Sec. 24-526. Parking lot requirements.
(a) Parking lot perimeter. All parking lots, including parking spaces, interior drives, and loading/unloading areas, shall be separated from all thoroughfare plan recommended street rights-of-way by a landscaping area that is a minimum of ten (10) feet in width. The landscape area shall be planted either of the following options or a combination of both:
(1) Trees and shrubs. A minimum of one tree shall be provided for every two hundred fifty (250) square feet of landscaped area. The trees may be a combination of deciduous, evergreen, and ornamental trees. In addition, a minimum of one shrub shall be provided for every one hundred (100) square feet of landscaped area.
(2) Landscape berm. A landscaped berm that is a minimum of three (3) feet in height shall be provided along the length of the landscaped area. A minimum of one shrub shall be provided for every five (5) linear feet of berm.
(b) Parking lot interior requirements. To help reduce excessive heat buildup and emissions from large areas of hard surfacing, landscape areas must be provided within parking lots as follows:
(1) Landscaped areas required: Landscape islands with a surface area equal to five (5) percent of the area of the paved surface, including all parking spaces, interior drives, loading docks, drop-of/pick-up lanes, and access drives beyond the right-of-way shall be provided in all parking lots.
(2) Landscaped area standards: The required landscape areas shall meet the following minimum requirements:
a. All required landscaped areas shall consist of curbed islands or peninsulas that are surrounded on at least two (2) sides by pavement;
b. Landscaping on the perimeter of the parking lots shall not be counted toward complying this requirement;
c. Landscape islands must be located on a lot line that is immediately adjacent to another commercial lot while at the same time leaving space for vehicular and pedestrian access between adjacent commercial lots;
d. A minimum of one deciduous tree shall be provided for two hundred (200) square feet of landscaped area required; and
e. A landscaped island shall be provided at the end of every twenty (20) parking spaces or one hundred (100) linear feet, whichever is less.