COMMUNITY
GREEN
LAWS
IN AMERICA………………………………
Did you know?
Some things that 'green laws' do in different communities around the country. Showing you the variety, vibrancy and vagary of landscape codes across this great nation.
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Many of the comments below have been culled from the book U.S. Landscape Ordinances published by John Wiley & Sons, New York and a new book in the works tentatively titled "A Landscape Code For American Communities." Additional information, graphic diagrams, references, sources and contract names about each city can be read in U.S. Landscape Ordinances. For specific information about the ordinances mentioned below, or if readers desire more a broader background on this subject, it is recommended that the Planning Department of the city be contacted. **************************************************************************************
Auburn, Alabama defines tree protection as any measure taken to safeguard the health, condition and appearance of any tree or any method used to insure continued viability of a protected tree. Methods of protection include limiting physical access, pruning, watering, fertilization, washing of canopy, regrading to prevent silting over and signage to indicate protected tree status.
Eufaula, Alabama landscape standard sets aside 12% of building sites for landscaping and of that amount, the first 20’ of the street yard must be set aside and planted with one native tree for every 30’ of frontage.
Sixty percent of the landscape requirement is to be installed in the street yard.
Fairhope, Alabama provides for three types of landscape buffers. They include an opaque fence not less than 6’ in height along with a 4’ wide strip of evergreen plantings that must reach 6’ in height in three growing seasons. A staggered double row of evergreen plantings 6’ in width, which will grow 6’ in height in three years and will provide a nearly impervious visual barrier. A 20’ wide buffer of natural undisturbed forest, which will provide a nearly impervious visual barrier.
Mobile, Alabama requires that 12 percent of each building site be set aside for landscaping.
Vestavia Hills, Alabama has a citizens landscape committee that must approve landscape plans before a clearing or building permit can be granted by the city. This community has a very simple ordinance that is
Anchorage, Alaska is the most Northern City with a landscape ordinance. They have some special
'Cold weather' requirements in their code.
Glendale, Arizona is very concerned about the streetedge view. They require one tree and three shrubs for each thirty feet of street frontage and ground covers must fill 60% of this planting space.
Tucson, Arizona requires that all plant materials used on commercial development be those on the suggested list of Drought Tolerant Plants.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas proposed tree preservation ordinance requires permits for removal of any deciduous or conifer tree with 4" dbh or larger (2" dbh flowering trees) and limb removal when limbs are greater than 6" caliper at the tree trunk.
Little Rock, Arkansas recently upgraded their landscape ordinance to a land alteration code. Their new green law, not only requires post construction landscaping but sets standards for site grading, tree preservation and landscape plan preparation.
Alhambra, California requires one 60" box tree per 50’ of street frontage in PO (professional office) zoning districts.
Bakersfield, California street wall planting standard is one tree for each 50 LF of building frontage.
Carlsbad, California includes a ‘streetscape’ component in their landscape ordinance. They have established a streetscape theme for the major arterial streets of the city. Development along these streets must conform to these special landscape requirements.
Cerritos, California recommended street tree species include Modesto Ash, Sharpleaf Jacaranda, Golden Rain Tree, Canary Island Pine, Holly Oak, Pink Idaho Locust, Small Leaf Tristania and Cajeput.
Davis, California created a standard that all parking lots must have 50% of the paved area shaded within 15 years of construction. Shade calculations must be submitted with all landscape plans. A recent study of a automobile in a parking lot in Davis demonstrated that shaded parking lots make for cooler cars in the summer both, within the cabin and in the fuel tank. (Scott, Simpson, McPherson 1998)
Indian Wells, California has created an Architecture And Landscape Review Committee to review all building projects for compliance with site planning guidelines, building design guidelines, landscape architecture and lighting guidelines and irrigation system design. The latter involves approval of maximum water allowance (MWA) and estimated water use (EWU) for the project. Special attention is paid to the Highway 111 Landscape Overlay Zone.
Industry, California irrigation standard requires that all landscape areas must be provided with automatic irrigation systems.
Kern County, California has a standard for shrub and tree planting that requires the planting pit to be twice the size of the rootball. Soil admendment composition, chemistry and structure is not given.
Los Angeles, California, specifically the Westchester District at the intersection of Arizona Avenue and Supulveda Boulevard was the first development that was required by a city to build and plant a street buffer zone to protect the public from the effects of automobile traffic. This case went to court and was upheld by the California Supreme Court in the famous Ayres v. City Council case settled in 1949.
Los Angeles, California Municipal Code, Section 12.40 is one of the newest and most comprehensive landscape codes in the country. It is an environmental goal driven code that is based upon science, rather than art.
