Zoning Bylaw #6000, Section 6: Landscape and Screening
Vernon, British Columbia
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Secfion 6: Landscape & Screening
SECTION 6: Landscape & Screening
6.1 Required Landscaping
6.1.1 The minimum level of Landscaping required in each zone along all Front, Rear and Side
Yards shall be determined from the Minimum Landscape Buffer Schedule (Table 6.1) and
Landscaping details entitled Minimum Landscape Buffer in Section 6.6, unless otherwise
specified as a Landscape corridor in the Official Community Plan (Plan Vernon) or any
bylaw replacing same.
6.1.2 In cases where the Lot is to be developed in phases, Landscaping needs to be provided
on all lands that are used for the development of a phase. This includes lands that have
been graded or filled. Landscaping shall be required in subsequent phases on the
remainder of the Lot at the time that these are developed.
6.1.3 Any designated Landscaping area between a Lot Line and an existing road curb or
shoulder area shall be completed concurrently with Landscaping within Lot Lines by the
development to the standard of Landscaping required for the Lot and in conformance
with the City of Vernon Subdivision & Development Servicing Bylaw No. 3843.
6.2 Landscaping Standards
6.2.1 All required Landscape areas and installations shall meet or exceed the Landscape
Standards Bylaw No. 5015, and meet or exceed the Canadian Landscape Standard,
current edition, as jointly published by the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects and
the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association.
6.2.2 All required Landscape areas and installations shall be regularly maintained by property
Owners to meet the Landscape Maintenance Bylaw No. 5014, and meet or exceed the
Canadian Landscape Standard, current edition, as jointly published by the Canadian
Society of Landscape Architects and the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association.
6.2.3 In reference to 6.2.2 above, the Landscape maintenance requirements shall address and
provide for the following items in regards to plant material: watering, mulching, pruning,
fertilizing, liming and tree support, as well as weed, pest and disease control.
6.2.4 In reference to 6.2.2 above, the Landscape maintenance requirements shall address and
provide for the following items in regards to lawns and grass areas: watering, fertilizing,
liming, mowing and trimming, edging, aeration and repairs (regarding, reseeding or
resodding), as well as weed, insect and disease control.
6.2.5 The execution of the above-mentioned Landscape maintenance requirements shall take
place on a regular basis as to ensure a healthy, neat and orderly appearance throughout
the year.
Secfion 6: Landscape & Screening
6.2.6 The above requirements for Landscape maintenance shall be enforced by the City, under
Section 3 of this bylaw.
6.2.7 Driveways and walkways shall be located in order to accommodate the required
Landscape Buffers of Section 6.7. Required Landscape Buffers shall be continuous
along the affected Lot boundaries, interrupted only by walkways, Driveways and required
utility service boxes.
6.2.8 All Landscaped areas will be graded to meet the following criteria:
.1 maximum 1:5 slope (20%) for lawn areas;
.2 maximum 1:3 slope (33%) for shrub or ground cover area;
.3 minimum 1:25 slope (4%) for cross slope for any Landscape area;
.4 all Site grading will direct overland drainage along or away from any Landscape
Buffer to collection points off-site away from Buildings;
.5 all areas in which the existing slope exceeds 30% are to be identified; and
.6 all areas developed and Adjacent lands impacted by development with slopes
greater than 30% shall be rehabilitated using indigenous vegetation common to
the Site.
6.2.9 All outdoor storage areas shall have a dust-free surface.
6.2.10 All construction on-site must occur concurrently with erosion control measures to prevent
the pollution, degradation, or siltation of natural areas and Watercourses. This includes
the provision of temporary fencing prior to and during construction.
6.2.11 All required Landscape Buffer areas shall be watered by a fully automatic irrigation
system. No run-off onto sidewalks, Streets, Laneways, Alleys or Parking Areas shall be
permitted.
6.2.12 Notwithstanding Section 6.2.6, the following areas are exempt from having permanent
fully automatic irrigation systems:
.1 existing areas of undisturbed native vegetation which have been accepted as
Landscape Buffer or stream protection leave strips;
.2 Landscape areas specifically designed as xeriscape or drought resistant natural
species plantings, however temporary irrigation may be required; and
.3 Landscape Buffers which are established with drought resistant species to return
the area to a natural condition, however temporary irrigation may be required.
6.2.13 Where the retention of native trees and ground cover is required or permitted, a letter from
a registered professional landscape architect or registered professional forester shall be
submitted, indicating the mitigation measures required during and after the construction
to ensure the health of the vegetation.
