Irvine Municipal Code § 5-7-305 Landscape permits

This division shall apply to all discretionary and nondiscretionary development case applications and when landscape permits are required. Single-family home lots and agriculture are exempt.

(Code 1976, § V.G-301; Ord. No. 90-12, § 2, 6-26-90)

Approved landscape plans for discretionary and nondiscretionary development case applications which are valid on the effective date of this division shall remain valid. Landscapes for these projects may be built in accordance with the development standards and landscape standards in effect at the time of approval provided that the development case or nondiscretionary approval is valid at the time landscape permits are issued. Any reapplication for an expired permit, development case, or major modification must comply with this division at the time of reapplication or modification.

(Code 1976, § V.G-302; Ord. No. 90-12, § 2, 6-26-90)

Discretionary development case applications which have been received by the City, but have not been publicly noticed for the approval hearing by the effective date of this division, shall be subject to the provisions of this division unless waived by the Director of Community Development.

(Code 1976, § V.G-303; Ord. No. 90-12, § 2, 6-26-90)

Conceptual landscape plans as defined in the Sustainable Landscaping Guideline Manual shall be approved by an approval body in conjunction with discretionary and nondiscretionary development case applications. The approval body for development cases may impose conditions and may require evidence that such conditions are being or will be complied with in the form of subdivision agreements and security as it deems necessary to satisfy the intent of this division.

(Code 1976, § V.G-304; Ord. No. 90-12, § 2, 6-26-90)

A. A landscape permit shall be required for the installation of all landscape planting and irrigation. The Director of Public Works or his or her authorized representative may determine the following to be exceptions:

1. Alterations to existing landscape within a parcel which are not required or proposed in conjunction with discretionary or nondiscretionary development case applications.

2. Alterations to existing landscape which are a result of routine or necessary maintenance and is consistent with the approved landscape plans, and City regulations pertaining to landscapes.

B. To obtain a landscape permit, the applicant must first file an application in writing on a form prescribed by the City. The permit application shall be accompanied by information required by the City and as specified in the Sustainable Landscaping Guideline Manual.

C. Funds sufficient to cover the cost incurred by the City in processing applications for landscape permits shall be paid to the City in compliance with the most recent City Council resolution pertaining to setting development processing and inspection fees.

D. Applications for which no permit is issued within 180 days following the date of application shall expire by limitation, and plans submitted for checking may thereafter be returned to the applicant or destroyed. The Director of Public Works or his or her authorized representative may extend the time for action by the applicant for a period not to exceed 180 days upon written request by the applicant showing that circumstances beyond the control of the applicant have prevented action from being taken. In order to renew action for and application after expiration, the applicant shall resubmit plans and pay a new plan check fee.

E. If a permit holder presents satisfactory evidence that unusual difficulties have prevented work from being started within 60 days, or completed within one year, or continued without being suspended for 120 days, the Director of Public Works or his or her authorized representative may grant extensions of time reasonably necessary by reason of such difficulties. In no case shall such extensions of time exceed a total of one year.

(Code 1976, § V.G-305; Ord. No. 90-12, § 2, 6-26-90)