§ 13-105. Landscaping requirements. — Costa Mesa Zoning Code

(a) All required setbacks abutting a public right-of-way shall be landscaped (except for walks and driveways which provide access from a public right-of-way).
(b) Except in residential, and institutional and recreational zones, parking areas shall be landscaped pursuant to the following standards:
- (1) Commercial zones, including planned development commercial. Twenty-five square feet of irrigated landscaping shall be provided for each parking space provided other than spaces within a parking structure.

Exception: In the TC (Town Center) district, all parking areas not within parking structures shall be provided with irrigated landscaping at the rate of 15 square feet per parking space. Included in the required landscaping shall be one tree for every eight surface parking spaces.

(2) Industrial zones, including planned development industrial. Fifteen square feet of irrigated landscaping shall be provided for each parking space provided other than spaces within a parking structure.
(2A) Mixed-use overlay zone. Landscaping should predominately consist of California native plants and should be provided as described in the appropriate urban plan document.
(3) All zones. Landscaping shall be distributed throughout the parking area and shall be in addition to the required street setback landscaping.
- (4) Parking structure landscape requirements. In lieu of the required square footage of landscaping per space, parking structures shall be developed with perimeter landscaping under the direction of the planning division. The landscaping shall consist of tall-growing canopy trees, with a tree size mix as follows: One tree for every 100 sq. ft. of perimeter landscape area: 30%, 15 gallon trees; 50%, 24-inch box trees; and 20%, 36-inch or greater box trees. In addition, landscaping shall be provided on the upper levels of parking structures with more than two parking levels, when these structures are visible from public streets. Perimeter planter boxes, with provisions for drainage, shall be permanently mounted or designed into the structure, incorporating cascading plants. A drip irrigation system, on an automatic timer shall be used to irrigate the plant material.
(c) Perimeter landscaping adjacent to property lines is encouraged in parking areas. Planter area curbs are encouraged to be used in place of wheel stops.
(d) All landscaping shall be separated from parking and vehicular circulation areas by a raised, continuous six-inch Portland cement concrete curb. Alternative designs which accomplish the same purpose may be approved by the planning division.
(e) The planning division may require landscaping in excess of the minimum area specified for a proposed development, provided the additional landscaping is necessary to:
- (1) Screen adjacent uses from parking areas, activities, storage or structures that could cause a negative impact on adjacent uses based on aesthetics, noise, odors, etc.; or
- (2) Provide landscaping that is compatible with neighboring uses; or
- (3) Provide landscaping (shrub or vine) to deter placement of graffiti on walls.
(f) Landscaping located in proximity to street intersections, or where a driveway intersects a sidewalk, shall conform to the walls, fences, and landscaping standards which are established by resolution of the city council.
(g) It is unlawful to plant, maintain, or allow to exist any thorn-bearing plant material contiguous to any public right-of-way.
(h) In all residential zones, except R-1, landscape parkways with a combined width of 10 feet, but not less than three feet on one side, shall be provided along the sides of interior private streets and/or common driveways. The parkway on the house side of private streets or common driveways shall be a minimum of five feet in width.

(Ord. No. 97-11, § 2, 5-5-97; Ord. No. 99-13, § 2, 9-20-99; Ord. No. 01-16, § 1v., 6-18-01; Ord. No. 06-9, § 1h., 4-18-06; Ord. No. 2120, § 1, 12-7-21)