The text
17.06.300 - Landscaping.#
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this Chapter is to outline Landscaping requirements that establish minimum standards to:
1.
Improve the City's image and identity;
2.
Increase the Compatibility of adjacent Uses and minimize the harmful impacts of noise, dust, debris, and light pollution;
3.
Enhance the visual appearance of Streetscapes;
4.
Encourage innovation and design;
5.
Establish opportunities for sustainable storm water management;
6.
Encourage water conservation;
7.
Support a diversity of plants suited to local conditions; and
8.
Sustain and improve the City's urban forest.
B.
Applicability. This Chapter applies to all new Development and Structure additions.
1.
Wherever Landscaped Areas are required by this Chapter, a Landscape Plan shall be submitted to the City.
2.
A Landscape Plan is required for any Application for a Building Permit or certificate of occupancy. A Building Permit will not be issued without submission and City approval of a Landscape Plan.
3.
The Landscaped Areas as required by this Section shall be installed on property where Landscaped Areas are not in place or are non-conforming when:
a.
New construction occurs on undeveloped, vacant, or cleared property.
b.
A Conditional Use permit is issued, or a change of Use occurs. The land use authority shall make installation of Landscaping a condition of approval.
c.
A Building Permit is issued for any addition, expansion, or intensification of any property other than an existing Single-Family home that increases the Floor Area of a Building and/or the parking requirement by fifty (50) percent or more.
d.
A Building Permit is issued for any addition to a Single-Family residence that increases the Floor Area of the residence by seventy five (75) percent or more. This standard does not apply to expansion or addition of accessory Buildings on residential properties.
e.
A change of Use occurs.
f.
A Parking Area is expanded by fifteen (15) percent, or a minimum of seven (7) stalls.
g.
An existing property is re-landscaped.
Public parks, recreation facilities, and open spaces in any district are exempt from the provisions of this Chapter.
C.
Modification. Existing Structures shall comply with the standards contained in this Chapter, to the maximum extent possible.
D.
General Landscape Requirements.
1.
At a minimum, Landscaping is required in all Yard areas, along the perimeter of Parking Areas, in front of Buildings, and in the Front Setback of any improved property not used for parking, driveways, walkways, or approved display areas.
2.
General Design Standards.
a.
Landscape Plans shall be prepared and approved based on design standards in this Chapter and other applicable City requirements.
b.
Tree and Shrub Requirements.
i.
Not less than seventy five (75) percent of the trees specified on the Landscape Plan shall be water conserving species.
ii.
Deciduous and ornamental trees shall have a minimum two (2)-inch caliper trunk size at the time of installation.
iii.
Evergreen trees shall have a minimum height of six (6) feet at the time of installation. Evergreens shall be incorporated into a Site where a Buffer is required between adjacent Uses or busy roadways.
iv.
Shrubs shall have a minimum height or spread of eighteen (18) inches at the time of installation, depending on the plant's natural growth habit (after two (2) years of growth). Plants in five (5)-gallon containers will generally comply with this standard.
v.
Existing trees that are non-invasive and not noxious and that are preserved and incorporated into the Landscape Plan shall be credited toward the minimum number of trees required by this Chapter. Trees must be in healthy condition and free of injury to receive this credit. Any credited tree that is not preserved or is significantly damaged during construction shall be removed and replaced with four (4) trees, each with a minimum caliper of four (4) inches. Tree replacement shall conform to the tree and shrub requirements.
c.
Plant and Turf Grass Requirements.
i.
Annual and perennial plants shall be installed from transplants, and not seeded on site.
ii.
Only water conserving varieties of Turf Grass shall be used in the City.
iii.
No more than thirty five (35) percent of the front and side yard landscaped area in any new single-family residential development may be Turf Grass.
iv.
No Turf Grass is permitted in the total Landscaped Area in any new townhome, multi-family residential, commercial or flex development, outside of active recreation zones.
v.
No Turf Grass is permitted on Park Strips or areas less than eight (8) feet in width in new development.
vi.
Turf Grass may be seeded on site, but the seeded area must be one hundred (100) percent covered with Turf Grass within one (1) year.
vii.
