§ 13-101. Purpose

It is the purpose of this chapter to establish reasonable requirements and standards for the design, installation, water conservation, and maintenance of landscape and irrigation to:

(1) Enhance the aesthetic appearance of the city by providing standards relating to quality, quantity, and functional aspects of landscaping for developments in all areas of the city.

(2) Address water conservation measures through the landscape and irrigation design.

(3) Encourage sustainable landscapes through landscape techniques that conserve, recycle, and reuse the resources that are invested in landscapes.

(4) Encourage landscape design that protects public health, safety, and welfare by minimizing the impact of all forms of physical and visual pollution, erosion, and unsightly conditions. This includes promoting the use of canopy trees in parking lots, and limiting the overall use of palm trees.

(5) Deter graffiti on walls, break up continuous asphalt and/or concrete surfaces on existing properties, screen incompatible land uses, cool and shade vehicles and hardscape areas, preserve the integrity of neighborhoods, and enhance pedestrian and vehicular corridors.

(6) Encourage applicants to take full advantage of the wide range of drought tolerant landscape materials and low water flow irrigation systems available within the framework established by this chapter.

(7) Establish water efficient landscape regulations, pursuant to State Assembly Bill 1881 and as effective as the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.

(8) Promote the design, installation, and maintenance of landscaping in a manner that conserves regional water resources by ensuring that landscaping projects are not unduly water-needy and that irrigation systems are appropriately implemented to minimize water waste.

(9) Refer to the "Water Efficient Landscape Guidelines" adopted by city council Resolution No. 10- to provide procedural and design guidance for project applicants for specified landscape installation or rehabilitation projects except for the R-1 (single-family residential) district.

(Ord. No. 97-11, § 2, 5-5-97; Ord. No. 99-13, § 2, 9-20-99; Ord. No. 10-2, § 3a., 2-2-10 )