LANDSCAPING AND USABLE
OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENTS
The Sunnyvale Municipal Code defines landscaping as the planting and maintenance of trees, ground cover, shrubs, vines, flowers, lawns or a combination thereof. In addition to plant materials, landscaping may include rock or stone and structural or decorative features including but not limited to fountains, reflecting pools, art work and benches, pedestrian walkways, bicycle parking, recreation facilities and outdoor eating areas. Parking or storage areas or vehicular ways are not considered landscaping.
Useable Open Space
Useable open space is required only for properties located in multi-family residential zoning districts. Useable open space areas may be counted towards the total landscape requirement. The Sunnyvale Municipal Code defines useable open space as an outdoor or unenclosed area on the ground, roof, balcony, deck porch, pool area, patio, terrace or recreation building, when designed to be accessible for outdoor living, recreation, pedestrian access or landscaping. Such areas must have:
12 ft. minimum in any direction and 200 sq. ft. minimum of area
Private balconies may be included if they have a minimum dimension of 7 ft. in any direction and a minimum area of 80 sq. ft.
Roof, deck and porch areas may be included if they have a minimum dimension of 10 ft. in any direction and 120 sq. ft. minimum of area.
Calculating Landscape Area
Total landscape area is the sum of the landscaped areas, useable open space and parking lot landscaping. In no case shall the total landscape area be less than 20% of the lot area.
Buffer Landscaping
Buffer landscaping is required for any non-residential use that adjoins a residential use or any property that adjoins a residential zoning district. Buffer landscaping is a minimum 10 ft. wide landscaped area with a 6 foot high masonry wall.
Parking Lot Landscaping
Parking lot landscaping is required for all zoning districts. A minimum of 20% of the parking lot area must be landscaped, and this may count towards the total landscaped area. Some requirements include:
-
One tree / seven parking spaces
-
Landscape islands with trees shall be a minimum of 5 ft. x 5 ft. excluding curbs.
-
Islands without trees shall contain living ground cover.
Amount of Landscaping Required
|
Zoning District |
Total Landscape Area |
Useable Open Space Area |
|
R-0, R-1, R-1.5, R-1.7/PD |
20% of Lot |
No minimum useable open space required. |
|
R-2 |
850 sq. ft./du |
500 sq. ft./du |
| R-3 |
425 sq. ft./du |
400 sq. ft./du |
| R-4 |
375 sq. ft./du |
380 sq. ft./du |
|
R-5 |
375 sq. ft./du |
380 sq. ft./du |
|
C-D |
20% of Lot |
No minimum useable open space required. |
|
C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4 |
20% of Lot or 12.5% of Floor Area, whichever is greater |
|
|
DSP |
See Downtown Specific Plan |
|
|
O, P-F |
20% of Lot |
No minimum useable open space required. |
|
M-S, M-3 |
20% of Lot or 10% of Floor Area, whichever is greater |
Irrigation Requirements
All required landscaped areas shall be provided with a permanent irrigation system for all uses except for single-family detached and duplex dwellings. For specific irrigation standards, please refer to SMC 19.38.070(g).
Frontage Strip Landscaping
A 15 ft.-wide landscape strip is required along the entire frontage of a lot, measured from the inside edge of the public sidewalk. If no sidewalk exists, the strip is measured from the curb. The landscape strip may contain sidewalks and be crossed by access drives and parking areas. When the area inside the walk is less than 6 ft. in width, a hedge, wall, berm, or raised planter of at least 30 inches in height must be provided. Frontage strip landscaping is not required for single-family dwellings.
Water Conserving Plants
Water conserving plants shall be installed in 70% of all landscaped areas except:
Single Family
Duplexes
Turf Areas of Public Parks
Golf Courses
Cemeteries
School Grounds
A list of water conserving plant material is available at the One-Stop Counter.
Tree Surveys
Tree surveys are required for all development projects. The tree survey must be conducted by an arborist who has been certified by the International Society of Arboriculture. The survey shall show:
Location, size and species of all trees on the site
Calculation of the value of each tree
A letter explaining why a protected tree (a tree greater than 38 inches in circumference when measured at 4 ft. from ground level) is proposed to be removed and why it cannot be relocated.
Tree Protection Plan
The developer shall submit a tree protection plan to safeguard the health of protected trees during construction. This plan shall consist of a minimum of a 5 ft. high fence to be installed along the dripline of each protected tree.
Requirements For Landscaping
| Trees |
Minimum 15 gallon size (24" or 36" box sizes may be required) One tree / 300 sq. ft. of required landscape area minimum. Installed trees much have a minimum of two stakes that are 2.5" in diameter, the same height as the tree prior to installation, installed at least 2.5’ into the ground and attached to the tree in at least two places. |
| Shrubs |
Minimum 5 gallon size. Two shrubs / 300 sq. ft. of required landscape area minimum, excluding the required parking lot landscaping area. |
| Ground Cover |
Living ground cover installed 12" on center. No turf on mounding with slopes greater than 10%. |
| Storm Water Runoff |
Landscape areas and parking islands shall be designed to integrate parking lot and site drainage in order to reduce storm water runoff velocities and minimize non-point source pollution. |
Questions?
Call or visit the One-Stop Permit Center at City Hall. Planners are available to assist you between the hours of 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This handout is intended to be a general description of landscaping requirements. For specific information, consult Sunnyvale Municipal Code Section 19.38.070.