Live Plant Material shall comprise at least seventy five (75) percent of the total Landscaped Area for all properties.
d.
Mulch and Decorative Rock Requirements.
i.
Landscaped Areas may include mulch and decorative rock in accordance with Park Strip requirements and specific Use requirements specified in this Chapter.
ii.
If ornamental gravel is utilized, it must be contained within durable borders or edging.
iii.
At least three to four (3 to 4) inches of mulch, permeable to air and water, shall be used in planting areas to control weeds and improve the appearance of the landscaping.
e.
Swales and Detention or Retention Basins.
i.
Swales and detention or retention basins required for storm water management shall be landscaped with suitable trees, shrubs, groundcover, perennials, or other Landscaping materials, and/or decorative paving. Swales may not be used in the Setbacks of Townhome Developments.
ii.
Live Plant Material shall cover at least seventy five (75) percent of the area of the swale or detention or retention basin.
iii.
Swales, detention and retention basins shall not be deeper that than 1.5 feet.
f.
Berming is prohibited.
g.
Irrigation. Permanent irrigation systems are required wherever Landscaping is required by this Chapter. Irrigation systems shall meet the standards below.
i.
All irrigation shall be appropriate for the designated plant material to achieve the highest water efficiency. Drip irrigation or bubblers shall be used except in Turf Grass areas. Drip irrigation systems shall be equipped with a pressure regulator, filter, flush-end assembly, and any other appropriate components.
ii.
Each irrigation valve shall irrigate landscaping with similar site, slope, and soil conditions, and plant materials with similar watering needs. Turf Grass and planting areas shall be irrigated on separate irrigation valves. In addition, drip emitters and sprinklers shall be placed on separate irrigation valves.
h.
Clear View Requirements. All landscape elements are subject to the Clear View Area requirements.
E.
Landscape Plan Requirements.
1.
Content of Landscape Plan. All Landscape Plans submitted for approval shall be drawn in accordance with the South Salt Lake Community Development Department's plan submittal requirements. The Landscape Plan shall include:
a.
The location and dimensions of all existing and proposed Structures, Property Lines, easements, planting areas, Buffers, Parking Lots, driveways, roadways and Rights-of-Way, sidewalks, bicycle paths, freestanding signs, waste enclosures, bicycle parking areas, fences, walls, ground level utility equipment, recreational facilities, and any other freestanding Structure.
b.
The location, spacing, quantity, size, and common and botanical names of all proposed plants.
c.
The location, size, and common and botanical names of all existing trees and other plants on the property and in the Park Strip, either to be retained or removed.
d.
Existing and proposed grading of the site at one (1)-foot contour intervals including any proposed landscaped Berms.
e.
Elevations for fences and retaining walls proposed for location on the site.
f.
Elevations, cross sections, and other details as determined necessary by the land use authority.
g.
The irrigation plan, drawn on a separate sheet.
h.
Summary data indicating the area of the site in the following classifications:
i.
Total area and percentage of the site in Landscaped Area.
ii.
Total area and percentage of the site in Turf Grasses.
iii.
Total area and percentage of the site in water-efficient plant species at mature growth.
iv.
Total area and percentage of the site in planting area.
2.
Landscape Maintenance Standards.
a.
Responsibility. The property Owner shall be responsible for the maintenance, irrigation, repair and replacement of all plants, turf, trees, and Landscaping materials required in this Chapter. The property Owner shall also keep their property free of uncontrolled weed and volunteer plant growth.
b.
Landscaping Materials. Landscaping shall be maintained in good condition in a healthy, neat, and orderly appearance. Plants and trees that are dead or dying shall be removed and replaced. Landscaped Areas shall be regularly irrigated, mowed and pruned as needed, be kept free of weeds, dead plants, garbage, and debris.
c.
Pruning Required. Trees, hedges, shrubs, and plants near public sidewalks and roads shall be pruned and maintained so that the public Right-of-Way is unobstructed. Shade trees or other plantings that project over any sidewalk shall be maintained clear of all branches between the ground and a height of six (6) feet for that portion of the plant located over the sidewalk. Shade trees and plantings that project over any Street or access road shall be maintained free of any plant material extending over the Street to a height of fourteen (14) feet from the Grade of the Street or access road.
d.
