§ 22.126

This Chapter establishes a project's tree planting requirements to provide environmental benefits. Trees planted pursuant to this Chapter will reduce greenhouse gases by absorbing carbon dioxide, reduce water pollution by retaining storm water onsite, and reduce the urban heat island effect by shading impervious surfaces.

(Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

22.126.020 - Applicability.

A.

This Chapter shall apply to any project that includes:

1.

A new principal use building;

2.

Additions to buildings, where the addition adds a cumulative floor area of at least 50 percent of the total existing building floor area on the subject property, within any 12-month period; or

3.

New uncovered surface parking lots with a minimum of 15 parking spaces and/or existing uncovered surface parking lots expanded to have 15 or more parking spaces.

B.

The following projects are exempt from the requirements of this Chapter:

1.

Any project where a complete application for the project was filed with the Department prior to April 28, 2016, the effective date of this Chapter; and

2.

Utility-scale solar energy facilities, ground-mounted.

C.

Trees required by this Chapter are the minimum requirement for a project, but may also contribute to fulfilling other landscaping requirements in this Title 22, including any such requirements in a Community Standards District.

(Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

22.126.030 - Tree Requirements.

A.

Amount of Trees.

1.

Except for development of single-family residences on compact lots that are otherwise subject to Section 22.140.585, and all other residential subdivision projects that are otherwise subject to Section 21.32.195 in Title 21 (Subdivisions) of the County Code, projects that fall within a category described in Sections 22.126.020.A.1 and 22.126.020.A.2, above, shall comply with the following requirements:

a.

For projects that are primarily residential with three or fewer units per lot, a minimum of two trees shall be planted on each lot:

b.

For projects that are primarily residential with four or more units per lot, a minimum of one tree shall be planted for every 5,000 square feet of building footprint per lot; and

c.

For projects that are non-residential or mixed-use, a minimum of three trees shall be planted for every 10,000 square feet of developed lot area.

2.

Any existing tree located on the project site with a minimum trunk diameter of 0.75 inches, as measured six inches above the soil line, may count towards meeting the requirement in Subsection A.1, above.

3.

For projects described in Section 22.126.020.A.3, above, a shade plan meeting the specifications set forth in the Tree Planting Guide, to be maintained by the Director, is required. For those projects, the amount of trees required on that shade plan shall anticipate a minimum of 50 percent shade coverage of the uncovered parking area within 15 years of planting the required trees. Trees required by this Subsection A.3 may also count towards the requirements in Subsections A.1.b and A.1.c, above.

B.

Species. The tree species planted pursuant to this Chapter shall be those that provide adequate shade, are not invasive, are resistant to local pests and diseases, are adaptable to the local climate, and are appropriate for the planting location. The Director shall prepare and maintain the Tree Species List, which shall contain a list of tree species which the Director has determined to satisfy the first three criteria set forth in this Section.

C.

Size. Required trees shall be a minimum size of 15 gallons and shall have a trunk diameter of 0.75 to 1.5 inches as measured six inches above the soil line at the time of planting.

D.

Location.

1.

Trees shall be planted in locations that maintain the required lines of sight for safe pedestrian and vehicular movement and will not cause root damage to the sidewalk or other public infrastructure, to the satisfaction of Public Works; and

2.

Trees planted near buildings or fire lanes shall be placed in locations that do not adversely impact Fire Department operations or response times, to the satisfaction of the Fire Department.

E.

Maintenance.

1.

Trees shall be supported with staking and ties that are made of soft and mold resistant material (such as rubber), until the trees are able to support themselves:

2.

Trees for projects as described in Subsections A.1.b and A.1.c, above, and in Section 22.126.020.A.3 and not planted in turf shall require an irrigation system; and

3.

Trees failing to survive shall be replaced.

(Ord. 2020-0032 § 28, 2020; Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

A.

For projects described in Sections 22.126.020.A.1 and 22.126.020.A.2 required trees shall be depicted on a site plan and the tree species shall be labeled.

B.

For projects located in a designated Fire Hazard Severity Zone, required site or shade plans shall be routed to the Fire Department's Fuel Modification Unit for review and approval to ensure proposed tree locations comply with Title 32 (Fire Code) of the County Code.

(Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

The requirements of Section 22.126.030.A (Amount of Trees) may be modified by the Director during the application process, without additional fees where:

A.

The applicant documents in a notarized letter by a certified arborist, submitted to the Director, that the required trees will not survive on the site due to the soil type thereon;

B.

The requirement would conflict with other provisions set forth in the County Code. When, pursuant to this Section, the Director reduces the required shade area for a project described in Section 22.126.030.A.3 because there is not enough square footage for both the required shade area and the required parking, so long as the parking requirements are met, the Director may replace the tree requirements intended to create the shade area with a cool pavement requirement, preferably permeable, to be used in uncovered parking areas as defined in Division 2 (Definitions); or

C.

The parking lot described in Section 22.126.020.A.3 is retrofitted with solar panels.

(Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

Chapter 22.128 - SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

Sections: