Chapter 1 — TITLE, PURPOSE AND INTENT

Sec. 5-7-101. - Title.

This division shall be known and cited as the "Sustainability in Landscaping Ordinance."

(Code 1976, § V.G-100; Ord. No. 90-12, § 2, 6-26-90)

Sec. 5-7-102. - Purpose and intent.

The purpose of this division is to provide policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines to achieve longterm levels of sustainability in landscapes. Sustainability is a concept which emphasizes the environmental impacts and benefits of landscapes. In most instances, a sustainable landscape is one which provides

positive levels of carbon storage and oxygen productivity after all demands for energy, water, soil improvement and maintenance activities to support have been accounted for. This division is intended to promote actions that conserve, recycle, and reuse the resources which are invested in landscapes.

(Code 1976, § V.G-101; Ord. No. 90-12, § 2, 6-26-90)

Sec. 5-7-103. - Policies.

The following policies are established to achieve the purpose and intent of the Sustainability in Landscaping Ordinance:

A.

To develop and maintain landscapes that conserve, recycle, and reuse resources to achieve optimum levels of sustainability.

B.

To develop and maintain landscapes with increasing levels of conservation and efficiency in energy use.

C.

To develop and maintain landscapes upon principles of water conservation and to optimize the use of reclaimed water resources.

D.

To develop and maintain landscapes towards optimum levels of biomass storage which provides increased storage of carbon and production of oxygen.

E.

To design landscapes comprised of associations of plants which have similar climate, water, soil, sun exposure and maintenance needs.

F.

To design and maintain landscape for optimum levels of micro-climate benefit to reduce urban heat buildup and energy demand for heating and cooling.

G.

To design and maintain landscapes with reduced levels of turfgrass.

H.

To design and maintain landscapes which incorporate organic soil management practices and which will accommodate composted landscape trimmings.

I.

To encourage the minimum use of inorganic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides in the development and maintenance of landscapes.

J.

To design and maintain landscapes which are supportive of the conservation and open space element with particular reference to enhancement and preservation of significant biotic resources.

K.

To develop and maintain landscapes which, to the greatest extent possible, incorporate a balance in regards to function and aesthetics to achieve optimum levels of sustainability of the landscape.

L.

To develop and sponsor activities and programs to educate residents to the ideas and benefits of sustainable landscapes.

(Code 1976, § V.G-1023; Ord. No. 90-12, § 2, 6-26-90)