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a. Topsoil. In all zoning districts, a minimum of four inches of topsoil, as defined in section 117-1,shall <br /> be applied across all exposed ground areas to the edge of improved streets,sidewalks, driveways and <br /> other impervious surfaces,excluding natural areas that are left undisturbed,whenever a building <br /> permit is issued for the construction of a principal building. <br /> 1. The depth of topsoil at the time of inspection shall be not less than four inches. <br /> 2. Alternatives to the import of topsoil,such as compost or other soil amendments known to <br /> improve soil water holding capacity may be permitted, but only with the prior approval of the <br /> city engineer. <br /> b. Required ground cover. In all zoning districts except R-1,all portions of a site not covered by <br /> structures,concrete,or asphalt, but excluding natural areas that are left undisturbed,shall be <br /> finished with sod and plantings, up to the edge of improved streets and other impervious surfaces. <br /> Any alternative to the sod requirement shall require City Council approval. <br /> 1. In the R-1 Residential District,sod is required in all boulevards, excluding those areas devoted to <br /> sidewalks,trails and driveways. <br /> 2. The remainder of a yard may be established with sod,seed, natural ground cover and/or native <br /> grasses and wildflowers. Nexieus weeds do net censtitute allewable.gr^„r^' GeveF. <br /> 3. A landscape escrow, in an amount to be determined by the building official,shall be deposited <br /> for all required landscaping, including topsoil,sod and trees,which is not established at the time <br /> of issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Installation of required landscaping, including topsoil, <br /> sod (or seeding where permitted by this Code)and trees,shall be completed within six months of <br /> the issuance of the certificate of occupancy,weather permitting.The city may draw upon the <br /> escrow to install the required landscaping if said work is not completed within six months of the <br /> date of issuance of the certificate of occupancy. <br /> (2) Irrigation. If a landscape irrigation system is provided,the system shall be equipped with the following: <br /> a. Technology that inhibits or interrupts operation of the irrigation system during periods of sufficient <br /> moisture (rain sensor). <br /> b. One or more water efficient technologies.This could include, but is not limited to,.WaterSense <br /> labeled weather-based irrigation controllers,soil moisture sensors,and/or evapotranspiration (ET) <br /> sensors. <br /> (3) Existing trees. A reasonable attempt shall be made to preserve as many existing trees as is practicable and <br /> incorporate them into a development(see division 5,Tree Preservation for inventory and preservation <br /> requirements). For each healthy significant tree retained on site and not identified on the city's list of <br /> prohibited trees,one overstory tree,or the equivalent canopy square footage,can be deducted from the <br /> minimum planting requirements. <br /> (4) Planting types. Acceptable planting types shall be determined by the Ramsey Tree Book or, if not in the <br /> Ramsey Tree Book, have approval of the city.The complement of trees fulfilling the landscaping <br /> requirements shall not be less than 25 percent deciduous and not less than 25 percent coniferous. Not <br /> more than 25 percent of the required plantings shall consist of ornamental or understory trees. Projects <br /> should attempt to limit the planting of any one genus to no more than 20 percent of the total plantings. <br /> (5) Tree stock. Required plantings shall be free of insects, diseases,and mechanical injuries and shall have a <br /> straight trunk and form that is characteristic of the species. <br /> (6) Minimum planting sizes. The minimum planting sizes for all zoning districts shall be: <br /> a. Deciduous overstory tree: 2 inch caliper; <br /> Created: 2023-01-11 09:35:41 [EST] <br /> (Supp.No. 11) <br /> Page 2 of 7 <br />