Chapter VII. DEVELOPMENT DESIGN AND IMPROVEMENT STANDARDS

Appendix 7.09.00. LANDSCAPING AND SCREENING

§ 7.09.04. General Landscaping Requirements.

Latest version.

The following landscaping requirements shall apply to all non-residential and residential uses including but not limited to mobile home parks/subdivisions, single-family subdivisions, recreational vehicle parks, and multi-family residential uses, including all requested changes in use, except for those use interior to a common shopping center or similar multi-user building or structure provided that no additional parking is required, regardless of whether a site plan is required or not. All development activity shall comply with the provisions of the Vegetation Protection and Preservation of the Land Development Code (6.00.00), which shall supersede the provisions of this Section to the extent of conflict. Existing vegetation may be used towards landscape requirements, in accordance with the guidelines set up in Section 7.09.03(E)(8), with approval from the Environmental Resources Director. For the purposes of native tree protection, dimensional criteria in this section shall be reasonably flexible, with approval from the Environmental Resources Director.

Required Landscaping Adjacent to Public or Private Street or Road Rights-of-Way. The area between any building, off-street parking area or other vehicular use area abutting a street or road right-of-way, shall be designed and landscaped as follows:

A strip of land at least fifteen (15) feet in depth shall be located abutting street or road right-of-way and shall be landscaped to include one (1) tree for each thirty (30) linear feet of abutting right-of-way or major fraction thereof to be planted as far away from the right-of-way line as to allow for the installation, maintenance, repair or replacement of water/wastewater infrastructure.

In addition, a hedge, wall or other durable landscaping barrier shall be placed along the interior perimeter of this required landscaped strip.

All property lying between the right-of-way and off-street parking or other vehicular use area outside the required landscaped strip shall be landscaped with at least grass or other ground cover.

Landscaping shall be designed so that it will not interfere with the function of utility easements.

Necessary accessways from the public right-of-way through all such landscaping shall be permitted to service the principal use, parking or other vehicular use areas.

Noncontinuous landscaped earthen berms may be used in conjunction with the planting of a continuous hedge provided that the intent of the visual barrier created by the hedge is maintained. Maximum slope ratios for all earthen berms shall be no greater than 3:1.

Fences, walls or other similar barriers, whether they are constructed of opaque materials or not, may be located in any required yard, consistent with the provision for Section 8.00.00 of this Code. All required perimeter landscaping shall be located on the outside (street side) of the wall or fence. Any brick, masonry, stockade or similarly constructed wall adjacent to a public or private street right-of-way shall be designed and constructed so that the wall face facing the street or road is articulated in such manner as not to result in a continuous flat wall surface facing the street or road right-of-way. Figure 7-31 generally depicts the placement of a fence or wall along a public or private street right-of-way. Pedestrian and vehicular access through any wall or fence are permitted, however the wall or fence shall be places so that adequate sight distance at any vehicular or pedestrian access is maintained. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to maintain all landscaping along the outside edge of any fence or wall consistent with the requirements of this Code.

Perimeter Landscaping Relating to Abutting Properties.

When an off-street parking area or other vehicular use area will not be entirely screened by an intervening building or structure from abutting property, that portion of such area not screened shall be provided with a landscaped buffer of not less than ten (10) feet in width. Such landscaped buffer shall be designed and planted with a hedge or other durable landscape barrier not less than four (4) feet in height at planting, and to be maintained so as, to form a six (6) foot or higher continuous unbroken, solid visual screen after eighteen (18)months, between the off-street parking area or other vehicular use area and such abutting property. Such landscaped barrier shall be located between the common lot line and the off-street parking area and other vehicular use areas.

In addition, one (1) tree shall be provided for each thirty (30) linear feet or major fraction thereof of such landscape barrier.

Fences, walls or other similar barriers, whether they are constructed of opaque materials or not, may be located within any required yard, consistent with the provisions of Section 8.00.00 of this Code. All required perimeter landscaping shall be located along the outside of the wall or fence. Pedestrian access through any wall or fence may be permitted, however the wall or fence shall be placed so that adequate sight distance at the pedestrian access is maintained. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to maintain all landscaping along the outside edge of any fence or wall consistent with the requirements of this Code.

Parking and Other Vehiclular Use Area Interior Landscaping.

Generally. Surface parking and other vehicular use areas shall have at least one (1) square foot of interior landscaping for every eighteen (18) square feet or major fraction thereof of off-street parking and vehicular use area. Each separately landscaped area shall contain a minimum of one hundred eighty (180) square feet and shall have a minimum width of at least ten (10) feet and shall include at least one (1) shade tree of an appropriate species with the remaining area adequately landscaped with shrubs, ground cover, or other authorized landscaping material not to exceed three (3) feet in height.

Properties that are designated Industrial Extraction (IX), and Utilities (U) will be exempt from any parking area interior landscaping requirements and only need to provide interior landscaping for any required parking/access aisle areas. All other vehicular use areas are exempt from the interior landscaping requirements.

Vehicle Encroachments into Landscaped Areas. The front of a vehicle may not encroach upon any landscaped area. Two (2) feet of the required depth of each parking space abutting on a landscaped area may be planted in extra grass or ground cover provided that a suitable motor vehicle stop is provided.

Terminal Landscape Islands. Each row of parking stalls shall be required to end in a landscaped island which shall measure no less than ten (10) feet in width, or less than fifteen (15) feet in length. At least one (1) shade tree of an appropriate species shall be provided for each terminal island.

Interior Landscape Areas. No more than ten (10) parking spaces shall be permitted in a continuous row without being interrupted by a minimum landscape area of one hundred eighty (180) square feet for a single row of parking or four hundred (400) square feet for a double row of parking. The number of continuous parking places and the minimum required distance may be altered to accommodate existing trees. Each interior landscaped area shall have a minimum width of ten (10) feet. One (1) shade tree of an appropriate species shall be provided for each interior island.

Curbing. All terminal landscaped islands and interior landscaped areas shall be surrounded with a continuous raised, nonmountable curb in accordance with the specifications for public works of St. Lucie County as identified in Chapter XIII of this Code.

Median Landscaping.

A linear landscape median between two (2) abutting rows of parking may be used to satisfy, in part, the requirements of this Section relative to interior landscaping. Terminal islands are required as described in Section 7.09.04(C)(3).

A landscaped parking lot median must be a minimum of eight (8) feet in width and provide for the planting of at least one (1) shade tree of an appropriate species for every thirty (30) linear feet of median length or fraction thereof. All parking lot median landscaped areas shall be protected with a continuous, raised, nonmountable curb in accordance with the specifications for public works of St. Lucie County as identified in Chapter XIII of this Code.

Reserved Parking Area Landscape Requirements (7.06.02 (B) (4)). Where, in the determination of the Growth Management Director, in consultation with the Environmental Resources Director, the required number of parking and loading spaces is excessive for a specific use, the owner or agent may substitute landscaping in lieu of paving provided said areas are reserved for future parking and loading should the County find those are needed, and further provided:

The owner of the land upon which such parking is being reserved shall enter into a written agreement with the County. The agreement shall be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, with enforcement running to the County ensuring that the reserved parking and loading area shall never be encroached upon, used, sold, leased, or conveyed, for any purpose except in conjunction with the building or use which the reserved parking area serves so long as the off-street parking facilities are required. The agreement shall include a schematic portrayal as to how the required parking and loading areas will be provided.

The owner of the land upon which such reserved parking and loading area is located agrees to bear the expense of recording the agreement which shall bind his/her heirs, successors, or assigns.

The written agreement shall be voided by the County if the reserved parking and loading area is converted to usable parking area or if the reserved parking area is no longer required.

No handicapped parking areas may be included within a reserved parking area.

Visibility for Landscaping Adjacent to the Public Rights-of-Way and Points of Access. When an accessway intersects a public right-of-way or when the subject property abuts the intersection of two (2) or more public rights-of-way, all landscaping within the triangular areas described below shall provide unobstructed cross-visibility at a level between three (3) feet and six (6) feet, provided, however, trees or palms having limbs and foliage trimmed in such a manner that no limbs or foliage extend into the cross-visibility area shall be allowed provided they are so located so as not to create a traffic hazard. Landscaping, except required grass or ground cover, shall not be located closer than three (3) feet from the edge of any accessway pavement. The triangular areas referred to above are:

The areas of property on both sides of an accessway formed by the intersection of each side of the accessway and the public right-of-way line with two (2) sides of each triangle being fifteen (15) feet in length from the point of intersection and the third side being a line connecting the ends of the two (2) other sides.

The area of property located at the corner formed by the intersection of two (2) or more public rights-of-way with two (2) sides of the triangular area being thirty (30) feet in length along the abutting public right-of-way lines, measured from their point of intersection, and the third side being a line connecting the ends of the other two (2) lines.

Landscaped Buffer Areas Between Non-Residential or Residential Structure(s) Housing Three (3) or More Dwelling Units and Single-Family or Two-Family Residential Uses. All side and rear yard perimeter buffer areas between non-residential or residential structure(s) housing three (3) or more dwelling units and single family or two family residential uses shall be landscaped with a masonry wall or opaque wood fence of at least eight (8) feet in height that forms a continuous screen between the uses. All masonry walls or opaque wood fences shall be landscaped with a continuous hedge along both the inside and outside base of the wall or fence. One (1) tree shall be planted along the wall or fence for each thirty (30) linear feet or major fraction thereof of the length of the wall or fence. Tree plantings shall be alternated so that at least sixty percent (60%) of the required number of trees is located on the outside of the wall or fence. The remaining forty (40) percent of the required perimeter tree plantings shall be located on the inside face of the wall or fence. Existing native vegetation may be used to satisfy all or part of the landscape planting requirements of this paragraph upon the approval of the Environmental Resources Director.

All fences or walls shall be treated with an anti-graffiti surface treatment. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to removal any graffiti that may be applied to the wall or fence. In addition, the owner shall be responsible for the maintenance of all landscaping along both the inside and outside edge of any wall or fence. This landscaping shall be maintained in a good condition so as to present a healthy, neat, and orderly appearance free from refuse and debris. Maintenance shall include the replacement of all unhealthy and dead material within sixty (60) days in conformance with the approved site plan/or landscape plan. Violations of this section, or failure to maintain all required landscaping shall be grounds for referral to the Code Enforcement Board for appropriate enforcement actions. The sixty-day rule for compliance may be extended, when necessary, by the Environmental Resources Director or his/her designee to permit recovery from acts of nature such as a hurricane or a freeze.

