Commerce Municipal Code Ch. 19.23 Landscaping Standards

Landscaped areas and buffers provide visual relief and protect one land use from the adverse effects of another. Landscaping can also help to eliminate nuisances and conflicts between adjacent land uses or between a land use and a public road. For these reasons, the city establishes provisions contained in this Chapter 19.23 to regulate the location, extent, and maintenance of landscaping in all zones.

(Ord. 544 §1(part), 2000).

The community development director or designee may authorize exemptions to any of the design and improvement standards in this chapter. Such exemptions may be granted if the director or designee finds that the proposed design or improvement is in substantial compliance with the purpose and intent of this chapter.

(Ord. 544 §1(part), 2000).

A. The minimum standards of this chapter shall apply to all new construction, expansion, renovation, conversion, and alteration of existing uses or structures in all zone districts and land uses.

B. Landscaping and buffering requirements shall be provided at the time of commencement of the use of the land or construction of the building, or at the time of renovation, conversion, alteration, or expansion by adding floor area, dwelling units, rooms, beds, or seats to a structure.

(Ord. 544 §1(part), 2000).

A. Detailed landscape and irrigation plans shall be required for all development subject to the provisions of this Chapter 19.23. Such plans shall be submitted to and approved by the community development department prior to the issuance of building permits.

B. Landscape and irrigation plans shall be prepared by a registered landscape architect. Such plans shall be fully dimensioned.

(Ord. 544 §1(part), 2000).

A. For nonresidential uses, all front, side, and rear yards shall be landscaped and maintained. The types of plants, their sizes, number, irrigation, and maintenance shall comply with the landscaping standards of the city.

B. Landscaping in residential zones shall be required in front, side, and rear yards where the lot adjoins a dedicated street.

C. Aside from required landscaping in yards, developments in the R-3 zone shall provide landscaping and street trees or sidewalks and street trees for the parkway portions of adjoining streets.

D. Property owners shall maintain the planting strip abutting each property regardless of whether the property is developed or not, except that routine maintenance on any city-owned tree shall be conducted only by the department of public services, except as permitted by Section 19.23.060(E).

E. Any tree, shrub, or part thereof on private property that overhangs any street so that it endangers life, safety, or public property shall be removed, trimmed, or cut off within ten days after written notice from the city.

F. Occupants of a property abutting a public street or alley shall keep private trees from overhanging into the public right-of-way. Trees shall be trimmed to maintain a minimum clearance of ten feet above the sidewalk, fourteen feet above a curb, seventeen and one-half feet at center in residential areas, and seventeen and one-half feet above the curb at bus stops.

G. Parking areas shall be landscaped pursuant to the provisions of Section 19.21.120 (Landscape Requirements) of this Title 19.

H. Artificial turf is allowed pursuant to Section 19.23.150.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).

(Ord. No. 827, § 4, 11-25-2025)

A. Street trees may be required as a condition of approval for any subdivision, lot split, or other permit issued in compliance with this Title 19 or other applicable city regulation.

B. Only trees identified in the city's list of required street trees shall be planted along a public street, parking strip, public right-of-way, or parkway.

C. Street trees shall be planted in accordance with the requirements of the master street tree plan.

D. Owners of a property fronting a public street shall be responsible for the adequate watering of all street trees abutting that property and shall bear the cost of replacement of any street tree that dies as a result of insufficient watering or care.

E. No person shall plant, trim, or remove any tree or shrub on any public street or right-of-way without approval of a permit by the department of public services. Such permits shall be granted to public utility companies and agencies to ensure the safe operation of their businesses and shall be valid for one year from the date of issue.

F. The following acts in planting strips or parkway areas are prohibited:

1. Construction of a treewell with diameter less than four feet or otherwise filling the ground area around a tree so as to shut off light, air, or water from the roots.

2. Piling of any building material, equipment, or other substance around any tree so as to cause injury.

3. Pouring of any deleterious matter on or around any tree or on the ground or on any lawn in such a manner as to damage the tree.

