36-7 Landscape plan requirements, installation, and certification

(1) A landscape plan shall be submitted to the Community Development Department for review and approval before installation when required by this Chapter, a development approval, or a condition of approval. (2) A landscape plan shall include the following information unless waived by the Community Development Department as unnecessary for the specific project: (a) project name, applicant, property owner, parcel number, and site address; (b) total landscaped area; (c) front and side yard landscaped area calculations for residential projects; (d) lawn or turf area calculations and percentage of applicable landscaped area; (e) identification of active recreation areas, if any; (f) planting plan, including plant names, quantities, sizes, spacing, and water-use classifications; (g) irrigation plan, including layout, water source, point of connection, valves, hydrozones, controller type, backflow prevention, pressure regulation, filters, and irrigation method; (h) identification of culinary water, secondary water, private well, or other approved irrigation source; (i) grading, drainage, and stormwater interface information where relevant to landscape design; (j) mulch, soil preparation, and ground treatment details; (k) water feature recirculation details, if applicable; (l) maintenance notes sufficient to preserve water efficiency and plant health; and (m) any additional information reasonably necessary to determine compliance with this Chapter. (3) For commercial, industrial, institutional, multi-family, subdivision common area, and public agency projects, the landscape plan shall be prepared or reviewed by a qualified landscape professional unless waived by the Community Development Department for minor projects. (4) Landscape installation shall substantially comply with the approved landscape plan. Material changes to the approved landscape plan shall be approved by the Community Development Department before installation. (5) Required landscaping for commercial, industrial, institutional, multi-family, subdivision common area, and public agency projects shall be installed before issuance of a certificate of occupancy, final inspection approval, or acceptance of subdivision improvements unless the County approves delayed installation due to weather, season, water availability, construction sequencing, or other good cause. (6) If delayed installation is approved, the County may require a completion agreement, financial assurance, temporary stabilization, and a specific completion deadline. (7) For a new one- or two-family dwelling, required front yard landscaping shall be installed within one (1) year after issuance of a certificate of occupancy or final inspection approval, unless a shorter period is required by a subdivision approval, development agreement, or other applicable condition. (8) Upon completion of landscaping for commercial, industrial, institutional, multi-family, subdivision common area, and public agency projects, the applicant shall submit a letter of compliance or similar certification from the qualified landscape professional, installer, contractor, or property owner confirming that the landscaping and irrigation were installed in substantial compliance with the approved landscape plan and this Chapter. (9) The County may inspect landscaping and irrigation for compliance before final approval, certificate of occupancy, release of financial assurance, or closure of a code enforcement matter. (Ord. 2026-07, 6/30/26)