Masonry walls or opaque wood fences may be located within any required yard, consistent with the provisions of Section 8.00.00 of this Code. The requirement for this perimeter masonry wall or opaque wood fence may be waived by the Environmental Resources Director if it is shown to the satisfaction of the Environmental Resources Director either that the adjoining properties owners have signed a consent that indicates their desire not to have the required masonry wall or opaque wood fence constructed along their property line, or that the Environmental Resources Director determines that a waiver is necessary to preserve any significant, protected or historic native vegetation. In the event that any such consent is issued, the owner of the property on which the nonresidential development is taking place shall need to comply with the standards of Section 7.09.04(B) of this Code as those standards relate to perimeter screening. All other landscaping provisions of this Code shall apply as applicable.

Pedestrian access through any wall or fence may be permitted, however, the wall or fence shall be placed so that adequate sight distance at the pedestrian access is maintained. Any wall or fence constructed adjacent to a public or private street right-of-way shall be designed and constructed so that the wall face facing the street or road is articulated in such manner as not to result in a continuous flat wall surface facing the street or road right-of-way. Figure 7-31 generally depicts the placement of a fence or wall along a public or private street right-of-way.

For the purpose of this section, non-residential uses shall not include any permitted or accessory use located in the institutional (I) or Religious Facilities (RF) Zoning District, except that a perimeter buffer area between any residential zoning district and a permitted or accessory use in the Institutional (I) or Religious Facilities (RF) Zoning District, shall consist of a landscaped masonry wall, opaque wood fence, hedge or other durable landscaped barrier of at least six (6) feet in height that forms a continuous screen between the uses. If a masonry wall or other non-living material screen is used to provide this required buffer, the masonry wall or other non-living material screen shall be landscaped with a continuous hedge along the base of the wall and with one (1) tree for each thirty (30) linear feet or major fraction thereof of wall length. All required perimeter landscaping shall be located along the outside of the wall. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to maintain all landscaping along the outside edge of any wall consistent with the requirements of this Code. If vegetative landscape screens are installed, they shall be required to form a solid visual screen at time of planting. When existing vegetation is inadequate to function as a visual screen, it shall be augmented by two (2) staggered rows of shrub material at least six (6) feet in height.

To the extent permitted under Section 7.09.03(E)(7) of this Code, the Environmental Resources Director shall encourage the use of preserved native vegetation as meeting the intent and requirements of this Section. When making such a determination, the Environmental Resources Director shall attach a report to the building plans or development permits, with supporting photographs or other acceptable documentation, that indicates how the existing native vegetation meets the intent of this Section. The Environmental Resources Director may require a conservation easement or similar restrictive covenant, if the easement or covenant is necessary to ensure compliance with the terms of this section. Any developer seeking to utilize the provisions of Section 7.09.03(E)(7) to meet the requirements of this Section shall be required to maintain this native preserve area in perpetuity. If this preserve area is ever substantially altered or removed so that it no longer meets the intent of this Section, the developer shall be required to meet in the screening requirements of this Section.

The provisions of this Section, excluding the maintenance requirements may be varied by the Environmental Resources Director for any minor or major site plan, Planned Development Project (PUD, PNRD, or PMUD) if it shown through the Preliminary and Final Development Plan review process that the intent of this Section is being complied with and that all other applicable provisions of this Code are being met. A waiver of the provisions of this section shall require the approval of the Board of County Commissioners.

Off-Street Loading Spaces and Waste Receptacles. All off-street loading spaces and waste receptacles shall be fully screened from any residential use by a uniformly colored, solid visual and auditory barrier of not less than six (6) feet in height, or a densely planted landscape screen consisting of evergreen shrubs or trees that shall be at least four (4) feet in height when planted and that can be expected to reach at least six (6) feet in height within eighteen (18) months. The screening shall extend the full length of any loading facility with openings as required for ingress and egress; however, there shall not be greater than twenty percent (20%) open space within the screen.

Existing Off-Street Parking and Loading Lots. When an off-street parking or loading lot existed as of the effective date of this Code and such off-street parking lot is enlarged in area or capacity, the entire parking lot, both old and new, shall comply with this Code.

Landscaping and Screening Requirements for Back-Siphonage and Backflow Preventers.

It shall be the responsibility of the developer to landscape and screen backflow preventers.

Backflow preventers shall be placed on private property.

A continuous landscaped buffer shall be placed around the backflow prevention device, to provide a visual screen from adjacent properties. All shrubs or hedges shall be a minimum of eighteen (18) inches above grade immediately after planting, and shall be planted and maintained so as to form a four (4) foot or higher continuous, unbroken, solid visual screen within one (1) year after the time of planting.

Landscaping Requirements for Residential Structures of Three (3) or Fewer Units.

Any new residential structure containing one (1), two (2), or three (3) units must preserve or plant one (1) tree for every 2,500 square feet of the subject lot or parcel of land, up to a maximum planting of seventeen (17) trees per lot or parcel. On any lot or parcel greater than one (1) acre in area, the provisions of Section 6.00.00, Vegetation Protection and Preservation, shall be complied with.

