Mountain View Municipal Code Div. 2 General Landscaping Regulations

All landscaping required by this article, and all landscaping shown on landscape and irrigation plans shall be in conformance with the following requirements:

a. Residential buffers. Nonresidential property lines bordering residential zoning districts shall have a ten (10) foot landscaped setback and a seven (7) foot high masonry wall, including trees spaced at appropriate intervals that contemplate the size of the tree at maturity. When appropriate, the zoning administrator may require pedestrian access between residential and nonresidential uses.

b. Plant size. Minimum plant sizes, unless otherwise approved by the zoning administrator, are as follows:

1. Flats or one (1) gallon for ground cover (root cuttings are not allowed).

2. Five (5) gallon for shrubs.

3. Fifteen (15) gallon for trees.

4. Twenty-four (24) inch or thirty-six (36) inch box for Heritage tree(s) replacement.

c. Spacing. Maximum spacing shall be as follows:

1. Twelve (12) inches on center for flats.

2. Twenty-four (24) inches on center for one (1) gallon (all ground cover shall be triangularly spaced).

3. Shrubs shall be three (3) to five (5) feet on-center (depending on species).

4. Trees shall be spaced such that, at maturity, the drip lines do not overlap.

d. Outdoor amenities. Multiple-family residential projects of ten (10) units or more and large commercial and industrial projects, as determined by the zoning administrator, shall include outdoor amenities.

1. Amenities to be included in multiple-family projects include barbecues, picnic tables, tot lots, pools or tennis courts.

2. Amenities for large commercial and industrial projects include outdoor eating areas and/or recreation equipment for employees.

3. On-site amenities approved shall be preserved and maintained in perpetuity unless otherwise approved by the zoning administrator.

4. Active recreation facilities may be replaced with similar amenities subject to approval by the zoning administrator.

e. Parking lot landscaping. Parking lot landscaping shall be provided in compliance with Section 36.32.80.f.

f. Drought-tolerant design. Landscape design and construction shall include drought-tolerant and/or native species.

g. Compatibility. Landscape designs shall be in harmony with the surrounding urban and natural environment.

h. Clearance. Trees and shrubs shall be planted so that at maturity they do not interfere with service lines (a minimum of five (5) feet from water lines and ten (10) feet from sanitary sewer lines), traffic safety visibility areas, basic property rights of adjacent property owners, and the right of solar access.

i. Installation. Trees planted near public bicycle trails or curbs shall be of a species and installed in a manner which prevents physical damage to sidewalks, curbs, gutters and other public improvements.

j. Irrigation. All commercial, industrial, and multi-family landscaping shall have automatic irrigation systems.

k. Coordination with adjacent properties. Where possible, comprehensive landscaping plans should complement existing landscaping on neighboring properties to further ensure compatibility.

l. Utilities. Utilities may occur within required landscaped areas, but only if underground utilities will not preclude appropriate planting of trees, and the utility facilities are screened from public view.

m. Corner treatment standard for landscaping and fencing. A traffic safety visibility area which allows unobstructed views across the site shall be provided for all corner properties. This triangular area is formed by measuring thirty-five (35) feet from the intersection of the front and street side property lines of a corner parcel, and connecting the lines across the property. Within this area nothing shall be erected, placed, planted or allowed to grow exceeding three (3) feet in height with the exception of trees with canopies no lower than six (6) feet.

(Ord. No. 18.13, § 1, 12/10/13.)

All landscaping required to be installed as part of development project shall be maintained for the life of the project. Maintenance of landscaping shall consist of regular watering, pruning, fertilizing, clearing of debris and weeds, the removal and replacement of dead plants, and the repair and replacement of irrigation systems and integrated architectural features.

(Ord. No. 18.13, § 1, 12/10/13.)

Landscaping required as part of a development project shall be installed prior to final inspection. In the event that weather conditions prevent the effective installation of required landscaping prior to final inspection, a performance bond or other security in the amount equal to the value of the landscaping may be permitted, subject to the approval of the zoning administrator.

(Ord. No. 18.13, § 1, 12/10/13.)

Removal of healthy trees of any size is discouraged. "Heritage trees," as defined, shall be retained to the extent possible. The removal of a Heritage tree shall be done in compliance with the permit application and review provisions of Chapter 32, Article II (Protection of the Urban Forest).

(Ord. No. 18.13, § 1, 12/10/13.)