Secfion 6: Landscape & Screening
6.2.14 New trees and shrubs shall follow a consistent lateral placement and be set back a
minimum
of
1.0 m from all underground utilities.
6.3 Refuse and Recycling Bins
6.3.1 When any development is proposed, provisions for garbage storage, recycling and
collection shall be provided on the same Site as the development, unless a bin sharing
agreement is in place.
6.3.2 All Site refuse and recycling bins in zones other than agricultural zones, including all other
large receptacles used for the Temporary Storage of materials, require opaque screening
from Adjacent Lots and Streets.
6.3.3 All screening will be a minimum of 2.0 m in Height to a maximum Height that is equivalent
to the Height of the refuse or recycling bin.
6.3.4 All sides open to public view shall be screened by the additional planting of shrub and
groundcover material at least 1.5 m in Height.
6.3.5
(Deleted - Bylaw 6012)
6.3.6 All refuse or recycling bins shall be located entirely within the Lot Lines so as to not
obstruct pedestrian or Vehicle traffic.
6.3.7 An unobstructed access Laneway or Alley with a minimum width of 3.0 m and a minimum
vertical clearance of 4.6 m shall be provided for access to a required refuse and recycling
room or enclosure.
6.3.8 All refuse and recycling bins should be sited as far away from Watercourses as possible.
6.4 Public Amenity Areas
6.4.1 Public Amenity Areas, when permitted pursuant to Section 6.6, must be solely for
pedestrian Use and accessible to the public from both the Street and from the
development.
6.4.2 The minimum Public Amenity Area Street Frontage is 6.0 m.
6.4.3 The minimum Public Amenity Area depth is 4.0 m.
6.4.4 For any Public Amenity Area in lieu of a Landscape Buffer, the following are minimum
requirements:
.1 all Hard Surface areas shall use a decorative paving surface;
.2 a minimum of two benches for public seating shall be provided;
.3 a minimum of 3 trees, with a minimum 65 mm Caliper and rootball of 900 mm,
shall be provided; and
Secfion 6: Landscape & Screening
.4 pedestrian and decorative lighting must be provided.
6.5 Fencing and Retaining Walls
6.5.1 Subject to traffic sight lines, the following Height limitations shall apply to fences, and
walls in all housing and mixed-use zones:
.1 1.2 m (4.0 ft) if situated along the Lot Lines or within the Setback abutting a
Street;
.2 2.0 m (6.4 ft) if situated behind the Setback abutting a Street;
.3 2.0 m (6.4 ft) if situated along a Lot Line not abutting a Street.
Notwithstanding 6.5.1, one gate for pedestrian access may be 2.0 m in height with a
maximum width of 1.0 m in situated along the Lot Lines or within the Setback abutting a
Street. (Bylaw 6012)
6.5.2 Screen fences shall be consistent with the quality of Building design and materials of the
Principal Building.
6.5.3 Screening fences required for outdoor storage areas for Temporary Shelter Services
shall be a combination of opaque and translucent or lattice design to ensure nature
surveillance is permitted into the space. Screen fences and walls shall complement
Building design and materials.
6.5.4 Fencing type may be established in neighbourhood plans, building schemes or by
precedent from Adjacent Lots.
6.5.5 Wood fences shall be designed to a high level of finish with materials of lumber grade
standard or better. Wood posts shall be treated against rotting to provide for the longevity
of the fence. Fences shall be constructed with all components of sufficient size, materials,
and strength to prevent sagging and to minimize rot. Along sloping ground, the top of wood
fences shall be horizontal with vertical drops at the posts.
6.5.6 Screening fences shall be opaque double-sided construction. Where screen fences are
allowed or required by this bylaw, they shall be of an opaque or a combination of opaque,
translucent or lattice design.
6.5.7 No fence constructed at the Natural Grade in housing zones, shall exceed 2.0 m in
Height, except where abutting an agricultural or commercial zone the maximum Height
is 2.4 m. No fence shall have pickets or finials extending above a horizontal rail that may
pose a danger to wildlife.
6.5.8 No fence in a commercial or industrial zone shall exceed 2.4 m.
6.5.9 Industrial zones are to have an opaque 2.4 m high fence along all Lot Lines abutting non-
industrial zones and around Wrecking Yards that are visible from a Street abutting the
Lot.