Los Gatos, California this silicon valley community requires water efficient landscaping in compliance with California state law. The Conversion factor (0.62) converts the maximum applied water allowance from acre-inches per acre per year to gallons per square foot per year. The conversion factor is calculated
as follows:
325,829 gallons/43,560 square feet/12 inches = (0.62)
325,829 gallons = 1 acre-foot
43,560 square feet = 1 acre
12 inches = 1 foot
To convert gallons per year to 100 cubic feet per year, another common billing unit for water, divide gallons per year by 748. (748 gallons = 100 cubic feet)
Marin, California municipal water district requires that landscape plans includes a planting plan, an irrigation plan, and a grading plan drawn at the same scale and that clearly and accurately identify specified plants, irrigation layout, equipment, finish grades and drainage, specifications and construction details, plan sheet numbers, and drawing date of plans.
State of California requires water efficient landscaping and that plantings be grouped in ‘hydrozones’ of plants with similar watering requirements. Effective precipitation is to included in the calculation of the Estimated Total Water Use. An Effective Precipitation Disclosure Statement shall be completed, signed, and submitted with the Landscape Documentation Package. No more than 25 percent of the local annual mean precipitation shall be considered effective precipitation in the calculation of the Estimated Total Water Use.
Napa, California provides for in their Riparian Habitat Area Ordinance, 1. Streambank buffers, 2. Protection of native vegetation, 3. Limits on vegetation removal,4. Bank stablilzation, 5. Proper site design to prevent loss of vegetation and that a 6. Habitat Management Plan be submitted for review and approval.
Palo Alto, California the City Council adopted an urgency ordinance (Ordinance No. 4356), effective immediately, imposing new regulations regarding two oak tree species -- Coast Live Oak and Valley Oak. The ordinance prohibits removal of any such tree if it is 36 inches in circumference or larger (measured 4.5 feet above natural grade), except for special circumstances.
Rancho Cucamonga, California wishes to perpetuate a naturalized system of blue gum eucalyptus windrows through preservation of and planting of additional eucalyptus trees. Permits are required for the removal of all trees.
Santa Cruz, California sets a standard for significant trees at 20" DBH single trunk and 12"DBH for sprout clump trees or any group consisting of five or more trees on one parcel and any tree located in sensitive habits in a coastal landscape setting.
The City of South San Francisco regulates parking lot illumination in their landscape code.
Stockton, California requires that the City landscape architect compile a list of Official Street Trees for planting on public streets and promulgate rules and regulations for planting, trimming, care and removal of trees in street rights-of-way, public utility easements, parks or other public places.
Sunnyvale, California minimum standard for replacement of protected trees is a California Association of Nurserymen’s standard twenty-four inch box size tree.
Vista, California "median island landscape" is a viable and important aspect of the streetscape environment. The following criteria is to be used when developing a landscape design theme for median island development. The developer is required to submit a landscape theme for all new median islands within the right-of-way areas adjacent to the proposed site development. The extent of the median islands to be improved, as a result of the proposed construction, will be determined by the City prior to the final master plan phase of any private development. The following are minimum criteria that must be incorporated into the median island design theme. 1. All landscape concepts must consider existing median island landscape themes adjacent to the proposed development while also incorporating the design criteria required by the City. 2. Criteria approved by the City shall be used for all medians.
Aspen, Colorado requires a three-year maintenance period to all new plantings in sidewalk areas and along public streets. Financial assurance in an amount equal to 120% of the cost of the landscaping must be tendered to the city.
Douglas County, Colorado has set a standard of 15% of gross site area to be landscaped. Additional buffering adjacent to special land uses such as residential, environmentally sensitive areas or significant view coridors may be required.
Grand Junction, Colorado standard for planting strips between parking lots and interior property lines is an 8 foot strip planted with 1 large tree and 2 medium trees per 5 parking spaces.
Pueblo, Colorado requires a ten-foot planted buffer strip between commercial and residential zoning districts. They require trees planted twenty feet on center in this strip along with a six-foot fence.
Westminster, Colorado landscape buffer standard for earthwork berm is a maximum 4:1 slope, that is a rise of 1 over a run of 4. Minimum landscape area shall be 20% of site for properties under 10 acres in size.
Windsor, Connecticut requires a 20’ buffer between commercial zones and residential zones and a 50’ buffer between industrial and residential zones. Planting requirements are one major tree and two shrubs every 25’ of property line.
Dover, Delaware Location and spacing standards are; all large trees shall be planted no closer than thirty-five (35) feet; medium trees thirty (30) feet and small trees twenty-five (25) feet except in special plantings designed or approved by a landscape architect.
New Castle, Delaware special residential landscaping standards include. All residential lots of twelve thousand (12,000) square feet or less or any unit using side-load garages shall install special landscaping.