All trees preserved or planted in order to meet this landscaping requirement shall meet the standards of Section 7.09.03(E)(2) of this Code.

One hundred percent (100%) of the planted trees shall consist of native species such as Live Oaks (Quercus virginiana), Laurel Oaks (Quercus laurifola), slash pine (Pinus elliotti), or other species listed in Section 7.09.04(L)(2) Native and Drought-Tolerant Vegetation.

Automatic irrigation systems shall be equipped with an automatic rain shut-off device.

Landscaping Requirements for Enclosed Buildings or Groups of Buildings Used for the Production of Food, Produce, Animals (Land or Water Species), or Ornamental Plants or Trees in a Agricultural Zoning District.

Any new enclosed building, or group of buildings, used for the production of food, animals (land or water species) or ornamental products, excluding pole barns, sheds or barns used for the housing or sheltering of animals or livestock as an accessory use to the agricultural production operations, shall provide a minimum ten (10) foot wide landscape strip adjacent to, and around the perimeter of the building or group of buildings used for this purpose. This landscape strip shall include at least one (1) tree, meeting the requirements of this Code, for every thirty (30) liner feet of the building or group of buildings perimeter.

One hundred percent (100%) of the planted trees shall consist of native species such as Live Oaks (quercus virginiana), Laurel Oaks (quercus laurifola), slash pine (pinus elliotti), or other species listed in Section 7.09.04(L)(2) Native and Drought-Tolerant Vegetation.

Exceptions/Administrative Relief: The Public Works Director may grant relief from the requirements of this paragraph if it is shown to the satisfaction of the Public Works Director that the building or group of buildings being used for the production of food, animals (land or water species) or ornamental plants or trees is:

a.)

More that five hundred (500) feet from any adjacent property that is not under the ownership or control of the developing party. Road right-of-way and drainage canal right-of-way are not excluded from this property determination; or,

b.)

Is adequately screened by an existing native vegetation buffer meeting the intent of this paragraph. This existing native vegetative buffer must be located on the property that the building or group of buildings is located on. If relief is granted under this paragraph, and if the native vegetation buffer is ever removed fro any reason, the property owner shall be responsible to provide new plantings consistent with the requirements of this code.

Off-Street Site Lighting Requirements and General Design Standards.

General Requirements. Where artificial outdoor lighting is provided, it shall be designed and arranged so that no source of the lighting will be a visible nuisance to adjoining property used or zoned for a residential purpose. In addition, the lighting shall be so designed and arranged so as to shield public streets and highways and all adjacent properties from direct glare or hazardous interference of any kind. For non-residential properties that abut property used or zoned for a residential purpose to the rear, or side, the following shall apply:

For properties with a depth in excess of two hundred (200) feet: The maximum allowable mounting height of all outdoor light fixtures within fifty (50) feet from the front property line is twenty-five (25) feet, provided that such fixtures shall be shielded from public streets and highways to prevent direct glare or hazardous interference of any kind.

The maximum allowable mounting height of all outdoor light fixtures between fifty (50) feet from the front property line and seventy-five (75) feet from the rear property line is twenty (20) feet provided that such fixtures shall be shielded from all adjacent properties to prevent direct glare or hazardous interference of any kind.

The maximum allowable mounting height of all outdoor light fixtures within seventy-five (75) feet from any property line abutting a residential zoning district, including the AR-1 zoning district is six (6) feet, or not to extend above the height of the buffer wall.

For properties with a depth less than two hundred (200) feet: The maximum allowable mounting height of all outdoor light fixtures within twenty-five (25) feet from the front property line is twenty-five (25) feet. provided that such fixtures shall be shielded from public streets and highways to prevent direct glare or hazardous interference of any kind.

The maximum allowable mounting height of all outdoor light fixtures between twenty-five (25) feet from the front property line and twenty-five (25) feet from the rear property line is twenty (20) feet provided that such fixtures shall be shielded from all adjacent properties to prevent direct glare or hazardous interference of any kind.

The maximum allowable mounting height of all outdoor light fixtures within twenty-five (25) feet from any property line abutting a residential zoning district including the AR-1 zoning district is six (6) feet or not to extend above the height of the buffer wall.

All outdoor lighting installations shall use concealed source fixtures. These shall be cut-off type fixtures in which the lenses do not project below the opaque section of the fixture. All lighting fixtures shall be mounted with a zero degree tilt. Ground mounted flood and spotlight fixtures that are used to illuminate the building facade are exempt from this requirement. Fixture styles shall be consistent throughout the site.

Ground mounted flood and spotlights, if used. shall be placed on standards pointing toward the building or wall and positioned so as to prevent light from glaring onto residential areas, rather than the buildings or walls and directed outward which creates dark shadows adjacent to the buildings.

Building mounted outdoor lighting fixtures, other than those required by ordinances and regulations of the County, are prohibited on the rear or sides of buildings adjacent to residential zoning districts, including the AR-1 zoning district. All other building mounted outdoor lighting fixtures required by ordinances and regulations of the County shall be shielded to prevent light from glaring on residential areas.

