LANDSCAPE STANDARDS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT / PLANNING DIVISION 8130 Allison Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91942 Phone: 619.667-1177 Fax: 619.667-1380 PURPOSE AND INTENT OF LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE The regulations and guidelines listed in these Landscape Standards adopted by the La Mesa City Council are intended to achieve the following goals: A. Promote the values and benefits of landscapes while recognizing the need to invest water and other resources as efficiently as possible. B. Establish a structure for designing, installing, and maintaining water efficient landscapes in new projects. C. Establish provisions for water management practices and water waste prevention for established landscapes. PROPERTIES SUBJECT TO LANDSCAPE STANDARDS A. These standards shall apply to all new and rehabilitated landscaping for the following projects: 1. Public agency projects. 2. Private industrial and commercial projects. 3. Multiple-unit residential projects and developerinstalled landscaping in single-family residential projects. B. These standards shall not apply to landscaping installed by homeowners in single-family residences. REVIEW PROCESS A. Landscape Plan Review 1. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, landscape and irrigation plans must be submitted to the Community Development Division for approval. The property owner or his agent shall submit two copies of the landscape and irrigation plans. Building plans will not be issued without an approved set of landscape and irrigation plans. 2. Projects subject to Site Plan Review or Design Review prior to the submittal of building plans shall provide conceptual landscape plans including a Water Conservation Statement with the initial application. LANDSCAPE DESIGN PLANS A. General Landscape Design Requirements 1. Each project shall contain a brief description of the project and the design elements that are intended to achieve conservation and efficiency in water use. 2. The landscape plan shall be designed to achieve architectural and environmental enhancement in the following areas: a. Screening of parking, storage areas, and unsightly objects such as public utilities and substations. b. Creating buffer zones between residential, commercial and industrial areas. c. Erosion control. d. Wind and noise barriers. e. Streetscape enhancement. f. Improving the relationship of site to structure through the use of shade, screening, accent, and foundation plantings. B. Landscape Plan Design 1. Plant materials should be selected for their ability to withstand drought conditions. The following xeriscape principles should be incorporated into the planting design: a. Plant materials with low water requirements should be utilized. b. Plants with similar water requirements should be grouped together on the same irrigation system. E:\CP\Handouts\Applications\Landscape Standards Current.doc Page 1 of 5
c. Native plants should be utilized when applicable and for transitional zones. d. All shrub and groundcover areas (excluding lawns and slopes over 3:1) should be top dressed with a minimum of 2" depth shredded barb mulch to retain soil moisture. e. The use of lawns shall be limited to conserve water (See Section IV.C.) 2. All areas should be provided with a mixture of groundcover, shrubs, and trees. Trees shall generally be in minimum 15 gallon containers and shrubs in 5 gallon containers, except where approved by the Community Development Department (or by the Public Works Department where appropriate). 3. At least one tree shall be provided for every 500 square feet of landscaped area (except in public parks, subject to approval by the Public Works Department). A minimum of 20% of the trees shall be specimen size (i.e., in 24" box or larger containers). Additional trees may be required for screening or to provide vertical scale as a requirement of the Design Review process. 4. Plant spacing shall be determined by the average mature size of the plant. Flats and liners shall be spaced at a maximum of 12" on center, triangular spacing. 5. Planting or suitable non-living groundcover (i.e., bark chips, mulch, etc.) shall be required in all areas not developed by buildings, parking, or hardscape. 6. Shrubs over 24" in height (at maturity) shall not be permitted within a 15 foot sight distance triangle at the intersection of the public right-ofway, or within 15 feet of the intersection of any ingress or egress driveway and the public right-ofway. 7. Non-living groundcover such as bark or stone may be used, but shall not cover more than 30% of any landscape area. 8. Existing mature trees should be preserved and incorporated into the landscape design wherever feasible and appropriate. C. Turf Areas 1. Turf areas shall be limited to the following maximum percentages for each type of project: a. High Density Residential (over 18 d.u./acre) 50% b. Medium Density Residential (14-18 d.u./acre) 30% c. Low Density Residential (7-14 d.u./acre) 15% d. Commercial / Industrial 10% 2. These requirements shall not apply to individual single-family residences, cemeteries, parks, and recreational areas. 3. Turf should generally not be utilized in: a. Areas less than 10 feet in width. b. Median or parking lot islands. c. Slopes over 3:1. d. Areas that are not visible to the general public, unless designated for an active use. D. Water Features 1. Fountains shall utilize recycling systems and shall be designed to minimize evaporation loss. E. Specifications and Details 1. Planting plans shall include botanical and common names of plant materials, symbols, size, quantity and spacing. 2. The name, address, phone number and license number of the person or firm who prepared the plans. Plans for projects with over 1,000 square feet of landscaping area shall be prepared by either a licensed landscape architect or licensed landscape contractor. For smaller projects, the plans shall be prepared by a person familiar with the proposed species of plants, irrigation systems, and water conservation principles. 3. The plans shall include the details for the installation of trees and shrubs, including details for the staking and guying of all trees. E:\CP\Handouts\Applications\Landscape Standards Current.doc Page 2 of 5
