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 Long Beach
 Municipal Code
 Title 21. ZONING
 Chapter 21.42. LANDSCAPING STANDARDS

  § 21.42.030. General requirements.  

Latest version.

  • The following requirements shall apply to all zoning districts:

    A.

    Landscaped Area. All required yards and setback areas shall be attractively landscaped primarily with drought tolerant and native plant materials. Decorative non-living materials such as brick, stone, art, fountains and ponds may be used within the landscaped area provided such materials present an attractive setting consistent with the intent of these landscaping requirements. All landscape areas shall be completely planted or covered. "Landscape area" means all the planting areas, turf areas, and water features in a landscape design plan subject to the Maximum Applied Water Allowance calculation. The landscape area does not include footprints of buildings or structures, sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, decks, patios, and other non-irrigated areas designated for non-development (e.g., open spaces and existing native vegetation).

    1.

    A complete Landscape Document Package showing the Estimated Total Water Usage (ETWU) of all proposed plantings falling below the property's specific Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA), as specified in the Landscape Document Package application, shall be required. Selected plants shall not cause the estimated water use to exceed the landscape project's water budget.

    2.

    Non-permeable paving and non-permeable artificial turf shall not cover more than thirty percent (30%) of on-site area that is not covered by structures, driveways, and approved parking pads. To help with on-site stormwater retention and filtration along with reducing the urban heat island effect, the use of permeable and high reflectance paving materials is encouraged.

    3.

    Live plant material shall cover a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of any front setback area.

    4.

    Mulch shall be applied on all exposed soil surfaces of planting areas except in turf areas and areas of creeping or rooting groundcovers to retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, suppress weed growth, and improve landscape aesthetics.

    5.

    Compacted soils shall be transformed to a friable condition prior to any planting to aide proper on-site drainage and soil moisture retention.

    6.

    Water-efficient landscape irrigation systems on automated timers and sensors shall be used and abide by all applicable Long Beach Water Department water use prohibitions.

    7.

    Large canopy trees shall be used to help minimize urban heat island effect.

    8.

    Projects shall be designed to minimize or eliminate use of turf.

    9.

    Recirculating water systems shall be used with decorative water features. Where available, recycled water shall be used as a water source.

    10.

    Plants with similar water needs shall be planted together in distinct hydrozones based on their water, soil, sun and shade requirements. Where irrigation is required, plants with different water needs shall be irrigated with separate values. Plant groupings that mix high and low water use plants shall not be permitted.

    11.

    The use of infiltration beds, swales, and basins that allow water to collect and soak into the ground; and retention ponds that retain water, handle excess flow and filter pollutants are highly encouraged in the landscape design.

    B.

    Maintenance. All landscaped and paved areas shall be maintained in a neat, attractive, orderly and water efficient condition. All paved areas, walls and fences shall be in good repair without broken parts, holes or litter. Dead or diseased plants shall be removed and replaced with plant materials that comply with the provisions of this Chapter.

    C.

    Plans Required. When applicable, a Landscape Document Package shall be approved prior to the issuance of any planning or building permit. For projects proposing landscape area coverage with a minimum of ninety percent (90%) very low to low water use plantings, ETWU and MAWA calculations are not required in the Landscape Document Package submittal. Applicable landscaping, irrigation, planter drainage, water reuse, retention and filtration improvements shall be implemented before any final building and planning inspection is approved.

    D.

    An applicant proposing any new or rehabilitated landscape for a project subject to the requirements of Section 21.42.035 shall prepare and submit a Landscape Document Package at the time of project plan check filing. The Landscape Document Package shall contain the following components:

    1.

    MWELO Project Checklist;

    2.

    Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet;

    3.

    Landscape Design Plan;

    4.

    Irrigation Design Plan;

    5.

    Grading Plan;

    6.

    Soil Management Report.

    Approval of the Landscape Document Package shall be required prior to the issuance of building permits and before landscaping is installed. Residential and non-residential projects with an aggregate landscape area of two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet or less may comply with prescriptive compliance measures identified in the MWELO Project Checklist of the Landscape Document Package. Following landscape installation, a Certificate of Completion signed by the professional of record for the landscape and irrigation design certifying that the project was installed per the City-approved Landscape Document Package shall be filed with Development Services. The Certificate of Completion must be deemed approved before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

( ORD-16-0028 § 11, 2016; ORD-10-0031 § 6, 2010)