Proposed Ordinance - 12/22/20221
SALT LAKE CITY ORDINANCE
No. _____ of 2023
(Amending the zoning text of Section 21A.48.050 and definitions in Title 21A associated
therewith of the Salt Lake City Code pertaining to the use of landscape materials)
An ordinance amending the text of Section 21A.48.050 and definitions in Title 21A of
the Salt Lake City Code pertaining to the use of landscape materials pursuant to Petition No.
PLNPCM2022-01050.
WHEREAS, on December 14, 2022, the Salt Lake City Planning Commission (“Planning
Commission”) held a public hearing on a petition submitted by Salt Lake City Mayor, Erin
Mendenhall to amend land use regulations pertaining to water wise landscaping materials for
new development (Petition No. PLNPCM2022-01050); and
WHEREAS, at its December 14, 2022 meeting, the Planning Commission voted in favor
of forwarding a positive recommendation to the Salt Lake City Council (“City Council”) on said
petition; and
WHEREAS, after a public hearing on this matter the City Council has determined that
adopting this ordinance is in the city’s best interests.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah:
SECTION 1. Amending the Text of Section 21A.48.050. That Section 21A.48.050 of
the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Landscaping and Buffers), shall be and hereby is amended read
as follows:
21A.48.050: DESIGN STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: Landscape plans shall be prepared
based on the following design standards and guidelines. The standards and guidelines apply to all
new development and redevelopment of a residential, commercial, institutional, or
manufacturing use and all associated landscaped areas as identified by this chapter. The
standards and guidelines also apply when a landscaping plan is required to be submitted by this
chapter. Design standards are numerically measurable design requirements that can be
definitively evaluated for compliance. Design guidelines are not precisely measurable, but
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compliance can be determined through the evaluation process of landscape plan review. The
evaluation and approval of landscape plans shall be based on compliance with both the design
standards and guidelines.
A. Design Standards At Time Of Planting:
1. Deciduous Trees: All deciduous trees shall have a minimum trunk size of two inches
(2") in caliper, unless otherwise specified.
2. Evergreen Trees: All evergreen trees shall have a minimum size of five feet (5') in
height, unless otherwise specified.
3. Ornamental Trees: All ornamental trees shall have a minimum trunk size of one and
one-half inches (11/2") in caliper, unless otherwise specified.
4. Shrubs: All shrubs shall have a minimum height or spread of eighteen inches (18")
depending on the plant's natural growth habit, unless otherwise specified. Plants in
five (5) gallon containers will generally comply with this standard.
5. Drought Tolerant Species: Site conditions in Salt Lake City are generally arid, and the
selection of plant species suited to dry conditions is appropriate. To promote water
conservation, not less than eighty percent (80%) of the trees and eighty percent (80%)
of the shrubs used on a site shall be drought tolerant species that can withstand dry
conditions once established. The city has compiled a list titled "Water Conserving
Plants For Salt Lake City", that may be locally available.
6. Street Trees: Trees located within the public right of way are subject to the following
provisions:
a. The pruning or removal of trees is prohibited without the approval of the urban
forester or designee.
b. Cutting, Removal, Or Damage Prohibited: Trees shall not be cut, removed, pushed
over, killed, or otherwise damaged without the approval of the urban forester or
designee.
c. The root zone of all street trees shall be protected when impacted by any
construction work on the abutting property or any work within the right of way
when a street tree is present. Root zone protection is subject to approval from the
urban forester or designee.
d. All street trees shall be provided with an irrigation system that has the capability of
providing adequate and efficient water to each street tree as determined by the
urban forester or designee.
7. Limitations on Turf:
a. For single family and two-family uses turf shall not exceed 35%, of the
area to be covered with vegetation. For yards and areas required to include
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vegetation where the 35% calculation would result in a number less than
250 square feet, the property may have a maximum of 250 square feet of
turf. Active recreation areas are exempt from this provision.
b. For multi-family uses turf shall not exceed 20% of the area to be covered
with vegetation. Active recreation areas are exempt from this provision.
c. For commercial, industrial, and institutional uses, turf shall not exceed 20%
of the area to be covered with vegetation. Active recreation areas are
exempt from this provision.
d. Areas planted with turf shall not be less than eight feet wide at the narrowest point.
This applies to any required yard, landscaped yard, landscape buffer, park strip,
and parking lot landscaping.
e. Turf shall not be installed on any slope greater than 25% or where the rise of the
slope is more than one vertical foot for every four horizontal feet.