All outdoor lighting fixtures in place prior to March 1, 1999, shall be permitted to continue operation. However, any outdoor lighting fixture that replaces an existing fixture. or any existing fixture that is moved, must meet the standards of this Code. Existing fixtures that direct light toward streets, and are determined to be a traffic hazard, or existing fixtures that direct light toward adjoining property used or zoned for a residential purpose shall be either shielded or redirected within 90 days of notification.

Parks and recreational uses are exempt from the above requirements.

Nothing in this Section is intended to contravene the requirements of Section 6.04.02 (Sea Turtle Protection). In the event of a conflict between these regulations, the stricter to the two (2) standard shall apply. The Public Works Director is empowered to determine the stricter of the two (2) standards to be applied.

Standards for Native and Drought-Tolerant Vegetation.

When a development is designated as a major, minor, or planned site plan under the provisions of Section 11.02.02 of this Code, water-wise design incorporating the following standards shall be required, in addition to the general landscape standards in Section 7.09.00.

At least fifty percent (50%) of the minimum landscaping required by Section 7.09.00 shall consist of water-wise plant materials as defined in Sections 7.09.04(L), 7.09.04(M) or 7.09.04(N) except that one hundred percent (100%) of required lawn areas shall consist of water-wise grasses listed in Section 7.09.04(L)(2)(a). Each type of required landscaping, such as trees, shrubs, vines, and lawn areas shall be calculated separately, and each type shall meet the required percentage minimum of defined water-wise plant materials.

Plant materials shall be grouped according to watering requirements in order to prevent over-watering of water-wise plant materials. Proposed irrigation zones shall be shown on the landscaping plan. Such zones shall take into consideration both plant material and microclimate factors, such as northern or southern exposure, shade or full sun, slope, and berming.

Ground covers approved under Section 7.09.04(L)(2)(g) may be used instead of grass when planting strips are eight (8) feet wide or less.

Plant Materials. All plants utilized to meet the water-wise requirement shall be site appropriate, and shall be selected from the following lists or be water-wise and non-invasive species approved by the Public Works Director. In approving other plant materials, the Director shall consider criteria including, but not limited to, soil type, hydrology, and climate.

Grasses:

(1)

Bahia grass (may be mixed with ryegrass);

(2)

St. Augustine grass;

(3)

Other grass serving a site specific need approved by the Public Works Director.

Ground Cover/Accent Plants:

COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME
AFRICAN BUSH DAISY	gamolepis chrysanthemoides	DWARF LILY TURF,
MONDO GRASS	ophiopogon japonicus
AFRICAN IRIS	dietes vegeta	ENGLISH IVY	hedera helix
AGAPANTHUS	agapanthus orientalis, a. africanus	FAKAHATCHEE GRASS	tripsacum dactyloides
AMARYLLIS	hippeastrum x hybridum	FALSE HEATHER	cuphea hyssopifolia
BAY CEDAR	suriana maritima	BEACH MORNING GLORY	ipomea imperati
BEACH DUNE SUNFLOWER	helianthus debilis	MARSH ELDER	iva frutescens
BEAUTY BERRY	callicarpa americana	LIRIOPE, LILYTURF	liriope muscari
BIRD OF PARADISE	strelixia reginae	NECKLACE POD	sophora tomentosa
BLANKET FLOWER	gaillardia pulchella	PARSONS JUNIPER	juniperus squamata expansa 'parsoni'
BLUE RUG JUNIPER	juniperus horizontalis 'wiltonii'	PENTAS	pentas Ianceolata
BLUE DAZE	evolvulus glomerata	PERIWINKLE (VINCA)	catharanthus roseus
BOSTON FERN, SWORD FERN	nephrolepsis exaltata	PURSLANE	portulaca grandiflora
CAPE HONEYSUCKLE	tecomaria capensis	RAILROAD VINE	ipomea pes-capri
CAROLINA YELLOW JASMINE	gelsemium sempervirens	RAIN LILY	zephyranthes spp.
CAST IRON PLANT	aspidistra elatior	RAMORA
COMPACT SHORE JUNIPER	juniperus conferta 'compacta'	RED FOUNTAIN GRASS	pennisetum Setaceum Var. Rubrum
COONTIE	zamia floridana z. pumila, z. furfuracea	SCHELLING'S DWARF HOLLY	ilex vomitoria 'Schelling's dwarf'
CREEPING FIG	ficus pumila	SEA OATS	uniola paniculata
CRINUM LILY	crinum spp.	SEA OX-EYE DAISY	borrichia arbororescens
DAYLILY	hemerocallis spp.	SHINY BLUEBERRY	vaccinium myrsintes
BLUE DAZE JUNIPER	juniperus chinensis 'procumbens nana'	SOCIETY GARLIC	tulbagia violacea
DOWNY JASMINE	jasminum multiflorum	SPIDER LILY	hymenocallis latifolia
DWARF JASMINE	trachelospermum asiaticum	SPLIT LEAF PHILODENDRON	philodendron selloum
DWARF FAKAHATCHEE GRASS	tripsicum dactyloides T. jasminodies "minima"	STRING LILY	crinum americanum
DWARF LANTANA	lantana depressa (ovatifolia 'reclinata') l involucrata	LANTANA	lantana montevidensis involucrata
DWARF GARDENIA	gardenia jasminoides 'prostrata'	YELLOW CANNA	canna flaccida