Secfion 6: Landscape & Screening
6.5.10 No barbed wire or electrified fencing shall be allowed in any housing, commercial,
community or industrial zones except:
.1 in ALR, AGRL and AGRS zones for use in livestock enclosures; and
.2 in CMTY zone where the Site is used for a Detention Facility.
Razor wire fences shall not be permitted in any zone.
6.5.11 Retaining walls on all housing-based Lots, except those required as a condition of
subdivision approval, must not exceed a Height of 1.2 m measured from Grade on the
lower side, and must be constructed so that multiple retaining walls are spaced to provide
at least a 1.2 m horizontal separation between them.
6.5.12 In the case of a retaining wall constructed in accordance with Section 6.5.11, the combined
Height of a fence on top of a retaining wall at the Lot Line or within 1.2 m of the Lot Line
shall not exceed 2.0 m, measured from Natural Grade at the Lot Line (see Diagram 6.1).
6.5.13 Notwithstanding Section 6.5.11, a retaining wall may be higher than 1.2 m, measured from
Grade, where the Natural Grade of the subject Lot is lower than the abutting Lot (see
Diagram 6.2).
6.5.14 In the case of a retaining wall constructed in accordance with Section 6.5.13, the maximum
Height of a fence, or portion of retaining wall extending above the Natural Grade of the
abutting higher Lot, or combination thereof, shall be 2.0 m, measured from the Natural
Grade of the abutting higher property (see Diagram 6.2).
6.5.15 Notwithstanding Section 6.5.14, where an affected property remains at Natural Grade
and the subject Lot constructs a retaining wall and a fence within 1.2 m of the Lot Line,
the maximum Height for a fence on the affected Lot shall be no greater than 1.8 m above
the Height of the retaining wall or 2.0 m whichever is less (see Diagram 6.1).
Secfion 6: Landscape & Screening
Diagram 6.1 -- Retaining Wall on Higher Subject Property
Diagram 6.2 -- Retaining Wall on Lower Subject Property
Secfion 6: Landscape & Screening
6.6 Minimum Landscape Buffers
6.6.1 Landscape Buffers, of a design as shown on the Minimum Landscape Buffer Treatment
Drawings (Levels 1 through 5), for the Front Yard, Side Yards, and Rear Yard depending
upon the zone as indicated by Section 6.6.5, are as follows:
.1 Level 0: no specific guidelines for the design of the Landscape Buffer;
.2 Level 1: a minimum 1.5 m Landscape Buffer is required and will consist of a
vegetative buffer only, unless a fence is required for other reasons;
.3 Level 2: a minimum 1.5 m vegetative Landscape Buffer combined with a fence is
required;
.4 Level 3: a minimum 2.0 m vegetative Landscape Buffer combined with a fence is
required;
.5 Level 4: a minimum 3.0 m Landscape Buffer is required; and
.6 Level 5: a Landscape Buffer is required for all land abutting ALR land where non-
farm Uses exist. The minimum buffer shall meet the guidelines in the Landscape
Buffer Specifications document prepared by the Agricultural Land Commission.
6.6.2 Trees shall be spaced, on average, to the dimensions specified in the approved drawings.
The equivalent of 1 tree per 10.0 lineal metre of required Landscape Buffer, including
walkways, Driveways and required utility boxes, shall be planted on the subject property.
Deciduous trees shall have a minimum Caliper of 60 mm with a minimum clearstem
Height of 1.5 m. Conifers shall be a minimum of 2.5 m high. Irrigated No. 2 pot shrubs are
to be placed at a maximum spacing of 1.0 m on center with 10 cm ground cover at a
maximum spacing of 0.5 m on center. The equivalent of 1 shrub per 1 linear metre of
required Landscape Buffer, including walkways, Driveways, and required utility boxes,
shall be planted on the subject Lot. The shrubs shall be irrigated No. 2 pot shrubs and are
to be placed at a maximum spacing of 1.0 m on centre.
6.6.3 In order to provide heritage trees for future generations, trees required according to
Section 6.6.3 shall include legacy trees. One out of every ten trees required according to
Section 6.6.3 shall be designated as a legacy tree and accordingly located and identified
on approved drawings. A minimum of 1 legacy tree shall be provided.
6.6.4 Trees or shrubs higher than 0.6 m shall not be located in the visual triangle indicated on
the drawings and specified by the City of Vernon Traffic Bylaw No. 5600.
