Chapter 19.332 — Development Standards—Landscaping

• A. For residential uses in the RS zones, all required yards which abut streets shall be permanently landscaped except for any portion of such yards occupied by permitted encroachments or located behind solid fences or walls at least six (6) feet high.

• B. For all single-family residential uses, a minimum of fifty (50) percent of each required yard abutting a street shall be permanently maintained with landscaping. The requirement of this section shall not preclude the provision of access walkways and driveways provided that the proposed hardscape does not exceed fifty (50) percent of the area and which meets other minimum requirements of this Division.

• C. All landscape installation or rehabilitation shall meet the requirements of the City's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance to ensure that the design, installation, and maintenance of landscaping conserves water.

• D. Artificial turf may be permissible in lieu of natural turf within the front, side, and rear yards, and yards adjacent to a public street. Installation of artificial turf shall require an Artificial Turf Permit. Installation of artificial turf shall comply with the following criteria:

  1. Artificial Turf Permit Requirements.

     • a. If artificial turf is proposed to be located in the parkway, the Applicant shall contact the Public Works Department, as separate approval is required.

     • b. If artificial turf is proposed to be located in the front, side, or rear yard abutting a street, the Property Owner shall fill out an application for an Artificial Turf Permit and shall complete a Certification of Artificial Turf Installation completed by a licensed professional, along with a minimum 8-year "no fade" warranty.

     • c. Installation shall be performed by a licensed professional and shall be installed pursuant to manufacturer's requirements.

     • d. Artificial turf shall be maintained in a green fadeless condition and shall be maintained free of stains, weeds, debris, tears, holes, and impressions.

     • e. Artificial turf shall be separated from flower beds by a concrete mow strip, bender board, or other barrier acceptable to the City to prevent intrusion of living plant material into the artificial turf.

     • f. A minimum of twenty (20) percent of the landscaped area shall contain living plant material (i.e., flower beds, tree wells, etc.) and shall be included within the overall landscape design when installing artificial turf. Living plant material shall include shrubs, vines, trees, and ground covers.

     • g. All areas not occupied by structures or approved pavement shall be landscaped. Landscaped areas shall consist of plantings, lawn/turf, mulch, or bark. Artificial turf may be used if its substrate is permeable.

• E. Tree Removal Regulations. No person shall damage, remove, cause to be damaged, or removed, any tree on a single-family residential property in the City without first obtaining approval from the Community and Economic Development Director.

1. The Community and Economic Development Director may approve the removal or relocation of a tree, at no cost to the City, if the tree is:

   • a. To be relocated on the same property.

   • b. Posing an immediate threat to health, safety, or property.

   • c. Dead, diseased, and/or in severe decline as determined by an ISA Certified Arborist. d. Damaging public property creating a public safety hazard.

   • e. Damaging improvements on private property.

   • f. Interfering with public utilities.

   • g. Removed to preserve the health of an urban grove.

   • h. A non-native tree and is to be replaced by a healthy native tree.

• F. Landscaped areas shall be kept in a neat and clean condition; free of debris and dead, diseased, or dying vegetation; and broken or defective decorative elements of the landscaped area. Vegetation in landscaped areas shall be mowed, groomed, trimmed, pruned, and watered as to keep the same in a healthy, growing condition. Irrigation systems shall be kept in good working condition and repair so as to prevent leaks, or create public health hazards.

• G. New construction shall plant a minimum of one (1) tree along each street frontage. Trees shall be a minimum size of 15 gallons at the time of planting.

• H. Pavement or hardscape shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of a front yard. See Figure B.

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Figure B. Pavement/Hardscape Requirement

(Ord. 1754, 6/24/2025)

• A. For non-residential uses permitted in the RS zones, all portions of a developed site not occupied by other permitted facilities shall be permanently landscaped in accordance with this Division and with the landscape and irrigation requirements of Chapter 19.532 , Division 5 for commercial uses.

• B. Buffer Fence and Landscaping Abutting RS-zoned Property. For any permitted nonresidential use in the RS zones with parking located adjacent to residentially zoned property, a block wall or solid fence with a minimum six (6) foot height and a minimum five (5) foot wide planter shall be provided along the property line as a buffer.

• (Ord. 1754, 6/24/2025)