Legal Documents of Sweetwater

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, and words shall have the meaning given herein:

1. "Buffer strip." An area used to physically separate or screen one (1) use from another so as to visually shield or block noise, lights, or other nuisances.
2. "Caliper." A measurement of the tree trunk diameter.
3. "Canopy tree." A deciduous or evergreen tree whose mature height is commonly expected to exceed thirty feet (30') and is commonly expected to have a crown spread of thirty feet (30') or more.
4. "Ground cover." Live vegetation which grows low to the ground, such as grass, ivy, and other similar plants.
5. "Impervious surfaces." Includes concrete, asphalt, brick, metal, rock, or any other material constructed or erected on landscaped or natural buffer areas that impedes the percolation of water into the ground.
6. "Landscape island." In a parking lot, usually curbed, a landscaped area placed at the end or middle of parking rows as a guide to traffic and for landscaping.
7. "Landscape strip." In a parking lot, usually curbed, a landscaped area located between parking rows as a guide to traffic and for landscaping.
8. "Landscape yard." A landscaped area located between a parking lot and/or driveway aisles and the side or rear property line.
9. "Large shrub." A deciduous or evergreen shrub whose expected height at maturity commonly exceeds eight feet (8').
10. "Shade tree." A deciduous tree where the height at maturity is expected to exceed thirty feet (30') with an expected crown spread of at least thirty feet (30') and where the hunk can be easily maintained in a clear condition (no branches) at least five feet (5') above adjacent ground level.
11. "Small shrub." A deciduous or evergreen shrub whose expected height at maturity ranges between four feet (4') and eight feet (8').
12. "Street yard." A landscaped area located between a parking lot and/or driveway aisles and the street right-of-way.
13. "Tree pruning." The selective removal of certain limbs based on the structure, crown form, and growth of the tree.
14. "Tree topping." The excessive and arbitrary removal of all parts of the tree above and beyond a certain height with no regard for the structure or growth of the tree. The vertical stem or main leader and the upper primary limbs on trees are cut back to stubs at a uniform height.
15. "Understory tree." A deciduous or evergreen tree whose expected height at maturity rarely exceed thirty feet (30'). (as added by Ord. #832, Jan. 2009, and replaced by Ord. #935, Jan. 2016)