Chapter 25.52 — LANDSCAPING

The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum landscape standards to enhance the appearance of developments, provide shade, reduce heat and glare, control soil erosion, conserve water, ensure the ongoing maintenance of landscape areas, and ensure that landscape installations do not create hazards for motorists or pedestrians. All landscaping shall be planted and maintained according to Chapter 24.04 (Water-Efficient Landscape), and the landscape installation and maintenance guidelines in such a manner to maximize the growth, health, and longevity of the plantings.

(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)

The regulations of this chapter apply to new and existing development, as follows. Deviations from the development standards of this article may be allowed on a case-by-case basis by the designated approving authority through site plan and architectural review.

• A. New projects. New commercial, industrial, mixed-use, multifamily residential and singlefamily residential projects shall be reviewed by the designated approving authority to ensure landscaping is provided in compliance with the requirements of this article and Chapter 24.04 (Water-Efficient Landscape).

• B. Existing development. Where an existing nonresidential, mixed-use, and/or multifamily residential project requests an amendment that increases the building square footage by 10 percent or more, the designated approving authority shall evaluate the existing landscape to ensure compliance with applicable requirements of this chapter and Chapter 24.04 (Water-Efficient Landscape).

• (Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)

• A. Single-family residential landscape installations equal to or greater than 5,000 square feet in size installed as part of new construction or remodel are subject to the standards of Chapter 24.04 (Water-Efficient Landscape) of the municipal code.

• B. For residential districts, at least 25 percent of the lot area shall be pervious surface. No more than 40 percent of the front yard area shall be non-pervious surface (e.g., used as a driveway). Deviations from these standards may be allowed through site plan and architectural review for small-lot single-family developments at the time of master home plan review where these standards preclude the maximum lot coverage from being achieved.

• C. Remaining unpaved portion of the setback areas shall be landscaped, irrigated, and maintained. All landscaping shall be maintained per the City's Maintenance Guidelines and/or as often as necessary to prevent a nuisance. No junk, debris, or other similar materials shall be stored in the landscaped areas.

• D. Landscaping shall be designed to prevent irrigation water from flowing over paved surfaces. Techniques include:

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City of Palm Desert, CA

ZONING

§ 25.52.030

§ 25.52.040

1. Off-setting any turf areas from driveways and sidewalks a minimum of 24 inches to prevent overspray from sprinklers.

2. Using a subterranean irrigation system (versus spray irrigation) or drip irrigation system.

3. Other water conservation techniques.

• E. A minimum of two 24-inch box shade trees are required within the front yard setback of all single-family residences.

Figure 25.52-1: Maximum Non-Pervious Surface Areas

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(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)

• A. Commercial landscaping requirements. Table 25.52-1 (Commercial Landscaping Requirements) identifies the minimum required depth of landscaped areas adjacent to residential districts and public rights-of-way and the minimum required coverage of landscaping for commercial districts and specific commercial uses.

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City of Palm Desert, CA

PALM DESERT CODE

§ 25.52.040

§ 25.52.040

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----- Start of picture text -----
Table 25.52-1: Commercial Landscaping Requirements
Minimum Landscaping
Minimum Landscaping Depth Required within
Depth Required along Required Setback Minimum
Property Lines Adjacent to Adjacent to Public Rights- Required
District/Use Residential Districts of-Way Coverage
Commercial Districts
C-1 – General Commercial 10′1 - -
District
PC – Planned Commercial
District
District Commercial - 20′2 15%
Center
Regional Commercial - 30′2 20%
Center
Resort Center
Hotels - - 25%3
Other Uses - - 20%
Specialty Commercial - 10′2 15%
Center
Specific Commercial
Uses
Automobile Service - - 20%4
Stations
Take-Out Restaurants - - 20%
----- End of picture text -----

Notes:

• 1 This area shall be landscaped with plant materials.

