§ 20-1183. Landscaping materials.

(a)

The landscaping materials shall consist of the following:

(1)

Walls and fences. Walls shall be constructed of natural stone, brick or other appropriate materials. Fences shall be constructed of wood. Chain link fencing will be permitted only if covered with plant material or otherwise screened.

(2)

Earth berms. Earth berms shall be physical barriers which block or screen the view similar to a hedge, fence or wall. Mounds shall be constructed with proper and adequate plant material to prevent erosion. A difference in elevation between areas requiring screening does not constitute an existing earth mound, and shall not be considered as fulfilling any screening requirement.

(3)

Plants. All plant materials shall be living plants; artificial plants are prohibited. Plant materials shall meet the following requirements:

a.

Deciduous trees. Shall be species having an average crown spread of greater than 15 feet and having trunk(s) which can be maintained with over five feet of clear wood in areas which have visibility requirements, except at vehicular use area intersections where an eight-foot clear wood requirement will control. Trees having an average mature spread of crown less than 15 feet may be substituted by grouping of the same so as to create the equivalent of a 15-foot crown spread. A minimum of ten feet overall height or minimum caliper (trunk diameter, measured six inches above ground for trees up to four inches caliper) of at least two and one-half inches immediately after planting shall be required. Trees of species whose roots are known to cause damage to public roadways or other public works shall not be placed closer than 15 feet to such public works, unless the tree root system is completely contained within a barrier for which the minimum interior containing dimensions shall be five feet square and five feet deep and for which the construction requirements shall be four inches thick, reinforced concrete.

b.

Evergreen trees. Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of six feet high with a minimum caliper of one and one-half inches when planted when counted as an understory tree. Overstory evergreens shall be a minimum of eight feet high.

c.

Shrubs and hedges. Deciduous shrubs shall be at least two feet in average height when planted, and shall conform to the opacity and other requirements within four years after planting. Evergreen shrubs shall be at least two feet in average height and two feet in diameter.

d.

Vines. Vines shall be at least 12 inches high at planting, and are generally used in conjunction with walls or fences.

e.

Grass or ground cover. Grass shall be planted in species normally grown as permanent lawns, and may be sodded, plugged, sprigged, or seeded; except in swales or other areas subject to erosion, where solid sod, erosion reducing net, or suitable mulch shall be used, nurse-grass seed shall be sown for immediate protection until complete coverage otherwise is achieved. Grass sod shall be clean and free of weeds and noxious pests or diseases. Ground cover such as organic material shall be planted in such a manner as to present a finished appearance and 75 percent of complete coverage after two complete growing seasons, with a maximum of 15 inches on center. In certain cases, ground cover also may consist of rocks, pebbles, sand and similar materials if approved by the city.

(Ord. No. 153, § 1, 11-4-91; Ord. No. 195, § 4, 11-11-93; Ord. No. 377, § 136, 5-24-04)