§ 39-85. Minimum landscaping requirements for single family and duplex dwellings.

All new single family and duplex residential dwellings shall conform to the following landscaping requirements:

(a)

Landscape plans required. Owners of detached single family and duplex residential dwellings may submit landscape plans in the form of a landscape permit application. Any such landscape plans, or a note included on the corresponding site plans if no landscape plans are submitted for a particular project, shall identify the plants selected for the site and the quantity, size, and quality of such plants (including which plants constitute Florida-Friendly Landscaping ^TM vegetation), and planting specifications, as required by this article. Landscape drawings are not required for single family residences and duplex dwellings.

(b)

Generalized minimum landscape and irrigation requirements. The following table shall be used as general interpretation of the required minimum landscape and buffering standards by lot size. Additional minimum landscape requirements, applicable to all new development, are contained in Section 39-85(c) below. Regulations for each zoning district may contain further landscape requirements related to specific uses.

Table 1
Minimum Landscape Requirements; Single family, duplex residential uses
(subject to additional minimum landscape requirements in Section 39-85(c) of the Code).

Lot Size (sq. ft.)	< 8,000	8,001 to 11,000	11,001 to 14,000	14,001 to 17,000	17,001 to 20,000	Each additional 3,000 up to one (1) acre
Shade trees	2	3	4	5	6	+1
Tree species	2	2	2	3	3	+1
Shrubs	10	13	16	19	22	+3
Foundation planting	varies	varies	varies	varies	varies	varies
Florida-Friendly Landscaping TM	5%	5%	5%	5%	5%	5%
Turf/groundcover	Min 35%	Min 30%	Min 20%	Min 20%	Min 20%	Min 10%
Irrigation	required	required	required	required	required	required

 

(c)

Additional minimum landscape requirements.

(1)

Prohibited and invasive tree species.

a.

Prohibited and invasive tree species shall not be counted towards fulfilling minimum tree requirements.

b.

Prohibited and invasive trees shall be removed from the property.

(2)

Shade trees. All developments shall provide the required number of shade trees in compliance with the following standards:

a.

Trees required in this section shall have a minimum overall height of ten (10) feet to twelve (12) feet or greater, with a minimum canopy spread characteristic of the species at such height and DBH requirements according to Florida Grades & Standards for Florida Nursery Plants.

b.

No more than fifty percent (50%) of required shade trees shall be palms, where every three (3) palms shall equal one (1) required shade tree.

c.

A minimum of one (1) shade tree shall be planted in the front yard; all other required trees shall be planted consistent the principles of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping ^TM Guide.

d.

Existing trees on site shall be protected according to the "Tree Preservation Ordinance," Chapter 27, Article XIV, of the Broward County Code of Ordinances.

(3)

Shrubs, hedging.

a.

All shrubs shall be a minimum of eighteen (18) inches in height, when measured immediately after planting, and spaced a maximum of thirty (30) inches on center.

b.

A minimum fifty percent (50%) of required shrubs shall be listed native species in the Florida-Friendly Landscaping ^TM Guide.

c.

The height of any hedge shall not exceed eight (8) feet, except in the safe sight distance triangle of driveways where the maximum height shall be thirty-six (36) inches.

d.

Hedges may be placed on the property lines; however, this regulation shall not be construed to permit such hedges to extend beyond the official right-of-way lines or property lines.

e.

Hedges shall be incorporated into the landscape design so as to screen air conditioning units or other equipment from being visible from public rights-of-way.

(4)

Foundation planting.

a.

Foundation planting may be shrubs, groundcover, or combinations thereof and shall be counted towards the minimum native species requirements and Florida-Friendly Landscaping ^TM requirements of this section.

b.

Foundation planting shall be installed adjacent to and span along the foundation of any residential structure, or portion thereof, that faces a public right-of-way, except that foundation planting shall not block any entryways, windows, or openings.

c.

The quantity and type of foundation plants shall vary depending on the building size, configuration, and entryways and openings.

(5)

Florida-Friendly Landscaping ^TM .

a.

At least five percent (5%) of the lot area shall be installed with Florida-Friendly Landscaping ^TM .

b.

All species and quantities of Florida-Friendly Landscaping ^TM shall count towards the total required amount of Florida-Friendly Landscaping ^TM .

(6)

Turf and groundcover.

a.

Either turf or groundcover, or a combination thereof, shall be installed on all areas of the property not covered by buildings, paving, concrete slabs, or other impervious improvements.

b.

In areas where no turf or groundcover is required, the property shall be maintained in its natural state; except that all invasive species shall be removed.

c.

All areas of disturbed soil shall be covered with either turf, groundcover, or a combination thereof.

(7)

Irrigation.

a.

All irrigation systems shall meet the irrigation standards developed pursuant to Section 373.228, Florida Statutes. All required landscape areas for single family residences and duplex dwellings shall be provided with an automatically-operating, underground irrigation system designed to have head-to-head coverage (one hundred percent (100%) coverage with one hundred percent (100%) overlap).

b.

Pursuant to Section 373.62, Florida Statutes, rain shut-off switch equipment shall be required on automatic irrigation systems to avoid irrigation during periods of sufficient rainfall or soil moisture. The equipment shall consist of an automatic mechanical or electronic sensing device or switch that will override the irrigation cycle of the sprinkler system when adequate rainfall has occurred.

(8)

Fertilizer applications. Noncommercial fertilizer applicators, not otherwise required to be certified, such as private citizens applying fertilizer on private residential properties, are encouraged to follow the most recent edition of the Florida Yards and Neighborhood Handbook (University of Florida) and UF/IFAS Extension's most recent Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program recommendations.

(9)

Pesticide applications. Persons applying pesticides on private residential properties should use an "Integrated Pest Management Strategy," as currently recommended by the UF/IFAS Extension publications.

(Ord. No. 2017-15 , § 14, 5-23-17)