§ 13-103. General provisions and submittal requirements

(a) Requirements: Landscape and irrigation plans shall be required for all development projects requiring discretionary land use approval and for all city-initiated projects. For landscape projects subject to the water efficiency landscape guidelines, landscape plans shall be prepared and certified by a California licensed landscape architect.

(b) Process:

(1) The plans shall be submitted to and approved by the planning division prior to issuance of any building permits, and shall be prepared in accordance with requirements listed in this chapter, water efficiency landscape guidelines (as applicable), and the city's streetscape and median development standards, which are incorporated herein by this reference, and which may be amended from time to time by resolution of the city council. All unpaved areas shall be planted with an effective combination of trees, groundcover, turf, shrubbery and/or approved dry landscape materials.

(2) Landscape and irrigation plans shall be fully dimensioned and shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

a. List of plants (common and Latin names).

b. Plant size.

c. Location.

d. Irrigation plan.

e. Hardscape (sidewalks, driveways, six-inch continuous concrete curbing).

f. Water elements.

g. Decorative features (boulders, sculptures, arbors, etc.).

h. Planting and irrigation details.

i. Maintenance information.

j. Any other information deemed necessary by the planning division.

(3) Modifications: Any modification to an approved landscape or irrigation plan must be approved by the planning division prior to installation of the landscaping or irrigation system.

(4) Approval: All plan approvals by the planning division are subject to and dependent upon the applicant complying with all applicable ordinances, codes, regulations, and adopted policies. All landscape plans for projects subject to the water efficiency landscape guidelines shall be prepared under the direction of a California licensed landscape architect.

(5) All landscaping and irrigation materials shall be properly installed, inspected, and maintained in a healthy condition, prior to release of building utilities or the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, whichever is applicable or occurs first. Final inspection approvals or occupancy clearance shall not be granted until all of the landscaping and irrigation are installed in accordance with the approved plans.

(6) Conflicting code sections: When the provisions of this chapter conflict with other sections of the Municipal Code, the more stringent shall apply.

(Ord. No. 99-13, § 2, 9-20-99; Ord. No. 10-2, § 3c., 2-2-10 )