§ 19.732

• A. Minimum Landscaped Area. 15 percent of the total net developable site area shall be landscaped. Required setbacks shall be included as part of the calculation of the minimum landscaped area.

• B. Landscaping Required in Setbacks. A minimum of 50 percent of the surface area of the required setbacks shall be landscaped in all mixed-use zones, with the exception of the required front and corner side yard setbacks in the EMU and COMU zones. In the EMU zones, a maximum of 60 percent and a minimum of 20 percent of the surface area of the required setbacks shall be landscaped. In the COMU zone, a minimum of 15 percent of the surface area of the required setbacks shall be landscaped. Any non-landscaped area within a required setback shall be paved per the requirements in subsection C .

• C. Paved Areas in Setbacks. Areas not landscaped shall be paved with high-quality materials such as pavers, stone or cobblestone, patterned or scored colored concrete, or similar durable materials. Plain and colored concrete and plain asphalt are prohibited.

• D. Ground Cover. All landscaped areas shall be covered with turf, non-deciduous groundcover, or other types of plantings. All plant spacing shall be as indicated on the landscape plans. Substitute landscaping such as crushed rock, redwood chips, pebbles, and stone may not be used in lieu of live plant materials, although limited use may be approved by the Community and Economic Development Director during the site plan review process.

• E. Vision Clearance at Street Intersections Paving and Landscaping. The area comprising an open and unobstructed triangular area for vision clearance shall be paved and landscaped in accordance with Chapter 19.732 and other applicable landscaping standards required for mixed-use zones, except that no trees, shrubs, fences, or other physical obstructions higher than 3 feet above existing grade shall be permitted.

• F. Landscaping designs shall include one (1) or more of the following planting design concepts:

  1. Specimen trees (48-inch box or more) in informal groupings or rows at major focal points.

  2. Use of planting to create shadow and patterns against walls.

  3. Use of planting to soften building lines and emphasize the positive features of the sit.

  4. Use of flowering vines on walls, arbors, or trellises.

  5. Trees to create canopy and shade, especially in parking areas and passive open space areas.

  6. Berms, plantings, and walls to screen parking lots, trash enclosures, storage areas, utility boxes, etc.

• G. Plant materials shall be placed so that they do not interfere with the lighting of the premises or restrict access to emergency apparatus such as re-hydrants or re-alarm boxes. Trees or large shrubs shall not be planted under overhead lines or over underground utilities if their growth might interfere with such public utilities. Trees and large shrubs shall be placed as follows:

  1. A minimum of 8 feet between the center of trees and the edge of a driveway, a water meter, gas meter, and sewer laterals.

2. A minimum of 20 feet between the center of trees and the beginning of curb returns at intersections to keep trees out of the line-of-sight triangle at intersections.

   3. A minimum of 15 feet between the center of trees and large shrubs to utility poles and streetlights.

   4. A minimum of 8 feet between the center of trees or large shrubs and fire hydrants and Fire Department sprinkler and standpipe connections.

• H. Each project developed within mixed-use zones shall comply with the most recently adopted Orange County Fire Authority Guidelines for access, water, and Architectural Guidelines.

• I. Parking Lot Landscaping Improvements.

  1. Landscaped Buffers Along Streets. Within the required setback areas for parking (see Section 19.720.010 ), one of the following, or a combination thereof, shall be provided except at driveway and walkway openings and as required for vision clearance by Section 19.736.020 :

     • a. Ornamental masonry wall or hedge, 2 feet high, at the perimeter of the parking area facing a street;

     • b. Landscaped berm, 10 feet wide and 2 feet high.

  2. Landscaped Buffers Along Alleys. Except for driveways and walkways, a landscaped planter shall be provided along all parking areas adjacent to an alley pursuant to Section 19.536.070.E.2.

  3. Interior Landscaping.

     • a. Mixed-Use Zones. Within the parking area of any parking lot with 10 or more parking spaces, landscaping with trees and some combination of shrubs, vines, and ground cover shall be provided pursuant to Section 19.536.070.E.3. Such landscaping shall be reasonably distributed throughout the area in order to avoid a monotonous appearance and to enhance the visual attractiveness of the area, especially those portions in public view.

