19.35.170 Landscape maintenance and maintenance assurance requirements.
A. All landscape areas required by this title shall be maintained in accordance with the following standards:
1. All landscaping shall be maintained with respect to pruning, trimming, mowing, watering, insect control, fertilizing, or other requirements to create a healthy growing condition, attractive appearance, and to maintain the purpose of the landscape type.
a. Pruning of trees must be consistent with ANSI A300 (Part 1) American National Standard for Tree Care Operations—Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Management—Standard Practices (Pruning) and companion publication Best Management Practices Tree Pruning. Required trees shall not be pruned to maintain a height below twenty feet, except as required under power lines or as approved through the landscape modification process in EMC 19.35.190.
b. The topping, shearing or pollarding of required trees is prohibited.
c. Portions of trees that extend over areas used by pedestrians or vehicle maneuvering or parking areas, or that abut driveways, shall be limbed up to a height of seven feet to maintain pedestrian and vehicle clearance and clear lines of sight.
2. Topped, sheared, pollarded, dead, diseased, stolen, vandalized, improperly pruned, missing, or damaged plants shall be replaced within three months, or as required by this chapter.
3. All landscaped areas shall be maintained reasonably free of weeds and trash.
4. All required landscaping which is located within public right-of-way shall be maintained by the abutting property owner.
5. All corner lots shall maintain a vision clearance triangle. See EMC 19.41.060 for additional standards.
6. All LID stormwater management facilities shall also be maintained in accordance with the city of Everett stormwater management manual.
B. A maintenance assurance device, as described in Chapter 19.41 EMC, shall be required by the planning department to ensure that landscaping will be maintained for two years, according to the approved plans and specifications. (Ord. 3774-20 § 9 (Exh. 7), 2020; Ord. 3322-13 § 15, 2013; Ord. 2657-02 § 34, 2002; Ord. 1849-92 § 36, 1992; Ord. 1671-89, 1989. Formerly 19.35.130.)