A. Village House. Village house street yards shall be landscaped with two (2) additional items. Select two (2) from the following categories. These additions shall be included in one (1) of two (2) ways. The plan shall identify the techniques on each lot, or options may be included in the house price and selected by the home purchaser.
1. Street property-line border.
a. Stone wall, wood or wrought-iron fence at least three (3) feet in height; or
b. Hedge with shrubs planted at a maximum of three (3) feet on center; or
2. Additional landscaping.
a. Two (2) flowering understory trees at one and one-half (1.5) inch caliper.
b. Two (2) evergreen trees at least five (5) feet high.
d. A perennial flower bed having a minimum of five (5) species over eighty (80) square feet and one (1) understory or evergreen of the size indicated in (a) and (b) above.
3. Structure. One (1) of the following and ten (10) flowering or evergreen shrubs at least twenty-four (24) inches high. These options are not available
where a front-load garage is used on a lot with less than ninety (90) feet of frontage.
a. A roofed porch which is not enclosed or screened, running three-quarters (0.75) the width of the house front and having a minimum width of seven (7) feet.
b. A masonry or stone patio raised a minimum of eighteen (18) inches above the front yard, minimum eight (8) foot width, and at least five hundred (500) square feet.
(editor’s note: this community has other standards for various types of housing)
Wilmington, Delaware Existing parking lots. Any off-street surface parking lot that is existing, or for which at least one building permit or certificate of use and occupancy has been issued, as of January 1, 1998 and that contains five or more parking spaces located within the boundaries of, or on a lot any part of which is adjacent to or directly across a street from any boundary of any C-3, central retail, or C-4, central office, district shall be brought into conformity with the requirements of section 48-528 (parking lot perimeter requirements) during the first two years following such date, i.e., on or before December 31, 1999, unless such use has been sooner terminated, in phases and with priorities in accordance with the implementation schedule to be on file in the offices of planning and of the zoning administrator. Any off-street surface parking lot that is not subject to this provision, but that complies with the provisions of this subdivision, may continue as a nonconforming use subject to the provisions of section 48-38.
Altamonte Springs, Florida requires that vehicular use areas (VUA) be shaded. They have set a standard of 15% within five years. Shade point requirements must be calculated.
Bal Harbour, Florida The Architectural Review Board shall review all architectural plans and specifications submitted to the Village in connection with applications for building permits, hold hearings,
consult with the Village departments or governmental agencies as to matters affecting the appearance of the Village and study exterior design drawings, landscape and site plans and materials for any proposed public works or public improvements and to make recommendations to the Council or Village Manager as to the architectural or aesthetic aspects thereof.
Boca Raton, Florida is thought to have the first contemporary landscape ordinance in America dating back to 1966. A Community Appearance Board that has much the same power as the local zoning board administers their code.
Brooksville, Florida. The South Florida Water Management District drafted a model landscape code to promote water conservation and appropriate landscaping in 1986. This code has been accepted, modified and adopted by hundreds of communities in Florida and sets a model standard that can be used throughout the region.
Broward County, Florida has 29 communities which all have landscape requirements. There are so many landscape codes in this small area that they have formed an Association of Landscape Inspectors.
Broward County, Florida assesses a fee of $100.00 for an initial tree removal license plus additional fees per tree removed according to a sliding schedule. All fees are deposited in a Tree Preservation Trust Fund.
Coral Springs, Florida all elements of landscaping shall be installed so as to meet applicable City Code requirements and standards. The Coral Springs "Landscape Manual" is an illustrative interpretation and guide for landscaping in accordance with the standards required.
Landscaped areas abutting front-end parking shall require protection from vehicular encroachment by placing curbing or carstops at least three (3) feet from the edge of such landscaped areas except in RS, RC-6, and RD-8 Districts. Other landscaped areas abutting curved or angular drives shall be curbed. The city manager or his designee shall inspect all landscaping and no certificate of occupancy or similar authorization will be issued unless the landscaping meets the requirements herein provided.
Charlotte County, Florida open space/habitat reservation requirement is 20% of total area of the parcel which must be maintained in its natural state in perpetuity.
Dade County, Florida requires the preparation of tree surveys and issues permits for the removal of vegetation. A certificate of compliance must be prepared and signed by a registered landscape architect upon completion of construction.
Daytona Beach, Florida uses a tree ratio of one tree for each 200 SF of landscape area and one tree for each 2500 SF of building site.
Gainesville, Florida regulates the design of vehicular use areas, landscape buffers and site reforestation. Tree removal permits are required for all tree more than 8"dbh. The Land Development Code requires that parking lot trees shade 50% of paved areas within 20 years. Shrubs in border and perimeter areas must provide a 75% visual screen at least 3 feet high within 3 years.
