Chapter 19.50 — OPEN SPACE AND LANDSCAPING

Every residential development shall provide a minimum of three hundred square feet of usable open space per dwelling unit.

(Ord. 601 § 1, 1983; Ord. 690 § 16, 1983; Ord. 94-884)

• A. "Usable open space" means an unobstructed portion of a lot which has a minimum dimension of ten feet in every direction, is landscaped and developed for active or passive recreational and leisure use, and is conveniently located and accessible. Open space intended to serve all the units of a project shall be accessible and convenient to all units. Private open space shall be accessible and convenient to the unit(s) intended to be served.

• B. In addition, the following spaces shall contribute to required usable open space areas:

  1. Private balconies, provided that the minimum size of the balcony is six feet by ten feet;

  2. Roof areas designed and equipped to accommodate recreational and leisure activities;

  3. Recreation rooms.

• C. A minimum of sixty percent of the required usable open space shall be provided at grade, unenclosed.

• D. The following areas shall not contribute to required usable open space:

  1. Driveways and parking areas;

  2. Refuse storage areas;

  3. Clothes drying areas;

  4. Walkways and sidewalks.

• E. Active recreational facilities for children in appropriate projects (e.g., "tot lots") are encouraged. Such areas shall be a minimum of two hundred square feet in area.

• (Ord. 601 § 1, 1983; Ord. 690 § 17, 1986; Ord. 723 § 1, 1987; Ord. 94-884)

• A. Not less than fifteen percent of the total site shall be landscaped and permanently maintained.

• B. There shall be a five-foot-wide landscape area between any parking area and any public street right-of-way.

• C. A portion of a property not used for buildings, parking, walkways, loading or storage areas shall be landscaped.

• D. There shall be a minimum three-foot by fifteen-foot, or forty-five square foot, landscaped area within the parking area (not including perimeter area landscaping) for every three parking spaces or the equivalent. A minimum width of three feet is required. A four-foot by fifteen-foot area may be permitted for every four spaces, five-foot-wide for five spaces, etc.

• E. Prior to issuance of any building permits, a complete landscaping plan shall be submitted to the Community Development Department for approval. Such approval shall be subject to appeal in the manner set forth in Sections 19.84.070 through 19.84.090 .

• F. Landscaping and required watering system shall be installed prior to the use of the premises. All landscaping material in required landscaping areas shall be permanently maintained in a growing and healthy condition, including trimming, as appropriate to the landscaping material.

G. A permanent irrigation system shall be installed to serve all landscaped areas. (Ord. 601 § 1, 1983; Ord. 635 § 8, 1984; Ord. 723 §§ 2, 3, 1987; Ord. 94-884)

The commercial landscaping requirements of this chapter shall be observed only for proposed commercial uses or developments requiring site plan review by the City Council, as identified in Sections 19.26.020 , 19.27.020 , and 19.28.020 , provided that in no case shall the amount of existing landscaping be reduced and that any new and all existing landscaping shall be permanently maintained.

(Ord. 94-884; Ord. 2012-1130 § 1)

• A. Not less than fifty percent of the required front yard and street side yard setbacks shall be landscaped and permanently maintained. The remainder of the required yard may be used for driveways and walkways.

• B. Landscaping shall be provided within the parking area or immediately abutting it.

• C. There shall be a minimum four-foot landscaped area between the structure an any parking located in front of the structure.

• D. There shall be a minimum three-foot-wide landscaped area between the parking area and each side lot line when parking is located between the structure and the street.

• E. Prior to issuance of any building permit, a complete landscaping plan shall be submitted to the Community Development Department for approval. Such approval shall be subject to appeal in the manner set forth in Sections 19.84.070 through 19.84.090 .

• F. Landscaping and required watering system shall be installed prior to the use of the premises. All landscaping material in required landscaping areas shall be permanently maintained in a

growing and healthy condition, including trimming, as appropriate to the landscaping material.

G. A permanent irrigation system shall be installed to serve all landscaped areas. (Ord. 601 § 1, 1983; Ord. 635 § 9, 1984; Ord. 723 § 5, 1987; Ord. 94-884)