Irrigation Systems. Irrigation systems shall be maintained in good operating condition to promote the conservation of water.
3.
Landscape Requirements for Park Strips.
a.
Intent. The intent of the Park Strip Landscaping standards is to enhance the aesthetics of City Streets, to increase safety along roadways, to prohibit materials that may cause harm or injury to pedestrians and vehicles, to provide safe and convenient access across Park Strips to and from parking and pedestrian access, to allow access for repair and maintenance of public utilities, and to uphold Clear View Area requirements.
b.
Applicability. Park Strip standards apply to all properties in the City, including vacant Lots that have curbs and/or gutters along Street Frontages. Owners of property on Streets that lack curb and gutter are not required to maintain formal Landscaping within the public Right-of-Way, unless new curb and gutter is required as new Development occurs.
c.
Installation. All Park Strips shall be landscaped and continuously maintained by the abutting property Owner. For permits involving new construction or a change of Use, Park Strip Landscaping shall be shown on the required Landscape Plan.
d.
Park Strip Design Standards Table:
Street
Profile Park Strip Width Paving
Materials Inorganic Materials % Allowed Planting Materials Min. Live Plant Material Coverage Street Trees
Urban
Corridor (excluding Downtown and Townhome Overlay)
2100 South
2700 South
3300 South
3900 South
700 East
300 West
Main Street Less than 3' Mulch, gravel, stone, and concrete 100
Hardy ground-
cover 50% Street trees not allowed
3' to 5' Mulch, gravel, and stone 100 Ground-
cover
Annual or perennial plants 50% 30' interval
>2" caliper minimum
More than 5' Mulch, gravel, and stone 100 Ground-
cover
Annual or perennial plants 50% 30' interval
2" caliper minimum
tree grates or tree wells with decorative gravel are required
State Street and City Streets within Townhome Overlay and Downtown Districts 10' landscape zone measured from back of curb (trees, raised planters, pedestrian oriented street lighting, street furniture) Brick or Concrete Concrete 100% Medium sized Street trees spaced every 25 feet within large, permanent, raised planters or within well-designed concrete cutouts, with permanent tree grates.
Other Residential Less than 2' Concrete, gravel, stone, and mulch 100% Ground-
cover
Annual or perennial plants 50% Street trees not encouraged.
2' to 3' Gravel, stone, and mulch 100% Ground-
cover
Annual or perennial plants 50% Street trees not encouraged.
More than 3' Gravel, stone, and mulch 100% Ground-
cover
Annual or perennial plants 50% 30' interval
2" caliper minimum
Commercial or Flex Less than 2' Pavers - brick, stone, or concrete Gravel, stone, and mulch 100% Ground-
cover
Annual or perennial plants 50% Street trees not encouraged
2' to 3' Pavers - brick, stone, or concrete Gravel, stone, and mulch 100% Ground-
cover
Annual or perennial plants 50% Street trees not encouraged
More than 3' Gravel, stone, and mulch 100% Ground-
cover
Annual or perennial plants 50% 30' interval
2" caliper minimum
tree grates or tree wells with decorative gravel are required
F.
Landscape Requirements Along Urban Corridor Streets.
1.
Applicability. The Landscaping standards in this Section shall be required for all properties with Frontage along State Street, 2100 South, 3300 South, 3900 South, 900 West, 300 West, 700 East, and Main Street.
2.
Design Standards: 2100 South, 3300 South, 3900 South, 900 West, 300 West, 700 East, and Main Street (excluding Downtown, the Crossing MPMU, and Townhome Overlay District).
a.
Area. Installation of a minimum of fifteen (15) feet of Landscaping along the entire length of the property between the back of the sidewalk along the urban corridor Street and any fence, Parking Area, or Structure on the Site is required.
b.
Prohibited Uses and Activities. Parking, display, sales, storage, Structures, or temporary signage are not allowed in the Landscaped Areas.
c.
Approved access driveways and walkways are allowed to cross the landscape area.
d.
Outdoor seating areas up to three hundred (300) square feet in area for Restaurants and similar public Uses are allowed in the landscape areas.
e.