8. Mulch: At least 3-4 inches of mulch, permeable to air and water, shall be used in
planting beds and in landscaped areas that are not covered with vegetation or other
allowed inorganic surfaces to control weeds and improve the appearance of the
landscaping. Fiber barriers and plastic sheeting that are not porous to air and water
are prohibited.
9. Automatic Irrigation Controller Required. Irrigation systems are required to use an
irrigation controller that includes a Watersense label that can automatically adjust the
frequency and/or duration of irrigation in response to changing weather conditions
and be equipped with an automatic rain delay or rain shut-off capabilities.
B. Design Guidelines:
1. Scale And Nature Of Landscaping Material: The scale and nature of landscaping
materials shall be appropriate to the size of the structures. Large scale buildings, for
example, should generally be complemented by larger scale plants.
2. Selection Of Plants: Plants shall be selected for form, texture, color, pattern of growth
and adaptability to local conditions.
3. Evergreens: Evergreens should be incorporated into the landscape treatment of a site,
particularly in those areas where screening and buffer is required.
4. Softening Of Walls And Fences: Plants shall be placed intermittently against long
expanses of building walls, fences, and other barriers to create a softening effect.
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5. Detention/Retention Basins And Ponds: Detention/retention basins and ponds shall be
landscaped. Such landscaping may include shade and ornamental trees, evergreens,
shrubbery, hedges, turf, ground cover and/or other plant materials.
6. Irrigation Systems: All irrigation systems shall comply with the following
requirements:
a. All irrigation shall be appropriate for the designated plant material and
achieves the highest water efficiency.
b. Drip irrigation or bubblers shall be used except in turf areas. Drip irrigation
systems shall be equipped with a pressure regulator, filter, flush-end
assembly, and any other appropriate components.
c. Each irrigation valve shall irrigate landscaping with similar site, slope and soil
conditions, and plant materials with similar watering needs. Turf and planting
beds shall be irrigated on separate irrigation valves. In addition, drip emitters
and sprinklers shall be placed on separate irrigation valves.
7. Energy Conservation: Plant placement shall be designed to reduce the energy
consumption needs of the development.
a. Deciduous trees should be placed on the south and west sides of buildings to
provide shade from the summer sun.
b. Evergreens and other plant materials should be concentrated on the north side of
buildings to dissipate the effect of winter winds.
8. Berming: Earthen berms and existing topographic features should be, whenever
determined practical by the zoning administrator, incorporated into the landscape
treatment of a site, particularly when combined with plant material to facilitate
screening.
SECTION 2. Amending the Text of Section 21A.62.040. That the definition of Turf in
Section 21A.62.040 of the Salt Lake City Code shall be and hereby is amended read as follows:
TURF: Grasses planted as a ground cover that may be mowed and maintained to be
used as a lawn area of landscaping. Does not include decorative grasses, grasses that
are native to the local environment or grasses that do not generally require
supplemental water, or inorganic substitutes commonly referred to as artificial turf.
SECTION 3. Amending the Text of Section 21A.60.020. That Section 21A.60.020 of
the Salt Lake City Code shall be amended to include the following two (2) terms:
Active Recreation Areas
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Mulch
SECTION 4. Amending the Text of Section 21A.60.040. That definitions of the terms
“Active Recreation Areas” and “Mulch” be added to Section 21A.62.040 of the Salt Lake City
Code as follows:
ACTIVE RECREATION AREAS: Areas of the landscape dedicated to active play
where turf may be used as the playing surface. This may include sports fields, play
areas, golf courses, and other similar areas where turf is commonly used as the surface
for outdoor activities.
MULCH: Any material such as rock, bark, compost, wood chips or other materials left
loose and applied to the soil.
SECTION 5. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective on the date of its
first publication.
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, this ______ day of ______________,
2023.
______________________________
CHAIRPERSON
ATTEST AND COUNTERSIGN:
______________________________
CITY RECORDER
Transmitted to Mayor on _______________________.
Mayor's Action: _______Approved. _______Vetoed.
______________________________
MAYOR
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______________________________
CITY RECORDER
(SEAL)
Bill No. ________ of 2023.
Published: ______________.
Ordinance Amending Section 21A.48.050 Landscape Materials
APPROVED AS TO FORM
Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office
Date:__________________________________
By: ___________________________________
Katherine D. Pasker, Senior City Attorney
December 16, 2022