Chapter 18.41
REQUIRED LANDSCAPING
Sections:
18.41.030 Site landscaping required review.
18.41.040 Minimum site requirements.
18.41.060 Submittal requirements.
18.41.070 Minimum landscape material specifications.
18.41.080 Low impact development option.
18.41.090 Maintenance of plant materials.
18.41.200 Minimum open space required.
18.41.010 Purpose.
A. A provision of quality landscaping is necessary to maintain property values, enhance the appearance of the city, mitigate impacts of development such as erosion and light/glare, promote natural systems, improve air quality, provide habitat, reduce noise, reduce the impacts on storm drainage systems, and provide a buffer between land uses.
B. Landscaping can be provided as a tool to be used in partnership with potential developers and citizens in Sumner to enhance the community. (Ord. 2021 § 1 (part), 2002)
18.41.020 Applicability.
A. The requirements of this section shall be imposed at the time of land use permit review, including: land alteration or land development such as subdivisions, short subdivisions, a change in lot coverage, a change in area devoted to parking and circulation, and projects requiring design review.
B. This section does not apply to a permit for a single-family dwelling, unless restrictions have been placed on clearing and site design under separate permit authority. (Ord. 2021 § 1 (part), 2002)
18.41.030 Site landscaping required review.
The development services staff, director, and Sumner design commission shall use the Sumner design and development guidelines landscaping section as it pertains to that zone as a guide for design and layout when reviewing applications.
A. The development services department shall review the proposed landscape development with each application within the applicability of this document.
B. The public works department shall review all landscape and irrigation system designs.
C. The design commission shall review landscape plans with each application within the context of the design guidelines and surrounding existing landscaping styles in relation to the site for developments exceeding thresholds as listed in SMC 18.40.020(C). (Ord. 2788 § 39, 2021; Ord. 2021 § 1 (part), 2002)
18.41.040 Minimum site requirements.
A. In no case shall the total amount of landscaping be less than 10 percent of the total site area. For subdivisions, the total amount of landscaping shall be not be less than 10 percent of the combined net lot area plus 10 percent of the site open space. Developments may include any critical area and/or shoreline buffer areas when calculating landscape area if native vegetation is enhanced.
B. Stormwater detention can only be included in the minimum landscaping area if low impact development techniques are used. (Ord. 2021 § 1 (part), 2002)
18.41.050 Prohibited uses.
The following uses are not permitted in required landscape areas:
A. Parking of motor vehicles or recreational vehicles, including: campers, travel trailers, motor homes, boats or trailers.
B. Installation of impervious surfaces.
C. Storage of materials as per SMC 18.18.060(C), including but not limited to hazardous waste. (Ord. 2021 § 1 (part), 2002)
18.41.060 Submittal requirements.
If the landscaped and irrigated area on the subject property exceeds 500 square feet, or if the applicant requests the low impact development option, the director shall require approval of the proposed landscape plan by a privately retained registered landscape architect, Washington certified nurseryman or Washington certified landscaper. All landscaping plans shall be prepared in accordance with the following requirements:
A. Ten sets of landscape plans drawn to a scale of one inch equals 50 feet or larger (e.g., one inch equals 30 feet, one inch equals 20 feet). The plan should include a bar scale for reference;
B. Name and address or location of the project;
C. Vicinity map;
D. Scale, north arrow and date of the plan;
E. All property lines, easements, rights-of-way, streets, walks, vehicular drives, parking lots, existing and proposed structures, building entrances, freestanding lights, service or loading areas, signs, overhead and belowground utilities, open spaces, plazas and recreation amenities with materials noted;
F. Location, sizes and species of existing vegetation within required landscape areas. Natural areas should be designated as such;
G. Location of all trees, shrubs and ground cover to be planted;
H. Any proposed or existing physical elements (such as fencing, curbing, benches, etc.) that may affect the overall landscape;
I. Parking layout, including circulation, driveway location, parking stalls and curbing;
J. Existing and proposed contours (minimum five-foot intervals), elevations, and delineation of any critical areas;
K. Dimensioned landscaped areas;
L. Location of irrigation system, source of water, and type of irrigation system;
M. A legend that shows symbols and type of plantings;
N. All plant materials shall be shown on the landscaping plan at three-quarters mature size in appropriate relation to the chosen scale of the plan;
O. The plan shall state the estimated date for installation and completion of all plantings and finish materials;
P. The landscape plan shall identify the location and dimensions of any designated environmentally sensitive areas and required buffers;
Q. A plant schedule shall be included which indicates the scientific and common names, quantities, sizes and spacing for all plants in the landscape plan. Quantities are not required on a preliminary landscape plan;
R. Planting details including installation and maintenance notes and/or requirements. (Ord. 2021 § 1 (part), 2002)
18.41.070 Minimum landscape material specifications.
A. The applicant shall utilize plant materials that complement the natural character of the Pacific Northwest, drought tolerant and are adaptable to the climatic, topographic, and hydrologic characteristics of the site.
