§ 27-696. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Architectural screening means a masonry or wood frame wall or any fence designed, constructed and maintained to provide a complete obstruction of view from ground level to at least the height specified in the individual zoning district requirements, to be durable and compatible with surrounding development. A berm is considered to be architectural screening.

Deciduous means those trees and shrubs that shed their leaves annually.

Evergreen means those trees and shrubs that do not shed foliage annually.

Ground cover means landscape materials or living, or low-growing plants other than turf grass, installed in such a manner so as to provide a continuous cover on the ground surface.

Landscape materials means living plants, such as trees, shrubs, vines, ground cover, flowers and grass turf. It may include such nonliving features as stone, sand, bark and brick pavers (excluding pavement), and structural or decorative features such as fountains, pools, earthen berms or mounds, walls, fencing, benches, lighting, etc.

Landscape screening means a hedge or dense planting of trees and/or shrubs designed, installed, and maintained for the purpose of providing a year-round complete obstruction of view from ground level to at least the height specified in the individual zoning district requirements.

Landscaping means the bringing of the soil surface to a smooth finished grade, installing sufficient trees, shrubs, ground cover and grass to soften building lines, provide shade and generally produce a pleasing visual effect on the premises.

Large shrubs means those shrubs that normally attain a height greater than five feet at maturity.

Native grasses means those species of perennial grass native to the Midwest other than those designated as noxious weeds by the state department of agriculture and entomology.

Screening means a structure erected or vegetation planted as a screen designed to conceal material and operations conducted behind it.

Shade trees means those trees that normally attain a height greater than 40 feet at maturity.

Shrub means any self-supporting woody plant of a species which normally grows in this region to an overall height less than 15 feet.

Small shrubs means those shrubs which normally attain a height less than five feet at maturity.

Small trees means those trees which normally attain a height less than 40 feet at maturity, including ornamental trees.

Tree means any self-supporting woody plant of a species that normally grows in this region to an overall height greater than 15 feet.

Turf grass means a species of perennial grass grown as permanent lawns or for landscape purposes, as distinguished from those species grown for agricultural or commercial seed purposes.

(Code 1988, § 27-1346; Ord. No. 64690, § 1(27-69.2), 8-30-1984; Ord. No. O-65-02, § 1, 8-29-2002)

Cross reference

Definitions generally, § 1-2.