Chapter 17.72 — LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS

17.72.010 - Purpose.

modified

A.

To establish a framework to review landscape and irrigation plans consistently and improve the physical appearance of the city by providing visual and ecological relief in the urban environment;

B.

To establish minimum landscape development standards for the design, provision and maintenance of landscaped areas, and encourage irrigation methods and suggested plant species to develop a measure of uniformity and quality in overall landscaping design;

C.

To promote the value and long-term benefits of landscapes to provide an attractive living, working and recreating environment, while recognizing the need to invest water and other resources as efficiently as possible; and

D.

To establish a structure for designing, installing, and maintaining water efficient landscapes for expansion of the existing buildings and new projects.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

modified

A.

New Projects. New landscaping and irrigation shall be required according to the provisions of this chapter. When the requirements of this chapter and Chapter 17.74 (Water Efficiency) of this title differ, the stricter of the two (2) shall apply.

B.

Residential Expansions. New landscaping and irrigation shall be required for the following:

1.

The construction of one or more new dwelling unit through new construction. This shall also include the construction of a new urban dwelling but not include the construction of detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

2.

Remodels that involve demolishing more than fifty (50) percent of a residential building's exterior walls; and

Additions that are more than fifty (50) percent of the gross floor area (GFA) or seven hundred fifty (750) square feet, whichever is greater. This shall not include the construction of attached ADUs or junior ADUs. If the additions include multiple residential buildings, the calculation shall be based on the combined square footages.

C.

Nonresidential Expansions. New landscaping and irrigation shall be required for the following:

1.

Additions that are more than thirty-five (35) percent of the GFA or one thousand five hundred (1,500) square feet, whichever is greater;

2.

The construction of new parking lots or reconstruction of existing parking lots. The new landscaping and irrigation will be limited to the parking lot areas and will not be required if the parking lot is only being resurfaced (i.e. slurry seal or seal coat) and/or restriped; and

3.

Condition of Approval. Landscaping and irrigation requirements may be added as a condition of approval by any review authority.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

modified

New landscaping and irrigation plans shall not be required for properties that are already in compliance with the state of California's Model Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) or Chapter 17.74 (Water Efficiency) of this title.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

modified

A.

All Landscaping Areas. All existing and proposed landscaping areas, including those below the thresholds listed in Section 17.72.020 of this chapter, shall comply with the following:

Required Planting Palette. The city does not have a required list of trees, shrubs and groundcover. However, the city encourages the use of drought-tolerant and/or native or indigenous plant material and does have suggested planting lists which is consistent with the city's goal for water efficient landscapes;

2.

Mixture of Plant Materials. Landscaping shall consist of combinations of trees, shrubs and ground covers with careful consideration given to eventual size and spread, susceptibility to disease and pests, durability, and adaptability to existing soil and climatic conditions;

3.

Location of Plant Materials. Trees shall not be planted within five (5) feet of any building or structure, or under any eave, overhang or balcony. In addition, landscape materials shall not be located such that at maturity they interfere with safe site distances for vehicular, bicycle or pedestrian traffic or conflict with overhead utility lines; and

4.

Maintenance. Landscaping shall be maintained in an orderly and healthy condition in compliance with this chapter. This includes proper pruning, staking, sowing of lawns, weeding, removal of litter, fertilizing, monitoring for pests and disease, replacement of plants when necessary and regular watering.

B.

New Projects, Residential Expansions and Nonresidential Expansions. All landscaping areas subject to Section 17.72.020 of this chapter shall comply with the following:

1.

Plans and Drawings. Landscape and irrigation plans shall be prepared by a licensed landscape architect or licensed landscape contractor or any other person authorized to design a landscape. Landscaping shall be planned as an integral part of the overall project design and not simply located in remanent spaces after buildings and parking areas have been designed. The installation shall be in accordance with the approved plans and shall be required prior to final occupancy; and

2.

Additional Requirements. In addition to the minimum landscaping required in this chapter, additional landscaping may be deemed necessary to relieve solid, unbroken elevations or soften continuous wall expanses. Additional landscaping may also be required to break up expansive parking areas, channelize traffic and screen trash enclosures, on-site utilities or other similar land uses or elements.

C.

Planting of Landscaping. When new landscaping is proposed or required, the following shall be followed:

1.

Trees. Specimen trees (e.g. twenty-four-, thirty-six- or forty-eight-inch box) shall be planted at the minimum quantities outlined in this chapter. New trees should also be staked or guyed.

2.

Shrubs.

a.

A minimum of one shrub shall be provided for every fifty (50) square feet of landscaped area for residential projects and every twenty-five (25) square feet for nonresidential projects. A minimum seventy-five (75) percent of the required shrubs shall be a minimum of five (5) gallons.

b.

