2534•
ORDINANCE NO. 2534
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 18.57 OF THE MOSES LAKE MUNICIPAL
CODE ENTITLED "LANDSCAPING"
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOSES LAKE, WASHINGTON ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Chapter 18.57 of the Moses Lake Municipal Code entitled "Landscaping" is amended as follows:
18.57.010 Purpose and Intent: The purpose of this chapter is to establish landscaping provisions to achieve
the following:
A.Provide a smooth transition between adjacent properties and buffer different intensities of land
uses
B.Maintain and enhance the character and appearance of the city
C.Soften the visual impact of paved surfaces and blank building walls
D.Reduce the effects of light, noise, glare, exhaust fumes, heat, wind, erosion, and other adverse
effects
E.Provide shade
F.Provide a sustainable landscaping that conserves water and decrease water consumption
18.57.020 Applicability
A. Other than the exceptions listed in 18.57.020.B, the requirements of this chapter shall apply
to all of the following:
1.New development
2.Any change in the use of a property requiring a land use permit
3.Any change in the use of a property requiring a change of occupancy permit
4.Any addition, remodel, alteration, or repair of a structure that increases the gross floor area
by more than twenty percent (20%) or where the cost of the addition, remodel, alteration,
or repair exceeds twenty-five percent (25%) of the existing assessed value of the structure.
5.Any expansion of a parking lot by more than 10 parking spaces or any construction within
or reconstruction of existing parking facilities in excess of 500 square feet shall require
compliance with the parking lot landscaping requirement for the entire parking lot.
B. Exceptions
1.This chapter does not apply to any use or development in the C-1 or Municipal Airport
Zones, other than new or expanded parking lots.
2.An individual one- or two-family dwelling unit on an individual lot that is not part of a
subdivision or planned development district application is only required to comply with the
following sections of this chapter:
a.18.57.040.C.1, Residential Front Yard Setbacks
b.18.57.080, Preservation and Care of Significant Trees
c.18.57.090, Maintenance Requirements
d.18.57.100, Prohibited Plants
ORDINANCE 2534
PAGE 2 November 10, 2009
18.57.030 General Requirements: All required landscaped areas shall comply with the following:
A.Landscaping shall be vegetative and consist of combinations of trees, shrubs, and ground
cover. Non-living natural features may also 'be incorporated.
B.Required landscape plantings shall be suited to the climate, location, and physical conditions
of the site. The use of drought-tolerant species is encouraged to reduce irrigation and
maintenance demands.
C.All landscaped areas shall be graded to prevent erosion and to facilitate the installation,
growth, and maintenance of the landscaping. All turf areas located in public right-of-ways shall
have a grade of no greater than 4(h):1(v).
D.Trees and shrubs shall be chosen and located to avoid interference with underground and
overhead utility lines or public improvements.
E.Landscaping shall be designed to insure adequate visibility and safety of vehicular traffic,
bicyclists, pedestrians, and other users, on and off the proposed site. Height and/or spacing
of landscaping may be modified to accommodate sight distances.
F.Other than a fence around an individual one-or two-family dwelling, all fences shall be placed
on the inward side of any required perimeter landscaping.
G.To protect against the possibility of all trees in one project being destroyed by disease or pests,
a mix of tree species shall be provided in accordance with the following table:
Required Number
of Trees
Minimum Number
of Species
Maximum Percent of Any
One Species
11-20 2 55
21-30 3 35
31-40 4 27
41+5 22
H.Minimum Plant Sizes at Installation: See Table in MLMC 18.57.055
I.No disturbed ground shall be left exposed. Groundcover or mulch shall cover all disturbed
areas that are not built upon or paved.
J.If approved by the city, required street frontage landscaping may be placed in city right-of-way.
This area shall be maintained by the owner of the property that abuts the right-of-way. The city
and other public services shall have the right to remove landscaping placed on city right-of-way
for repair, replacement, or installation of utility services. The city will not accept liability for
damages to said landscaping from future street expansion, meter reading, or utility installation,
inspection, or repair.
K.All required landscaping shall be served by irrigation systems appropriate for the plants.
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L. The incorporation of existing vegetation, especially healthy trees, is strongly encouraged.
Where existing trees and associated vegetation serve the same or similar function as the
required landscaping, they may substitute for the required landscaping, provided trees are
healthy and appropriate for the site at mature size. When necessary, existing vegetation shall
be supplemented with new plantings to accomplish the specific intent and purpose of this
chapter.
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ORDINANCE 2534
PAGE 3 November 10, 2009
M.Landscape requirements contained in this chapter are minimums. Additional landscaping is
encouraged.
N.Areas within two hundred feet (200') of the shoreline or associated wetlands are subject to the
State of Washington Shoreline Management Act and the City of Moses Lake Shoreline Master
Program.
0. In the event of a conflict between the content of this chapter and other regulations, the more
restrictive regulations shall apply.
P.Landscaping may be included within stormwater facilities, provided it does not impede the
functionality of the stormwater facility.
Q.For interior property line buffers, where a buffer meeting the requirements of this ordinance
has previously been installed on the adjoining property, an additional buffer is not required
along the screened property line.
R.Where buildings are located within 20' of a property line, all landscaping between the building
and the property line may be counted toward the required points for the buffer.
18.57.040 Specific Requirements
A. Buffers: When adjacent to the uses listed, the subject property shall provide the type and
width of landscaping listed in the table below along the entire property line between the subject
property and the adjacent use, except for vehicular and pedestrian access points. If a building
is located in the buffer area, the landscaping displaced by the building shall be located
elsewhere on the site. Types of landscaping are as described in Section 18.57.050.
ISUBJECT PROPERTY USE
ADJACENT
USE
1 & 2 Family
Subdivision
Multi-family Manufactured
Home Park
Commercial/
Institutional
Industrial Public
Park
freeway or
highway
Type I
20 feet wide
Type I
20 feet wide
Type I
20 feet wide
Type II
10 feet wide
Type II
10 feet wide
Type II
10 feet
wide
street frontage Type IV
5 feet wide
12 pts/25'
Type IV
5 feet wide
12 pts/25'
Type IV
5 feet wide
18 pts/25'
Type IV
10 feet wide
18 pts/25'
Type IV
20 feet wide
18 pts/25'
Type IV
5 feet wide
12 pts/25'
1 & 2 Family or
vacant land
zoned R-1 or
R-2
Type II
5 feet wide
Type II
10 feet wide
Type II
10 feet wide
Type I
15 feet wide
Multi-family or
vacant land
zoned R-3
Type II
10 feet wide
Type III
5 feet wide
Type II
10 feet wide
Type II
10 feet wide
Type I
15 feet wide
Manufactured
Home Park
Type II
10 feet wide
Type III
5 feet wide
Type II
10 feet wide
Type I
15 feet wide
Commercial/
Institutional or
vacant land
zoned C-1 or
C-2
Type II
10 feet wide
Type II
5 feet wide
Type II
10 feet wide
Type II
10 feet wide
ORDINANCE 2534
PAGE 4 November 10, 2009
SUBJECT PROPERTY USE
ADJACENT
USE
1 & 2 Family
Subdivision
Multi-family Manufactured
Home Park
Commercial/
Institutional
Industrial Public
Park
Industrial or
vacant land
zoned I-L
Type II
10 feet wide
Type I
5 feet wide
Type II
10 feet wide
Type II
10 feet wide
Public Park
B. Parking Areas: Parking areas shall be landscaped to provide shade and visual relief while
maintaining clear lines of sight.
1.Landscaping shall be provided within and/or around all surface parking lots containing
ten (10) or more parking stalls, except that no parking lot landscaping shall be required
within industrial zones. Landscaping shall be provided at a rate of twenty (20) square
feet per parking stall. Other required landscaping may not be counted toward this total.
At a minimum, landscaping shall consist of ground cover and shade trees with a
minimum mature canopy spread of fifteen feet (15'). See Section 18.57.055 for required
landscape points for parking lots.
2.The minimum area per planter shall be one hundred (100) square feet.
3.Landscaped areas shall be distributed around and/or throughout the parking lot so that
the maximum distance between the trunk of shade tree and any parking stall shall be no
more than fifty feet (50'). Shade trees used to meet this requirement are not required to
be those specifically included in the parking lot landscaping.
4.Permanent curbs or structural barriers shall be provided to protect the landscape
plantings from vehicle overhang.
5.Trees shall be planted at least four feet (4') from the outside edge of the planting area.
6.No plant material greater than twelve inches (12") in height shall be located within two
feet (2') of the edge of a landscaped area adjacent to a parking stall.
7.Required parking lot planter areas shall be in addition to any required front, side, and rear
yard buffer requirements.
8.The requirements of this section shall not apply to parking garages or parking decks, or
display areas for automotive and equipment sales and rentals.
C. Residential Landscaping
1.Front Yard: The required front yard and exterior side yard of all one- and two-family
residential uses shall be landscaped within one (1) year of occupancy and maintained.
For the purposes of this section, landscaping shall be defined as the addition of
decorative rock, bark, groundcover, lawn, trees, plants, shrubs, and other natural and
decorative features. At least 50% of the front and exterior side yard area shall be
landscaped. Driveways and parking areas may be located in the remaining area that is
not required to be landscaped.
2.Multi-family Structures: Multi-family residential uses shall also landscape the required
open space areas so that they are usable for outdoor recreation.•
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ORDINANCE 2534
PAGE 5 November 10, 2009
3.Manufactured Home Parks: All areas within the boundaries of the manufactured home
park shall be landscaped. All lawns, trees, landscaping, occupied and unoccupied
manufactured home spaces, recreation areas, and open space areas shall be continually
maintained. A permanent irrigation system shall be installed and maintained for planted
common areas.
4.Planter strips: Street frontage planter strips between the curb and sidewalk shall be
landscaped with Type IV landscaping consisting of a minimum of 12 points per 25' of
frontage. Timing of landscape installation shall be as follows:
a.For new subdivisions, planter strip landscaping shall be installed or bonded for before
a Certificate of Occupancy is issued for the house on the lot abutting the planter strip.
b.For new planter strips built in existing developed areas, planter strip landscaping shall
be installed within one year of completion of the planter strip.
c.For areas with existing planter strips, planter strip landscaping shall be installed within
one year of the adoption of this ordinance.
D. Building Facade Landscaping: To ensure that wall facades are visually interesting when
viewed from surrounding streets and buildings, Blank building facades more than twenty feet
(20') in height or fifty feet (50') in width or length shall be landscaped with Type III
landscaping to provide visual relief and soften the effect of the new building on the
surrounding area.
1.Blank facades are defined as those which do not add to the character of the streetscape
and do not contain transparent windows or sufficient ornamental features, decorations,
artwork, articulation, high quality building materials (such as brick), or other architectural
features.
2.Exceptions: Buildings in industrial zones are not required to screen blank facades. In all
other zones, blank facades that are within 20' of another building or which are otherwise
not visible to the general public are not required to be screened.
18.57.050 Landscape Buffers - Types and Descriptions: When the following types of buffers are required
by this chapter, the minimum standards shall be as described below.
A. Type I Landscaping: Type I landscaping is a "full screen" that functions as a visual barrier.
This landscaping is typically found adjacent to freeways and between residential and non-
residential areas. Type I landscaping shall consist of:
1.Primarily evergreen or densely-branching deciduous trees and shrubs placed to form a
continuous all-season screen at least six feet (6') tall within three (3) years of planting.
Trees and shrubs may be offset or staggered, rather than in a single line. Other
deciduous trees and shrubs may be incorporated for seasonal interest, provided the
screening function of the landscaping is not compromised. Trees and shrubs shall be
spaced so that they will touch or overlap at mature size.
2.A minimum of 40 points of landscaping shall be installed for every 25 linear feet of buffer
area.
3.The buffer shall run the entire length of the abutting lot line(s).
B. Type II Landscaping: Type II landscaping is a "filtered screen" that functions as a visual
separator between similar uses. This landscaping is typically found between commercial and
industrial uses; between differing types of residential development; and to screen industrial
uses from the street. Type II landscaping shall consist of:
ORDINANCE 2534
PAGE 6 November 10, 2009
1.A mix of evergreen and deciduous trees and medium and/or large shrubs. Trees and
shrubs should be offset or staggered, rather than in a single line. Tree size refers to size
at maturity, and should be chosen based on the ability of the site to support the size of
tree chosen. Large trees should be spaced 40' to 60' apart, medium trees should be
spaced 30' to 45' apart, and small trees should be spaced 20' to 30' apart. The minimum
number of trees required shall be determined by dividing the total frontage by the
maximum spacing for the size of tree chosen. Any fraction of a tree shall be rounded up
to the next whole number.
2.A minimum of 25 points of landscaping shall be installed for every 25 linear feet of buffer
area.
3.Required shrubs must achieve a height of four feet (4') within three (3) years.
C. Type III Landscaping: Type III landscaping is a "see-through buffer" to provide visual relief
between compatible uses and to soften the appearance of streets, parking areas, and
building facades. This landscaping is typically found along street frontages or between
apartment developments. Type III landscaping shall consist of:
1.A mix of trees. Tree size refers to size at maturity, and should be chosen based on the
ability of the site to support the size of tree chosen. Large trees should be spaced 40' to
60' apart, medium trees should be spaced 30' to 45' apart, and small trees should be
spaced 20' to 30' apart. The minimum number of trees required shall be determined by
dividing the total frontage by the maximum spacing for the size of tree chosen. Any
fraction of a tree shall be rounded up to the next whole number.
2.A mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs.
3.A minimum of 18 points of landscaping shall be installed for every 25' feet of property line
or facade length or width.
D. Type IV Street Frontage Landscaping: Type IV landscaping is a "see-through buffer" to
provide visual relief and to soften the appearance of streets. Type IV landscaping shall
consist primarily of trees and include the following:
1.Street trees. Tree size refers to size at maturity, and should be chosen based on the
ability of the site to support the size of tree chosen. Large trees should be spaced 40' to
60' apart, medium trees should be spaced 30' to 45' apart, and small trees should be
spaced 20' to 30' apart. The minimum number of trees required shall be determined by
dividing the total frontage by the maximum spacing for the size of tree chosen. Any
fraction of a tree shall be rounded up to the next whole number. Columnar tree varieties
shall not be used as street trees.
2.Shrubs and/or groundcover. Shrubs shall not exceed a height of four feet (4') at maturity.
3.The minimum number of landscaping points to be installed for every 25' of street frontage
is as shown in the table in MLMC 18.57.040.A.
4.Exceptions:
A.No additional street frontage landscaping shall be required along East Broadway,
where the existing trees and turf grass are maintained by the City.
B.The required landscaping will be turf grass with Armstrong Maple, October Glory
Maple, or a Sunburst Locust as the street trees for the following aesthetic corridors:
1. SR 171, Broadway Avenue from 1-90 to Highway 17;
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ORDINANCE 2534
PAGE 7 November 10, 2009 •2.Wheeler Road from City Limits to Highway 17;
3.Pioneer Road from Wheeler Road to 1-90;
18.57.055 Landscape Point Values:
A. Applicant may use any combination of planting materials to meet the requirements of this
section. Points are assigned based on the following:
Type of Plant
Material
Mature Height Minimum Size (at time of planting)Point Value
Deciduous Trees
(in caliper inches)
Evergreen Trees (in feet
of height)
Large Tree >60 ft 8-inch or greater 22 ft and over 85
>60 ft 7-inch 19 - 21ft.75
>60 ft 6-inch 16 -18 ft.65
>60 ft 5-inch 13 -15 ft.55
>60 ft 4-inch 11-12 ft.45
>60 ft 3-inch 9 -10 ft.35
>60 ft 2-inch 7 - 8 ft 25
Medium Tree 25 ft to 60 ft 2 -inch 7 - 8 ft 18
Medium Tree 25 ft to 60 ft 1.5 -inch 5-6 ft 12
Small Tree <25 ft Single Trunk 1.5
inch caliper
5 - 6 ft 6
Ornamental Tree varies Multiple trunk
(minimum 3 trunks):
smallest trunk 1.5
inch caliper
5 - 6 ft 6
Large Shrub >6 ft 5 - gallon and 24 -inch height at planting 3
Medium Shrub 3 ft to 6 ft 3- gallon and 12-inch height at planting 2
Small Shrub < 3 ft 2- gallon and 8 - inch height at planting 1
Ornamental
Grasses
varies 1 gallon same as
shrub of
same
mature
height
Groundcover < 1 ft, excluding
flowers on tall
stalks
1 gallon IA
Existing Trees varies Greater than 3" caliper 10 pts + 10
pts/inch of
caliper
Landscaped
Berm
30" height; 10-foot length; 3:1 slope 1 per 5
lineal feet
Turf Grass n/a n/a 1/4 per
square yard
ORDINANCE 2534
PAGE 8 November 10, 2009
Note: Points will be based on the size of the mature tree or shrub. For example, a small species
of shrub in a 3 gallon pot at the time of planting will not be given points as a medium shrub, it
remains a small shrub. The Community Development Department will maintain a list of
commonly-planted species and the size per the above chart. For species not included in the list,
mature height shall be as shown in a standard published source. Where a range of sizes is given
in the source, points for the larger size may be claimed, provided the correct minimum size is
planted for the points claimed.
B. Landscaping must equal or exceed a minimum number of points based on the size of the lot,
the buffers required, and the number of parking spaces.
