17.50.080 Plant Coverage and Tree Sizes – Hillside Lots.
For all lots with an average cross-slope (as determined under section 16.24.050, Lot Size Requirements) of fifteen percent or greater shall be considered Hillside lots for purposes of this Chapter. 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 on hillside 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 Size. Unless as provided herein, all trees shall be at least thirty-six-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 arboricultural standards, or similarly accepted industry standard reference guide. Smaller and/or larger trees 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. Screening of Lighting. All Landscape Screening plans shall be designed so as to screen any lighting on any buildings/structures from such lighting hitting any buildings on adjacent parcels.
E. 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)