§ 47-21.2. Definitions.

A.

For the purpose of this section, the following terms and words shall have the meanings herein prescribed unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

1.

Berm. A mound of earth configured in a manner which supports landscaping.

2.

Biological control. A component of an integrated pest management strategy. It is defined as the reduction of pest populations by natural enemies and typically involves an active human role.

3.

Bioretention. An engineered process to manage stormwater runoff using the chemical, biological, and/or physical properties found in natural, terrestrial-based communities of plants, microbes, and soils.

4.

Bufferyard. An area or areas located on nonresidential property which extend the full length of the property lines abutting residential property which meet the requirements for a bufferyard as provided in Sec. 47-25.3

5.

Caliper . Diameter measurement of nursery size tree trunks. Trunk caliper is measured six (6) inches from the ground on trees up to and including four (4) inches in diameter, and twelve (12) inches above the ground for trees that are larger than four (4) inches but smaller than seven (7) inches. As part of this ordinance, trees with diameters of seven (7) inches or greater is measured at four and one-half (4 ½) feet above grade. See Diameter definition.

6.

Canopy. The upper portion of a tree consisting of limbs, branches, and leaves.

7.

Clear trunk. The distance between the top of the root ball along the vertical trunk or trunks of a tree to the point at which lateral branching or fronds begin.

8.

Conifer. Cone-bearing seed plant.

9.

Conspicuous flowering. A plant which exhibits a contrasting display of reproductive parts of size, quantity and duration.

10.

Diameter. See 'Caliper' for measuring trees less than seven (7) inches in diameter. The diameter of a dicot or conifer tree trunk seven (7) inches or greater in diameter, is measured at four and one half (4 ½) feet above grade or ground level. The diameter of a monocot is the diameter of the tree trunk measured one (1) foot above grade or ground level.

11.

Dripline. The natural outside end of the branches of a tree or shrub projected vertically to the ground.

12.

Equivalent replacement. A tree (or trees) which due to its classification (based on the table of tree evaluation of the department) in the case of dicot or conifer, condition, size and location, is determined by the department to be the equivalent to the tree (or trees) which it replaces. In making this determination, the department shall be guided by the standards established by the International Society of Arboriculture.

13.

Equivalent value. An amount of money, which reflects the cost of replacing a dicot or conifer tree, determined by multiplying the cross-sectional surface area measured at four and one-half (4 ½) feet above grade commonly known as "diameter at breast height (DBH)" of the tree (measured in square inches) by the following values (based on the cost of obtaining an equivalent replacement according to classification of the tree as listed in the table of tree evaluation of the department):

a.

Class A—Twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per square inch.

b.

Class B—Twenty dollars ($20.00) per square inch.

c.

Class C—Fifteen dollars ($15.00) per square inch.

d.

Class D—Ten dollars ($10.00) per square inch.

e.

Class E—Five dollars ($5.00) per square inch.

f.

Class F—Zero dollars per square inch.

g.

Equivalent value of a monocot is determined by multiplying the number of trunk feet to the terminal bud by thirty dollars ($30.00) per foot.

14.

Excavation. To make a hole, unearth, scrape, or dig out for the purpose of construction, demolition, or removal with specific relation to a tree drip line and root system.

15.

Florida-Friendly Landscaping ^TM . Quality landscapes that conserve water, protect the environment, are appropriate for local conditions, and are drought, wind, and/or salt tolerant. Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping ^TM include planting the right plant in the right place, efficiently watering, appropriate fertilization, mulching, attraction of wildlife, responsible management of yard pests, recycling yard waste, reduction of stormwater runoff, and waterfront protection. Additional components of Florida-Friendly Landscaping ^TM include planning and design, soil analysis, use of solid waste compost, practical use of turf, and proper maintenance.

16.

Ground cover. A planting of low growing plants that covers the ground in place of turf. Within the dripline of a tree, two (2) to three (3) inches of mulch may be used instead of plants.

17.

Hatracking. To flat-cut the top of a tree, severing the leader or leaders; or pruning a tree by stubbing off mature wood; or reducing the total circumference or canopy spread not in conformance with the American National Standards Institute, A-300 standards or other accepted standards as published.

18.

Hedge. A row of evenly-spaced shrubs or other vegetation planted to form a dense, continuous, unbroken visual screen.

19.

Hydrozone. A distinct grouping of plants with similar water needs and climatic requirements. Also referred to as water use zone.

20.

Interior landscape area. That landscape area located within a vehicular use area further than twenty-eight (28) feet from the perimeter and not attached to the perimeter landscape area.

21.

