17.50.070 Plant Coverage and Tree Sizes – Nonhillside Lots.
For all lots with an average cross-slope (as determined under section 16.24.050, Lot Size Requirements) of less than fifteen percent, plantings shall be sized to adequately screen the proposed structure within a period of five years from the date of issuance of a building permit. The following shall constitute minimum standards for plant coverage and tree sizes for nonhillside lots:
A. Adequacy of Screening. All plantings shall be of adequate size and spacing to ensure compliance with the screening requirements. A site inspection shall be conducted after a completed landscape screening application has been submitted. It shall be at the discretion of the town arborist to assess the adequacy of the proposed planting to meet the screening requirement.
B. Minimum Tree/Shrub Size and Growth Rate. Unless as provided herein, all trees and shrubs shall be at least twenty-four-inch box container size at the time of installation and shall reach a minimum height of twenty-two feet at maturity in accordance with the Sunset Western Garden book, or similarly accepted industry standard reference guide. Smaller and/or larger trees and/or shrubs may be required in the sole discretion of the town arborist where deemed necessary to meet the objectives of this chapter and based on unique topography, soils, or other factors impacting the effect of the screening.
C. Encouraged Tree and/or Shrub Species. Where suitable, the planting of California native and/or drought-tolerant shrubs and/or trees is strongly encouraged.
D. Prohibited Tree Species. The following tree species shall be prohibited as part of any required landscape screening plan:
1. Acacia baileyana – Bailey acacia.
2. Acacia decurrens – Green wattle.
3. Acacia melanoxylon – Black acacia.
4. Ailanthus altissima – Tree of heaven.
5. Albizia julibrissin – Mimosa.
6. Any species of eucalyptus.
7. Pinus radiata – Monterey pine.
8. Notholithocarpus densifloru – Tan Oak. (Ord. 654 § 1, 2022; Ord. 582 § 1 (Exh. A (part)), 2009)