Skip to main content
Loading…
This section is included in your selections.

A. LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DURING CONSTRUCTION.

1. When new development or construction activity will modify existing landscaped areas, the landscape plans shall demonstrate that existing trees and landscaping are preserved in place or relocated on site. If a required tree cannot be preserved or relocated, then a new tree shall be planted in an appropriate area on site.

2. Existing plant material shall be fully protected during all construction activity. Existing plant material may only be relocated or permanently removed if identified on an approved final landscape plan. Any new, relocated, or existing plant material identified to remain, that does not survive, shall be replaced within thirty (30) days of notification by the city. Replacement plant material shall be with a comparable species and size.

B. RIGHT-OF-WAY LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE.

1. Maintenance of landscaping in the right-of-way shall be the responsibility of the adjacent property owner, whether an individual, corporation, property owner’s association or homeowners’ association in accordance with the Goodyear City Code and as established herein.

2. Within single family residential subdivisions, if the local street section includes detached sidewalks, then the maintenance of the area between the street curb and edge of sidewalk shall be the responsibility of the applicable homeowners’ association (HOA) for that subdivision. HOA responsibility shall be established on the final plat for the subdivision and said responsibility shall include maintenance of all landscaping within the aforementioned right-of-way area. If no HOA is established, then the maintenance of this area shall fall to the adjacent property owner.

3. Landscape maintenance for properties developed under a unified landscape plan shall be conducted in a manner to ensure consistent and complementary results.

C. MAINTENANCE AND DETERMINATION OF VIOLATION.

1. Property owners within single family residential subdivisions shall maintain their property in conformance with the Goodyear City Code.

2. In addition to the standards contained within the Goodyear City Code, the following standards shall also be applicable for landscaping in commercial, industrial and multi-family residential zoning districts, nonresidential developments in residential zoning districts, and HOA controlled common areas within platted subdivisions located in residential zoning districts:

a. Landscaped areas shall be maintained by the owner or lessor of the property in perpetuity. Maintenance shall include pruning, trimming, and watering of live plant material and the removal and replacement of dead plant material within thirty (30) days of notification by the city.

b. All planting and maintenance of trees within public rights-of-way shall conform to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A-300 “Standard for Tree Care Operations” and shall follow all tree care best management practices (BMPs) published by the International Society of Arboriculture, as amended.

c. Landscaped areas shall be maintained in a weed-free manner, free of debris.

d. All irrigation systems shall be maintained in good working condition and shall be programmed in accordance with seasonal irrigation requirements. Broken, leaking, or damaged irrigation systems shall be repaired within twenty-four (24) hours of identification or notification by the City.

e. Landscaping shall be maintained at the level shown on the original approved final landscape plan. Replacement and replanting of required landscaping shall occur as necessary to maintain conformance with the original approved final landscape plan.

f. Amenities and other hardscape improvements shown on the approved final landscape plan shall be maintained in good repair. Items in disrepair shall be replaced or fully repaired within thirty (30) days of notice provided by the City.

g. All tree stumps shall be removed below the surface of the ground so that the top of the stump shall not project above the surface of the ground.

3. Determination of Violation. The following activities or omissions shall constitute a violation of this Article:

a. Any alteration or deterioration of required landscape improvements except as noted in Section 5-1-5-C-4.

b. Areas containing weeds, debris, sinkholes, lack of inorganic groundcover, or similar conditions.

c. Missing, dead or unmaintained trees, shrubs, or other landscaping.

d. Amenities, including, but not limited to, barbeques, tot lots, ramadas, picnic tables, ball fields, courts, pools, lakes, lighting, sidewalks, trails, fences, gates, refuse enclosures, and other common area amenities or HOA facilities and buildings, which are missing, in disrepair or in need of paint or maintenance.

e. Trees, installed in accordance with this Article, that have been be so severely pruned or topped as to adversely affect said trees’ natural form, health or long-term viability. Trees severely damaged by storms or other natural causes, or certain trees under utility wires or other obstructions where other pruning practices are impractical may be exempt from this section at the determination of the Zoning Administrator or his/her designee.

4. Determination of No Violation. There shall not be a violation of the requirements of this section if:

a. Trees or shrubs that have been removed for safety reasons, such as maintaining traffic visibility or preventing interference with utility poles and/or power lines, and if such removal has been authorized by the Zoning Administrator or his/her designee.

b. The existing landscaping meets the intent of the original approved plans.

c. If there is no approved landscape plan or other relevant document on file with the City, a violation of this section shall only be found to exist for dead plant material, parking lot planter islands where trees have been removed or are missing, damaged irrigation systems, debris, erosion, failure to control dust and where existing amenities are in disrepair. Amenities in disrepair shall be repaired or replaced.

d. Other than for streetscape, theme trees or similar designated trees within a special character area or landscape buffer, where trees or other plant material have been replaced with alternative material similar in size and appearance. (Ord. 22-1565, passed 12-12-22)