La Palma Municipal Code § 44-335 Residential landscape standards

(a) Applicability. This section provides landscaping requirements for residential uses that shall apply to:

(1) All proposed new residential developments.

(2) All existing residential developments.

(3) All existing landscape and irrigation systems.

(b) General provisions.

(1) All residentially zoned properties and nonresidential zoned properties developed with residential uses shall provide landscaping as required under this section.

(2) Landscape design may emphasize water conservation through minimal irrigation and the use of plant materials that are drought tolerant and well adapted to the local climate and soil conditions.

(3) New development. All new development shall require approval of a landscape and irrigation plan pursuant to Section 44-77.

(4) Should any provision of this chapter conflict with other any other provisions of this Code or any adopted specific plan, the Community Development Director shall clarify the spirit and intent of the Code.

(5) All landscaping shall be maintained in an attractive and healthy condition. Attractive and healthy condition shall include the proper pruning, mowing of live turf areas, weeding, litter removal, replacement of all dead and deceased plants, and the regular application of appropriate quantities of water to all landscaped areas. Indoor/outdoor plastic or nylon carpeting and similar materials that do not resemble thriving, live, green grass shall not be permitted as a substitute for artificial turf and/or live turf.

(6) Irrigation systems shall be maintained in a proper operating condition. Water line breaks, head/emitter ruptures, overspray or runoff conditions and other irrigation system failures shall be repaired immediately.

(7) Restrictions for traffic safety. In compliance with Section 44-276, landscaping in the traffic safety triangle shall not exceed a height of three feet.

(c) Artificial turf standards.

(1) Artificial turf shall have polyethylene monofilament fiber with a minimum grass zone pile height of one and one-half inches.

(2) A minimum face weight of 42 ounces per square yard of unfilled artificial turf.

(3) Nylon, polypropylene, and similar fibers can be permitted in the thatch zone provided that the thatch zone is a minimum one-quarter inches lower than the grass zone pile height.

(4) Artificial turf installations requiring infill materials shall use infill of the silica sand variety. Rubber infill made from old tires is not acceptable for use as infill for artificial turf.

(5) All electric, water, gas, and irrigation lines and conduits shall be run outside the perimeter of an artificial turf installation with the exception of those that provide direct service to the residence.

(6) An appropriate solid barrier device (i.e., concrete mow strip) is required to separate artificial turf from soil and live vegetation.

(7) Artificial turf shall be lead free.

(8) Artificial turf shall be trimmed to fit against all regular and irregular edges to resemble a natural look.

(9) Artificial turf shall be designed to allow water to percolate through the synthetic grass at a minimum drain rate of 30 inches per hour to an adequate drainage system installed underneath the artificial turf to prevent run-off, pooling, and flooding.

(10) All artificial turf shall have a warranty that protects against color fading and a decrease in pile height. A minimum four-year manufacturer's warranty is required for a "do it yourself" homeowner's installation, and a minimum eight-year manufacturer's warranty is required for an installation certified by the manufacturer.

(11) Installation shall be done at minimum to the manufacturer's specifications, and include the following: removal of all sod or existing groundcover, a synthetic porous filter fabric shall be installed, compacted and porous decomposed crushed granite and/or road base material (minimum three inches), all edges and seams of the artificial turf are to be anchored with nails and glue, all seams shall be nailed and glued, not sewn, and artificial turf shall be visually level with the grain pointing in a single direction.

(d) Maintenance.

(1) All landscaping, including parkway landscaping, plant materials, and live turf areas shall be maintained by the property owner, in a healthy, neat, and orderly condition that is free of weeds, trash, and debris.

(2) Artificial turf shall be maintained by the property owner in an effective manner which includes cleaning, brushing, debris removal; repairing of depressions and ruts to maintain a level visual surface; elimination of any odors, flat or matted areas, weeds, evasive roots, looseness at edges, seams; and the replacement of the artificial turf when maintenance or repair is unable to simulate a natural thriving, green, grass appearance.