4. Cutting, breaking, defacing or damaging a tree in any manner whatsoever.

5. Placing or allowing to remain in any parkway area any vegetation (other than an approved tree) or structure exceeding eighteen inches in height.

6. Posting or affixing to any city tree any bill, poster, picture, placard, announcement, notice, advertisement, or sign.

G. Violation of any provisions of this Section 19.23.060 shall be considered a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).

In addition to any trees required within parking areas and required street trees, an additional one tree shall be provided for every three hundred square feet of landscaped area. Of the total trees provided, a minimum of thirty-five percent shall be twenty-four-inch box size or larger.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).

Areas planted with shrubs shall be planted with a minimum of one shrub per twenty-five square feet. Sixty percent of the shrubs shall be at least five-gallon size or larger.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).

Ground cover may be provided in the form of turf, shrubs, vines, or similar live plant materials. Such material shall be planted in a manner to provide one hundred percent coverage within two years of initial planting. Any such material provided shall be maintained in a neat and healthy condition. Artificial turf is allowed pursuant to Section 19.23.150.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).

(Ord. No. 827, § 5, 11-25-2025)

A. A ten-foot high, densely landscaped buffer shall be provided along the boundary of all industrially zoned property where it abuts a residential or commercial zone.

B. Where a berm is provided, a three to six foot high masonry wall is allowed at the setback line with a berm to add to its height.

C. Buffers located along the outer perimeter of a parcel may be used for passive recreation.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).

The property owner shall permanently and continuously maintain all landscaping in a neat, clean, and healthy condition, including removal of litter, proper pruning, mowing of lawns, weeds, fertilizing, and watering; and replacement of diseased and/or dead plants.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).

A. "Nonconforming landscaping" is defined as any combination of plant materials, water features, and irrigation systems which does not conform to the site coverage, percentage distribution, installation, maintenance, or other requirements of this chapter.

B. Any landscaping that is made nonconforming by the provisions of this chapter or any previous ordinance regulating landscape coverage, distribution, installation, or maintenance shall not be required to be improved to meet the minimum standards of this chapter unless improvements to the site are made as outlined in subsection C of this section.

C. Whenever improvements to an existing building or development site are proposed and the value of such improvements is equal to or greater than fifty percent of the total assessed value of existing property improvements, as determined by the community development director, then all nonconforming landscaping shall be required to be improved to meet the minimum standards of this chapter.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).

A. The purpose of this section is to establish standards and procedures for the design, installation, and management of water-conserving landscapes in order to utilize available plant, water, and land resources to avoid excessive landscape water demands while ensuring high quality landscape design.

B. These requirements shall be applicable to new and rehabilitated landscaping for industrial, commercial, office, and institutional developments; to parks and other public recreational areas; to multifamily (five or more units) residential and PUD common areas; to model home complexes; and to city road medians and corridors.

C. These requirements shall not be applicable to:

1. Homeowners providing landscaping at single-family or multiple-family complexes with fewer than five units.

2. Cemeteries.

3. Registered historical sites.

4. Ecological restoration projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system.

5. Mined-land reclamation projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system.

6. Any project with a landscaped area less than one thousand square feet, unless the community development director determines that substantial compliance with the purpose of this section as stated in Section 15.06.010 requires that a landscape plan be submitted.

D. Landscape plans shall be prepared in accordance with the standards set forth in this section and any applicable guidelines and submitted and approved prior to the issuance of building permits.

E. Prior to issuance of a building permit, a landscape plan application shall be submitted by the owner of the affected property, his agent, or by a public entity to which the provisions of this subsection apply for review by the community development director. The application shall be completed on forms furnished by the director.

F. No landscape plan application shall be approved unless the community development director finds that the plan: complements the design of the project; is consistent with the provisions of this section and applicable guidelines; and is compatible with adjacent existing or future public landscaped areas, and with the elevations and appearances with existing structures located upon lots within the immediate vicinity of the lot that is the subject of such application.

