Eureka Municipal Code § 155.328 Landscaping

This section establishes landscaping standards to enhance the aesthetic appearance of developed areas in Eureka and to promote the efficient use of water resources.

(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19; Am. Ord. 962-C.S., passed 7-15-25)

Properties nonconforming to the standards in § 155.328.040 (Required Landscape Areas) and § 155.328.050 (General Landscape Requirements) must be brought into conformance when required by § 155.424.030 (Nonconforming Site Features).

(Ord. 962-C.S., passed 7-15-25)

(A) Landscape plan required.

(1) An applicant must submit a landscape plan if new or modified landscaping is required by this chapter.

(2) Required landscape plans must be submitted as part of the design review application, if any, and subsequent building permit applications.

(B) Required contents. Landscape plans must include the following features and information:

(1) Site boundaries.

(2) Existing conditions on the property, including contours and existing structures.

(3) New structures and expansions proposed as part of the project.

(4) Existing landscaping, trees, and vegetation to be retained, specifying plant location, species, and size. Details of existing trees must also include approximate tree diameter measured 48 inches above existing grade and approximate outer limit of tree canopy.

(5) New landscaping proposed as part of the development project, specifying plant location, species, number, and size.

(6) Irrigation plan specifying the location, type, and size of all components of the irrigation system (if proposed).

(7) Proposed grading if any.

(8) A landscape maintenance plan describing how the landscaping will be maintained in a healthy and thriving condition, including provisions to replace plant material as needed to maintain compliance with the approved landscape plan.

(9) Additional information as determined by the Department to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this section.

(C) Review and approval.

(1) For projects that do not require design review, the Department will review all landscape plans to verify compliance with this section as part of the zoning clearance approval.

(2) For projects that require design review, the review authority responsible for approving design review must also approve the landscape plan.

(D) Changes to approved landscape plans.

(1) Only the review authority that approved the landscape plan may allow substantial modifications to an approved landscape plan.

(2) The Director may approve minor changes to a landscape plan previously approved by the City Council, Planning Commission, or Design Review Committee. Minor changes are defined as modifications to a landscape plan that do not alter the general design character of the landscaped area or alter a feature of the landscaped area specifically required by the review authority. The Director may also approve changes to a landscape plan required to comply with Building Code or Fire Code requirements.

(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19; Am. Ord. 902 C.-S., passed 8-18-20; Am. Ord. 951-C.S., passed 10-17-23; Am. Ord. 962-C.S., passed 7-15-25)

(A) Applicability. The requirements of this subsection do not apply to single-family homes in any zoning district.

(B) Parking lots. See § 155.324.080 (Parking Lot Landscaping) for required landscaping in parking lots.

(C) Residential zoning districts.

(1) The following areas, excluding areas required for access to the property, must be landscaped and maintained:

(a) All required front and street side setback areas;

(b) All areas between a building and a front or exterior side lot line; and

(c) Any area between the front or exterior side lot lines and the sidewalk or edge of street curb. See Figure 328-1.

(2) Landscaping is not required in setback or yard areas located behind a four-foot or higher solid fence or wall or in areas not visible from the sidewalk or street.

(3) Landscaping may consist of any combination of living plants, such as trees, shrubs and grass or related natural features, such as rock, stone, or mulch. Decorative hardscape featuring pervious materials, such as pervious paver stones, gravel, and decomposed granite, is permitted within required landscaping areas.

Figure 328-1: Required Landscape Area in Residential Zoning Districts

[Figure]

(D ) Mixed-use zoning districts. In mixed-use zoning districts, all areas between a building and a front or exterior side lot line and all areas between the front or exterior side lot lines and the sidewalk or edge of street curb must be landscaped, excluding areas required for access to the property. See Figure 328-2.

Figure 328-2: Required Landscape Area In Mixed Use Districts

[Figure]

(E) Other zoning districts. Parking lots in zoning districts other than residential and mixed-use zoning districts must comply with the landscaping requirements in § 155.324.080 (Parking Lot Landscaping). No additional landscaping is required.

