Chapter 18.130
LANDSCAPING
Sections:
18.130.030 Landscape plan requirements.
18.130.040 General provisions.
18.130.070 Performance assurance.
18.130.080 Fencing and retaining wall standards.
18.130.100 Water conservation.
18.130.010 Purpose.
The city recognizes the aesthetic, ecological and economic values of landscaping to:
A. Establish and protect vegetation in urban areas for aesthetic, health and urban wildlife reasons.
B. Preserve existing native vegetation where possible.
C. Reduce stormwater runoff pollution, temperature, and rate and volume of flow.
D. Promote compatibility between land uses by reducing the visual, noise and lighting impacts of specific development on users of the site and abutting uses.
E. Aid in energy conservation by providing shade from the sun and shelter from the wind. (Ord. 2013-04 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2013)
18.130.020 Applicability.
A. Landscaping requirements are as set forth under each specific zoning district provisions.
B. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all development in zoning districts where landscaping is required; the addition of square footage to existing structures where the landscaping is nonconforming; and to any changes of use which result in the need for increased on-site parking by ten or more spaces.
C. Landscape plans shall be reviewed in conjunction with the associated land use application. In the event that the landscape plan is proposed as a separate action, the planning director shall approve, approve with conditions, or deny a plan submitted under the provisions of this section by means of a Type I procedure, per Title 19. (Ord. 2013-04 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2013)
18.130.030 Landscape plan requirements.
Landscape plans shall contain the following information and be completed by a licensed landscape architect, Washington certified nurseryman, or Washington certified landscaper, unless otherwise approved by the planning director:
A. North arrow, scale, date, title, and name of owner.
B. Accurate site plan (at a scale of one inch equals twenty feet or larger, or as appropriate for the scale of development) showing the location of property lines and their dimensions.
C. Existing and proposed water courses, drainage features, streets, sidewalks, utility lines (including height of existing and proposed overhead electrical power lines) and easements, and other public or semipublic improvements within or adjacent to the site.
D. Delineation of existing structures, if any, on adjacent properties.
E. Plants to be saved and areas not to be disturbed shall be noted on the landscape plans. The plan shall locate temporary fencing used to protect vegetation and soils from damage during construction.
F. Existing and proposed elevations at sufficient locations of the site to show drainage patterns.
G. Contour lines when the slope exceeds six percent.
H. Existing and proposed buildings and other structures, paved areas, curbs, walks, light fixtures, signs, fences and screen walls, and other permanent features to be added and/or retained on the site.
I. Calculation of total landscaped area, and percentage of landscaping within parking areas.
J. Complete description of plant materials shown on the plan, including common and botanical names, quantities, spacing, container or caliper size at installation, and mature height and spread.
K. Irrigation plans showing location and type of all outlets (spray, bubbler, drip, etc.); location and size of water meter or other connection; location, type, and installation details of backflow prevention device; and delineation of each watering zone or circuit.
L. Landscape areas where xeriscape principles are to be applied shall be clearly delineated in the plan submittal.
M. Native and nonnative species plants should be clearly distinguished.
N. Identification of areas subject to soil conditioning and mulching, including specifications for soil quality, conditioning, and mulch per Section 18.130.050(B). (Ord. 2023-04 § 2 (Exh. A § 7), 2023; Ord. 2013-04 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2013: Ord. 2007-56 § 8 (part), 2007; Ord. 2003-10 § 1 (Exh. A, VI(F)), 2003. Formerly 18.60.060)
18.130.040 General provisions.
A. The property owner shall be responsible for the maintenance of all landscaping, which shall be maintained in good condition so as to present a healthy, neat and orderly appearance; shall be replaced or repaired as necessary; and shall be kept free from refuse and debris.
B. All trees, plant materials and landscaped areas shall receive sufficient water to be kept in a healthy and growing manner.
C. All plant growth in landscaped areas shall be controlled by pruning, trimming or other appropriate methods.
D. Appropriate methods for the care and maintenance of street trees and landscaping materials shall be provided by the owner of the property abutting the rights-of-way, unless otherwise required for emergency conditions and the safety of the general public.
E. Low impact development techniques for stormwater management that are not fenced and can be designed to integrate vegetation appropriately into the site’s overall landscape plan are to be utilized to the extent feasible. (Ord. 2016-20 § 2 (Att. A (part)), 2016; Ord. 2013-04 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2013)
18.130.050 Installation.
A. Installation Requirements. The installation of all landscaping shall be as follows:
1. All landscaping shall be installed according to accepted planting procedures.
2. The plant materials shall be of high grade, and shall meet the quality and size standards of the American Standards for Nursery Stock (ANSI Z60, 1-1986, as updated).