Hillsborough, County, Florida defines land alteration as any activity that removes vegetation from or changes the topography of the land by grubbing, tree removal, clearing, grading, filling or excavating.
Jacksonville, Florida requires 10% of the interior of a VUA to be planted and that 10 SF of street buffer be provided for each one linear foot of street frontage.
Lake Mary, Florida sets standards for storm water detention and retention in their landscape code.
Leon County, Florida, near Tallahassee, links storm water management to vegetation in their community green law. They certainly understand a basic principle of nature.
Lighthouse Point, Florida interior planting islands shall be 5’ wide by 15’ long and placed no more than 10’ on center.
Orlando, Florida water edge design standard as set forth in Orlando Growth Management Plan requires that all development sites abutting surface water bodies or wetlands shall be planted with appropriate aquatic plantings along at least 75% of the littoral zone.
Palm Beach County, Florida requires that landscape plans be submitted at several stages of project planning. Landscape plans required include 1. Site plan for conceptual review, 2. Landscape plan,
3. Planting plan and, 4. Alternate landscape plan.
Pennsacola, Florida landscape area requirements. The minimum percentage of the total developable site which shall be devoted to landscaping, shall be as follows: zoning percentage requirements R-ZL, R-2A, R-2 . . . 20% of site, R-NC, C-1, C-2, R-C . . . 15% of site, C-3, M-1, M-2 . . . 10% of site, SSD, ATZ-1, ATZ-2 . . . 20% of site
Miami, Florida is the only city in America that recognized the relationship between vegetation and hurricanes.
North Miami, Florida requires the screening of recreational vehicles.
Orange County, Florida sets standards for VUA’s, VUA interiors, parking garages, sight triangles, building perimeters, service area screens and buffer yards
Palm Bay, Florida applicants for single family and two-family building permits shall submit a landscape plan. The landscape plan must be shown on a survey drawing, and can be shown on the site plan survey to be submitted for the building permit.
Pampano Beach, Florida a conceptual irrigation plan must be submitted as a separate drawing, at the same scale of the landscape plan. The irrigation plan must indicate the water source, head locations, head type, rain sensing device, radius of coverage, rust filter, pipe location, pipe sizing and zones, automatic control devices, pump or meter locations and backflow prevention and anti-siphon devices.
St. Lucie County, Florida, like many Florida communities, embraces Xeriscape or ‘water wise’ site design standards. Standards reduce water needs, limit planting of lawns, prohibit over watering and run off, and reduce evaporation. In addition, they allow development to meet the standards by preserving native ground cover.
West Palm Beach, Florida regulates the design and planting of parking lots. Their landscape code illustrates in Figure XIV-1 travel lanes, parking bays, parking access and egress points and interior landscape areas as interior islands, terminal islands, travel lane divider medians, head on head planting strips and landscape buffers or parking lot screens. They also provide dimensional requirments for curbs and wheel stops.
Alpharetta, Georgia has set vegetation ‘site density factor’ of 20 units per acre. According to a conversion chart that is provided in their landscape code this, would require the planting of 17 four inch trees to the acre to gain 20 SDF’s or the preservation of 33 twelve inch DBH trees.
Covington, Georgia spacing standards for street trees requires that no trees may be planted closed together than the following: small trees, 30 feet; medium trees, 40 feet; and large trees, 50 feet; except in special plantings designed or approved by a landscape architect. The distance trees, may be planted from curbs or curblines and sidewalks will the following: small trees, two (2) feet; medium trees, three (3) feet; and large trees, four (4) feet. No street tree shall be planted within thirty-five (35) feet of any street corner, except on city property measured from the point of nearest intersecting curbs or curblines. No street tree shall be planted within ten (10) feet of any fireplug.
Dekalb County, Georgia uses Best Management Practices (BMP’s) with a collection of structural measures and vegetative practices which, when properly designed, installed and maintained, will provide effective erosion and sedimentation control for all rainfall events up to and including a twenty-five-year, twenty four hour rainfall event.
Dekalb County, Georgia tree banking determines contributions to the Tree and Green Space Fund.
The dollar value of tree units to be tree banked will be determined where there is a density factor deficit. The method to calculate this determines Site Density Factor. (SDF of 30 units per acre for multi-family and non-residential property and 15 units per acre for residential property), Existing Density Factor (EDF) and Replacement Density Factor(RDF). Density Factor Deficit. DFD is calculated by subtracting the
sum of the EDF and RDF from SDF (DFD=SDF– (EDF+RDF)). Convert DFD to the appropriate number of trees by dividing DFD by either .4 (the unit value of a 2 inch caliper replacement tree). Convert to contribution dollars by multiplying the number of trees by either $250 (the amount determined necessary to purchase, plant, and maintain a 2 inch tree).
