A. Landscaping Required. Yard and setback areas visible from street access, including park-strips, that are not utilized as approved parking or access for vehicles, trailers, etc., shall be landscaped. Landscaping shall include the treatment of the ground surface with live materials such as, but not limited to, sod, grass, ground cover, trees, shrubs, vines and other growing horticultural plant material. In addition, a combination of xeriscape plantings and designs that may include other decorative surfacing such as bark chips, crushed stone, mulch materials, decorative concrete or pavers shall also meet landscaping requirements. Structural features such as fountains, pools, statues, and benches shall also be considered part of the landscaping, but such objects alone shall not meet the requirements of landscaping.

B. Installation Time Frame Requirements. Landscape materials must be installed within six months of occupancy/notice of violation. This shall apply to all new or existing residential structures that are in a blighted condition which do not comply with this chapter. This time frame will allow the owner to plant trees and other landscaping to ensure the survival of the plant material. Typically, installation of landscaping occurs in the spring or fall.

C. Maintenance. Individual(s) whether as the owner, lessee, tenant, occupant or otherwise shall be responsible for the continued proper maintenance of all landscaping materials. Landscaping shall be maintained in good condition so as to present a healthy, neat, and orderly appearance at all times. Landscaping shall be mowed, groomed, trimmed, pruned and watered according to water-wise conservation guidelines to maintain healthy growing conditions and not detract from the appearance of the immediate neighborhood. Landscaping shall be kept visually free of insects and disease, and shall be kept free from weeds and other volunteer plants. Irrigation systems shall be maintained so as to eliminate water loss due to damaged, missing, or improperly operating sprinkler system components. All unhealthy or dead plant material shall be removed or replaced within six months, or the next planting period (spring or fall), whichever comes first, while other defective landscaping features shall be removed, replaced or repaired within three months. Permanent, semi-permanent, and regular parking on landscaped areas is prohibited.

D. Hazards. Landscaping shall be maintained to minimize property damage and public safety hazards, including the removal/replacement of dead or decaying plant material, removal of low-hanging branches and those obstructing street lighting, sidewalks and traffic sight distance requirements. Trees planted in the public right-of-way must be selected from the city’s street tree selection guide. In the event a tree, shrub, or other plant causes damage to streets, sidewalks, trails, or other public improvements, the community development director and/or public works director or designee may order the removal of the offending vegetation and/or other landscape features.

E. Vegetation Protection. Development plans must show all significant vegetation within twenty feet of any proposed new development. The applicant must protect all significant vegetation during any new development activity.

F. Enforcement. Follow-up inspections and enforcement activities will be through the city’s code enforcement ACE program. (Ord. 2022-03A § 1 (Att. B); Ord. 6/20/2006O-8 § 1 (part); Ord. 11-13-2001 § 2 (part). Formerly 17-7-2.7)