(3) Dead or diseased plants and/or any damaged or worn-out artificial turf areas shall be removed and appropriately replaced by the property owner. Repaired artificial turf areas shall be done so with like for like materials from the same manufacturer and done so in a manner that results in a repair that blends in with the existing artificial turf.

(e) Single-family development landscaping.

(1) Landscaped yards. Landscaping shall illustrate a concern for aesthetic elements such as balance, scale, texture, form, water conservation, and unity. Yards visible from the public right-of-way, excluding driveways, shall be landscaped. Seventy percent of the yard area visible from the public right-of-way, excluding the driveway, shall be landscaped with plant materials, and/or live turf or artificial turf.

(2) Period for landscape installation. Minimal landscaping shall be installed prior to initial occupancy of a residential dwelling. Full landscaping shall be installed within six months of initial occupancy.

(3) Landscaping should encourage the use of drought-tolerant plant materials, drip irrigation systems, and minimal use of turf and artificial turf, where feasible. Landscape design should encourage the implementation of landscape maintenance practices that foster long-term water conservation.

(4) A permit shall be required for the installation of artificial turf in the single family residential (R-1) zoning district.

(f) Multiple-family development landscaping. The following features shall be incorporated into the design of the proposed landscape and shown on the required landscape plans for multiple-family developments:

(1) Landscaping shall be required in all setback areas except for driveways and walkways;

(2) Landscaping adjacent to the driveways and parking areas shall be protected from vehicle damage through the provision of a minimum of six-inch-high concrete curbs or other types of barriers as approved by the Community Development Director;

(3) Landscaping planter areas shall have a minimum inside width of three feet where trees and/or shrubs are provided and six feet where turf is provided;

(4) All landscaped areas shall incorporate an irrigation system and comply with the commercial irrigation standards in Section 44-336(f);

(5) Plant materials shall be selected and installed to comply with the provisions for plant materials in the commercial landscaping requirements in Section 44-336(e);

(6) Common open area. At least 200 square feet of recreational open space shall be required for each dwelling unit.

a. Recreational open space shall be lawn, garden, or other natural landscaping, and may include paved surfaces for walking/jogging, swimming pools, BBQ grills, play areas, and places to sit down.

b. Common open area shall not include setback areas or walkways providing access to buildings and/or other parts of the site.

(7) Private open area. At least 200 square feet on ground level shall be provided for each first floor unit. Second floor units may be exempt from providing private open area.

a. Private usable open space shall be provided for each dwelling unit immediately adjacent to, accessible to, and private to the unit it is designated to serve. Private open area shall not be permitted to be located in setback areas, driveway or parking areas and shall be distinguished from adjacent areas by a retaining wall, fence, or landscaping.

b. The space shall not be less than ten feet in any horizontal distance.

(8) Three percent landscape in parking areas and three percent in non-parking areas. A minimum landscaping area of three percent in the parking areas and three percent in the non-parking areas of all remaining areas of the site where no building will be located shall be provided.

a. The method of calculating the three percent parking and three percent non-parking landscaping shall not include setback areas, private open areas, or the common open area.

b. The three percent non-parking landscaping requirement shall be distributed evenly throughout the project site and located immediately adjacent to each building on the site and is not permitted to be located in the setback areas, private open space areas, or the common open area.

(9) A permit shall be required for the installation of artificial turf in the multiple-family residential (R-3) zoning district.

(Ord. No. 2015-01, § 3, 5-5-2015; Ord. No. 2022-01, § 13, 5-3-2022)

(a) Applicability. This section provides landscaping and irrigation requirements for new construction on vacant property and for new construction increasing an existing development by 50 percent or more.

(b) Required landscaping. Landscaping shall be provided for all setback areas adjacent to public rights-of-way, plus a minimum of three percent in the parking areas and three percent in the non-parking areas of all remaining areas of the site where no building will be located.

