reviser’s note: Ord. 1102B adds this chapter as 17.28. It has been editorially renumbered to be placed in the correct division of this title.
Code reviser’s note: This subsection has been reworded for clarity by the city from how it appears in Ord. 1102B.