G. Each landscape plan shall consist of the following elements, including but not limited to the following information:

1. Water Conservation Concept Statement. Each landscape plan shall include a cover sheet referred to as the "Water Conservation Concept Statement," which serves as a checklist to verify that the elements of the landscape plan have been completed. The statement shall include a brief narrative summary of the project, including calculations of the project's maximum water allowance and estimated applied water use.

2. Planting Plan. The planting plan shall identify the location, spacing, number, and container size of all plant materials, including common and botanical names. The planting plan shall be drawn on project base sheets in a clear and legible fashion in accordance with the guidelines for this subsection.

3. Irrigation Plan. The irrigation plan shall identify all components of the irrigation system drawn on project base sheets in a clear and legible fashion in accordance with the guidelines for this section.

4. Annual Irrigation Schedule. The annual irrigation schedule shall be prepared with a minimum four-season water schedule for both the plant establishment period and for mature landscape. The irrigation schedule shall include run time and frequency of irrigation for each station.

5. Soils Test. The landscape plan shall include a report of soils test that includes information on soil infiltration rate, soil texture, and agricultural suitability. No soil test shall be required if the soil type can be determined by reference to the city soil map maintained by the community development director and the soil is amended as required by the director; provided, however, a soils test shall be required if substantial amounts of soil are imported to the property.

H. Decorative water features such as pools, ponds, and waterfalls used in landscaped areas shall incorporate recycling of water, and, where available, use reclaimed water. Decorative water features shall be designed and operated to minimize water loss.

I. Each landscape irrigation system shall be metered for water use, separately from domestic and other nonlandscape use.

J. Each landscape irrigation system shall be periodically audited for conformance with the approved plan, in accordance with the State of California Landscape Water Management Program—Landscape Irrigation Auditor Handbook, incorporated in this chapter by reference. Such audits shall be conducted on a regular basis, at intervals of not less than every five years.

K. For each subdivision with model homes the developer shall submit a landscape plan and install landscaping for each model home, incorporating the requirements of this section and including:

1. Signs identifying elements of the water conserving landscape and irrigation system design placed around the model.

2. Literature describing water conserving landscapes to be available to individuals touring the model.

3. The location, text, and size of signs shall be clearly shown on the landscape plan and shall be in substantial accordance with the guidelines of this section.

L. Upon completion of the installation of the landscaping, the designer shall certify that the landscape complies with all requirements of this section. Certification shall be accomplished by completion of a landscape certificate on a form approved by the director. Failure to submit a complete and accurate landscape certificate will delay final approval of the project and/or result in discontinuance of water service.

M. The community development director shall develop a list of plants that are commonly used in landscape designs with water requirement classifications of low, medium, and high to assist landscape designers to choose species of appropriate water demands to comply with this section and to group species of similar water demands to facilitate efficient irrigation. This list shall be included in the landscape guidelines developed to implement the provisions of this section.

(Ord. 544 §1(part), 2000).

The owner(s) of vacant real property is required to install acceptable fencing material as defined in this chapter and provide landscaping as follows:

A. "Vacant real property" is defined as a parcel of land upon which no building, structure, artwork, or other improvements exists.

B. Opaque wrought iron or chain link fencing with a minimum height of five feet shall be provided around the perimeter of the vacant property beginning immediately behind the required landscaped area.

1. Other materials, such as wood or masonry, are not permitted.

2. No sharp objects or points are permitted on top of wrought iron or other fences.

3. Gates shall be provided to allow for property maintenance, but must be closed and locked at all times except when maintenance or clean-up work is being performed on the property.

C. The first seven feet of any vacant parcel facing a public or private street, sidewalk or alley shall be landscaped with permanent, live planting material.

1. Acceptable landscaping shall include shrubs, trees, hedges, and vines.

2. Ground cover and lawn shall be acceptable only when planted in conjunction with shrubs, trees, hedges, or vines.

3. Landscaping in pots or other containers shall not be used to satisfy this requirement.

D. All landscaping must be watered and maintained on an ongoing basis. Dead or dying plant material must be replaced in a timely manner.

