§ 21.80.080. Maintenance of plant materials.

A.

It shall be the responsibility of the property owner/developer to ensure the provision of healthy, growing landscaping. The property owner shall replace any unhealthy or dead plant materials in conformance with the approved landscape development proposal and shall maintain all landscape material.

B.

Unless entirely landscaped with significant trees preserved under Section 21.80.040 of this chapter, all areas where new landscaping is being required, excepting new single family lots, shall be provided with irrigation systems designed by a licensed landscape architect, Washington-certified nurseryman, Washington-certified landscaper or professional engineer. Such irrigation systems shall be designed, installed and operated to maintain the plant materials to the standards detailed in Section 21.80.080A. The county may waive landscape irrigation provided an alternative method to irrigate the plantings for three years is approved by the county and a maintenance assurance device in the amount of one hundred percent of the replacement cost of the landscape materials is provided.

C.

The county shall require a maintenance assurance device to ensure compliance with the requirements of this chapter. The value of a maintenance assurance device must equal at least one hundred twenty percent of the replacement cost of the landscape materials, and shall be utilized by the county to perform any necessary maintenance, and to reimburse the county for documented administrative costs associated with action on the device. The maintenance assurance shall be for a minimum period of two years from the completion of planting; however for Type I landscaping, the period shall be three years. The director may adjust the period of maintenance assurances on a case-by-case basis.

D.

The county may accept, as an alternative to a maintenance assurance device, a contractual agreement or bond between the owner/developer and a licensed landscape architect, Washington-certified nurseryman, or Washington-certified landscaper, along with a rider or endorsement specifically identifying the county as a party to the agreement for purposes of enforcement. Nothing in this alternative shall be interpreted to in any way modify the conditions of Section 21.80.080B.

E.

If a maintenance assurance device or evidence of a similar device is required under Section 21.80.080B and C, the property owner shall provide the county with an irrevocable notarized agreement granting the county and its agents the right to enter the property and perform any necessary work.

F.

Upon completion of the two-year maintenance period (three years for Type I landscaping), and if maintenance is not required, the county shall promptly release the maintenance assurance device or evidence thereof.

G.

All trees, plant materials and landscaped areas shall receive sufficient water to be kept in a healthy and growing manner.

(Ord. 11274 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. No. 15390, § 1(Att. A, § X), 11-29-2016)