Chapter 83.10 — LANDSCAPING STANDARDS

The purpose of this Chapter is to:

(a) Enhance the aesthetic appearance of the County by providing standards related to the quality and functional aspects of landscaping and to recognize that landscapes are essential to the quality of life within the County by providing areas for active and passive recreation. Additionally, landscapes are an enhancement to the environment by benefitting air and water quality, helping to prevent and manage erosion, offering fire protection, and helping to replace valuable ecosystems that may be lost during development.

(b) Increase the compatibility between abutting land uses and public rights-of-way by providing landscape screening and buffers.

(c) Protect public health, safety, and welfare by preserving property values and enhancing pedestrian and vehicular traffic and safety.

(d) Provide for the conservation and protection of water resources through the efficient use of water; appropriate use of plant materials suitable for climate and location; regular maintenance of landscaped areas; and provide regional standards pursuant to § 83.10.080, in addition to those required by the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), as adopted by reference in Title 6 of the San Bernardino County Code of Ordinances. (Ord. 4011, passed - -2007; Am. Ord. 4136, passed - -2011; Am. Ord. 4245, passed - -2014; Am. Ord. 4400, passed - -2021)

(a) A landscape document package shall be submitted when required by the MWELO.

(Ord. 4011, passed - -2007; Am. Ord. 4136, passed--2011; Am. Ord. 4400, passed - -2021)

(a) Director Approval. The Director may approve modifications to the requirements of this Chapter. The modifications shall be limited to the following:

(1) Minor modifications to the approved landscape documentation package that comply with the spirit and intent of the requirements, including, but not limited to, revising or substituting plant varieties, container sizes, plant locations, irrigation specifications, hardscape components, berm heights and/or locations, slope features, and other similar changes.

(2) Any minor modifications of planting, installation, and/or soil preparation details as listed within the approved landscape documentation package.

(3) The occupancy of structures prior to the installation of landscaping due to exceptional and unforeseen circumstances when a bond or other surety is provided. When required by the Director, a statement of surety in the form of cash, performance bond, letter of credit, or certificate of deposit in the amount equal to 120 percent of the total value of all plant materials, irrigation equipment, installation, and maintenance shall be posted with the County for a two-year period. The Director may require statements of surety for phased development projects, a legitimate delay in

landscape installation due to seasonal requirements (including adverse weather conditions) and similar circumstances where it may not be advisable or desirable to install all of a project's landscaping before occupancy of a site.

(b) Conditions Imposed in Connection with Modifications. In granting modifications to any approved landscape documentation package, the Director may impose conditions as deemed necessary to comply with the spirit and intent of these regulations.

(c) Fire Safety (FS) Overlay. The standards in this Chapter may be modified by Chapter 82.13 (Fire Safety (FS) Overlay).

(Ord. 4011, passed - -2007; Am. Ord. 4136, passed--2011; Am. Ord. 4400, passed - -2021)

(a) General Requirements.

(1) Setbacks. Setback and open space areas required by this Development Code shall be landscaped based on the requirements of this Chapter and the MWELO, except the portion where a sidewalk or driveway occur in the required setback. Required setbacks that are screened from public view in commercial and industrial zones, and are not adjacent to residentially-zoned property, are exempt from the provisions of this Chapter.

(2) Unused Areas. Areas of a project site not intended for a specific use shall be landscaped based on the requirements of this Chapter, unless exempt in compliance with the MWELO.

(3) Parking Areas. Parking areas shall be landscaped in compliance with § 83.11.080 (Landscape Requirements for Parking Areas) and the water-efficient landscaping requirements of this Chapter. Areas dedicated to parking lots shall not be counted as part of the total lot area needed when computing the minimum landscaped area in compliance with Table 83-12, nor shall the parking lot landscaping be counted as part of the minimum landscaping required.

(4) Minimum Area. Projects specified in § 83.10.020 (Applicability) shall provide and maintain landscaped areas in compliance with Table 83-12 (Minimum Landscaped Area). No landscaped area having a width of less than five feet shall be considered in the minimum landscaping requirement.

Table 83-12

(b) Area Increase in Lieu of Parking Spaces. In addition to required landscaping areas, landscaping may be provided in lieu of 10 percent of the total number of parking spaces required, provided the landscaping is arranged so that parking may be installed at a later date if a demand arises, and further provided, that the owner agrees to provide parking at the request of the reviewing agency.

(c) Variation of Area Coverage in Planned Developments. Variation of landscape coverage may be allowed for individual parcels within planned developments established in compliance with Chapter 85.10 (Planned Development Permits) when the development as a whole meets the required coverage and the landscape documentation package is consistent with the purpose and water-efficient requirements of this Chapter.

on of Area Coverage in Planned Developments._ Variation of landscape coverage may be allowed for individual parcels within planned developments established in compliance with Chapter 85.10 (Planned Development Permits) when the development as a whole meets the required coverage and the landscape documentation package is consistent with the purpose and water-efficient requirements of this Chapter.

(Ord. 4011, passed - -2007; Am. Ord. 4043, passed - -2008; Am. Ord. 4136, passed--2011; Am. Ord. 4400, passed - -2021)

(a) Valley Region. In the Valley Region, the following additional landscaping standards shall apply:

(1) Existing Trees. Where possible, trees that are existing on a site shall remain and be protected in place. If existing trees are removed to accommodate development, those trees shall be replaced at the rate of 2:1. Fruit or nut bearing trees planted in groves shall be exempt from this provision. Replacement trees shall be a mixture of 15 gallon and 24-inch box container sizes. Wherever possible, preservation of existing trees and shrubs shall be used to meet site landscaping requirements.