All five-gallon and one-gallon size shrubs, when planted as high ground cover, shall be of low, spreading type evergreen shrubs placed eighteen (18) inches on center.

3.

Ground Covers.

a.

Materials such as crushed rock, redwood chips, pebbles and stones are not satisfactory substitutes for live plant materials, although they may be used in limited amounts.

b.

Depending on the type of ground cover planted, ground cover should be spaced at a maximum of one foot on center.

c.

Ground cover areas shall be planted with well rooted cuttings or container stock. Turf areas shall be planted with field-grown established sod or hydroseed.

4.

Artificial Turf Standards. The use of artificial turf shall be permitted as follows:

a.

Setback and Percentage Requirements.

i.

Residential Zoning Districts. Artificial turf may be used in lieu of natural turf and ground cover for up to forty (40) percent of street yard setbacks. There shall be no limitation in other areas.

ii.

Nonresidential zoning districts. Artificial turf may be used in lieu of natural turf and ground cover for up to sixty (60) percent of street yard setbacks. There shall be no limitation in other areas.

iii.

Slope restrictions. The installation of artificial turf on slopes greater than six (6) percent shall be prohibited.

b.

Installation.

i.

General. Should be installed over a compacted and porous road base material and shall be anchored at all edges and seams. Seams shall be glued and not sewn. An infill medium consisting of clean sand or other approved mixture shall be brushed into the fibers to ensure that the fibers remain in an upright position and to provide ballast that will help hold the turf in place and provide a cushioning effect.

ii.

Over Subterranean or Podium Parking or on a Roof. Should be installed with porcelain or turf tray pavers in conjunction with raised pedestals and deck support systems.

iii.

Minimum Height. Should consist of pile fibers a minimum height of one and three-quarters (1¾) inch.

iv.

Drainage. Shall include a proper drainage system installed underneath the turf to prevent excessive run-off or pooling.

c.

General Appearance. Artificial turf shall be installed and maintained to effectively simulate the appearance of a well maintained lawn. The Planning Department shall maintain and make available for public inspection a sample of various artificial turf products that meet this standard of appearance.

d.

Prohibited Uses. The use of indoor or outdoor plastic or nylon carpeting and/or the use of synthetic shrubs, flowers, trees and vines instead of artificial turf and/or live plant materials shall be prohibited.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

modified

A.

All Residential Projects.

1.

Street Setbacks Areas. All street setback areas shall be fully landscaped with a mixture of trees, shrubs and ground covering, with exception to approved paved driveways and walkways. The paved area of the front yard and required street side yard, including driveways and walkways, shall not exceed forty (40) percent.

2.

Trees. A minimum of one, twenty-four-inch box specimen tree shall be planted in street setback areas every thirty-five (35) linear feet of lot frontage, excluding driveways.

3.

Driveway Planter. A minimum three-feet wide planter shall be located between the interior side property line and length of the driveway. The planter shall be planted with low growth, wide-spreading ground cover material or clustered five-gallon dwarf evergreen shrubs. Trees may be planted if the driveway planter is five (5) or more feet in width.

B.

Residential Projects with Three (3) or More Units.

1.

Private Open Space Areas. A minimum of one, twenty-four-inch box specimen tree shall be planted in private open space areas that are at grade and have a minimum area of four hundred (400) square feet.

Common Open Space Areas—At Grade.

a.

A minimum fifty (50) percent of the common open space areas shall be landscaped. The rest may be improved with a combination of decorative paving and resident amenities (e.g. seating and barbeque areas, etc.).

b.

A minimum of one twenty-four-inch box specimen tree shall be planted for every five hundred (500) square feet of common open space area.

3.

Common Open Space Areas—Over Subterranean or Podium Parking or on a Roof.

a.

A minimum twenty-five (25) percent of the common open space areas over subterranean or podium parking and fifteen (15) percent of common open space areas over other roofed areas shall be landscaped. The rest may be improved with a combination of decorative pavers and resident amenities (e.g. seating and barbeque areas, etc.).

b.

When common open space areas are over subterranean or podium parking, a minimum one fifteen-gallon tree shall be planted in a tree well. An additional tree shall be planted for each eight hundred (800) square feet of common open space area.

c.

Appropriate drainage shall be provided for planters, tree wells and the soil covering the parking or roof deck.

4.

Street setbacks, driveways and walkways to unit entrances shall not count towards private or common open space area requirements.

5.

Parking and Circulation. All landscaping shall be separated from parking and vehicular circulation areas by a raised, continuous six-inch Portland Cement concrete curb. Other materials which accomplish the same purpose may also be used.

C.