(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19; Am. Ord. 951-C.S., passed 10-17-23; Am. Ord. 962-C.S., passed 7-15-25)

(A) The following requirements apply to all landscaping within the city.

(1) Vision clearance area. Landscaping must comply with the vision clearance area requirements in § 155.308.040 (Vision Clearance Area).

(2) Public safety. Plant species must be selected and located so that at maturity they do not interfere with pedestrian, bicycle, or vehicular circulation and do not conflict with utilities and overhead lights.

(3) Invasive plants. Planting species with a "High" rating in the California Invasive Plant Council's Cal-IPC inventory of invasive plants and plant species identified as invasive weeds by the Humboldt County Weed Management Area are prohibited.

(B) The following requirements apply to landscaping installed as part of a city-approved landscaping plan.

(1) Parking lots. See § 155.324.080 (Parking Lot Landscaping) for landscaping requirements that apply to new parking lots with four or more spaces.

(2) Native plants. At least 75%, by count, of all new in-ground shrubs, groundcover, and trees will involve only the use of species native to Eureka as listed by the California Native Plant Society, with the remainder being noncompeting exotic species.

(3) Trees.

(a) New trees must be a minimum 15-gallon size unless the reviewing authority determines that a smaller size is sufficient for the site.

(b) Trees in landscape planters less than ten feet in width or located closer than five feet from a public sidewalk, street, or permanent structure on an adjacent property must be planted with root barriers or root barrier panels to prevent damage to adjacent structures or pavement.

(4) Groundcover and shrubs.

(a) A minimum of 50% of required landscape area must be covered with groundcover, shrubs, turf, or other types of plants at maturity.

(b) Groundcover must be provided throughout the landscaped area and must be spaced to achieve full coverage of the groundcover area within one year.

(c) A maximum of 50% of the required landscape area may consist of mulch, bark chip, crushed rock, pebbles, stone, or similar non-plant materials.

(d) Landscaped areas must be top dressed with bark, chip, mulch, or other similar material to cover exposed bare soil.

(5) Timing of installation. Required landscaping must be installed prior to receiving a temporary or final certificate of occupancy.

(6) The Director may defer the installation of landscaping for a maximum of 180 days after project occupancy/completion in cases of delays caused by inclement weather, unavailability of plant materials, construction scheduling, or other similar issues. The Director may require the applicant to provide adequate security to guarantee the landscaping installation in accordance with § 155.420.070 (Performance Guarantees).

(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19; Am. Ord. 902 C.-S., passed 8-18-20; Am. Ord. 916-C.S., passed 7-6-21; Am. Ord. 951-C.S., passed 10-17-23; Am. Ord. 962-C.S., passed 7-15-25)

(A) General. In addition to the requirements of this section, all applicable development in Eureka must also comply with the California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) as required by California Water Conservation in Landscaping Act (Cal. Government Code §§ 65591 et seq.).

(B) When required. The following landscape projects must comply with the WELO requirements:

(1) New construction projects requiring a building permit that have an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 500 square feet.

(2) Rehabilitated landscape projects requiring a building permit that have an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet.

(C) Conflicts. If conflicts occur between the Cal. Government Code or WELO and this section, the more restrictive will control.

(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19; Am. Ord. 962-C.S., passed 7-15-25)

The following maintenance requirements and enforcement procedures apply to landscaping installed as part of a city-approved landscaping plan:

(A) Maintenance required.

(1) Dead and dying plants. All landscaping must be maintained free of physical damage or injury from lack of water, excess chemical fertilizer or other toxic chemical, blight, or disease. Dead or dying plants must be removed and replaced with landscaping of similar size and maturity.

(2) Weed removal. Landscaping must be kept free from weeds.

(3) Irrigation systems. Irrigation systems must be maintained in a fully functional manner as approved by the city and required by this section. Watering schedules should be adjusted periodically to reflect seasonal variations.

(B) Violations. Failure to maintain landscape areas in compliance with this section will be deemed a nuisance subject to the enforcement procedures in § 155.428 (Enforcement and Penalties).

(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19; Am. Ord. 962-C.S., passed 7-15-25)