Integrated pest management. A pest management strategy that focuses on long-term prevention or suppression of pest problems through a combination of techniques such as encouraging biological control, use of resistant plant varieties, and adoption of alternate cultural practices to make the habitat less conducive to pest development. Pesticides are used only when careful monitoring indicates they are needed, or to prevent pests from significantly interfering with the purposes for which plants are being grown.

22.

Interior parking. Parking spaces not contiguous to, nor directly abutting a perimeter.

23.

Irrigation System. A constructed watering system designed to transport and distribute water to plants.

24.

Irrigation Zone . A grouping of soakers, sprinkler heads, bubblers, or microirrigation emitters operated simultaneously by the control of one (1) valve.

25.

Landscape or landscaping. Any combination of living plants (such as grass, groundcover, shrubs, vines, hedges, palms, or trees) and non-living landscape material (such as rocks, pebbles, sand, mulch, walls, fences, or decorative paving materials installed for functional or aesthetic reasons at ground level and open to the sky.

26.

Landscape area. An area where landscaping has been or shall be installed.

27.

Landscape area, required. Landscape areas that are directly permeable to the subgrade through a natural drainage system unless otherwise specifically permitted by the ULDR.

28.

Lawn/turf/sod. An area of land planted with grasses or (rarely) other durable plants, which are maintained at a short height and used for aesthetic and recreational purposes.

29.

Low impact site design practices. Practices that minimize changes to the site's soil levels and composition by preserving existing landscape, shrubs and/or trees and other natural features.

30.

Monocotyledonous (monocot) tree. A tree having fronds with parallel veination and an indistinct, tightly held trunk surface (a palm).

31.

Mulch. An organic soil additive or topping such as compost, wood chips, wood shavings, seasoned sawdust, bark, leaves or straw, used to reduce evaporation, prevent erosion, control weeds, enrich the soil and lower soil temperature.

32.

Native vegetation. Any plant species with a geographic distribution indigenous to all, or part, of the state of Florida as identified in the Guide to the Vascular Plants of Florida , R. P. Wunderlin, 1998, University Press of Florida, Gainesville, or the Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.

33.

Nectar-producing plant. A plant that serves as a food source by producing nectar within their flowers for mainly nectar-consuming pollinators such as butterflies, moths, bees, hummingbirds and bats.

34.

Net lot area. The total square footage of a parcel of land after subtracting the square footage area of any vehicular use area including the VUA required landscaping, building footprint, walls, walks and swimming pools or any other impervious area.

35.

One-family residence. A building and its surrounding lot intended to be occupied by one (1) family only.

36.

Ornamental shrub. A multi-stemmed woody plant with several permanent stems used for ornamental purposes.

37.

Palm. A plant belonging to the monocot order of the family Palmae, distinguished by having unbranched single or multi-trunks crowned by large, compound pinnate, or palmate leaves/fronds.

38.

Parking garage. A building or structure consisting of more than one (1) level and used to park vehicles.

39.

Peninsular or island landscape area. A pervious area set aside for landscaping, located at the end of a parking row where it abuts an aisle or driveway, and also intermittently located within parking rows.

40.

Perimeter. The boundary line separating one (1) parcel of land from another or a parcel of land from a right-of-way. If the property is on a waterway, the perimeter shall be the bulkhead line.

41.

Perimeter landscape area. The landscape area directly abutting the perimeter of a VUA and within twenty-eight (28) feet of the property line.

42.

Perimeter parking. Parking spaces contiguous to or directly abutting a perimeter landscape area.

43.

Pervious area. That non-compacted land located at ground level, open to the sky allowing passage of air and water to the subsurface and used or set aside for landscaping.

44.

Pervious paving materials. A porous asphaltic, concrete, or other surface having a high-void aggregate base which allows for rapid infiltration and temporary storage of rain on, or runoff delivered to paved surfaces.

45.

Plant bed. A grouping of trees, shrubs, groundcover, perennials, or annuals growing together in a defined area devoid of turfgrass, normally using mulch around the plants.

46.

Plant communities. An association of native plants that are dominated by one (1) or more prominent species or a characteristic physical attribute.

47.

Plant palette. A list of site appropriate plant species of various colors, textures, and mature sizes chosen to be used in the landscape design.

48.

Planting plan. Specifications and installation details for plants, soil amendments, mulch, edging, gravel, staking materials, and other similar materials.

49.

Point of connection ("POC"). The location where an irrigation system is connected to a water supply.

50.

Protected tree. A tree which due to its size, shape, character, age, aesthetic value, species, historical value or any combination thereof declared by the city commission to be a locally unique example of the species.

51.

Protective barrier. Fences or like structures at least four (4) feet in height that are conspicuously colored and are erected to prevent or obstruct passage.

52.

Prune. To remove, cut off, or cut back parts of a tree or plant which will alter the natural shape.

53.