Mixed-Use Projects. For vertical or horizontal mixed-use projects, the project shall follow this section for residential open space areas and Section 17.72.060 of this chapter for all street setbacks, areas around at-grade nonresidential uses, surface parking lots and unused areas.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

modified

A.

Street Setback Areas.

1.

Street Setbacks Areas. All street setback areas shall be fully landscaped with a mixture of trees, shrubs and ground covering, with exception to approved driveways, walkways and other areas specifically permitted in this title.

2.

A minimum of one, twenty-four-inch box specimen tree shall be required for every thirty-five (35) linear feet of lot frontage, excluding driveways.

B.

Parking and Vehicular Access Areas.

1.

Percent of Landscaping for Off-Street Parking Lots.

a.

Equal to or less than fifty (50) parking spaces. A minimum of five (5) percent shall be landscaped.

b.

Greater than fifty (50) parking spaces. A minimum of eight (8) percent shall be landscaped.

c.

Landscaping shall be distributed throughout the parking lot.

d.

The landscaping percentages required above shall not include required street setbacks.

e.

Parking spaces shall not include loading spaces. For manufacturing uses, areas used exclusively for loading, and fully enclosed by a solid masonry wall with a minimum height of six (6) feet, shall not trigger or require landscaping.

2.

Number of Trees. A minimum of one, twenty-four-inch box specimen tree shall be required for every six (6) parking spaces, or portion thereof, and shall be located throughout the parking area. This shall be in addition to required trees planted in the street setback areas.

3.

Perimeter Landscaping. All parking lots shall have a landscape planter with a minimum width of five (5) feet adjacent to all interior side and rear property lines.

4.

Planter Size. All landscape planters shall be a minimum width of five (5) feet. The depth of parking stalls may be reduced by two (2) feet if the minimum planter width is six (6) feet, or if the minimum plant width is seven (7) feet and two (2) rows of vehicles are overhanging the planter.

5.

Parking and Circulation. All landscaping shall be separated from parking and vehicular circulation areas by a raised, continuous six-inch Portland Cement concrete curb. Other materials which accomplish the same purpose may be approved by the Planning

Division.

C.

Mixed-Use Projects. For vertical or horizontal mixed-use projects, the project shall follow this section for all street setbacks, areas around at-grade nonresidential uses, surface parking lots and unused areas and Section 17.72.050 of this chapter for residential open space areas.

D.

Unused Areas. All areas of a project site not intended for a specific use, including pad sites held for future development, shall be landscaped in accordance with this chapter.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

modified

The applicable review authority may consider any of the following landscaping requirements reductions:

A.

Residential Projects.

1.

Driveway Planter. The minimum three (3) feet planter width between the interior side property line and length of the driveway may be waived as follows:

a.

When the property has a street frontage of fifty (50) feet or less; and

b.

For residential expansions, as outlined in subsection 17.72.020.B. of this chapter, when the existing driveway is situated between the existing dwelling and interior side property line, and the setback between the existing dwelling and interior property line is less than fifteen (15) feet.

2.

Common Open Space Areas. The minimum number of trees may be reduced because of the proposed planting plan (e.g. the species selected) or programming (e.g. the project includes a swimming pool or gazebo).

3.

Street Setback Areas. The minimum number of trees or minimum percentage of landscaping for street setback areas may be reduced for buildings that are constructed ten (10) feet or less to the public right-of-way.

B.

Nonresidential Projects.

Street Setback Areas. The minimum number of trees or minimum percentage of landscaping for street setback areas may be reduced for buildings that are constructed ten (10) feet or less to the public right-of-way.

2.

Vehicle Dealerships. The minimum number of trees may be reduced and/or the tree species may be modified for vehicle dealerships within the city's Auto District (as illustrated in General Plan Figure LU-2).

3.

Solar Facilities. The minimum number of parking lot trees may be reduced and/or the tree species may be modified for parking lots that include vehicle canopies equipped with solar panels.

4.

Podium Parking and Structured Parking. The minimum number of parking lot trees may be reduced and/or the tree species may be modified for podium parking areas and the upper level of structured parking.

5.

Perimeter Landscaping for Parking or Vehicular Access Areas. The minimum planter width may be reduced or waived for properties less than one hundred (100) feet wide or one hundred (100) feet deep. However, reductions to perimeter landscaping shall not be permissible if the adjacent property is zoned residential.

C.

Tree Mitigation Fund. The applicant shall pay into the city's Tree Mitigation Fund for each required tree that is not planted.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

modified

Refer to Chapter 14.03 (Tree Protection and Preservation) of Title 14 (Sustainable Development) of the El Monte Municipal Code (EMMC) to review the city's regulations to protect and preserve trees.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)