3. All landscaped areas shall be provided with an irrigation system or a readily available water supply with at least one outlet located within fifty of all plant material; unless xeriscape and/or drought-tolerant species are utilized and an alternative irrigation plan is approved by the review authority.
4. All landscaped areas shall be provided with a six-inch curb or other protective measure.
5. Landscaped areas shall have a minimum length or width dimension of five feet in order to count toward minimum required landscaped area.
B. Soils, Soil Conditioning and Mulching.
1. A minimum of twelve inches’ depth of non-mechanically compacted soil shall be available for water absorption and root growth in planted areas.
2. A minimum of a four-inch layer of porous mulch shall be applied to all exposed soil surfaces of nonturf areas within the landscape area. Plant types that are intolerant of mulch shall be exempt from this requirement. Nonporous material, such as plastic sheeting, shall not be placed under the mulch. However, porous landscape fabric is permitted.
3. Compost shall be in conformance with the currently adopted stormwater management manual and shall be used as a soil amendment to provide additional nutrients that aid in uptake of pollutants.
C. Certificate of Occupancy. Certificates of occupancy shall not be issued unless landscaping has been installed in compliance with the approved landscape plan, or other arrangements have been made as described in Section 18.130.070. (Ord. 2016-20 § 2 (Att. A (part)), 2016; Ord. 2013-04 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2013: Ord. 2007-56 § 8 (part), 2007; Ord. 2003-10 § 1 (Exh. A, VI(F)), 2003. Formerly 18.60.060)
18.130.060 Maintenance.
A. 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. Maintenance shall include the immediate removal of identified noxious and invasive weed species for Kitsap County.
B. All required irrigation systems shall be designed by a licensed landscape architect, Washington certified nurseryperson, Washington certified landscaper or professional engineer.
C. The city shall require a maintenance assurance device for a period of two years from the completion of planting in order to ensure compliance with the requirements of this chapter. The value of a maintenance assurance device must equal at least one hundred fifty percent of the replacement cost and labor of the landscape materials, and shall be utilized by the city to perform any necessary maintenance, and to reimburse the city for documented administrative costs associated with action on the device.
D. The city may accept, as an alternative to a maintenance assurance device, a contractual agreement or bond between the owner/developer and a licensed landscape architect, Washington certified nurseryperson, or Washington certified landscaper, along with a rider or endorsement specifically identifying the city as a party to the agreement for purposes of enforcement.
E. Upon completion of the two-year maintenance period and upon satisfactory inspection by the city, if maintenance is not required, the city, upon written request, shall promptly release the maintenance assurance device or evidence thereof.
F. Maintenance Enforcement. The city is authorized to:
1. Notify the property owner of unacceptable, substandard maintenance of required landscaped area and require its compliance.
2. Require compliance prior to the issuance of any subsequent building permits or certificates of occupancy for a site with unmaintained landscaping.
3. Request the city attorney initiate legal action to secure the cost of the required maintenance from the property owner in order to perform the maintenance. (Ord. 2013-04 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2013: Ord. 2007-56 § 8 (part), 2007; Ord. 2003-10 § 1 (Exh. A, VI(F)), 2003. Formerly 18.60.060)
18.130.070 Performance assurance.
A. The city may accept, at its sole discretion, a performance assurance device in order to ensure completion of the required landscaping in accordance with the approved landscape plan or as otherwise required. The value of this device must equal one hundred fifty percent of the estimated cost and labor of the landscaping to be performed, and shall be utilized by the city to perform any necessary work, and to reimburse the city for documented administrative costs associated with action on the device. If costs incurred by the city exceed the amount provided by the assurance device, the property owner shall reimburse the city in full for the amount of any deficit.
B. Upon completion of the required landscaping by the property owner and satisfactory inspection by the city, at or prior to expiration of the assurance device, upon written request, the city shall promptly release the performance assurance device or evidence thereof. (Ord. 2013-04 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2013)
18.130.080 Fencing and retaining wall standards.
A. Maximum Height.
1. Fences or walls within a required yard setback or along a property line shall be a maximum height of six feet. In nonresidential zoning districts, the maximum height of a fence shall be eight feet.
2. Fences or walls within a sight distance triangle shall be a maximum height of three feet.
3. Fences that allow visibility, such as transparent or ornamental fences, shall be a maximum height of eight feet.
4. Plantings and hedges or plantings shall conform to the same height limits as fences, and shall not extend into or over public or private streets, or sidewalks.