6.6.5 Where a visual screen is required, it may consist of either vegetation or decorative fence
or wall. The minimum Height of the screen is 1.2 m for Level 3 (at maturity for vegetation,
planted at a minimum of 1.0 m high on an maximum spacing of 1.0 m on center), 1.5 m
for Level 4, and 1.8 m for Level 5.
6.6.6 Notwithstanding Section 6.6.1, buffer widths may be reduced to the width of the actual
Setback of the Building or Structure if the actual Setback of the Building or Structure
is narrower than the buffer specified in Section 6.6.1.
Secfion 6: Landscape & Screening
6.6.7 Notwithstanding Section 6.6.1, parking lots abutting major roads as identified on Map 4 of
Official Community Plan, require an additional Landscape Buffer of a minimum of 3.0 m.
6.6.8 Notwithstanding any other provisions in this bylaw, where leave strips are required along
stream corridors in accordance with the Official Community Plan, the land and vegetation
shall remain undisturbed. In the case of leave strips along Okanagan Lake, land is to
remain in its natural condition or be Landscaped in a manner that either enhances
conditions for fish and wildlife or maintains conditions equivalent to those that would have
existed had no development occurred. Retaining walls along the Okanagan Lake
waterfront are permitted under the terms of a development permit where required to
protect lakefront property.
6.6.9 In addition to the minimum Landscape Buffer treatment levels above:
.1 all lands adjacent to provincial highways, except those in agricultural zones and
within Town Centres, are required to have Level 4 Landscape Buffer treatment
unless superceded by development permit area guidelines;
.2 (Deleted - Bylaw 6012)
.3 all industrial zone properties shall have a Level 3 buffer zone when Adjacent to
non-industrial zone properties;
.4 all commercial zoned properties shall have a Level 3 buffer zone when Adjacent
to non-commercial and non-industrial properties;
.5 CD zones shall specify Landscape Buffer treatment for the CD Site;
.6 all non-secondary surface parking Lots in a commercial zone shall have a Level 3
buffer zone;
.7 required Landscape islands in parking areas shall have the same level of
Landscaping as a Level 1 buffer zone; and
.8 Recreational Vehicle parking compounds in housing zones shall have a Level 4
buffer zone.
6.6.10 Notwithstanding Section 6.6.1, all landscape areas should reflect the character and intent
of the Official Community Plan.
6.6.11 Where a Side Yard Landscape Buffer treatment is required and an opaque barrier is
included in the Landscape Buffer Treatment Design, the opaque barrier may be located
at the Lot Line.
6.6.12 Landscape Buffer treatments for School Sites may be amended from the standards
indicated in Table 6.1 - Minimum Landscape Buffer Schedule. Where changes to the
standards are proposed, supporting documentation from a registered Landscape
architect must be provided that contains that the following objectives have been met:
.1 that sufficient screening to Adjacent housing-based Lots has been achieved;
.2 that adequate Landscaping has been provided to provide shade for Buildings
and play areas;
Secfion 6: Landscape & Screening
.3 Driveway entrances and Parking Areas have been appropriately Landscaped
for optimization of screening and vehicular Site lines; and
.4 Landscaping around active play areas ensures safety to children on the School
grounds.
Where perimeter Landscaping cannot be provided due to any of the above noted
objectives, the School District will be required to provide or upgrade boulevard trees on all
abutting Streets.
Table 6.1-- Minimum Landscape Buffer Schedule
Location
Front Yard
Rear Yard
Side Yard
Public Amenity
Area Permitted
Agricultural Zones
ALR, AGRL, AGRS
0
0
0
NO
Housing Zones
MUS (4 units or less) (Bylaw
6012)
0
0
0
NO
MUS (5 units or more) (Bylaw
6012)
1
1
1
NO
MUA, MHS
1
1
1
NO
MUM
1
2
1
NO
MSH
1
2
2
YES
Commercial and Resort Zones
CMUN, CMUC
1
1
1
YES
CMUB
1
2
2
YES
RTH
1
1
1
NO
RCC
1
2
2
YES
Industrial Zones
INDL, INDA
4
3
3
NO
Community & Parks Zones
PANS
0
0
0
N/A
CMTY
1
1
1
YES
UTIL
3
1
1
NO
Secfion 6: Landscape & Screening
Minimum Landscape Buffer Treatment
Diagram 6.3
Level 1
Diagram 6.4
Level 2
Diagram 6.5
Level 3
Diagram 6.6
Level 4