Dania, Fl
Chapter 26 -Vegetation
The purpose is to protect
and preserve existing trees to help control environmental factors such as
erosion, reduce non-point source pollution and maintain vitality of natural
habitats. The code also seeks to enhance
the natural environment and beauty of the city by providing landscaped green
spaces, trees and other plant material in areas around paved areas and
structures. Xeriscape principles are
also encouraged.
The code of Dania, FL applies to all zoning districts.
The plant material standards that are required for trees are to plant ball sizes that are confirming to American standards fir nursery stock must also conform to the standards for Florida Number One. For shrubs, a minimum 2’ in height at planting, for ground covers, they must conform to the standards for Florida Number One. For turf, no seeding is allowed.
The design components that are contained within this code are tree relocation, tree protection, vehicular use area screening, vehicular use area interior, buffer requirements, open space standard, and incompatible land use.
The technical requirements for parking lot screening are standard for multifamily residential adjacent to public right of way. A 10’ buffer located between right of way and VUA. 1 tree for every 30 l.f. or fraction thereof a continuous hedge or wall 3’ high, no higher than 5’ tall, and all land in buffer shall be landscaped with living plant material. The standard for multifamily residential abutting other properties have a 5’ buffer located between adjacent property and VUA, 1 tree for every 40 l.f. or fraction thereof, a continuous hedge or wall 3’ high, no higher than 5’ tall, and all land in buffer shall be landscaped with living plant material.
To remove exiting trees, preserved, or protected trees in Dania, FL, a tree removal license is required. All trees require a tree removal license to be removed, historic trees cannot be removed without obtaining a variance, land clearing or site development cannot proceed without obtaining license, and single family residences of 1 acre or less are exempt except for historical trees.
Before removal of any tree, the applicant
must demonstrate that the tree to be removed cannot be relocated, either on
site or off site. Trees that are removed
must be replaced so that there is no loss of canopy at maturity.
The code also specifies tree protection
standards. Protective barriers must be
placed at the dripline and must be tall enough and visible to be seen by
equipment operators. Tree protection
barricades must be constructed of sturdy material, no flags or ribbon can be
used. No discharge of any material is
allowed within the dripline.
A tree preservation trust fund is also specified in the code for the purpose of accepting money from replacement fees and using it solely towards planting trees in the city.
No person shall cause to have pruning or trimming done by anyone who is not a member in good standing with the National Arborist Association.
For Dania, FL, a landscape
plan must be submitted to the planning and zoning board and the city
commission. The plans must be signed and
stamped by a licensed landscape architect in the state of Florida.
For a landscape plan to be approved, it must show existing trees to remain, to be relocated or removed, existing trees, shrubs and site improvements on abutting properties within 25’ of property lines, location and outline of proposed buildings and site improvements, plant material list, gross and net acreage, number of trees to remain, number of trees to be relocated, number of trees to be removed, square footage of vehicular use areas, site lighting locations, existing and proposed water bodies and retention ponds, planting details and specifications, and preliminary irrigation plan.
The most unusual thing about this code is the lack
of a street yard planting area and vehicular use area screening for properties
other than multifamily residential. The
code emphasizes the desire to enhance the natural beauty of the city but does
not employ standard methods to achieve the result. The other unique feature is the dedication to
preserving as many trees as possible; trees cannot be simply removed without
demonstrating that the trees cannot be relocated.
Dan Farrah