ARTICLE 7 LANDSCAPING REGULATIONS -------------------- (go to main index)

• (a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish standards for installation of landscaping in order to enhance the aesthetic appearance of properties within the City, ensure the quality, quantity, and appropriateness of landscape materials, effect a functional and attractive design, improve compatibility between land uses, conserve water, control soil erosion, and preserve the character of existing neighborhoods.
• (b) Criteria. Planting areas within development projects for which a landscape plan is required pursuant to subsection (c) of this section shall comply with the following criteria:
• (1) Plant location.
• a. All required setbacks shall be landscaped with live plants except for walkways, driveways, parking areas and patio areas. Non-organic ground cover shall not be used in place of plant material in planter areas unless utilized as a decorative accent.
• b. Plants shall be grouped according to similar water needs.
• c. Plants shall not interfere with safe sight distances or otherwise block vehicular, bicycle or pedestrian traffic, or conflict with the installation, maintenance, or repair of any public utility.
• d. A planting area a minimum of eighteen (18) inches in width shall separate a building from a driveway or parking area as feasible.
• e. Parking lots shall be separated from street frontages and from abutting uses by planting areas. In addition, planting areas shall be interspersed among the parking stalls as feasible, including provision of trees for appearance and shade.
• (2) Plant type.
• a. Drought-tolerant plants shall be used where feasible.
• b. Plants shall complement the architectural design of structures on the site, and shall be suitable for the soil and climatic conditions specific to the site.
• c. Plants shall be compatible with the character of the neighborhood.
• d. Plants shall be adaptable to Redondo Beach's coastal environment.
• (3) Plant size.
• a. Plants shall be sized and spaced to achieve immediate effect and shall normally not be less than a fifteen (15) gallon container for trees, five (5) gallon container for shrubs, and a one gallon container for mass planting. Groundcover coverage must be 100 percent in one year, with rooted cuttings from flats planted no more than twelve (12) inches on center, and containerized woody, shrub ground cover planted no more than three (3) feet on center.
• b. Landscape plans shall incorporate existing mature trees with trunk diameters of six (6) inches or greater that are compatible with the proposed grades, structures and hardscape. Specimen trees, thirty-six (36) inch box, or larger may be used to replace an existing mature tree that cannot feasibly be saved.
• (4) Planting areas.
• a. All planting areas shall be served by a permanent underground clock-operated water-efficient irrigation system. A drip irrigation system or other water conserving irrigation system may be required where feasible.
• b. All sloped planting areas abutting hardscape shall be surrounded with a minimum six (6) inch high concrete curb where necessary to prevent erosion.
• (c) Landscape and irrigation plans required. A landscape plan and irrigation plan drawn to scale and dimensioned shall be submitted to the Planning Division for all new projects in all non-residential zones, and for all new residential projects of two (2) or more units. A landscape plan and irrigation plan may be required in conjunction with other projects requiring Administrative Design Review, Planning Commission Review, Conditional Use Permit, or Variance.
• (1) Landscape plan, contents. A landscape plan shall contain at a minimum the following information:
• a. List of plants (common and Latin);
• b. Plant size;
• c. Plant location, with size and type identification.
• (2) Irrigation plan, contents. An irrigation plan shall contain at a minimum the following information:
• a. Location, type and size of lines;
• b. Location, type, gallonage output, and coverage of heads;
• c. Location and sizes of valves;
• d. Location and type of controller;
• e. Location and type of backflow prevention device;
• f. Available water pressure, water meter outlet size, and flow rates at meter.
• (d) Maintenance of landscape. Planting areas shall be permanently maintained, including watering, weeding, pruning, trimming, edging, fertilizing, insect control, and replacement of plant materials and irrigation equipment as needed to preserve the health and appearance of plant materials. All trees, shrubs, and plants which, due to accident, damage, disease, or other cause, fail to show a healthy growth shall be replaced. Replacement plants shall conform to all the standards which govern the original planting installation.
• (e) Street tree requirements. Street tree species, size, spacing, and planting standards shall be subject to approval of the Superintendent of Parks. No existing street tree shall be removed without the approval of the City.

(Ord. 2756 c.s., eff. January 18, 1996)

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