• 2 Landscaping in these areas shall consist of an effective combination of street trees, trees, ground cover and shrubbery and may include such items as sidewalks, access driveways, flagpoles, fountains, and other similar appurtenances.

• 3 Landscaping shall be developed as usable landscaped open space and outdoor living and recreation area with an adequate irrigation system.

• 4 Area shall be landscaped with plant materials designed to provide beautification and screening.

• B. Commercial landscape provisions.

  1. PC—Planned Commercial District. Landscaping within required setback adjacent to the public right-of-way shall be provided and maintained in perpetuity subject to the following conditions:

     • i. A distinct demarcation between asphalt paving and landscaped area shall be

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City of Palm Desert, CA

ZONING

§ 25.52.040

§ 25.52.050

provided in accordance with Chapter 24.04 (Water-Efficient Landscape).

• ii. Berming (undulating or embanked) shall be required with a minimum variation of elevation being 30 inches.

Figure 25.52-2: Berm Elevation Requirement

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• iii. An automatic irrigation system for landscaped area shall be provided.

• iv. No other usage or storage is permitted within required landscaped area.

• C. S.I.—Service Industrial landscape provisions.

  1. The required front yard and required side yard on the street side of a corner lot, except for the area occupied by necessary driveways and walkways, shall be landscaped with trees and other plant materials.

2. Landscaping within required setback adjacent to the public right-of-way shall be provided and maintained, subject to the following conditions:

   • i. A distinct demarcation between asphalt paving and landscaped area shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 24.04 (Water-Efficient Landscape).

   • ii. At least one-third of the total landscaped area shall be provided by trees, shrubs, and other plant material.

   • iii. Berming (undulating or embanked) shall be required with a minimum variation of elevation being 30 inches.

   • iv. An automatic irrigation system for the landscaped area shall be provided.

   • v. No other usage or storage is permitted within the required landscaped area.

   3. PI—Planned Industrial District. All landscaping requirements shall be determined by the ARC during its site plan review proceeding.

• (Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1334 § 14, 2018)

• A. Landscaping requirements.

  1. A minimum of 15 percent of the total off-street open parking area shall be landscaped with a mixture of trees, shrubs, vines, ground cover, hedges, flowers, bark, chips,

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City of Palm Desert, CA § 25.52.050

PALM DESERT CODE

§ 25.52.050

decorating cinders, gravel, and similar material. A minimum of one-third of the required landscaping shall be distributed within the interior of the parking facility and the remaining two-thirds of the required landscaping shall be provided as peripheral planting on the exterior edges of the parking area.

2. All planter beds and tree planters shall be bordered by a concrete curb not less than 6 inches in height adjacent to the parking surface.

3. All applicants creating new or rehabilitating parking lots shall provide a landscape plan for review and approval by the landscape manager and ARC for said parking lots. The landscape plan shall incorporate water-conserving plant material and irrigation technology in accordance with Chapter 24.04 (Water-Efficient Landscape).

4. All landscape areas shall be well maintained in perpetuity.

• B.

Screening requirements.

1. All off-street parking areas shall be screened to minimize the visual impact on adjacent streets and properties. No parking space shall be located within 6 feet of a street property line. Any open areas in the interiors shall be landscaped with appropriate plant materials.

2. Open parking facility or a loading area shall be screened from a residential district adjoining or directly across a street or alley. Screening shall be 6 feet in height, except that screening to protect properties across a street may not be less than 4 feet in height.

Figure 25.52-3: Parking Lot Landscaping Requirements

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C. Tree requirements.

1. The intent of this code is to improve and maximize the landscaping within the offstreet open parking areas to provide 50 percent or more of shade coverage in 10 years. In order to achieve this coverage, the applicant shall plant single-trunk, low-branching trees in windy areas, and design, where possible, north/south-oriented parking areas to provide maximum shade. Landscaping shall be provided and maintained to the extent that at least one medium- or large-scale tree is planted for every three parking stalls. A diversity of tree species is required.