Fulton County, Georgia river, tributary and state waters buffer re-vegetation standard is a mix composed of 25% large trees 200 SF each, 25% small trees 100 SF each, 25% shrubs 25 SF each and 25% grasses, ground covers and perennials 4 SF each.
Gwinnett County, Georgia defines tree protection areas (TPA) as the place on a development site where existing trees are to be preserved and replacement trees are to planted.
Peachtree City, Georgia mandates that all landscape plans submitted for site plan review or for purposes of showing tree removal and trees to be protected and preserved must be prepared by a landscape architect registered in the State of Georgia.
Thomasville, Georgia material requirements in perimeter area. Trees: The total tree requirement within the
perimeter landscape areas shall be determined by using a ratio of one (1) tree for each twenty-five
(25) linear feet of required landscape perimeter area, or major portion thereof, with no less than
seventy-five (75) percent of said trees being shade trees. All trees shall be provided at least
one hundred (100) square feet of planting area each. This provision is not intended to require
trees to be equally spaced twenty-five (25) feet apart. Creative design and spacing is encouraged.
Ground Cover: Grass or other ground cover shall be placed on all areas within the front, side and
rear setback perimeter landscape areas not occupied by other landscape material, or permitted
accessways. Visual Screen in perimeter area: Perimeter setback landscape areas. A visual screen
shall be placed within the perimeter setback landscape areas and shall run the entire length of
such abutting property line, except at permitted accessways.
Savannah, Georgia land clearing and tree protection ordinance sets forth ‘landscape quality point standards’ and ‘tree quality point standards’ that must be met by the preservation of existing trees or the planting of replacement trees, shrubs ground covers. In new single family residential subdivisions 1600 TQP’s per acre are required by subdivision developers in order to achieve a 50 percent canopy cover.
Thomasville, Georgia has the ‘trinity of green laws’ in their municipal code. They have a Tree Ordinance, a Landscape Ordinance and a Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Control Ordinance.
Honolulu, Hawaii has a VUA requirement of one two-inch tree per six parking stalls or one six inch canopy tree for each 12 parking stalls.
Boise, Idaho mandates that their City Forester for the proper selection, planting and maintenance of trees review development plans associated with new construction.
The Village of Arlington Heights, Illinois requires that detention basins be landscaped to improve aesthetic
appearance, to maintain water quality and for personal safety.
Chicago, Illinois establishes four design components. They include: Parkway Trees: Chicago requires the planting of one shade tree, at least 2 «" in caliper, for every 25 feet of frontage. Screening: The builders of parking lots must plant hedges 2 «' to 4' high within a 5'0" landscaped setback in order to screen surface parking lots from the streets. The required setback is 15' to 20' if the parking lot is located in a residential district. Perimeter Screening: along side or rear lot lines by a wall, fence or hedge of not less than 5' nor more than 7' in height. Internal Planting for Vehicular Use Area: The landscape ordinance requires shade trees, at least 2" in caliper, to be planted in landscape islands (minimum 165 SF). The total landscape area must equal 5% of the vehicular use area. One tree must be planted for every 250 SF of interior landscaped area.
Elgin, Illinois planting in transitions landscape yards is based upon a square foot spacing standard represented by the formulas ST=TYLA/1,250 and EOT=TYLA/1,250 and S=TYLA/75 where ST means Shade Tree, EOT means Evergreen or Ornamental trees, S means shrubs and TYLA means Transition Landscape Yard.
Peoria, Illinois have developed a landscape code based upon a point system, rather than specific performance standards that must be met for various site zones.
Winnetka, Illinois outlaws the planting of willow trees on private property within 100 feet of a public sewer or drain.
Indianapolis, Indiana minimal planting standard for front yards (street yard) is one deciduous overstory shade tree forty feet on center or one deciduous ornamental understory tree every 25 feet on center.
State of Indiana has written a model ordinance for ‘small site erosion and sediment control.’ Protecting trees, stabilizing slopes and re-vegetating construction sites immediately after development is central to this green law.
West Lafayette, Indiana has a vehicular use area perimeter standard of one tree for every thirty linear feet of edge along with the installation of berms and shrubs to screen the parking area from the street.
Davenport, Iowa prohibits the use of Osage orange hedge fences.
Muscatine, Iowa require that all citizens wishing to plant trees in public rights-of-way shall obtain a permit.
Kansas City, Kansas sets planting standards based upon linear measure, square foot measure and unit numbers.
Wichita, Kansas uses a formula to define the extent of street yards. Street yards are calculated by W x X = Y, where w is the width of the lot, x the required square footage per code and y is the required area of the street planting zone.
Lexington, Kentucky requires that landscape buffers and screens have a 50% winter and 70% summer opacity.