Live plant material coverage of at least seventy five (75) percent.
f.
A minimum of one (1) tree is required for every one thousand (1,000) square feet of Landscaped Area.
3.
Design Standards: State Street, Downtown, the Crossing MPMU and Townhome Overlay Urban Landscape Area.
a.
Area. Installation of a minimum width of ten point five (10.5) feet of concrete sidewalk and street landscaping (measured from back of curb) along the entire length of the property between the back of the curb along dedicated Streets to any fence, Parking Area, or Structure on the Site is required.
b.
Prohibited Uses and Activities. Parking, display, sales, storage, Structures (other than required raised planters), or temporary signage are not allowed in the Landscaped Areas.
c.
Approved Local Access Roads and walkways are allowed to cross the urban landscape area.
G.
Landscape Requirements for Parking Lots.
1.
Intent. Landscaping is required for Parking Areas in order to break up large expanses of pavement, to provide relief from reflected glare and heat, to guide vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and to efficiently and sustainably retain storm water.
2.
Applicability. All Hard-Surfaced Parking Areas, including those for vehicle sales, with fourteen (14) or more Parking Stalls shall provide Landscaping in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Smaller Parking Areas shall not be required to provide Landscaping other than Landscaping required for Park Strips, Buffers, and front yards.
3.
Parking Lot Landscaping Standards.
a.
General Requirements.
i.
Site Plan Required.
ii.
All Landscaping shall meet Clear View Area requirements.
iii.
Landscaped Areas shall be protected by concrete vertical curbs. Curbs shall be designed to allow storm water to enter the Landscaped Area. Where such curbs serve as a wheel stop for Parking Stalls, not less than 36 inches shall be provided in the planting area as overhang clearance for tree locations.
iv.
Pedestrian paths in Parking Lots, with the exception of crosswalks, shall be bordered by landscaped Park Strips with a minimum width of three (3) feet, in accordance with the commercial or industrial Park Strip standards of this Chapter.
b.
Interior Landscaping.
i.
Area. Not less than five (5) percent of the interior of a Parking Area shall be devoted to Landscaping.
ii.
Interior Landscaping Design Standards.
a)
Driveway buffers shall be landscaped. The landscaping shall be a minimum of eight (8) feet in width, as measured from back of curb to back of curb and shall run the length of the driveway.
b)
Surface Parking Lots containing sixty (60) or more customer stalls shall have landscaping islands every fifteen (15) stalls or median islands every two (2) rows. Shade trees shall be provided at no less than one (1) tree per ten (10) Parking Stalls. Tree wells shall be a minimum of five (5) feet in radius measured from the center of the tree trunk.
iii.
Perimeter Landscaping. Where a Parking Lot is located within a required yard area or within twenty (20) feet of a Lot Line, perimeter Landscaping shall be required along the perimeter of the Parking Lot. Perimeter Landscaping must be at least seven (7) feet in width, as measured from the back of the Parking Lot curb. At least one (1) tree shall be planted for each four hundred (400) square feet of the landscaped Perimeter Landscaping shall be planted.
a)
Public right-of-way shall have eight (8) feet of landscaping.
b)
A non-Single-Family Residential Use shall have eight (8) feet of landscaping.
c)
A Single-Family Residential Use shall have ten (10) feet of landscaping.
H.
Landscape Requirements for Buffers.
1.
Intent. Buffers are used to mitigate the transition between Development types and incompatible Uses.
2.
Applicability. All Buffers required by other sections in this Code shall be landscaped.
3.
Buffer Design Standards. Landscape Buffers shall be reserved for planting and fencing. No parking, driveways, or Accessory Structure shall be permitted, unless specifically authorized through the Site Plan review process. Landscape Buffers may be located within required Setbacks. Where both landscape Buffers and Parking Lot Landscaping is required the more restrictive shall apply.
4.
At least one (1) tree shall be planted for each four hundred (400) square feet of the landscaped Buffer shall be planted.
I.
Specific Landscape Standards.
1.
Design Standards.
a.
Single-Family Buildings.
i.
Front yard and corner side yard Landscaped Areas required to be landscaped shall be landscaped with suitable trees, shrubs, groundcovers, perennials, or other Landscaping materials. Plants, not including tree canopies, shall cover at least seventy five (75) percent of the front and/or corner side yard area at maturity.
ii.
