§ 22.26

This Chapter provides landscaping objectives for proposed developments.

(Ord. No. 3577, 2012)

Landscaping plans shall be required for all discretionary permit applications for new development unless waived by the Director.

(Ord. No. 3577, 2012)

22.26.030 - Landscaping Plan Procedures.

A.

A preliminary landscaping plan shall be submitted as part of the development application, and be reviewed by the Agency concurrent with the land use permit application;

B.

After approval of the development application, a final landscaping plan shall be prepared and submitted concurrent with the application for a Building Permit, and shall be reviewed by the Agency concurrent with the Building Permit application; and

C.

Landscaping plans should be prepared by a landscape professional.

(Ord. No. 3577, 2012)

22.26.040 - Landscaping Objectives.

Proposed landscaping should be designed and installed to achieve the following objectives:

A.

Provide visual amenities. Landscaping should enhance the appearance of new development and surrounding areas by being designed, installed, and maintained to blend new structures into the context of an established community.

B.

Provide environmental benefits. Landscaping should be utilized to stabilize soil on hillsides, reduce soil erosion, improve air quality, reduce noise, and provide for appropriate fire protection. To the extent practicable, landscaping should also use non-toxic products or integrated pest management techniques in order to minimize impacts to water quality and wildlife habitat.

C.

Conserve water. Landscaping and related irrigation shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 23.10 (Water Efficiency in Landscaping) of the Marin County Code.

D.

Screen incompatible land uses. Landscaping should be utilized to screen incompatible land uses by creating visual separation, where deemed necessary and appropriate, between land uses.

E.

Improve safety. Landscaping should be utilized to improve pedestrian and vehicular safety by providing landscaping in proper proportion to the setting (e.g., reduced heights at intersections, driveways, etc.).

F.

Preserve the character and integrity of neighborhoods. Landscaping should be utilized to enhance and preserve the characteristics which give a neighborhood its identity and integrity by providing a prescribed

selection of trees and plant materials which are compatible with those existing in the neighborhood.

G.

Preserve native plant species. Landscaping should be designed to use native plants as much as possible in order to preserve and/or enhance valuable plant habitats, create suitable habitats for wildlife, and protect endangered or threatened plants and animals.

H.

Preserve the number of trees in the County. Any trees that are to be removed and for which a Tree Removal Permit is required shall be replaced at a minimum ratio of two new, appropriately sized and installed trees for each tree removed, unless a higher or lower replacement ratio is determined to be appropriate.

I.

Provide for fire safe landscaping. Landscaping should utilize plant selection, placement and maintenance to provide a fire safe environment for individual structures, ingress, egress routes, and neighborhoods as a whole. Vegetation should not be planted in locations where, when mature, it may contact overhead power lines.

(Ord. No. 3577, 2012; Ord. No. 3666, § II(exh. A), 2017)

In the event that weather or other unavoidable conditions prevent the effective installation of required landscaping prior to occupancy, adequate security, in the amount equal to 150 percent of the value of the landscaping, including installation costs, may be allowed, subject to the approval of the Director.

(Ord. No. 3577, 2012)

Chapter 22.27 - NATIVE TREE PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION