1857_00001ORDINANCE NO.1857
ANORDINANCECREATINGCHAPTER 18.57 OF THE MOSES LAKEMUNICIPALCODEENTITLED"LANDSCAPING"
THE CITYCOUNCIL OF THE CITYOF MOSES LAKE,WASHINGTON DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1.Chapter 18,57 oftheMoses Lake MunicipalCode entitled"Landscaping"is created as follows:
18.57.010 Purpose and Intent:The purpose ofthischapter isto establishlandscaping provisionstoachieve
the following:
A.Provide a smoothtransitionbetween adjacentproperties and bufferdifferent intensities ofland
uses
B.Maintain and enhance thecharacter and appearance of the city
C.Softenthevisual impact of paved surfaces and blank building walls
D.Reduce theeffectsoflight,noise,glare,exhaust fumes,heat,wind,erosion,and other adverseeffects
E.Provide shade
18.57.020 Applicability
A.Other thantheexceptions listed in 18.57.020.B,the requirements of thischapter shallapplytoallofthefollowing:
1.New development
2.Any change in theuse of a property requiring a land use permit
3.Any change in the use of a property requiringa change ofoccupancy permit
4.Any addition,remodel,alteration,orrepairofa structurethatincreases the grossfloorareabymorethantwentypercent(20%)or where the cost oftheaddition,remodel,alteration,
orrepair exceeds twenty-fivepercent (25%)oftheexistingassessed valueofthestructure.
B.Exceotions
1.This chapter does not applyto any use or development in theC-1 or MunicipalAirportZones,other thanparkinglots.
2.An individual one-or two-familydwelling unit on an individual lot that is not part ofasubdivisionorplanneddevelopmentdistrictapplicationisonlyrequiredtocomplywiththefollowingsectionsofthischapter:
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
18.57.030 General Requirements:AIIrequired landscaped areas shall comply with thefollowing:
A.Landscaping shallbe primarily vegetativeand consistofcombinations oftrees,shrubs,andgroundcover.Non-living natural features mayalso be incorporated.At least eighty percent(80%)ofthe ground area required to be landscaped shall be covered by livingplantmaterials,
8.Required landscape plantings shall be suitedtotheclimate,location,and physical conditionsofthesite.The use of drought-tolerant species is encouraged.
C.All landscaped areas shall be graded to prevent erosion and to facilitate the installation,O growth,and maintenance ofthelandscaping.AIIturfareas located in public right-of-waysshallhaveagradeofnogreaterthan4(h):1(v).
D.Trees and shrubs shall be chosen and located to avoid interference with underground andoverheadutilitylinesorpublicimprovements.
E.Landscaping shall be designed to insure adequate visibilityand safety of vehiculartraffic,bicyclists,pedestrians,and other users,on and off theproposed site.Height and/or spacingoflandscapingmaybemodifiedtoaccommodatesightdistances.
F.Other thana fence around an individualone-ortwo-familydwelling,all fences shallbe placedontheinwardsideofanyrequiredperimeterlandscaping.
G.To protect against thepossibility ofalltreesinone project being destroyed bydisease or pests,
a mixoftree species shallbe provided in accordance withthe followingtable:
RequiredNumber Minimum Number Maximum Percent ofAnyofTreesofSpeciesOneSpecies
11-20 2 55
21-30 3 35
31-40 4 27
41+5 22
H.Minimum Plant Sizes at Installation:
Type of Plant Minimum Sizeat Installation
street trees and other deciduous trees Two inch caliper
multi-stemmedtrees,e.g.vinemaple Sixfeet tall
evergreen trees Six feet tall
smallshrubs Twelve inches tall
mediumand tallshrubs Eighteen inches tall
I.Livinggroundcovers shall provide at least fiftypercent (50%)coverage at the timeof planting
and one hundred percent(100%)coverage withinthree(3)years,exceptthat grass sod areasshallprovideonehundredpercent(100%)coverage at installation.Living ground cover ispreferred,however materials such as riverrock,decorative gravel,wood chips,and bark may
be used inlimited amounts.
J.Ifapproved by thecity,required streetfrontage landscaping maybe placed incity right-of-way.
This area shall be maintainedbythe owner of theproperty thatabuts theright-of-way.The city
andotherpublicservices shallhave therightto remove landscaping placed on city right-of-way
for repair,replacement,or installation of utilityservices.The city willnot accept liabilityfor
damages tosaid landscaping fromfuture street expansion,meter reading,orutilityinstallation,
inspection,or repair.
K.All required landscaping shall be served by irrigation systems appropriate for the plants.
Drought-tolerant and non-drought-tolerant species shallbe groupedseparatelyand servedby
separate irrigation systems.
L.The incorporation of existingvegetation,especially healthy trees,is strongly encouraged.
Where existingtrees and associated vegetation serve the same or similar function as therequiredlandscaping,theymay substitute for the required landscaping,provided treesarehealthyandappropriateforthesiteatmaturesize.When necessary,existingvegetationshall
be supplemented with new plantingsto accomplishthe specificintent and purpose of this
chapter.
M.Landscape requirements containedinthischapterare minimums.Additional landscaping is
encouraged.
N.Areas within twohundred feet (200')oftheshorelineorassociated wetlands are subject tothe
State ofWashington Shoreline Management Actand the CityofMoses Lake Shoreline Master
Program.
O.Intheevent of a conflict between the content of thischapter and other regulations,the more
restrictive regulations shall apply.
18.57.040 Specific Reguirements
A.Buffers:When adjacent tothe uses listed,thesubject property shall provide the type and
widthoflandscaping listed inthe tablebelowalongtheentirepropertyline between thesubject
propertyand theadjacent use,except for vehicular and pedestrian access points.The width
of the landscaped strip along street frontage may be measured from the back of curb;
however,thewidth ofany sidewalkshall be excluded.Ifa building is located inthebufferarea,
the landscaping displaced by the building shall be located elsewhere on the site.Types of
landscaping are as described inSection 18.57.050.
ORD.1857/Page 3
SUBJECT PROPERTY USE
1 &2 Family Multi-family Manufactured Commercial/IndustrialADJACENTUSESubdivisionHomeParkInstitutional
freeway or Type I Type i Type I Type 11 Type Ilhighway20feetwide20feetwide20feetwide10feetwide10feetwide
street frontage Type III Type III Type III Type III Type II5feetwide5feetwide5feetwide10feetwide20feetwide
1 &2 Family or Type II TypeII Type Il Type Ivacantlandzoned5feetwide10feetwide10feetwide15feet wideR-1 or R-2
Multi-familyor Type II Type III Type11 Type II Type Ivacantlandzoned10feetwide5feetwide10feetwide10feetwide15feet wideR-3
Manufactured Type II Type III Type II Type iHomePark10feetwide5feetwide10feetwide15feet wide
Commerciall Type il Type II Type Il Type IIInstitutionalor10feetwide5feetwide10feetwide10feetwidevacantlandzonedC-1 or C-2
Industrial or vacant Type II Type I Type II Type IllandzonedI-L 10 feet wide 5 feet wide 10 feet wide 10 feet wide
B.Parking Areas:Parkingareas shall be landscaped toprovide shade and visual reliefwhilemaintainingclearlinesofsight.
1.Landscaping shall be providedwithin and/oraround allsurface parkinglots containingten(10)or moreparking stalls.Landscaping shall be providedat a rate oftwenty(20)squarefeetperparkingstall.Other required landscaping may not be counted towardthistotal.At a minimum,landscaping shallconsistofgroundcover and shade treeswith a minimummaturecanopyspreadoffifteenfeet(15').
2.The minimumarea per planter shall be one hundred (100)square feet.
3.Landscaped areas shall be distributed aroundand/orthroughouttheparkinglotso thatthemaximumdistancebetweenthetrunkofshadetreeandanyparkingstallshallbenomorethanfiftyfeet(50').
4.Permanent curbsor structuralbarriers shallbe providedto protect thelandscape plantingsfromvehicleoverhang.
5.Trees shall be planted at least four feet (4')from theoutside edge of theplantingarea.
6.No plantmaterialgreaterthantwelveinches (12")inheight shallbe located within twofeet(2')oftheedge of a landscaped area adjacent to a parkingstall.
C.Residential landscaping
1.Front Yard Setback:The required front yard setback of all residentialuses shall belandscapedwithinone(1)year of occupancy and maintained.For the purposes of thissection,landscaping shallbe defined as the additionof lawn,trees,plants,shrubs,andothernaturalanddecorativefeatures.
2.Multi-familystructures:Multi-familyresidential uses shall also landscape therequired openspaceareassothattheyareusableforoutdoorrecreation.
3.Manufactured home Darks:Allareas withintheboundaries ofthemanufactured home parkshallbelandscaped.Alllawns,trees,landscaping,occupied and unoccupied manufac-O tured home spaces,recreation areas,and open space areas shall be continuallymain-tained.A permanent irrigation system shall be installed and maintained for plantedcommonareas.
D.Building Facade Landscapina:Blank buildingfacades morethantwentyfeet(20')in height orfiftyfeet(50')in widthor lengthshall be landscaped withType lillandscaping toprovide visualreliefandsoftentheeffectofthenewbuildingonthesurroundingarea.
18.57.050 Landscape Buffers-Tynes and descriptions:When the followingtypesof buffers are required bythischapter,the minimumstandards shall be as described below.As an alternative,in allcasesexceptforstreetfrontagelandscaping,the shrubs may be eliminatedif a six foot (6')sight-obscuring fence orwallis installed.
A.Type I Landscapinq:Type I landscaping is a "fullscreen"that functions as a visual barrier.This landscaping is typicallyfoundadjacent tofreeways and between residentialand non-residential areas.Type Ilandscaping shallconsist of:
1.Primarilyevergreen or densely-branchingdeciduous treesand shrubs placed toform acontinuousall-season screen at least six feet (6')tallwithin three(3)years of planting.
Trees and shrubs may be offsetor staggered,rather thanina single line.Otherdeciduous
trees and shrubs may be incorporated for seasonal interest,provided the screening
functionofthelandscaping isnotcompromised.Trees and shrubsshallbe spaced sothat
theywilltouchor overlapat mature size.
2.Ground cover.
B.Type Il Landscaping:Type Il landscaping is a "filteredscreen"thatfunctions as a visual
separator betweensimilaruses.This landscaping is typicallyfound between commercialand
industrial uses;between differing types of residentialdevelopment;and to screen industrial
uses from thestreet Type Il landscaping shallconsist of:
1.A mixofevergreen and deciduous treesand shrubs.Trees and shrubs may be offset orstaggered,ratherthan ina singleline.
2.At least one (1)tree and four (4)shrubs shall be provided for each twenty(20)lineal feet
of propertyline being screened.
3.Requiredshrubs must achieve a height of fourfeet (4')within three(3)years.
4.Groundcover.
C.Tvoe IIILandscaning:Type IIIlandscaping is a "see-throughbuffer"to providevisual relief
between compatible uses and tosoftentheappearance ofstreets,parking areas,and building
facades.This landscapingis typicallyfound along street frontages or between apartment
developments.Type Illlandscaping shallconsist of:
1.Oneand twofamily residential subdivisions
a.A mixof trees,withone (1)tree for each forty (40)lineal feet offrontage.Trees maybespacedirregularlyorclusteredratherthanuniformlyspaced,
b.Groundcover.O2.Allother uses
a.A mixoftrees,withone (1)treefor each twenty-five(25)lineal feetofstreet frontage
or facade length or width.Trees may be spaced irregularly or clustered rather than
uniformlyspaced.
b.A mix of evergreen anddeciduous shrubs thatdo notexceed a height of four feet (4')at maturity,spaced notmore than four feet (4')apart,
c.Groundcover.
18.57.060 Submittal Requirements:A landscape plan shall be prepared bya person experienced in theselectionandinstallationofplants.For multifamilyprojects with five(5)or more units and non-
residential projects with morethan twentythousand(20,000)square feet ofgross floor area,thelandscapeplanshallbepreparedbyoneofthefollowing:licensed landscape architect,Washing-
tonState CertifiedNurseryman,orWashington State Certified Landscaper.Alandscape planshall
accompany alldevelopment applications and shall containthefollowinginformation at a minimum:
A.Name and address or location ofproject
B.Date ofthe plan
C.North arrowand scale (1"=50'or larger)
D.Allproperty lines,rights-of-way,streets,walks,vehicular drives,parking lots,curbing,existing
and proposedstructures,buildingentrances,overhead and undergroundutilities,freestanding
lights,service or loading areas,signs,open spaces,plazas,and recreation amenities,with
materialsnoted
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 theoveralllandscape
F.A plant schedule which indicates thescientific and commonnames,quantities,spacing,and
sizes at planting and maturity forallplants in thelandscape plan
G.Location,sizes and species ofexistingsignificant trees as defined in section 18.57.080.Areas
with existing vegetation that willbe retainedshould be marked and described
ORD.1857/PAGE 5
H.A legend which shows symbols and typesof plant
I.Location and details of irrigation system.The source of water and typeofirrigation systemshallbenoted
J.Location and dimensions of any designated sensitive areas and required sensitive areabuffers,as defined in Moses Lake Municipal Code Title 19
K.Plant materialsshown on thelandscaping planat threequarters (3/4)maturesize in appropri-ate relation to the chosen scale of the plan,except thatmature size shall be used for plantsthatwillreachmaturesizewithinfive(5)years of planting
L.Acalculation ofthe square footage of landscaping proposed,with separate totalsforlivingandnon-living landscape
M.Such other submissions consistent with thischapter as may be required by CommunityDevelopment
17.13.070 Approval of Landscape Plan and Installation of Landscaping
A.Afterreceiptofa completelandscape plan,alldevelopmentapplicationsshall be reviewedbytheCommunityDevelopmentDivisionforcompliancewiththischapterconcurrentlywithand
as a part of thereview process of the principal use orstructure and prior to issuance of anygrading,building,or land use permit or approval.
B.No Certificate of Occupancy,or final inspection approval if no Certificate of Occupancy isrequired,shallbe issued untilone of the followingoccur:
1.The required landscaping is installed.
2.A bondorsome otherform ofcash surety acceptable tothe city is submittedat a valueofonehundredtwentypercent(120%)of the estimated cost to completethe landscapingaccordingtotheapprovedlandscapeplan.Uponcompletionofthelandscape installation,thecityshallpromptlyrelease the surety.Iftherequired landscaping improvementsarenotmadewithinsix(6)months of occupancy of thebuilding,the city mayuse the suretytoinstallthelandscaping.
18.57.080 Preservation and Care of Significant Trees:Developments shall retainsignificant trees to theOmaximumextentpractical.Areas devotedtoaccess and areas to be cleared for required roads,utilities,sidewalks,trails,orstormdrainage improvements are exempt from thisrequirement.
A.Significant trees are healthy treesthatdo notpresent a safety hazard,are notlisted in Section18.57.100 as prohibited,and thatmeet one or more ofthefollowing criteria:
1.Sixinches (6")orgreater in diameter measured fourfeet (4')above grade
2.Part ofa grouping of five (5)or more treeswithcanopies thattouchor overlap
3.Member ofa uniqueor unusual species
4.Withintwenty-fivefeet (25')ofa sensitivearea or buffer,as defined in MLMCTitle 19
B.The following measures shall be used toprotect significant trees during construction:
1.There shall be no clearing orgrading ofthe site until after approval of the landscape plan.
2.The developer shallinstall a temporarybut immovable fence fourfeet (4')high around thetreeatthedriplinetopreventdisturbanceduringconstruction.
3.There shall be no impervious surfaces,fill,excavation,or storage ofmaterialswithinthefencedarea.
4.Ifthe grade level around the tree is tobe raised by more thanone foot (1'),a rockwellshallbeconstructedaroundthetree,withtheinside diameterof thewell corresponding tothedriplineofthetree.No fillis allowed inside the well area.
5,The grade level shall not be lowered within the larger of the two(2)areas defined asfollows:
a.The drip lineof thetree,or
b.An area aroundthetreeequal to one foot (1')in diameterforeach inch of tree trunkdiametermeasuredfourfeet(4')above theground.
C.Altemative protectionmeasures may be used ifthe city determines theywillprovide equal orgreatertreeprotection.
18.57.090 Maintenance Requirements
A.Plant Maintenance:The property owner shall maintain all landscape plant materialfor thelife
oftheproject Allunhealthy ordead plantmaterials shall be replaced within thenext planting
season,notto exceed one hundred eighty (180)days from thedate ofloss.Trees and shrubsshallonlybeprunedandtrimmedasnecessarytomaintainahealthygrowingconditionortopreventasafetyhazard.Planted areas shallbe maintainedfree oftrashand weeds.
B.Irrigation:AIIportions of any irrigation system shall be maintained in order to pelform its
original function.Uncontrolled emission of water from any pipe,valve,head,emitter or other
irrigation device shall be considered evidence of lack of maintenance and a violation ofthisordinance.
C.Hardscape:Maintenance ofall landscape areas shall also include the painting,repairing,
reconstruction,and restoration of landscape structures such as fences,walls,trellises,etc.
18.57.100 Prohibited plants
A.The followingtrees are prohibited within public right-of-way,including planter strips:poplar,
willow,cottonwood,fruittreesother than ornamental,nut trees,Siberianor Chinese elm,or
any other tree species thatmay be declared a nuisance bythecityfor reasons of disease,
exoticcharacteristics,or impairing or destroying property necessary to thehealth,welfare,and
safety of thecitizens ofthecity.
B.The following trees are prohibited within one hundred feet (100)of a public sewer:poplar,
willow,elm,cottonwood,or any other tree species with invasive roots.
C.Any plantlisted by the Grant County Weed District No.2 as a noxiousweed is prohibited.
18.57.110 Alteration of Landscape Requirements:Theapplicantmaysubmitforconsiderationa landscaping
plan thatdiffers fromthespecificcriteriaset forth inthis chapter.The applicantshallclearlyand
in detail state whatadjustments of requirements are beingrequested and the reasons thatsuch
adjustments are warranted.Theapplication shallbe accompanied by supplemental data,such assketches,surveys,and statistical information,as is deemed necessary to supportthe adjustment.The Planning Commissionmay approve,modify,or deny therequested adjustment.In approvingthealteration,thePlanning Commission shall make the followingfindings:
A.The alteration would be in keeping withand preserve the intent ofthischapter;and
B.The alterationwould not be contrary tothepublicinterest;and
C.The alteration is justifiedbased on at least one (1)ofthe following:
1.The requirementsofthischapterwouldresultin morethanfifteen percent (15%)ofthesite
area being landscaped.In such cases the Planning Commission may modify thoserequirementssothatnotmorethanfifteenpercent(15%)ofthe sitemust be landscaped,
provided that the landscaping and corresponding setbacks required are those most
beneficial to thepublic.More intensive landscaping may be required ifthe reduction in
area would reduce the effectiveness of landscaping to a point where the intent of the
landscaping type cannot be satisfied.
2.The inclusion ofsignificantexisting vegetationlocated on the site would result inas good
as or better satisfaction ofthepurposes ofthischapter.
3.Three foot (3')berms or six foot (6')architectural barriers are incorporated into the
landscape design.Adjacent totheberm or barrier,thewidth oftheperimeter landscaping
strip may be reduced up to twenty-fivepercent (25%)if the landscaping materials areincorporatedelsewhereonsite.
4.Existing conditions onoradjacent tothesite,such as significant topographicdifferences,
vegetation,structures,or utilitieswould render application of thischapter ineffective.
5.An existing or proposed structure precludes installation of the totalamount of required
perimeter landscaping.Insuch cases,the landscaping material shall be incorporated on
another portion of the site.
6.The proposed landscaping represents a superior result oris moreeffectivethan thatwhich
would be achievedby strictlyfollowingrequirements ofthissection.
18.57.120 Variances:Avariance of the regulations ofthischapter may be obtained throughthe Hearing
Examiner incompliance withthe provisions of Chapter 18.80 entitledHearing Examiner.
18.57.130 Violation
A.Upon occurrence of a violation ofthe provisions ofthischapter,the BuildingOfficialshall notify
the responsibleperson representingtheuse in violation thata violation of thischapterexists.
Such noticeshall be in writing,identify the violation,and specify the timewithin which the
ORD.1857/Page 7
prescribed actiontocorrecttheviolation must betaken.The person inviolation shallhave notlessthanseven(7)days from theissuance ofthenotice tocorrecttheviolation,unless,intheopinionoftheBuildingOfficial,there is imminent peril to property and/or tothe public health,safety,or general welfare in which case theviolation shall be corrected immediately.
B.Upon the failure,neglect,or refusal of any person so notified to correct a violation of thischapter,the BuildingOfficialshall issue a civilinfraction notice.
C.Any violationofthe provisions ofthischapter shallbe punishable as defined in Chapter 1.08oftheMosesLakeMunicipalCode.
Section 2.This ordinanceshalltake effectand be in force five (5)days after its passage and publicationofitssummaryasprovidedbylaw.
Adopted by theCityCounciland signed by its Mayor onJ ne ,1 99.
Mayor *
ATTEST:
Pinance Director
APPROVED ASTO FORM:
OltyAttorneý ¯
PUBLISHED:6/11/99
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