Lexington-Fayette County, Kentucky require that design plans for any publicly funded road construction or improvement project in the county shall include sufficient right-of-way for landscaping. The budget for any publicly funded road construction or improvement project in the county shall include sufficient sums to acquire not only right-of-way for landscaping but to purchase and install adequate landscaping and replace any landscaping lost as a result of any such construction or improvement project.
The design plans for publicly funded road construction or improvement projects in the county shall contain a statement indicating that in formulating the plans, consideration has been given to the impact that the project will have on the total environment of the area as well as to the preservation of any significant trees or treestands, fences and other existing landmarks.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana developed a green law to create a Tree and Landscape Commission and provide for hiring a director of landscape & forestry whom is a landscape architect and an assistant director who is an arborist. In addition, standards were included in the ordinance for the design site open space, street yards, buffers and vehicular use areas.
Denham Springs, Louisiana, a very small community, has a citizen’s committee who reviews landscape plans and advise the Mayor and City Council on their acceptability.
Jefferson Parish, Louisiana VUA standards along commercial parkways include 10% interior plantings, 20’ buffer between parking area and property line and interior islands placed every 12 parking stalls.
Kenner, Louisiana multi-family residential street yard requirement is one deciduous or evergreen tree or shrub for every 10 feet of street frontage. Twenty percent of required plants shall be trees.
Lafayette, Louisiana is presently revising their landscape code to require mitigation for tree removal.
Mandeville, Louisiana protects all live oak trees, Quercus virginiana, 6" DBH or greater from removal
New Orleans, Louisiana is the largest city in the South that does not have a landscape ordinance that covers the entire city/parish.
Pontchatoula, Louisiana standard for landscape design for Commercial/Multi-Family Development requires that that any landscape development that exceeds ($5000) five thousand dollars in cost, shall be prepared and bear the seal of a registered Landscape Architect or otherwise be prepared by persons authorized to prepare landscape plans or drawings in Louisiana according to Revised Statutes Acts 1950, No. 224 and amended and specifically SS3808-E-(1).
Slidell, Louisiana side and rear yard planting standards are one class A tree per 10 LF of property line and one class B tree per 30 LF of property line.
The State of Louisiana model landscape code shows you how to draft an ordinance composed of three articles and fourteen sections.
St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana Planned Corridor District landscape standards require one class A tree per 400 SF plus one class B tree per 250 SF of street planting area which shall equal in depth 12.5% of property depth.
St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana trees shall be a minimum of two and one half (2 1/2) inches in caliper for Class A Trees and one and one half (1 1/2) inches in caliper for Class B and Class C trees, provided that the height of Class B and Class C trees shall be a minimum of eight (8) feet in height immediately after planting and shrubs shall be three (3) feet in height immediately after planting within the street/side/rear yard planting areas and vehicular use areas. Two (2) - one and one half (1 1/2) inch caliper Class A trees may be substituted for one (1) - two and one half (1 1/2) inch caliper Class A tree.
Annapolis, Maryland will not allow lots to be cleared prior to sale or development without a permit. No cutting, digging, clearing and grading is allowed until a landscape plan has been prepared, submitted, reviewed and approved.
Baltimore County, Maryland has a unique green law that sets design standards and environmental guidelines for golf course developments. This law is concerned with ground water, erosion, runoff, wetlands, forest cover, habitat protection, integrated pest management and surface water monitoring.
Frederick County, Maryland has developed a ‘Forest Resource Ordinance’ to encourage the conservation of forest lands, protection of existing forests, and planting of trees to produce new forest land.
Kent County, Maryland which is located within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area has enacted a Stormwater management green law to reduce or eliminate deleterious effects on waters and wetlands within the unincorporated area of Kent County. Stormwater Management Plans must be prepared, submitted, reviewed, approved and permitted before any construction takes place. The ordinance provides little detail on vegetative stabilization
Queen Anne’s County, Maryland has a reforestation standard that requires a mixed planting of 400 seedling canopy trees, 600 understory trees or wildlife shrubs and four small trees, known as whips, three to four feet tall per acre.
Acton, Massachusetts the value of existing shade trees is to be calculated on an inch
by inch replacement basis. Replacements shall be at least two inch diameter, nursery grown
stock. The Tree Warden may, at his option, require larger replacements. For example, if an
18" diameter tree, measured four feet above grade is to be removed, the applicant must
sufficiently reimburse the Town to provide for the purchase and planting of nine, two inch
diameter replacements.
Amesbury, Massachusetts no trees may planted closer together than the following: Small Trees, 20 feet; Large Trees 40 feet- except in special plantings designed or approved by a landscape architect.