(2) Plant Materials. Plant materials shall be a cohesive mix of deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs, groundcovers, native plant material, and, where applicable, turf. A list of acceptable plant materials for the Valley Region is available from the Land Use Services Department to assist developers and their landscape professionals in preparing the landscape documentation package. If existing plant material is used as part of the site landscaping requirements, it shall be included into the sites water budget calculations.

(3) Tree Removal Permit. If any local, State, and/or Federally protected plant material is found on-site, removal and/or protection shall be in compliance with Chapter 88.01 (Plant Protection and Management).

(4) Landscaped Setbacks. The front yard and street side yard setback areas of a parcel shall be landscaped, except for sites where no disturbance of the natural terrain within a setback is proposed or the natural terrain precludes setback landscaping (i.e., mountainsides or hillsides). Landscaping of interior side yard setbacks may be required in compliance with § 83.02.060 (Screening and Buffering).

(b) Mountain Region. In the Mountain Region, the following additional landscaping standards shall apply:

(1) Forest Conservation Plan and Insect Infestation Prevention Program. Any landscaping proposed shall be in conjunction with a forest conservation plan and insect infestation prevention program. These plans shall be prepared by a Registered Professional Forester (RPF), and submitted with the landscape documentation package by the developer. The plan shall include guidelines for tree preservation, both during and after construction.

(2) Existing Trees. Any existing trees that are removed to accommodate development shall be replaced according to the recommendations of the forest conservation plan submitted with the landscape documentation package by the

developer. Wherever possible, preservation of existing trees and shrubs shall be used to meet site landscaping requirements.

(3) Plant Materials. Plant materials shall be a cohesive mix of evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, groundcovers, native plant materials that are drought and infestation tolerant, and fire-resistant; turf shall be minimized and be installed in compliance with this Chapter. A list of acceptable plant materials for the Mountain Region is available from the Land Use Services Department to help assist developers and their landscape professionals in the preparation of the landscape document package. If existing plant material is used as part of the site landscaping requirements, it shall be included into the site’s water budget calculations. If any local, State, and/or Federally protected plant material is found on-site, removal and/or protection shall be in compliance with Chapter 88.01 (Plant Protection and Management). Seedlings may be considered a viable container size as part of the planting plan.

(4) Landscaped Setbacks. The front yard and street side yard setback areas shall be landscaped except for sites where no disturbance of the natural terrain is proposed. Landscaping of interior side yard setbacks may be required in compliance with § 83.02.060 (Screening and Buffering).

(c) Desert Region. In the Desert Region, the following additional landscaping standards shall apply:

(1) Existing Plant Material. Any existing native desert plant material, or any part thereof, except the fruit, shall not be removed without the issuance of a tree removal permit in compliance with Chapter 88.01 (Plant Protection and Management). Additionally, if native desert plant materials are to be replaced, then the replacement of those materials are to be in compliance with Chapter 88.01 (Plant Protection and Management), except as provided for in this Subdivision. If Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) exist on-site and are proposed to be relocated, they shall be relocated on-site in the landscaped areas; unless, in writing, the Director of the Land Use Services Department specifically allows another option.

(2) Plant Materials. Plant materials shall be a cohesive mix of evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, groundcovers, succulents, and native plant material that are drought and infestation tolerant; turf shall be minimized and be placed in compliance with this Chapter. A list of acceptable plant materials for the Desert Region is available from the Land Use Services Department to help assist developers and their landscape professionals in preparing their landscape documentation package. If any local, State, and/or Federally protected plant material is found on-site, removal and/or protection shall comply with Chapter 88.01 (Plant Protection and Management).

(3) Landscaped Setbacks. The front yard and street side yard setback areas of a parcel shall be landscaped using xeriscape landscaping techniques, which combines drought tolerant plant and hardscape materials in a variety of aesthetically pleasing designs. For sites where no disturbance of land within setbacks is proposed, landscaping shall not be required. Landscaping of side-yard setbacks may be required in compliance with §83.02.060 (Screening and Buffering).

k areas of a parcel shall be landscaped using xeriscape landscaping techniques, which combines drought tolerant plant and hardscape materials in a variety of aesthetically pleasing designs. For sites where no disturbance of land within setbacks is proposed, landscaping shall not be required. Landscaping of side-yard setbacks may be required in compliance with §83.02.060 (Screening and Buffering).

(4) Unpaved Parking Lots. Those parking lots not requiring paving shall not be required to be landscaped, nor will they count as part of the overall landscape total needed for the project. Only those parking lots required to be paved shall be landscaped in compliance with this Chapter and with §83.11.080 (Landscape Requirements for Parking Areas). Parking lot landscaping shall not be counted as part of the minimum landscaping requirement for a project.

(5) Dust Control. If grading takes place, then a dust control plan shall be submitted for review. All grading and dust control measures shall be conducted in compliance with the provisions of § 88.02.40 (Dust Control Desert Region).

(Ord. 4011, passed - -2007; Am. Ord. 4043, passed - -2008; Am. Ord. 4136, passed--2011; Am. Ord. 4400, passed - -2021)

§ 83.10.090 (Deleted by Ord. 4400, passed - - 2021).

§ 83.10.100 (Deleted by Ord. 4400, passed - -2021).

§ 83.10.110 (Deleted by Ord. 4400, passed - -2021).

§ 83.10.120 (Deleted by Ord. 4400, passed - -2021).