1.Site Points
Size of Developed Area Number of Points Required
0-2,500 square feet Site points = 10
2,500-5,000 square feet Site points = 25
5,000-10,000 square feet Site points = 50
More than 10,000 square
feet
Site points = 50 plus 1 point
for each 500 square feet
over 10,000 square feet
2.Parking lots: 2 points per required parking space + 1 point for each parking space
provided in addition to required spaces
C.An additional 10% in the number of points shall be required adjacent to the following
aesthetic corridors:
(List)
D.Points for required buffers shall be in addition to the Site Points and Parking Lot Points
required in this section.
E.A maximum of 25% of required landscape points may be claimed within street right-of-way.
F.A minimum of 60% of points shall be used for landscaping in the front and side yards.
G.A maximum of 25% of required points may be used for turf grass. Turf grass within street
right-of-way does not earn any points.
H.Drought Tolerant Landscaping. Landscaping areas that meet the criteria listed below may
have the points required for that area reduced by 30%. To qualify as drought tolerant, the
following must be incorporated:
1.An approved drip irrigation system
2.Low volume - low pressure - low flow distribution
3.Drought tolerant plant selection
4.Use of mulches
18.57.060 Submittal Requirements: A landscape plan shall be prepared by a person experienced in the
selection and installation of plants. For multifamily projects with five (5) or more units and non-
residential projects with more than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of gross floor area, the
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ORDINANCE 2534
PAGE 9 November 10, 2009
landscape plan shall be prepared by one of the following: licensed landscape architect, or
Certified Professional Horticulturalist. A landscape plan shall accompany all development
applications except subdivisions and shall contain the following information at a minimum:
A.Name and address or location of project
B.Date of the plan
C.North arrow and scale (standard engineering scale, 1" = 50' or larger)
D.All property lines, rights-of-way, streets, walks, vehicular drives, parking lots, curbing, existing
and proposed structures, building entrances, overhead and underground utilities,
freestanding lights, service or loading areas, signs, open spaces, plazas, and recreation
amenities, with materials noted.
E.Proposed location of all trees, shrubs, ground cover, and any proposed or existing physical
elements, such as fencing, walls, curbing, or benches, that may affect the overall landscape.
F.A plant schedule which indicates the scientific and common names, quantities, spacing, and
sizes at planting and maturity for all plants in the landscape plan.
G.Location, sizes and species of existing significant trees as defined in section 18.57.080.
Areas with existing vegetation that will be retained should be marked and described.
H.A legend which shows symbols and types of plant.
I.Location and details of irrigation system. The source of water and type of irrigation system
shall be noted.
J.Location and dimensions of any designated sensitive areas and required sensitive area
buffers, as defined in Moses Lake Municipal Code Title 19.
K.Plant materials shown on the landscaping plan at three-quarters (3/4) mature size in
appropriate relation to the chosen scale of the plan, except that mature size shall be used for
plants that will reach mature size within five (5) years of planting.
L.A calculation of the square footage of landscaping proposed, with separate totals for living
and non-living landscape, and a calculation of landscape points, showing clearly how all
required point totals are met.
M.Such other submissions consistent with this chapter as may be required by the Community
Development Department.
18.57.070 Approval of Landscape Plan and Installation of Landscaping
A.After receipt of a complete landscape plan, all development applications shall be reviewed
by the Community Development Department for compliance with this chapter concurrently
with and as a part of the review process of the principal use or structure and prior to issuance
of any grading, building, or land use permit or approval except subdivisions.
B.For residential major plats and residential short plats, required landscaping shall be installed
at the time each lot is developed, and no Certificate of Occupancy for the building shall be
issued until the landscaping for that lot is installed or bonded for, as specified in 18.57.070.C.
C. No Certificate of Occupancy, or final inspection approval if no Certificate of Occupancy is
required, shall be issued until one of the following occur:
Adopted by the City Council and signed by its Mayor on Nove r 10, 200
Ronald C. Covey, M
ATTEST:
ORDINANCE 2534
PAGE 10 November 10, 2009 • 1.The required landscaping is installed.
2.A bond or some other form of cash surety acceptable to the city is submitted at a value
of one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the estimated cost to complete the landscaping
according to the approved landscape plan. Upon completion of the landscape
installation, the city shall promptly release the surety. If the required landscaping
improvements are not made within six (6) months of occupancy of the building, the city
may use the surety to install the landscaping.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five (5) days after its passage and publication
of its summary as provided by law.
e ;te ald R. Cone, Finance Director
• D AS TO FORM: APPRO v
hoc
Ja es A. Whi ker, City Attorney
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