Cambridge, Massachusetts shrub Bed Maintenance standards require that in the spring, shrub beds should be edged and cultivated; a soil conditioner such as peat moss or composted leaf material and a layer of mulch should be added. Mulch shall be replaced or added to during the spring, as necessary, in order to maintain mulch levels required. Mulched planting beds and individual mulched plant pits shall be neat in appearance, weed free and maintained to the lines originally laid out. Hand weeding of mulched planting beds and pits shall be performed weekly from April 15 through September 30. Mulch material replaced around trees shall be maintained a depth of 3' in planting saucers and plant beds. Mulch should not be placed closer than 6" to the tree trunk. Mulch shall be at a pine bark mulch, aged at a minimum of six (6) months. The mulch shall be dark brown in color, f[r]ee of chunks and pieces of wood thicker
than one-quarter inch. Mulch must be free of stringy material and shall not contain an excess of fine particles.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts the Tree Warden of a town shall have the care and control of all public shade trees, shrubs and growths in the town, except those within a state highway, and those in public parks or open places under the jurisdiction of the park commissioners, and shall have care and control of the latter, if so requested in writing by the park commissioners, and shall enforce all the provisions of law for the preservation of such trees, shrubs and growths. He shall expend all money appropriated for the setting out and maintenance of such trees, shrubs and growths, and no tree shall be planted within a public way without the approval of the tree warden, and in towns until a location therefor has been obtained from the selectmen or road commissioners. He may make regulations for the care and preservation of public shade trees and establish fines and forfeitures of not more than twenty dollars in any one case for violation thereof; which, when posted in one or more public places, and, in towns, when approved by the selectmen, shall have the effect of town by-laws.
Newton, Massachusetts The purpose of the Urban Tree Commission shall be to advise the tree warden, the mayor, the board of aldermen and the general public on all matters concerning public trees, including but not limited to, the selection of trees for planting, planting and pruning of trees, the treatment of disease,
and the preservation and regular maintenance of trees.
Somerville, Massachusetts requires a landscape screen densely planted with a mixture of plant specimens of less than three feet in height and greater than ten feet in height. Trees in this four-foot wide landscape strip must be pruned up to six feet.
Ann Arbor, Michigan has a package of green laws that include 1. Land Development Regulations, 2. Subdivision and Land Use Control, 3. Wetlands Preservation Ordinance, 4. Landscape and Screening, and 5. Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control. No wonder this city where Go Blue dwells is such a livable community.
Canton Township, Michigan prohibits removal of any tree, including specified ‘landmark or historic tree’ over 6" DBH without a permit. Trees permitted to be removed must be replaced according to a unit based formula.
Grand Traverse County, Michigan requires that all earth changes in the county comply with their Stormwater and Erosion Control Ordinance. The ordinance requires permits, allows inspections access and provides for drainage easements.
Kalamazoo, Michigan bans box elder, catalpa, and tree of heaven, elms, willows and horse chestnut in proximity to buildings.
Southfield, Michigan maps all city woodlands into the zoning ordinance. Trees defined as landmark trees and all trees over 8" DBH outside of woodlands can not be removed without a permit.
Eagan, Minnesota will allow removal of only 20% of the total number of Significant Trees and Significant Woodlands on any building lot. Significant Woodlands must be replaced at the rate of one Category B tree
and two Category C trees for each 250 SF that was removed.
Maple Grove, Minnesota has established the following replacement tree formula.
Specimen Trunk Size Replacement Criteria
8" - 11" DBH
1-1/2" of trees shall be replaced for every 1"
DBH removed
>11" DBH
2" of trees shall be replaced for every 1" DBH
removed.
Minneapolis, Minnesota requires a Erosion and Sediment Control Plan if more than 5000 SF or 550 CY of earth is disturbed. There are no provisions for tree protection or re-vegetation.
Saint Paul, Minnesota does not have a stand alone landscape ordinance, rather, landscape design components, standards and technical requirements are scattered through the general zoning ordinance.
Fig. 1. City of Biloxi, Mississippi Logo, downloaded from public domain.
Biloxi, Mississippi requires tree removal permit applicants to post a permit application sign along the public street notifying neighbors that protected trees are to be removed and that a public hearing will be held at City Hall.
Madison, Mississippi in an attempt to regulate erosion and runoff has enacted a storm water retention and detention ordinance. This law primarily covers the design of the facilities and provides data to go with the rational formula in order to calculate runoff, time of concentration, and water flow. No mention is made of naturalizing stormwater basins or of planting them to blend in with natural surroundings.
Ocean Springs, Mississippi will not allow removal of live oak, magnolia, cypress, cedar or sycamore trees from all public and private lands in their beautiful gulf front coastal village.
Ridgeland, Mississippi design guidelines for the West Jackson Street Overlay District are established to promote a relevant commercial district, expansion of the tax base, establishment of aesthetic, visual and architectural qualities dominant at the turn of the century in Central Mississippi and to promote highway traffic safety.
