Paso Robles Municipal Code Ch. 21.45 Landscaping and Open Space

A. Purpose.

1. To establish a framework to review landscape and irrigation plans consistently and improve the physical appearance of the city by providing visual and ecological relief in the urban environment;

2. To establish minimum landscape development standards for the design, provision, and maintenance of landscaped areas, and encourage irrigation methods and suggested plant species to develop a measure of uniformity and quality in overall landscaping design; and

3. To promote the value and long-term benefits of landscapes to provide an attractive living, working and recreating environment, while recognizing the need to invest water and other resources as efficiently as possible.

B. Applicability. The requirements within this chapter apply to new construction and rehabilitated landscapes for commercial, industrial, and residential projects.

(Ord. No. 1144 N.S., § 3(Exh. A), 10-1-2024)

A. Required Landscape Planting Areas.

1. Landscaping in Setbacks.

a. R-1 Zoning Districts. All front yard areas shall be landscaped.

b. All other Zoning Districts. Outside the R-1 zoning district, all visible yards shall be landscaped.

2. Unused Areas. All areas of a building site not identified on a site plan intended for a specific use or purpose, except where enclosed and blocked from the view of public streets by solid fencing and/or buildings, shall be landscaped.

3. Parking Areas. Parking areas shall be landscaped in compliance with Chapter 21.48 (Parking and Loading Regulations).

B. Landscaping Materials.

1. Live Plant Requirement. A minimum of thirty percent of required landscaped area shall be covered with live plant materials at maturity.

2. Mixture of Plant Materials. Landscaping shall consist of combinations of trees, shrubs, and ground covers with careful consideration given to eventual size and spread, susceptibility to disease and pests, durability, and adaptability to existing soil and climatic conditions.

3. Natural Turf Limitations. See Section 21.56.030 (Turf Limitations for New Construction and Rehabilitated Landscapes).

4. Non-Plant Materials. The following may be used to meet the minimum required landscape planting areas (Subsection 21.45.020(A)) but shall not be used to meet the minimum live plant area required by Paragraph 21.45.020(B)1. unless otherwise allowed by a site plan modification or development plan modification (Subsection 21.45.020(H)):

a. Pervious Materials. Non-plant materials such cinder, bark, gravel, and similar materials.

b. Hardscape. Embellished pavement, fountains, and similar hardscape.

C. Maintenance. Landscaping shall be maintained in an orderly and healthy condition in compliance with this chapter. This includes proper pruning, staking, sowing of lawns, weeding, removal of litter, fertilizing, monitoring for pests and disease, replacement of plants when necessary, and regular watering.

D. Driver's Visibility. Trees and shrubs shall be planted and maintained so that at maturity they do not interfere with traffic safety sight areas or public safety. Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, landscaping shall comply with Chapter 21.55 (Visibility at Intersections).

E. Residential Open Space Areas.

Location. Required common and private residential open space may be located on the ground, on terraces, or on rooftops, shall be landscaped or developed for active or passive recreation and may include roofed recreation areas, swimming pools, or unenclosed porches where not otherwise prohibited.

Minimum Dimensions. Private open space shall have a minimum dimension of eight feet at the ground floor and five feet if located on the second story or above. Shared open space shall have no minimum horizontal dimension less than fifteen feet.

Usability. Open space should be designed with the functional use as the primary goal, not as left over or awkwardly designed space.

F. Oak Tree Preservation and Street Trees. Oak tree preservation and street tree requirements shall be as required by Title 10 of this Municipal Code.

G. Hillside Landscaping. See Paragraph 21.81.040(D)5. (Landscaping).

H. Landscape Modifications. Designs, materials, or methods of installation not specifically prescribed by this chapter may be approved by the review authority through a site plan modification (Section 21.17.020). In approving such a request, the review authority shall find, in addition to the findings associated with a site plan modification (Subsection 21.17.020(C)), that the proposed design, material, or method provides approximate equivalence to the specific requirements of this chapter or is otherwise satisfactory and complies with the intent of these provisions.

I. Nonconforming Landscaping. See Section 21.78.030 (Nonconforming Landscaping).

(Ord. No. 1144 N.S., § 3(Exh. A), 10-1-2024)

See Chapter 21.56 (Water Efficient Landscaping) for water efficient landscaping requirements.

(Ord. No. 1144 N.S., § 3(Exh. A), 10-1-2024)