5. The base for height measurement of fences, walls or hedges shall be from the ground level of the lowest grade level within three feet of either side to the highest point of the fence, wall or hedge.
B. Prohibited Material. In the R and C zoning districts, barbed wire, razor wire, electric and other dangerous fences are prohibited; provided, that electric fencing may be allowed for livestock containment under the provisions of Section 18.70.070(Q).
C. Retaining Walls. In the C-2 and C-3 zoning districts, retaining walls outside of the public right-of-way but adjacent to a public sidewalk, and four feet or taller, shall be terraced so that no individual segment is taller than four feet. Terraced walls shall be separated by a landscaping bed at least two feet in width. Alternative landscaping treatments will be considered provided they reduce the bulk and scale of the retaining wall and enhance the streetscape. (Ord. 2013-04 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2013: Ord. 2003-10 § 1 (Exh. A, VIII(E), (F)), 2003. Formerly 18.84.050, 18.84.060)
18.130.090 Street trees.
A. Street Trees Required. Street trees and related landscaping shall be provided forty feet on center for arterials and thirty feet on center for collectors. Groundcover of sod or other approved groundcover shall be provided. Species of trees shall be as set forth in the city’s master street tree plan, if applicable, or as otherwise approved by the review authority.
B. Size, Spacing and Placement of Street Trees. The specific spacing of street trees by size of tree shall be as follows:
1. Deciduous trees shall be a minimum of one-and-one-half-inch caliper as measured six inches above the ground. Conifer trees shall be a minimum of five feet in height at time of planting. The review authority may adjust the spacing to accommodate access points or other obstructions.
2. Tree pits shall be located so as not to include utilities (e.g., water and gas meters) in the tree well.
3. Where there are overhead power lines, the street tree species selected shall be of a type which, at full maturity, will not interfere with the lines.
4. Trees shall not be planted closer than two feet from the face of the curb.
5. Trees shall not be planted closer than two feet from any permanent hard surface paving or walkway.
C. Street trees shall meet the standards of the most current edition of American Standard for Nursery Stock (ANSI Z60.1). Plant material should be obtained from established commercial licensed nursery growers and installed by qualified landscape professionals.
D. Cut and Fill around Existing Trees. Existing healthy trees may be used as street trees if no cutting or filling takes place within the dripline of the tree.
E. Replacement of Street Trees. Existing street trees removed shall be replaced. The replacement trees shall be of a size and species similar to the trees that are being removed unless alternatives are approved by the review authority. (Ord. 2020-10 § 2 (Exh. A § 12), 2020: Ord. 2013-04 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2013)
18.130.100 Water conservation.
A. Applicability. In order to ensure efficient water use in landscaped areas, the following standards shall be applied to all landscaping associated with C-2, C-3, C-4, OCI, BP and LI zoning districts; multifamily residential projects; master planned projects; and commonly owned and/or maintained areas of planned residential developments.
1. Turf and high water use plantings (e.g., annuals, container plants) shall be considered high water uses and shall be limited to not more than fifty percent of the project’s landscaped area if non-drought-resistant grass is used, and no more than seventy-five percent of the landscaped area if drought-resistant grass is used.
2. Plants selected in all areas not identified for turf or high water use plantings shall be well-suited to the climate, soils, and topographic conditions of the site, and shall be low water use plants once established. Conifers are the preferred evergreen tree species.
3. Plants having similar water use shall be grouped together in distinct hydrozones and shall be irrigated with separate irrigation circuits.
4. Parks, playgrounds, sports fields, golf courses, schools, and cemeteries are exempt from specified turf area limitations where a functional need for turf is established.
B. As an alternative to traditional landscaping, the city encourages the use of xeriscape practices, which minimize the need for watering or irrigation. If xeriscape methods are proposed, the city may consider and approve alternatives to the irrigation requirement in Section 18.130.050(A)(3). Examples of xeriscape methods are as follows:
1. Using plants with low moisture requirements.
2. Selecting plants for specific site microclimates that vary according to slope, aspect, soil, and exposure to sun and moisture.
3. Using native, noninvasive, adapted plant species.
4. Minimizing the amount of irrigated turf.
5. Planting and designing slopes to minimize stormwater runoff.
6. Use of separate irrigation zones adjusted to plant water requirements and use of drip or trickle irrigation systems.
7. Using minimum three-inch mulch in planted areas to control weeds, cool the soil and reduce evaporation.
8. Emphasizing soil improvement, such as deep tilling, adding organic matter and other amendments based on soil tests. (Ord. 2013-04 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2013)