Shrubs:

COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME
COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME
BLUE VASE JUNIPER	juniperus chinensis 'blue vase'	LIMEBERRY	triphasia trifolia
BOXTHORN	severinia buxifolia	MARSH ELDER	iva fructescens
BOXWOOD	buxus microphylla	NANDINA	nandina domestica
BURFORD HOLLY	ilex cornuta 'Burfordii'	NIGHT JESSAMINE	cestrum nocturnum
BUTTONWOOD	conocarpus erectus	OLEANDER	nerium oleander
CARDBOARD PLANT	zamia furfuracea	ORANGE JASMINE	murraya paniculata 'Lakeview'
CHRISTMAS BERRY	lycium carolinianum	PINE CONE LILY, WILD GINGER	zingiber zerumbet
COCO PLUM	chrysobalanus Icaco	PITTISPORUM	pittisporum tobira
COONTIE	zamia floridana	PLUMBAGO	plumbago auriculata
CORAL BEAN	erythrina herbacea	RED FOUNTAIN GRASS	pennisetum setaceum var. rubrum
CRAPE MYRTLE	lagerstroemia indica	ROUND-LEAF HAWTHORN	raphioleis umbellata
CREPE-JASMINE,PINWHEEL FLOWER	tabernaemontana divaricata	RUSTY LYONIA	lyonia ferruginia
CRINUM LILY	orinum spp.	SCARLET HIBISCUS	hibiscus coccineus
DOWNY JASMINE	jasminum multiflorum	SANDANKWA VIBURNUM	Viburnum suspensum
DWARF YAUPON HOLLY	ilex vomitoria 'nana'	SCHELLING'S HOLLY	ilex vomitoria 'Schelling's dwarf'
DWARF CHINESE HOLLY	ilex cornuta 'Rotunda'	SEA GRAPE	cocoloba uvifera
DWARF OLEANDER	nerium oleander	SELLOUM	philodendron selloum
FAKAHATCHEE GRASS	tripsacum dactyloides	SHELL FLOWER	alpinia spp.
FIRE THORN	pyracantha coccinea	SHINING JASMINE	jasminum nitidum
FLORIDA ANISE	illicium floridanum	SHINING SUMAC, WINGED SUMAC	rhus copallina
FRAGRANT OSMANTHUS	osmanthus fragrans	SHRIMP PLANT	justicia brandegeana
GALLBERRY	ilex glabra	SILVERTHORN	elaeagnus pngens
GARBERIA	garberia fruticosa	SNOWBERRY	chiococca alba
GARDENIA	gardenia jasminiodes	SOUTHERN WAX MYRTLE	myrica cerifera
GLOSSY ABELIA	abellia x grandiflora	SWAMP HIBISCUS	hibiscus grandiflours
GOLDEN SHRIMP PLANT	pachystachys lutea	TARFLOWER	befaria racemosa
GOLDEN DEWDROP	duranta repens	TEXAS SAGE	leucophyllum fructescens
HETZII JUNIPER	juniperus chinensis 'hetzii'	THRYALLIS, RAIN OF GOLD	galphimia glauca
HIBISCUS	hibiscus x rosa-sinensis	TORULOSA JUNIPER	juniperus chinesis 'torulosa'
INDIAN HAWTHORN	raphiolepis indica	VITEX	Vitex trifloia
JAPANESE PRIVET	ligustrum japonicum	WILD OLIVE, FLORIDA PRIVET	forestiera segregata
LANTANA	lantana spp.	YELLOW ELDER	tecoma stans
		YELLOW ANISE	illicium parviflorum

Trees:

COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME
AMERICAN HOPHORNBEAM	ostrya virginiana	RED MAPLE	acer rubrum
BALD CYPRESS	taxodium distichum	REDBAY	persea borbonia
CAMPHOR TREE	cinnamomum camphora	RIVER BIRCH	betula nigra
CHERRY LAUREL	prunus caroliniana	SAVANNAH HOLLY	ilex x attenuata
CHINESE ELM	ulmus parvifolia 'Drake'	SHUMARD OAK	quercus shumardii
CRAPE MYRTLE	lagerstroemia indica	SLASH PINE	pinus elliotii
DAHOON HOLLY	ilex cassine	SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA	magnolia grandiflora
EAST PALATKA HOLLY	ilex x attenuata	SOUTHERN REDCEDAR	juniperus silicicola
FLORIDA MAPLE	acer barbatum	SWEETGUM	liquidambar styraciflua
GOLDENRAIN TREE	koelreuteria elegans	SYCAMORE	platanus occidentalis
INDIAN HAWTHORN	raphiolepis indica 'Majestic Beauty'	TREE LIGUSTRUM	ligustrum lucidum
LAUREL OAK	quercus laurifolia	WATER OAK	quercus nigra
LEYLAND CYPRESS	cupressocyparis leylandii	WAX MYRTLE	myrica cerifera
LIVE OAK	quercus virginiana	WEEPING YAUPON HOLLY	ilex vomitoria 'pendula'
NAGI PODOCARPUS	podocarpus nagi	WINGED ELM	ulmus alata
PIGNUT HICKORY	carya glabra	YELLOW POINSIANA	peltophorum inerme
PODOCARPUS	podocarpus macrophyllus

Mulching Standards:

All plant materials meeting the water-wise requirement of this code shall be mulched with at least a three-inch layer of mulch. Cypress mulch shall not be used for any non-residential landscaping areas or projects. The use of cypress mulch is to be discouraged on all residential projects or landscape areas.