Right-of-way. Land provided by dedication, deed or easement which is devoted to, required for or intended for the use by the public as a means of public traverse.

54.

Runoff. The water that results from and occurs following a rain event, or following an irrigation event, because the water is not absorbed by the soil or landscape and flows off from the area.

55.

Shock. A state of retarded growth or degeneration of the vital processes resulting from, but not limited to, root damage, wounds, impact, partial or total girdling, or improper cutting.

56.

Shade tree. A single-trunked dicot or conifer tree which by virtue of its natural shape provides at maturity a minimum shade canopy thirty (30) feet in diameter as listed in the table of tree evaluation.

57.

Shrub. A multistemmed woody plant with several permanent stems usually maturing at less than 15 feet in height.

58.

Site appropriate plant. A plant that, after establishment, will thrive within the environmental conditions that are normal for a specific location without artificial inputs or supplements such as irrigation.

59.

Specimen tree. Any tree which has a diameter of eighteen (18) inches or greater and is well shaped and in good health. Exceptions are the following trees which are not specimen trees:

a.

Fruit trees that are capable of producing potentially edible fruit, including, but not limited to: mangos, avocados, or species of citrus;

b.

Species of the genus Ficus except F. aurea (strangler fig), F. citrifolia (short leaf fig), F. lyrata (fiddle leaf fig), F. rubiginosa (patio fig or rustyleaf fig);

c.

Acoelorrhaphe wrightii (paurotis palm) and Phoenix reclinata (Senegal date palm) which have less than eight (8) feet of wood height;

d.

All other multi-trunked palms not mentioned above;

e.

Australian pine, Brazilian pepper, melaleuca, pencil tree and poison wood, carrotwood, schefflera; and

f.

Trees which are "Class D" or lower.

60.

Standard. A woody perennial plant with a number of stout stems, all but one (1) of which has been removed. The remaining stem then has been trained into an upright, small, tree-like form having a rounded crown usually supported by a stake.

61.

Street. The term street includes any road, highway and other ways greater than twenty (20) feet in width which are open to travel by the public including the roadbed, right-of-way, sidewalk and other land devoted, required or intended for general circulation which affords a primary means of access to abutting property.

62.

Street tree. A tree which is located within twelve (12) feet of the edge of pavement or curb of a street or such other distance as determined by the department in accordance with this section.

63.

Table of tree evaluation. A table prepared by the city and amended from time to time listing tree species and information pertinent to such species, on file with the department.

64.

Tree. A woody perennial plant, possibly shrubby when young, with one (1) main stem or trunk which naturally develops diameter and height characteristics of a particular species.

65.

Tree abuse. Any action or inaction which does not follow acceptable trimming practices as established by the American National Standards Institute, A-300 standards or other accepted standards as published. Abuse also includes, but is not limited to, damage inflicted upon the roots by machinery, changing the natural grade within the drip line, destruction of the natural shape or any action which causes infection, infestation or decay.

66.

Tree Canopy Trust Fund. The fund maintained by the city to which funds received by the city for the equivalent value of trees removed shall be deposited. Money from the fund shall be used to enhance tree canopy coverage. Trust funds shall be expended, utilized and disbursed for the planting of trees and any other ancillary costs associated with the planting of trees on public lands. Ancillary costs shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the cost of the particular tree planting project, and may include landscape design services, irrigation, mulch, tree grates, porous surfacing, or other materials necessary for the proper installation and maintenance of tree planting projects. These monies may also be used for the relocation of trees to public lands and for periodically distributing saplings to the public to increase tree canopy coverage.

67.

Tree service/arborist. Any person, company, corporation or service which does regularly, for compensation or fee, transplant, remove, prune, trim, repair, inject, or perform surgery upon a tree.

68.

Tree removal. To change the location of a tree, or to cause damage to or destruction of a tree or root system so as to cause a tree to die.

69.

Trim. To reduce, shorten or gradually diminish the size of a plant by removal of parts of a plant without altering the natural shape.

70.

Vehicular use area (also referred to as "VUA"). Any area used by vehicles including, but not limited to, areas for parking, display, storage or traverse of any and all types of motor vehicles, bicycles, watercraft, trailers, airplanes or construction equipment, but shall not include areas used exclusively as an airport ramp or apron.

71.

Vine. A plant whose natural growth characteristic produces climbing stems.

(Ord. No. C-97-19, § 1(47-21.2), 6-18-97; Ord. No. C-99-15, §§ 2, 3, 3-16-99; Ord. No. C-03-19, § 9, 4-22-03; Ord. No. C-04-8, § 1, 3-2-04; Ord. No. C-08-04, § 2, 2-5-08; Ord. No. C-08-54, § 4, 12-2-08; Ord. No. C-15-09, § 2, 2-17-15 )