(c) Exceptions. The approval authority may approve exceptions to the above requirements for plans that demonstrate exceptional creativity.

(d) General design standards. The following features shall be incorporated into the design of the proposed landscape and shown on the required landscape plans:

(1) Landscaping shall be planned as an integral part of the overall project design considering the benefits of cooling, reduced evaporation, special continuity, and aesthetics. Landscaping shall not simply be located in excess space left over after parking areas and structures have been planned.

(2) Pedestrian access, solar access, and shading of window areas shall be considered in the design of landscaped areas.

(3) Landscaping adjacent to driveways and parking areas shall be protected from vehicle damage through the provision of minimum six-inch high concrete curbs or other types of barriers as approved by Community Development Director.

(4) Landscaped planter areas shall have a minimum inside width of three feet where trees and/or shrubs are provided and six feet where turf is provided.

(5) Landscaping within traffic safety triangles on corner lots shall be provided in compliance with Section 44-276.

(6) Re-circulating water shall be used for all decorative water features.

(e) Plant materials. Plant materials shall be selected and installed to comply with the following requirements:

(1) A mix of plant materials and sizes shall be planted. Plant type variety is required to be attractive and to reduce the chance of landscape failure due to disease infestation. In addition, it is recommended that plant container sizes vary in order to further provide visual interest during initial project planting.

(2) Trees and shrubs shall be planted and maintained so that at maturity they do not interfere with utilities and traffic safety sight areas.

(3) Trees and shrubs shall be planted and maintained in a manner that protects the basic rights of adjacent property owners.

(4) Trees planted near public sidewalks or curbs shall be planted and maintained in a manner that prevents physical damage to sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and other public improvements.

(5) Ground cover shall be of live plant material, although limited quantities (ten percent maximum) of gravel, bark, or similar materials may be used in combination with a living ground cover.

(6) The landscape design plan shall provide for water-efficient landscaping.

(7) Turf areas shall not exceed 50 percent of the landscaped area with the following exceptions:

a. Public parks.

b. Child day care facilities.

(8) A two-inch layer of bark mulch shall be installed in areas where lawn or other ground cover material is not provided.

(9) A permit shall be required for the installation of artificial turf in any non-residential zoning district.

(f) Irrigation design standards.

(1) Water efficiency. The irrigation design plan shall provide for a permanent water-efficient irrigation system (i.e., drip systems, bubblers, or soakers).

(2) Runoff and overspray. Soil types and infiltration rates shall be considered when designing irrigation systems. Irrigation systems shall be designed to avoid runoff, low head drainage, overspray, and other similar conditions. Appropriate irrigation equipment and schedules shall be used to closely match application rates to rates of infiltration. Special attention shall be given to avoid runoff on slopes and overspray in narrow planting areas and median strips.

(3) Equipment.

a. Controllers. Automatic controllers are required for all irrigation systems and shall be able to accommodate all aspects of the design.

b. Sprinkler heads. Heads and emitters shall have consistently matched precipitation rates within each control valve circuit. Sprinkler heads shall be selected for proper area coverage, application rate, adjustment capability, operating pressure, and ease of maintenance.

c. Rain-sensing override devices. Rain-sensing override devices are encouraged on all irrigation systems.

(g) Maintenance. Landscaping shall be maintained in an orderly and healthy condition. This shall include proper pruning, mowing of turf, weeding, removal of litter, fertilizing, replacement of plants when necessary, and application of appropriate quantities of water to all landscaped areas. Practices may include performing routine irrigation system repair and adjustments, scheduling irrigation based on CIMIS (California Irrigation Management Information System), using moisture-sensing or rain shut-off devices, conducting water audits, and prescribing the amount of water to be applied per landscaped area.

(Ord. No. 2015-01, § 3, 5-5-2015; Ord. No. 2022-01, § 14, 5-3-2022)