§ 16.56.130. Landscaping for off-street parking facilities.

Off-street parking areas containing five or more parking spaces shall be subject to the following landscaping requirements. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, a landscape plan shall be submitted and approved by the director of recreation and maintenance services. The plan shall show the location, size, variety of plantings, water supply and similar designations. Please refer to Chapter 16.84, Water Efficient Landscape Requirements, for rules and regulations regarding landscape and irrigation, including limitations on the percentage of turf/lawn that can be placed in landscape areas.

1.

A minimum of ten (10) percent of the gross lot area used for off-street parking and access shall be provided in landscaping in the interior of the parking area. The planting areas shall be a minimum size of twenty (20) square feet and distributed throughout the parking area.

2.

In addition to interior landscaping, parking facilities abutting a public street right-of-way shall provide a perimeter landscaped strip a minimum of five feet in width. The perimeter landscaped strip may include any required yard area and shall be continuous except for required access to the site or parking facilities.

3.

All landscaped areas required for parking facilities shall comply with the following standards:

a.

Planting areas shall be served by an adequate, water-conserving irrigation system.

b.

All planted areas shall be continuously maintained in a healthy, growing condition, shall receive regular pruning, fertilizing, mowing and trimming, and shall be kept free of weeds and debris by the owner or person in possession of such areas. Any damaged, dead or decaying plant material shall be replaced within thirty (30) days from the date of damage.

c.

Planted areas shall be protected with concrete curbs (minimum six inch) or other acceptable barriers approved by the parks and recreation director.

d.

Trees and shrubs shall be provided at a ratio of one tree for every five parking spaces (see Figure 16.56.130-A). Ground cover and/or turf alone is not acceptable. Where screening is desirable, a continuation of trees and shrubs shall be used.

4.

Parking lot landscaping shall be installed prior to final occupancy of the use for which the parking lot is required. Under certain circumstances, bonding will be allowed, subject to approval of the parks and recreation director.

Figure 16.56.130-A
Landscaping Requirements for Parking Lots

(Prior code § 9-12.130)

(Ord. No. 633, § 8, 6-14-2011)