• J. Landscape Buffer Adjacent to RS Zones. Other than a single-family use, any parking area in the mixed-use zones located adjacent to a RS zone shall be provided with a landscape buffer consisting of trees and some combination of shrubs, vines and ground cover pursuant to Section 19.436.080.E.4.

• K. Landscape Buffer Adjacent to Residential Structures. Where required under Section 19.436.080.E.1, a landscaped buffer shall be provided between a residential structure and an adjacent parking area, loading area, driveway, or other area provided for vehicular circulation. Such landscaped area may include walkways, uncovered porches, and exterior stairways and balconies, provided at least 60 percent of the total required buffer area is occupied by plant materials.

• L. Pedestrian-Oriented Plazas. A minimum of 25 percent of the pedestrian-oriented plaza shall be landscaped with live plant materials. Pedestrian-oriented plazas shall feature landscape amenities including but not limited to landscape planters, low hedges, and shade-providing trees, water features, or unique features that enhance the appearance, desirability, and usability of the plaza.

• M. Artificial Plants Prohibited. Artificial plants, with the exception of artificial turf, are prohibited.

• N. Artificial Turf. Artificial turf requires an Artificial Turf permit approval prior to installation. Artificial turf, where permitted, shall comply with the following criteria:

  1. Artificial turf shall not be located in front yards, corner side yards, or portions of side yards visible from a public right-of-way.

  2. Artificial turf shall have a minimum eight-year no fade warranty.

  3. Artificial turf shall be installed by a licensed professional and shall be installed pursuant to manufacturer's requirements.

  4. Artificial turf shall be installed and maintained to effectively simulate the appearance of a well-maintained lawn. The turf shall be maintained in a green fadeless condition and shall

be maintained free of weeds, debris, tears, holes, and impressions.

5. The use of indoor or outdoor plastic or nylon carpeting as a replacement of artificial turf or natural turf is prohibited.

6. A minimum of 15% of the overall area to be turfed shall include living plant material (i.e., flower beds, tree wells, etc.) within the overall landscape design.

7. Artificial turf shall be separated from flowerbeds by a concrete mow strip, bender board, or other barrier acceptable to the city in order to prevent intrusion of living plant material into the artificial turf.

• O. Trees.

  1. Tree Location. No trees shall be planted under any eave, balcony, or overhang.

  2. Root Barriers Required. Trees in landscape planters measuring 10 feet or less in width or depth shall be provided with tree root barriers.

  3. Tree Staking. All trees shall be double-staked.

  4. Visibility. All trees whether singularly placed or placed on clusters shall not inhibit standard visibility parameters.

  5. Required Site Trees. One tree shall be provided for every 1,000 square feet of site area. Trees shall conform to the matrix of plant materials established by the Urban Forestry Master Plan. Minimum tree size at planting shall be 24-inch box.

  6. Street Trees. Street trees shall be provided per City standards.

• P. Drought-Tolerant Species. A minimum of 75 percent of non-turf landscaped areas shall be planted with native or drought-tolerant planting materials, as widely recognized within the horticultural industry or as recommended by a California-licensed Landscape Architect, to bring interest and beauty to the landscape, support biodiversity, and reduce the need for pesticides and excessive irrigation. Landscape selection shall be in compliance with the City's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.

• (Ord. 1754, 6/24/2025)

• A. A landscape and irrigation plan for any newly established landscape area shall be submitted for Landscape Plan review and approval.

• B. The landscape and irrigation plan shall clearly identify the following criteria:

  1. Property lines and property address.

  2. Streets, driveways, walkways, recreational areas, and other paved areas.

  3. Pools, water features, fences, and retaining walls.

  4. Existing and proposed buildings and structures.

  5. Landscaping materials, trees, shrubs, vines, ground cover, turf, and other vegetation. Planting symbols shall be clearly drawn and plants labeled by botanical name, common name, container size, spacing, and quantities of each group of plants indicated.