E. Fencing, landscaping and irrigation plans shall be submitted for the review and approval of the city planning department prior to installation. Such plans shall also indicate the type, materials, colors, height, and location of all fences and gates.

(Ord. 581 §1, 2004).

A. Applicability. The standards of this section apply to artificial turf installations in all zone districts and land uses and landscaped parkways.

B. Definitions.

1. "Artificial turf" means an artificially derived product that simulates the appearance of live grass.

2. "Landscaped parkway" means the area of a public right-of-way, typically between the curb and the sidewalk, that is designed to be landscaped.

C. General Provisions.

1. Artificial turf is allowed in lieu of live plant materials within required setbacks and in other landscaping areas on properties in all zone districts, subject to the provisions of this section. Artificial turf plans shall be reviewed by the community development director or designee.

2. Artificial turf is allowed in lieu of live plant materials in landscaped parkways, subject to the provisions of this section and review and approval by the director of public works or designee.

3. Artificial turf must be installed with live, natural plant and tree materials to enhance the overall landscape design.

4. A minimum of thirty percent of the required setback areas visible from the street must be designed with live natural plant and tree materials.

5. All plants and trees incorporated into the landscape design must be suitable for the city of Commerce climate zone to ensure healthy, long-lasting growth.

D. Prohibitions.

1. Artificial turf may not be installed within a five-foot diameter of the trunk of any tree, including trees in the public right-of-way or on adjacent properties.

2. Artificial turf cannot be used in lieu of paved surfaces in driveways and parking areas as required pursuant to this code.

3. The use of indoor/outdoor plastic or nylon carpeting as a replacement for natural or artificial turf is prohibited.

4. The use of artificial shrubs, flowers, trees, and vines instead of natural plantings is prohibited.

5. Any materials containing toxic substances (such as shredded recycled tires) are strictly prohibited for use in the installation of artificial turf in all residential, commercial, and industrial properties.

E. Material Standards. Artificial turf must meet the following material quality requirements.

1. Warranty: Artificial turf must have a minimum eight-year no-fade warranty as issued by the manufacturer.

2. Pile Height: Artificial turf installed in the front yard and portions of the street side yard visible from the public right of way must have a minimum pile height of one and one-half inches, with parallel long slit blades.

3. Two Colors: In the front yard and portions of the street side yard visible from the public right of way, the artificial turf blades (not including the thatch layer) must contain at least two natural green colors.

4. Thatch Layer: In the front yard and portions of the street side yard visible from the public right of way, the artificial turf must contain a beige or tan thatch layer.

5. Percolation: Artificial turf must be affixed to a permeable triple-layer backing that allows water to percolate through the artificial grass at a drain rate of at least thirty inches per hour. This ensures adequate drainage is installed underneath the artificial turf to prevent runoff, pooling, and flooding.

6. Heavy Metals: The artificial turf must comply with all federal and state standards related to lead and heavy metal content.

7. Fill Material: The fill material must be an organic fill such as, silica sand or zeolite material, that is brushed in to keep the blades upright and achieve a natural grass look. Any replacement fill must be the same. The use of rubber crumb infill is prohibited.

8. Strength and Durability: The artificial turf must be constructed to maximize dimensional stability, resist damage during normal use, and minimize ultraviolet degradation with a tear grab strength of at least two hundred pounds. It must be resistant to staining, weather, insects, rot, mildew, and fungus, and must be non-allergenic and non-toxic, and able to pass the pill burn test for flammability.

F. Installation Standards. Artificial turf must be installed pursuant to the manufacturer's requirements by a licensed professional with experience in the installation of artificial turf and the following requirements.

1. Site Preparation: The installation must include the removal of all existing plant material and a three-inch compacted aggregate base that provides adequate drainage and ensures stability.