B. If the subject property includes a sensitive or critical area, the applicant shall utilize plant species that enhance that sensitive area.
C. The applicant should utilize plant materials that reduce or eliminate the need for fertilizers, herbicides, or other chemical controls, especially for properties that include wildlife habitat areas, shorelines, or wetlands.
D. All street trees shall follow the requirements set forth in chapter 12.42 SMC.
E. All plantings shall have the following minimum size at installation:
1. Deciduous trees: three-inch caliper.
2. Evergreen trees: six-foot minimum height range.
3. Vine maples and other multi-stemmed trees: seven-foot minimum.
4. Medium and tall shrubs: 24- to 30-inch minimum range.
5. Groundcover: four inches (approximately 18 inches on center). (Ord. 2021 § 1 (part), 2002)
18.41.080 Low impact development option.
The purpose of this option is to provide an additional landscaping option that has the potential to reduce impacts on the existing stormwater drainage infrastructure, and aid in meeting Endangered Species Act requirements. Low impact development strives to protect or restore the natural hydrology of the site so that the overall integrity of the watershed is protected. Low impact development:
A. Protects the environment;
B. Reduces costs to developers;
C. Makes communities more attractive;
D. Uses vegetation and small-scale hydraulic controls to capture, treat and infiltrate stormwater on site.
More specific information about low impact development will be available as requested through the development services department. (Ord. 2788 § 40, 2021; Ord. 2021 § 1 (part), 2002)
18.41.090 Maintenance of plant materials.
The following performance standards shall apply to all landscape areas of which this chapter applies:
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.
B. An assignment of funds or performance bond shall be for 125 percent of the estimated improvements. The funds shall remain in place until the last required tree of the subject development has been planted. The assignment of funds or performance bond shall not be released until a maintenance guarantee in an amount that is 50 percent of the original assignment of funds or performance bond has been posted. The maintenance guarantee shall include maintenance during the guarantee period and replacement of dead or unhealthy plants at the conclusion of the guarantee period. The length of the guarantee shall be no less than one year and always cover at least one growing season (May through September). The end date of the assignment of funds or performance bond shall be determined by the city and applicant.
C. Maintenance of landscaping intended for screening purposes shall be pruned or altered to maintain planting health only, not to maximize retail visibility or minimize screening.
D. The required landscaping must be installed prior to issuance of the temporary certificate of occupancy unless the director determines that an assignment of funds or performance bond, for a period of not more than a year, will adequately protect the interests of the city. (Ord. 2021 § 1 (part), 2002)
18.41.100 Stormwater ponds.
A. Site improvements meant to control water runoff shall be designed, when reasonably possible, to fulfill multiple functions including:
1. Regulate stormwater discharge;
2. Improve water quality;
3. Provide wildlife habitat;
4. Provide an aesthetic amenity;
5. Provide passive recreation opportunities such as walking or sitting areas;
6. Provide shade for water temperature mitigation.
B. Any required site drainage plan, including conceptual plans, shall include the location and landscape design of stormwater ponds.
C. Stormwater ponds shall be used as aesthetic features in the site master plan. The following shall be considered when designing ponds:
1. Reduce the need for fencing by designing safe ponds which have side slopes less than 3:1 and normal water depths less than 24 inches;
2. Create ponds that are irregular in shape;
3. Design the pond to blend in with the surrounding environmental conditions;
4. Provide a topographic bench around the perimeter of the pond for safety;
5. Retain the existing vegetation around perimeter of site;
6. Provide a pedestrian walkway and seating areas around perimeter;
7. Utilize landscaping to provide shade, create habitat, and add screening.
These guidelines do not replace standards for stormwater retention pond design. (Ord. 2021 § 1 (part), 2002)
18.41.200 Minimum open space required.
A. For developments requiring design review per SMC 18.40.020, including preliminary plats, attached single-family dwellings and multifamily developments, open space shall be provided in accordance with the Sumner design and development guidelines, except that open space may be reduced through a planned residential development permit pursuant to chapter 18.24 SMC.
B. For senior apartments and senior retirement homes, open space shall be provided at a minimum of: 1) Private open space at 32 square feet per unit for 30 percent of the units; and 2) common open space at 25 percent of the area of the site devoted to senior housing uses; except that open space may be reduced through a planned residential development permit pursuant to chapter 18.24 SMC. (Ord. 2812 § 18, 2022)