Mulch shall cover the entire area of the planting bed.

Alternative Method of Meeting the Water-Wise Requirement When Native Upland Plant Communities Are Maintained.

Preservation of existing native upland plant communities on the site may substitute for all or part of the water-wise requirement in the following ratios:

Preservation of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of site	No water-wise requirement
Preservation of fifteen (15)—twenty-five percent (25%) of site	Water-wise requirements limited to thirty percent (30%) of each type of required plant material
Preservation of one (1)—fifteen percent (15%) of site	Water-wise requirements limited to forty percent (40%) of each type of required plant material

Reduction of water-wise requirements by preserving existing native upland plant communities shall be allowed only when the Public Works Director determines that all of the following criteria are met:

The existing native plant communities shall be viable and in good condition and include canopy, understory, and ground cover.

The existing native plant communities must be protected by a conservation easement or other legally enforceable preservation mechanism.

The execution of the site plan will not threaten the viability of the existing native plant community.

The plant community to be preserved shall be at least one-half (½) acre in size, except that microcommunities totaling at least one-half (½) acre may be preserved providing that each microcommunity is at least ten (10) feet in width and contains at least one hundred (100) square feet.

A management plan is submitted to show how the viability of the preserved communities will be maintained without the use of heavy equipment.

Irrigation Systems:

Irrigation System Design Standards.

Permanent irrigation of preserved plant communities shall be prohibited.

Irrigation required for the re-establishment or restoration of existing plant communities shall be limited to temporary irrigation systems. Newly installed plant communities or supplemental plants to existing plant communities may initially require additional water to become established. Temporary irrigation systems shall remain in place for at least six (6) months and shall include:

(a)

Temporary low-volume irrigation, or

(b)

Alternative method approved by Public Works Director.

Automatic irrigation systems shall incorporate the following criteria:

(a)

Zoning of irrigation systems: Sprinkler heads irrigating designated high water demand areas shall be circuited or zoned so that they can be irrigated at a different frequency or application rate than low water demand areas. At a minimum separate zones shall be created for turf and planting beds, with a separate zone also required for trees not incorporated into planting beds.

(b)

Automatic rain shut-off devices: Automatic irrigation systems shall be equipped with an automatic rain shut-off device for each proposed zone.

(c)

Elimination of over-throw onto impervious surfaces:

Sprinkler heads shall be directed away from impervious surfaces.

The effects of wind on the spray stream shall be reduced by requiring low trajectory spray nozzles.

Maintenance of Irrigation Systems: Irrigation systems shall be maintained in working condition at all times, to prevent waste of irrigation water. Broken sprinkler heads, pipes and nozzles shall be repaired or replaced within fourteen (14) days of notice.

Irrigation During Water Shortage: Irrigation systems shall be operated in accordance with the requirements of water shortages declared for St. Lucie County by the South Florida Water Management District or St. Lucie County.

Special Landscaping Requirements For North and South Hutchinson Island. If any development is to occur on a site located on North or South Hutchinson Island, seventy-five percent (75%) of the new landscaping material to be planted shall consist of the following species. The Public Works Director may reduce the minimum size requirements to the largest plant sizes available if the listed plant material is unavailable in the sizes set forth in 7.09.03 (E) (2) and (3). Each type of required landscaping, such as trees, shrubs, vines, and lawn areas shall be calculated separately, and each type shall meet the required percentage minimum of plant materials.

COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME
GRASSES:

Broomsedge Bluestem	andropogon virginicus	Beach Panic Grass	panicum amarum
Seashore Saltgrass	distichlis spicata	Sea Oats	unicola paniculata
Purple lovegrass	eragrotis spectabilis
_____
GROUND COVER:

Aster	aster spp.	Beach Verbena	glandularia maritima
Silver Sea Oxeye	borrichia arborescens	Beach Sunflower	helianthus debilis
Blanket Flower	gaillardia pulchella	Gopher apple	liciania michauxii
Portulaca	portulaca pilosa	Beach Peanut	okenia hypogaea
Sea Purslane	sesuvium portulacastrum	Spiderwort	tradescantia spp.
Goldenrod	solidago spp.	Ironweed	veronia spp.
Railroad Vine	ipomoea imperati	Beach Morning Glory	ipomoea pes-caprae
_____
SHRUBS:

Marlberry	Ardisia escallonioides	Wild Olive	osmanthus americana
Salt Bush	baccharis halimfolia	Wild Coffee	psychotria nervosa
Beautyberry	callicarpa americana	Myrtle Oak	quercus myrtifolia
Jamaica Caper	capparis spp.	White Indigoberry	randia aculeata
Snowberry	symphoricarpos albus	Rouge-Plant	rivina humilis
Coco-plum	chrysobalanus icaco	Scrub Palmetto	sabal etonia
Pigeon Plum	coccoloba diversifolia	Inkberry	scaevola plumieri
Sea Grape	coccoloba uvifera	Saw palmetto	serenoa repens
Florida Privet	forestiera segregata	False Mastic	sideroxylon foetidissimum
Yaupon Holly	ilex vomitoria	Spanish Bayonet	yucca aloifolia
Marsh Elder	iva frutescens	Bear Grass	yucca filamentosa
Beach Elder	iva imbricata	Coontie	zamia spp
Christmas Berry	lycium carolinianum	Hercules' Club	zanthoxylum clava-herculis
Poisonwood	metopium toxiferum
Wax Myrtle	myrica cerifera
Lancewood	ocotea coriacea
_____
TREES:

Gumbo Limbo	Bursera simaruba	Live Oak	Quercus virginiana
Stangler Fig	Ficus aurea	Cabbage Palm	Sabal palmetto
Southern Red Cedar	Juniperus silicicola	Paradise Tree	Simarouba glauca
Wild Tamarind	Lysiloma latisiliquum

Special Landscaping Standards For Development in Areas Determined to Contain Scrub Habitat. If any development is to occur on a site that is determined, through an Environmental Impact Report submitted pursuant to Section 11.02.09 or Section 11.02.10 of this Code, or by the Public Works Director following a specific site inspection by the Director, or his/her designee, to be scrub habitat as defined in Chapter 2 of this Code, then the development shall be required to provide for the preservation of the existing scrub habitat where the location of said habitat is not in conflict with the proposed building or parking areas. The Public Works Director, or his/her designee, may require that reasonable changes be made to any site plan or application for building permit for the purpose of preserving or protecting any special or unique existing tree(s) or native habitat. If the existing scrub habitat must be removed to provide for the reasonable use of the property, seventy-five percent (75%) of any new landscaping material to be planted shall consist of the following listed species. The Public Works Director may reduce the minimum size requirements to the largest plant sizes available if the listed plant material is unavailable in the sizes set forth in Section 7.09.03(E)(2) and (3). Each type of required landscaping, such as trees, shrubs, vines, and lawn areas shall be calculated separately, and each type shall meet the required percentage minimum of plant materials.

COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME
GRASSES

Broomsedge Bluestem	Andropogaon virginicus	Lopsided indiangrass	Sorghatrum secundum
Arrowfeather threeawn	Aristida purpurascens	Pinewoods Dropseed	Sporobolus junceus
Wiregrass	Aristida stricta	Panicum Needleleaf	Dichanthelium aciculare
Purple Lovegrass	Eragrotis spectabilis
_____
GROUND COVER

Blanket Flower	Gaillardia pulchella	Runner Oak	Quercus pumila
Yellow Jessamine	Gelsemium sempervirens	Goldenrod	Solidago spp.
Blue-eyed Grass	Sisyrinchium spp.	Spiderwort	Tradescantia spp.
Beach Sunflower	Helianthus debilis	Ironweed	Veronia spp.
St. John's Wort	Hypericum spp.	Bear Grass	Yucca filamentosa
Gopher apple	Liciania michauxii
Portulaca	Portulaca pilosa
_____
SHRUBS

Hawthorne	Crataegus spp.	Myrtle Oak	Quercus myrtifolia
Carolina Holly	Ilex ambigua	Scrub Palmetto	Sabal etonia
Yaupon Holly	Ilex vomitoria	Saw palmetto	Serenoa repens
Fetterbush	Lyonia lucida	Sparkleberry	Vaccinium arboreum
Chapman Oak	Quercus chapmanii
_____
TREES

Scrub Hickory	Carya floridana	Wild Olive	Osmanthus americana
Pignut Hickory	Carya glabra	Sand Pine	inus clausa
Juniperus silicicola	Southern Red Cedar	Live Oak	Quercus virginiana

Administrative Relief from the Provisions of this Section. The Environmental Resources Director may allow alternative landscaping where it is determined based upon a showing by the applicant for any Final Development Order, that a literal application of these regulations will not meet the general spirit and intent of this Code as a result of use, traffic patterns, drainage or other issues of configuration. The alternate landscape proposal may include changes to species, plant sizes, landscape area dimensions, quantities, planting schedules, and surety requirements; as long as the overall project meets the environmental enhancement and aesthetic intent of the Land Development Code and the alternatives provide comparable visual and/or noise screening. Any area landscape plan submitted as an alternative shall be designed in such a manner that the alternate landscape area and the amount of material provided equal the amount that was originally required, unless it is determined by the Environmental Resources Director that additional landscaping is required for that alternative to meet the minimum visual and noise screening requirements and environmental and aesthetic intent of the Land Development Code. The Environmental Resources Director may solicit comments from adjoining property owners for alternative screening proposals.

(Ord. No. 07-054, Pt. B, 12-11-2007; Ord. No. 09-007, Pt. A, 9-1-2009; Ord. No. 12-003, Pt. G, 5-15-2012)

                    
                        var val = document.getElementById('citecontent').innerHTML;
                        art.dialog.defaults.title = window.location.href;
                        art.dialog.data('cite', val);
                        art.dialog.data('homeDemoPath', '/Scripts/plus/artDialog/');
                        art.dialog.open('/Scripts/plus/artDialog/citeiframe.html');