2. Drainage: The area must be sloped and graded to prevent excessive pooling, runoff, or flooding onto an adjacent property. Artificial turf areas must be sufficiently drained to allow for live planting areas to provide complete infiltration of runoff.

3. Anchoring: Artificial turf must be permanently anchored over the entire coverage area with nails and glue, and all seams must be nailed, sewn, and glued to conceal the edges, with the grain pointing in a single direction.

4. Existing Irrigation: All existing irrigation infrastructure in the covered area, including piping and sprinkler heads that are no longer used, must be capped or removed, and must not be visible.

5. Separation from Landscaping: Artificial turf must be separated from live planting areas by a barrier, such as a mow strip or bender board, to prevent the mixing of natural plant materials and artificial turf.

6. Protect Trees: All efforts must be made to protect existing trees and tree roots from damage during installation.

G. Maintenance:

1. Artificial turf must be maintained in an attractive and clean, unfaded condition, free of weeds, stains, debris, tears, holes, depressions, ruts, odors, and looseness at edges and seams.

2. Damaged or worn areas in the artificial turf surface must be repaired or removed and replaced in a manner that results in a consistent appearance with the existing artificial turf.

3. The artificial turf surface must be replaced once it can no longer be maintained as required.

H. Approval process for Artificial Turf on Private Properties.

1. Artificial turf plan required. Prior to installation of artificial turf on private properties, a detailed artificial turf plan must be submitted to the community development department.

2. Review for artificial turf on residential properties. The artificial turf plan to be reviewed and approved by the community development director or designee subject to the requirements of this section.

3. Review for artificial turf on non-residential properties. First review of the artificial turf plan is to be conducted by the community development director or designee and final approval by the planning commission (as a consent item on the planning commission agenda) subject to the requirements of this section.

4. The artificial turf plan must include:

a. Project name.

b. Project number.

c. Project location (street address, parcel or lot number(s)).

d. Zoning classification of the project location.

e. Applicant's contact information.

f. Artificial turf material, height, backing, and warranty information.

g. A landscape plan showing the area of artificial turf, area of living plant material, adjacent hardscape, and separation material.

h. Artificial turf area (in square feet).

i. A dimensioned cross-section of proposed materials and installation details, including subgrade, drainage, base or leveling layer, and infill.

j. Edge material and detail for the treatment of seams.

k. Material description and specifications, including manufacturer, installer (with contact information), and warranty information.

l. Artificial turf ordinance in preparing the design and installation plans.

m. Any other information deemed necessary.

5. Certification of Completion. Following installation, the installer shall certify that the installation complies with the approved landscape plan and the requirements of this section.

I. Approval Process for Artificial Turf on Landscaped Parkways in the Public Right-of-Way.

1. Approval Required. Prior to installation of artificial turf within landscaped parkways in the public right- of-way, approval must be obtained in a form or method required by the public works director.

2. Certification of Completion. Following installation, the installer shall certify that the installation complies with the approval and the requirements of this section.

3. Release of Liability. A property owner installing artificial turf within a landscaped parkway must sign a form approved by the city: 1) releasing public utilities, the city and their contractors from any damage they may cause to artificial turf while conducting repairs or construction in the public right-of-way; and 2) indemnifying and holding the city harmless from and against any claim, action, damages, costs (including, without limitation, attorney's fees), injuries, or liability, arising from the city's approval of artificial turf in the public right-of-way except for such loss or damage arising from the city's sole negligence or willful misconduct. Should the city be named in any suit, or should any claim be brought against it by suit or otherwise, whether the same be groundless or not, arising out of the city approval of artificial turf in the public right-of-way, the permittee agrees to defend the city (at the city's request and with counsel satisfactory to the city) and will indemnify the city for any judgment rendered against it or any sums paid out in settlement or otherwise. For purposes of this section "the city" includes the city of Commerce's elected officials, appointed officials, officers, and employees.

(Ord. No. 827, § 6, 11-25-2025)