19.06.08 Single Family Residential and Park Strip Landscaping Requirements

1. Single Family Residential Lots a. All residential lots in all zones except A and RA-5 that are one-third acre in size or smaller shall have the front yards, and street-side yards for corner lots, landscaped within one year, and interior side and back yards within two years after (whichever is less restrictive): i. receiving a Certificate of Occupancy; or ii. once ownership is established by the current owner. b. All residential lots in all zones except A and RA-5 that are larger than one-third acre must landscape a minimum of one-third acre. i. The one-third acre may include structure footprints, driveways, parking areas, and other lot improvements that fall within a contiguous one-half acre area. ii. The one-third acre shall include the front yard. iii. Areas outside of the landscaped one-third acre may remain in a native state, and shall be maintained in compliance with nuisance and fire requirements. iv. That portion of the landscaping that falls within the front yard, and streetside yard for corner lots, shall be landscaped within one year, and that portion of landscaping within interior side and back yards shall be landscaped within two years after (whichever is less restrictive): 1. receiving a Certificate of Occupancy; or 2. once ownership is established by the current owner. c. All front yards and street side yards shall be completely landscaped per the definition of Landscaping in Section 19.02, d. All back yards shall either be completely landscaped per the definition of Landscaping in Section 19.02, or, if fully enclosed with a minimum six foot tall privacy fence that extends to the ground to prevent spread of weeds, may instead be stabilized per the definition of Protective Ground Cover in Section 19.02,with the following exceptions: i. Bare dirt, meaning ground with no planting, hardscape, rock, or other cover, may occur in limited quantities when in conjunction with features including gardens and trellis areas. ii. Trees and shrubs are permitted to have a ring of bare dirt around the trunk and beneath the drip line of the canopy. e. At least 25 percent of landscaping in front yards and corner street side yards shall consist of non-rock planter beds, shrubs and grasses, or other non-hardscape and non-rock landscaping. f. Artificial turf is permitted in front or corner street side yards. Installation of artificial turf shall require an artificial turf application demonstrating compliance with the following requirements including supporting documentation provided by the homeowner or contractor: i. artificial turf shall have a minimum eight-year “no-fade” warranty; ii. artificial turf shall have a multi-color blend to mimic real grass; iii. artificial turf shall be installed according to manufacturer’s instructions; iv. minimum pile height of artificial turf shall be 1.5 inches, minimum face /pile weight shall be at least 50 oz. per square yard, and water permeability shall be at least 19 inches per hour; v. if artificial turf is installed, the landscape plan shall provide for a minimum required amount of landscaping as required by this Chapter to comply with residential front and/or street side yard landscape standards; vi. landscaping shall maintain a five-foot diameter around trees free from rock, debris, or artificial turf; vii. rubber or inorganic infill is prohibited while organic infill is permitted; viii. the term “artificial turf” shall not be construed to include artificial trees, shrubs or bushes; and ix. storm water runoff shall be maintained on-site. 2. Park strips. a. Park strips shall be landscaped when the front yard is landscaped for a residential dwelling, or when site improvements are completed for a non-residential project, and shall thereafter be perpetually maintained by the property owner who abuts the park strip. i. Only the following shall be installed in park strips: turf, trees, shrubs or other plants, mulch, live plant vegetation (other than trees) below three feet in height, landscape rock, cobble, and removable pavers. ii. When landscape rock, cobble, or pavers are used, at least thirty percent of each park strip shall contain plantings. iii. Weeds, dead vegetation, fruit trees, fruit and vegetable gardens, gravel, asphalt, concrete, and large boulders are prohibited in park strips. iv. Hackberry and Honey Locust trees are discouraged in park strips. b. Four-foot-wide concrete walkways are allowed in the park strip when the walkway lines up with the main walkway to the front door.