2. The minimum size tree planted shall be no less than a 24-inch box tree, sized to specifications according to the American Standard for Nursery Stock (ANSI Z60.1)

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City of Palm Desert, CA § 25.52.050

ZONING

§ 25.52.050

and Arizona Nursery Association Grower's standards.

3. Low water use and native plant materials shall be encouraged and used to the greatest extent possible.

4. Problematic trees having shallow or invasive roots or having brittle or weak branching structure shall be prohibited.

5. Parking lot trees adaptable to the Coachella Valley environment shall be selected and planted according to the recommended parking lot tree list in the City's parking lot tree design criteria and specifications on file in the City Clerk's office.

   6. Where trees already exist, the parking lot shall be designed to make the best use of this existing growth and shade wherever it is reasonably possible.

• D. Parking lot hardscape requirements. Parking lot dividers, islands, planters, and planting areas shall be a minimum of 5 feet wide and 10 feet long except that all new or retrofitted tree planters shall be a minimum of 9 feet by 7 feet, measured to the inside perimeter of the planter, and shall have no less than 48 square feet of permeable soil planting area.

Figure 25.52-4: Parking Lot Hardscape Requirements

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• E. Parking lot tree irrigation requirements. Automatic irrigation systems within parking lots shall be installed. Trees shall be irrigated with drip emitters, bubbler heads, or subterranean low-volume drip system. Trees shall be irrigated separately from shrubs and ground covers.

• F. Parking lot tree maintenance and installation requirements. All plants and irrigation systems shall be installed according to Chapter 24.04 (Water-Efficient Landscape). The owner shall guarantee the quality of work, health, and condition of plants and installation of materials including but not limited to plant types, size, spacing, and irrigation systems. Prior to final acceptance of the project, the City shall inspect and verify that the installation is in compliance with the approved plans and specifications. All corrections, adjustments, and/or replacement of landscape elements shall be done prior to final approval by the City. In the event corrections cannot be made or an installation cannot be completed prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the City shall require a cash deposit equal in value to the amount of landscaping not completed. A cash deposit is returned only when the City gives final approval of the project.

• G. Carport structures in lieu of required trees. Shade coverage requirements may be replaced by installing carport structures throughout the parking lot with some trees

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City of Palm Desert, CA § 25.52.050

PALM DESERT CODE

§ 25.52.070

throughout the parking lot. The use of carport structures shall be approved through the architectural review process. The provision of carports shall not preclude the necessity for providing on-site perimeter landscaping.

The carport design shall be integrated with the project architecture and landscaping providing space for trees between rows of carports creating an aesthetically well-designed project. Three carport-covered parking spaces shall be considered the equivalent of planting of one required tree.

(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)

• A. Maintenance shall include, but not be limited to: proper pruning, watering, and fertilization of plants; periodic replacement of decomposed granite; irrigation system repairs and adjustments; removal, adjustment, and/or replacement of tree stakes; and weed removal. All missing, dead, dying, or significantly injured tree(s) must be replaced. Unless otherwise approved, a replacement tree(s) shall be the same size and type as removed. The minimum size replacement tree(s) allowed shall be no less than a 24-inch boxed tree.

• B. All major tree-pruning work for maintenance shall be supervised by an International Society of Arboriculture-certified arborist. All pruning shall be performed with an overall goal of providing maximum tree canopy development. The topping of trees is prohibited. Pruning to reduce the canopy coverage is also prohibited unless otherwise approved by the landscape manager. All significantly injured, decayed or dead trees, and trees found to be significantly damaged by improper pruning shall be removed and replaced. All maintenance work performed shall be in accordance with the City of Palm Desert's landscape maintenance guidelines.

• (Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)

Landscape and irrigation plans shall be submitted for review and approval through the architectural review process. All submittals must be in compliance with this chapter and Chapter 24.04 (Water-Efficient Landscape).

(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)

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City of Palm Desert, CA