Chapter 25.36 — LANDSCAPING AND OPEN SPACE

The City promotes the value and benefits of landscapes and open space while recognizing the need to conserve water and other resources as efficiently as possible. This chapter establishes minimum landscape standards for all uses in compliance with applicable State standards and guidelines and to promote sustainable development. The purpose of this chapter is to establish a structure for planning, designing, installing, maintaining, and managing water-efficient landscapes and open spaces in new construction and rehabilitated projects. (Ord. 2000 § 2, (2021))

• A. Water-Efficient Landscaping. All landscaping shall conform to Chapter 18.17 (Water Conservation in Landscape) of the Municipal Code and the California Code of Regulations Sections 490-495, Chapter 2.7, Division 2 Title 23 Model Water-Efficient Landscape Ordinance.

• B. Plantings. Landscaped areas shall primarily consist of grass, annuals, perennials, groundcover, shrubs, trees, and other living vegetation, as well as allowed hardscape treatments. Artificial turf may only be used if it is permeable and has a minimum pile height of one and one quarter inches.

• C. Parking Lot Landscaping. All surface parking lots shall conform to the parking lot landscaping standards in Section 25.40.070.D (Parking Lot Landscaping).

• (Ord. 2000 § 2, (2021))

• A. Useable Open Space. All required open space shall be usable as defined in Section 25.108.160 ("O" Definitions) and shall include no obstructions other than devices and structures designed to enhance its usability, such as patio covers, trellises, swimming pools, changing facilities, fountains, planters, benches, and landscaping.

• B. Minimum Dimensions.

  1. Private Open Space. The minimum required private open space shall be five feet by eight feet.

  2. Common Open Space. No horizontal dimension of common open space shall be less than 15 feet.

• C. Minimum Open Space. Minimum open space requirements may be met through private, common, and/or public and quasi-public open spaces.

  1. Paving in common open spaces provided on the ground level shall not exceed 50 percent of the minimum required common open space.

  2. Common open spaces provided on the ground level shall only be allowed to encroach into side and rear setbacks areas, but not into any front setback areas.

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/BU4910 on 2026-05-11

City of Burlingame, CA

ZONING

§ 25.36.030

§ 25.36.050

3. Common open spaces provided on rooftops shall comply with the following standards:

   • a. There shall be a minimum separation of at least 10 feet from the edge of the roof or parapet. The rooftop open space shall be enclosed by a parapet or solid wall. If there is a parapet or roof structure, the open space may be enclosed by a guardrail.

   • b. The rooftop open space shall be designed so that the space is broken into smaller spaces not exceeding 1,000 square feet in area. Spaces may be separated by railings, walls, and landscape planters not exceeding five feet in height.

   • c. A trellis or patio cover may be provided but shall not exceed 10 feet in height and 120 square feet in area.

   • d. Any exterior lighting within the open space shall be designed so that it contains a shield to point lighting downward.

   • e. Deviation from the standards in subsections C.3.a through d above may be permitted through the issuance of a special permit pursuant to Chapter 25.78 (Special Permit).

• (Ord. 2000 § 2, (2021))

Shrubs, groundcover, and other plant material shall cover all areas not occupied by structures, parking areas, storage, trash enclosures, driveways, and sidewalks at the time of issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. Embellished pavement, fountains, and similar hardscape materials may, in part, be substituted for the required landscaping through the site plan and design review process.

(Ord. 2000 § 2, (2021))

The owner of any property, or any other person or agent in control of a property, on which is located any retaining walls, cribbing, drainage structures, planted slopes and other protective devices, required according to a permit granted under this Code or required under the issuance of a grading permit, shall maintain the retaining walls, cribbing, drainage structures, planted slopes, and other protective devices in good condition and repair at all times. (Ord. 2000 § 2, (2021))

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/BU4910 on 2026-05-11

City of Burlingame, CA