  6. An approximate calculation of the total landscape area.

• C. A landscape and irrigation plan with new landscaped areas of 500 square feet or more, or 2,500 square feet of rehabilitated landscape area shall be prepared and/or certified by a licensed landscape architect or contractor, certified irrigation designer, or other licensed or certified professional in a related field.

• D. Minimum acceptable plant sizes shall be as follows:

  1. Trees shall be a minimum 24-inch box size.

  2. Shrubs and vines shall not be less than 5-gallon size, and a minimum of 15-gallon minimum size, where required for screening. The minimum planter width for shrubs is 3 feet.

  3. Groundcover be not be less than 1-gallon size.

  4. Street trees be planted at one (1) tree per 25 linear feet of frontage.

• E. Landscape and irrigation plans shall be approved prior to the issuance of permits for such work or prior to the issuance of any permits (i.e., building permits) for any associated work approved by an action of the Community and Economic Development Director.

• (Ord. 1754, 6/24/2025)

• A. All landscaping shall be permanently maintained in a clean, healthy, and attractive condition. This includes pruning, weeding, removal of litter, fertilizing, replacement of plants when necessary, and the appropriate watering of all landscaping.

• B. Curbs Required. All landscape planters shall be separated from all parking and loading spaces, parking aisles, and driveways with a minimum 6-inch-high concrete curb unless a reduced curb is required as part of the Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP). In addition, for any such landscape area adjacent to a public sidewalk, in which the grade of the planter is higher than the sidewalk and which is planted with ground cover other than a hydroseeded or sodded lawn, a minimum 6-inch-high concrete curb shall be provided alongside the public sidewalk to preclude soil erosion across such sidewalk.

• (Ord. 1754, 6/24/2025)

• A. All required landscaping shall be provided with a permanent underground irrigation system. The irrigation system shall consist of piped water lines terminating in an appropriate number of sprinklers or other outlets to insure complete coverage of water for plants within the landscaped areas.

• B. Sprinkler heads and risers shall be protected from car bumpers. "Pop-up" heads shall be used near curbs and sidewalks. The landscape irrigation system shall be designed to prevent run-off and overspray.

• C. Any permanent, underground irrigation system, whether required or not, shall comply with the following criteria:

  1. Permits are required prior to installation of any permanent, underground irrigation system.

     • a. Off-Site Work. Irrigation systems exclusively in City rights-of-way require permits issued by the Construction Services Division of Public Works. Any system within City rights-of-way shall meet the minimum requirements outlined under Engineering Standard No. ISP-1.

     • b. On-Site Work. On-site and combination on-site and off-site installations shall comply with the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. Permit fees shall be in accordance with the applicable sections of the City Code.

  2. Backflow Prevention Devices. All irrigation systems shall be protected by an approved type and size of backflow prevention devices, as required by the Public Works Department, to be painted green and screened by landscaping with a 3-foot-wide clearance.

  3. After installation, the system shall be flushed thoroughly to remove dirt and debris prior to installation of the sprinkler heads.

  4. Irrigation systems shall be maintained in good working order.

• D. In addition to the requirements of subsection B of this section, any required permanent underground irrigation system for a development with 500 square feet or more in landscape area shall comply with the following criteria:

  1. Each irrigation system shall be equipped with an automatic controller with a mechanical or solid-state timer capable of operating valve stations to set days and length of time.

  2. Each irrigation system shall be equipped with a rain sensing override device which automatically shuts off the irrigation system when it rains.

  3. Whenever possible, landscape irrigation shall be scheduled between 2:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. to avoid irrigation during times of high wind or high temperature.

  4. For larger developments, the following criteria may be required when considered appropriate under a department policy of either the Planning Division or Public Works Department.

     • a. A soil moisture sensing device may be required where appropriate to measure soil moisture and maintain efficient irrigation schedules.

• b. A separate landscape water meter may be required.

• (Ord. 1754, 6/24/2025)