Each front yard shall contain at least two (2) trees.
iii.
Water features, landscape boulders, decorative rocks, gravel, and organic mulch are permitted but shall not be considered a substitute for plants.
b.
Multi-Family Developments.
i.
Landscaped Areas. Yards, Setbacks, Park Strips, required Buffers, required open space, and Parking Areas shall be landscaped as required in this Chapter. Landscaping shall be used to screen ground level utility equipment from view of Streets, sidewalks, or walkways to the greatest extent possible. No Turf Grass is permitted in the total Landscaped Area in any new multi-family residential development, outside of active recreation zones.
ii.
Plant Coverage. All required Landscaped Areas shall be landscaped with suitable trees, shrubs, groundcovers, perennials, or other Landscaping materials. Plants, not including tree canopies, shall cover at least seventy five (75) percent of required Landscaped Areas.
iii.
Site Trees. A minimum of two (2) trees per one thousand (1,000) square feet of Landscaped Area is required, in addition to requirements for Yards, Setbacks, Park Strips, required Buffers, and Parking Areas described in this Chapter.
iv.
Water features, landscape boulders, decorative rocks, gravel, and organic mulch are permitted but shall not be considered a substitute for plants.
v.
If ornamental gravel is utilized, it must be contained within durable borders or landscaped edging.
c.
Townhome Developments.
i.
Landscaped Areas. Yards, Setbacks, Park Strips, required Buffers, required Common Open Space, Usable Open Space, and Parking Areas shall be landscaped as required in this Chapter. Landscaping shall be used to screen ground level utility equipment from view of Streets, sidewalks, or walkways to the greatest extent possible. No Turf Grass is permitted in the total Landscaped Area in any new townhome development, outside of active recreation zones.
ii.
Plant Coverage. All required Landscaped Areas shall be landscaped with suitable trees, shrubs, groundcovers, perennials, or other Landscaping materials. Plants, not including tree canopies, shall cover at least seventy five (75) percent of required Landscaped Areas.
iii.
Site Trees. Trees are required every twenty (20) feet in all Setback and Buffer areas, both sides of the Local Access street, in addition to requirements for Yards, Open Space, and Parking Areas described in this Chapter.
d.
Commercial and Flex.
i.
Landscaped Areas. Landscaped Areas shall comprise not less than fifteen (15) percent of a commercial or professional office site. Landscape requirements for Buffers, Parking Areas, Park Strips, and additional Landscaping along urban corridor Streets as required in this Chapter may be included as part of the overall site requirement. Landscaping shall be used to screen ground level utility equipment from view of Streets, sidewalks, or walkways to the greatest extent possible. No Turf Grass is permitted in the total Landscaped Area in any new commercial or flex development, outside of active recreation zones.
ii.
Plant Coverage. All required Landscaped Areas shall be landscaped with suitable trees, shrubs, groundcovers, perennials, or other Landscaping materials. Live plants, not including tree canopies, shall cover at least seventy five (75) percent of required Landscaped Areas.
iii.
Site Trees. A minimum of two (2) trees per one thousand (1,000) square feet of Landscaped Area is required, in addition to requirements for Yards, Setbacks, Park Strips, required Buffers, and Parking Areas described in this Chapter.
iv.
Water features, landscape boulders, decorative rocks, gravel, and organic mulch are permitted but shall not be considered a substitute for plants. Landscape boulders shall only be allowed as a focal feature or may be used as a protective device from vehicle traffic.
v.
If ornamental gravel is utilized, it must be contained within durable borders and arranged in a decorative pattern that incorporates varying sizes, types, or colors of gravel.
(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020; Ord. No. 2021-06, § XVII, 5-26-2021; Ord. No. 2022-08, § I(Exh. A), 4-13-2022; Ord. No. 2022-16, § 1(Exh. A), 9-14-2022; Ord. No. 2023-27, § 1(Exh. A), 9-12-2023; Ord. No. 2023-29, § I, 10-12-2023; Ord. No. 2023-31, § I(Exh. A), 10-25-2023)