§ 58-332. Definitions.

For the purposes of this division, certain terms or words used herein shall be interpreted as follows:

Caliper shall mean a nursery standard measurement of a tree's trunk diameter as measured at a predetermined point of measurement. Trunk caliper for trees up to four inches shall be measured six inches above the soil line. Trees greater than four inches in caliper shall be measured 12 inches above the soil line.

DBH (diameter at breast height) shall mean a standard measurement of a tree trunk diameter as measured at a predetermined point of measurement. Trunks of existing trees shall be measured at dbh, four and one-half feet above the soil line. For multitrunked trees, the dbh shall mean the cumulative diameter of the two largest trunks divided by two.

Existing tree shall mean an existing healthy species of tree with a minimum dbh of one and one-half inches which normally grows to a mature height of 40 feet or more and is not listed as a prohibited plant. Existing trees may be counted to meet some portions of this Code.

Florida-Friendly Landscaping shall mean a statewide program that encourages landscape design, installation, and maintenance practices that conserve water, reduce runoff of fertilizers and minimize the need for pesticides (http://www.floridayards.org/).

Hedge shall mean a planting of evergreen shrubs listed in section 58-341, approved plant and tree materials, which forms a compact, dense, living barrier which screens an area from view. The plants shall be in a minimum container size of seven gallons at a minimum 30-inch height at the time of planting and grow to at least 40 inches in height within one year after planting. Spacing of the hedge plants shall be no more than 42 inches apart.

High-water use zone shall be an area(s) of a property that receives the application of landscape irrigation by use of rotors, or sprays with application rates greater than 60 gallons per hour (gph).

Irrigation plan shall mean a scaled plan (no greater than 30 scale) showing protected trees, turf and high-, moderate-, and low-water use zones separately outlined and illustrated with their separate zones of irrigation. (See division 9., irrigation regulations.)

Landscape plan shall mean a scaled plan (no greater than 30-scale) showing the whole property, plant materials, complementary hardscape elements such as fountains, sculpture, masonry, walls, tree wells and water use areas.

Landscaping shall mean the use of plants, construction and grading to create a desired effect. Landscaping elements may consist of, but are not limited to, turf and other ground covers, shrubs, vines, hedges and trees.

Landscape architect shall mean a design professional registered in the state as defined by F.S. ch. 481, pt. II, Landscape Architecture.

Low-water use zone shall mean an area(s) of a property that receives the application of landscape irrigation by only rainfall or the use of micro-irrigation.

Masonry wall shall mean a wall and footing constructed of masonry material meeting the requirements of the Florida Building Code and Land Development Code, subsection 58-82(p)(8).

Ordinary high-water level shall mean the level that a lake can be expected to reach during a "ordinary" wet season. Refer to Land Development Code, subsection 58-83(d)(5) for lake elevations.

Open storage area shall mean an outdoor area used to store equipment, materials, or products.

Parkway shall mean the area in the public right-of-way between the edge of pavement or curb and the sidewalk or public right-of-way line.

Prohibited plant species or invasive plant shall mean a naturalized tree or plant that disrupts naturally occurring native plant communities as determined by the State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as listed in section 58-149, prohibited plant species. The most up-to-date lists shall rule.

Rain sensor shall mean a device connected to the automatic controller of an in-ground irrigation system that will override the irrigation cycle of the sprinkler system when adequate rainfall has occurred. F.S. § 373.62 requires that "Any person who purchases and installs an automatic lawn sprinkler system after May 1, 1991, shall install, and must maintain and operate, a rain sensor device or switch that will override the irrigation cycle of the sprinkler system when adequate rainfall has occurred."

Service area shall mean an equipment area, loading area or dock, trash collection area, trash compaction area, truck parking area, recycling area, or other similar service function area.

Shade tree shall mean a species of tree which normally grows to a mature height of 40 feet or more and is listed in section 58-341, approved plant and tree materials. Each shade tree shall be a minimum of 12 feet in height and a minimum of three-inch caliper at planting.

Understory tree shall mean a species of tree listed in section 58-341, approved plant and tree materials. Each understory tree shall be a minimum of six feet in height and a minimum of one-inch caliper at planting.

Vehicular use area shall mean any paved or unpaved ground surface area used for storage, display, temporary parking, and/or maneuvering of vehicles by employees or customers, either for compensation or to provide an accessory service to a commercial, industrial, or residential use, excluding single-family and duplex residences.

Vine shall mean a species of vine listed in section 58-341, approved plant and tree materials. A planting of vines shall form a dense, evergreen living barrier to screen an area from view. The vines shall be in a minimum container size of three gallons at a minimum 24-inch height at the time of planting and grow to at least 40 inches in height within one year after planting. Spacing of the vines shall be no more than 36 inches apart. Support shall be provided for the vines to grow upright.

Water use zones shall mean distinct portions of a property that shall be of a low-, moderate-, or high-water use. These zones shall be planted with plant materials with similar or lower water use needs. If irrigation is provided, then each zone shall be irrigated with separate irrigation zones on separate programs. Refer to section 58-341, approved plant and tree materials, to determine the water needs of plants and to division 9, irrigation regulations.

(Ord. No. 2766-09, § 1, 4-27-09)