4. The following minimum information shall be included on the plans: a. Property lines, easements, location of utilities, the results of approved construction (i.e., buildings, pavement, pools, rock outcroppings, walls, fences, planters, lighting, etc.). The existing or proposed curbs, gutters, sidewalks or edge of pavement, street name(s), scale, north arrow, site address, etc. (Minimum scale: 1"=20'). b. The location, type and caliper size of any existing mature trees to remain, to be relocated, or to be removed. If mature trees are removed due to grading or other reasons, replacement specimen size trees may be required. F. Irrigation Plan Design 1. Irrigation plans shall exhibit the following design principles: a. Separate water service shall be required for all commercial and industrial projects, recreation areas, and common areas in residential projects of over 4 dwelling units. b. Moisture sensing devices and rain sensor override systems shall be required, except for projects with a landscaped area less than 1,000 square feet. c. The system shall be designed and adjusted to avoid overspray, low head drainage, and runoff into non-irrigated areas. d. The sprinkler design shall utilize matched precipitation rates within each circuit and shall be designed for 100% coverage (Spacing of heads at 50% of the spray diameter). e. The sprinkler design shall be circuited into separate hydrozones which service plants with similar water requirements and which are located in similar solar exposures. f. Drip irrigation systems should be utilized wherever feasible. g. All irrigation systems shall be installed below grade (except for approved drip systems) and shall utilize an automatic controller with dual or multiple programming and multiple start cycles. 2. Specifications and Details a. Irrigation plans shall be at the same scale as the Planting Plan. b. A reduced pressure backflow preventer shall be required for all irrigation systems (a pressure vacuum breaker may be utilized when applicable for projects with a landscaped area less than 1,000 square feet). c. Provide installation details for irrigation equipment. INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE A. All trees, shrubs and groundcovers should be free of insects, pests, or fungus disease or the effects of previous infestations. They should have normally well developed branch systems and a vigorous and fibrous root system which is not root or pot bound. B. Trees shall be staked or guyed until they are selfsupporting. C. All trees, shrubs, and groundcovers which have been planted and which due to accident, disease, or other cause, fail to show a healthy growth within one year should be replaced. D. Landscaping should be maintained to ensure water efficiency. A regular maintenance schedule should include, but not be limited to: checking, adjusting, and repairing irrigation equipment; resetting the automatic controller; aerating and dethatching turf areas; replenishing mulch; fertilizing; pruning; and, weeding in all landscaped areas. E. Watering should be scheduled between the hours of 2:00 AM and 10:00 AM to avoid irrigating during times of high wind or high temperature. Deep watering practices shall be utilized to promote deep rooting of trees and shrubs. F. Trees and shrubs should be trimmed or pruned to prevent blocking or interference with the following: 1. Sight distance views. 2. Pedestrian or motor vehicle access. 3. Installation, maintenance or repair of any public utility or fire lane. 4. Damage to property line fences or structures on adjoining properties. G. All landscaped areas shall be regularly watered, fertilized, weeded and otherwise kept in good condition. E:\CP\Handouts\Applications\Landscape Standards Current.doc Page 3 of 5
FINAL APPROVAL Upon completing the installation of the landscaping and irrigation system, the developer, contractor, or landscape architect shall submit a letter to the Community Development Department stating that all landscaping, irrigation, drainage and hardscape was installed according to City standards and per specifications and details of the approved plans. This letter shall also note any significant changes to either the planting or irrigation plans which were made during installation. Receipt of this letter and final inspection by the Department shall be required prior to final occupancy being granted by the project. EROSION CONTROL FOR SLOPES A. All newly graded slopes at a gradient of 4:1 or greater, in excess of 3 feet vertical height shall be landscaped with groundcover from flats which is known to have soil binding characteristics to control erosion. Groundcover shall be planted at a rate to achieve complete coverage in the first year. Jute matting, or other similar erosion control material, shall be installed on all slopes. Hydroseed may be substituted for groundcover plantings if it is shown that the hydroseed area will achieve 100% coverage in the first year. B. Slopes in excess of 5 feet vertical height shall be irrigated with a permanent irrigation system and planted with a combination of trees, shrubs and groundcovers. C. Shrubs shall be deep rooting with an average root depth of 5 feet or greater. D. Slope planting and irrigation shall be installed and operative before final inspection by the Community Development Department. FIRE PROTECTION / BRUSH MANAGEMENT STREET TREE PROGRAM A. Street tree selection 1. Street trees are encouraged for all new developments. In areas where a Specific Plan does not identify approved street tree selections, trees may be chosen from the approved Street Tree List which may be obtained from the Public Works Department. 2. In established neighborhoods with an existing mature street tree pattern, street trees should be selected to match the existing street trees in the vicinity. 3. Street trees shall be planted at a minimum of one 15 gallon tree per 40 feet of lineal street frontage. Trees may be placed on center or clustered in groups, dependent on the prevailing pattern in the neighborhood 4. Trees shall be selected and maintained so that upon maturity a minimum distance of 60 inches clear is maintained between the finish grade and the lower branches. 5. Other street tree requirements may be required by the Director of Public Works. GRAFFITI PREVENTION Landscaping shall be installed to provide screening of blank building or retaining walls to discourage graffiti. A dense row of trees or vines which will climb to cover blank wall areas shall be utilized. In addition, shrubs which exhibit thorns may also be utilized to inhibit access to the wall area. The landscaping should be designated to provide substantial coverage of the wall within a oneyear period after installation. A. Plantings of low fuel volume and low to moderate fire retardance shall be required in high fire hazard areas. B. Regular maintenance of new and existing plantings shall include pruning and thinning to eliminate dead or excessive fuel, and provide adequate space between shrubs and structures. E:\CP\Handouts\Applications\Landscape Standards Current.doc Page 4 of 5
CITY OF LA MESA LANDSCAPE CALCULATION UNITS TOTAL LANDSCAPE SQUARE FOOTAGE: SQ. FT. REQUIRED ACHIEVED ONE TREE FOR 500 SQ. FT. LANSCAPING REQUIREMENT: EA. 20% TREES SHALL BE 24 BOX SIZE OR LARGER: EA. MAXIMUM ALLOWED ACHIEVED TURF AREA (COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL) 10% OF TOTAL SITE: SQ. FT. E:\CP\Handouts\Applications\Landscape Standards Current.doc Page 5 of 5