Starkeville, Mississippi requires minimum total planting areas that equal 10% of the building lot distributed among street yard planting area, perimeter buffers, parking lot screens and interior parking lot plantings in vehicular use areas. Landscaping in the street tree planting zones, which is optional, is not included in the minimum 10%.
Blue Springs, Missouri it shall be unlawful for any person to remove, damage, alter, trim or cut any tree growing in or upon any easement granted for the purpose of constructing, maintaining, operating, protecting, repairing, replacing and/or removing any sanitary sewer facility, storm sewer facility, telephone facility, close circuit signal transmission facility, natural or manufactured gas facility, electric light and power facility, or other public utility facility, unless said person shall first obtain the express written permission of the owner/resident of the property
Independence, Missouri will accept ‘neighborhood landscape plans’ where canopy tree lined streets are desired by residents.
Lee’s Summit, Missouri requires that slopes over 25% be landscaped with ground covers.
Billings, Montana Prevention and control of Dutch elm disease.
To control the spread of Dutch elm disease within the city, abatement of nuisances is required. Whenever the city finds with reasonable certainty that Dutch elm disease exists in any tree or wood situated on private property, or on any adjacent street, alley, boulevard or public way, the city shall notify the owner or person in control of the property. The diseased tree or trees shall be removed and effectively treated in a manner approved by the city within twenty-one (21) days after receipt of such notice. If the tree is not so removed or treated as specified within twenty-one (21) days after posting of the notice, the city shall remove or treat the tree and the cost thereof shall be assessed to the owner or person in control and shall become a lien on the property. Costs of abatement of nuisance described herein and in section 25-209 shall be as follows:
On private property including adjacent streets, alleys, boulevards and other public ways shall be borne by the private owner; provided, that if the owner-occupant of the property has a gross annual family income less than the following:
1 person . . . $7,100.00
2 persons . . . 9,300.00
3 persons . . . 10,500.00
4 persons . . . 11,650.00
5 persons . . . 12,400.00
6 persons . . . 13,100.00
the owner-occupant shall have the right to allow a noninterest-bearing lien to attach to his or her property which the owner-occupant shall not be required to pay until such time as the property shall be sold or transferred.
The property of all other persons shall be subject to an interest-bearing lien, if not paid within thirty (30) days of removal; provided, that the assessment may, at the election of the person owning the affected property, be spread over a five (5) year period. The unpaid liens, other than the exclusion provided for herein, shall bear interest at the rate of eight (8) percent per year.
Lincoln, Nebraska sets performance standards for acceptable plant material. They encourage plants free from litter, offensive odor, and insect pests and are resistant to breakage, weather stresses and disease. Lincoln prefers plants adaptable to city conditions and are easily transplanted and grown.
Nebraska City, Nebraska. The National Arbor Day Foundation has published Bulletin No. 9 ‘How To Write a Tree Ordinance.’ The model ordinance is somewhat dated and does not conform to integrated green laws being written by communities across the nation. But none the less, it is a useful document for very small communities that want to get started with managing city trees.
Clark County-Las Vegas, Nevada landscape code is largely based upon irrigation design. An interesting design component of this code is that all locally grown plant material is rated for allergenic potential.
Bedford, New Hampshire landscape ordinance provides for an overlay-zoning district that applies to cross town thoroughfare streets.
Concord, New Hampshire parking lot standards require where the provision of off-street parking for fifty (50) pr more vehicles is required, there shall be landscaped open space within the perimeter of the parking area or areas in the minimum amount of five (5) percent of the gross parking area. All such landscaped areas shall be computed in addition to the parking space requirements of this ordinance. The landscaped open space shall be so located that no parking space is more than one hundred twenty (120) feet from a portion of such landscaped areas.
Garwood, New Jersey parking lot standard is one shade tree per five parking spaces or 1500 SF of paved surface which ever is greater. No more than 15 contiguous parking spaces are allowed without 10’ curbed planting island.
East Windsor, New Jersey sets forth standards for streetscapes, cul-de-sacs, traffic islands, storm water areas, open space, landscape buffers and strips, parking areas, green space, pedestrian space, amenities and landscape maintenance.
Hackensack Meadowlands, New Jersey planting standards are for shade trees 21/2" to 3" caliper, 12-14’ height, evergreen trees shall be 5’ in height and minor deciduous trees shall be 6’ in height, evergreen shrubs shall be 24" in height.
Piscataway, New Jersey sets standards for street tree plantings. Street trees are to be planted no closer than thirty-five feet on center nor more than seventy-five feet on center.
Albuquerque, New Mexico requires designer’s to prepare landscape plans to meet a water budget. The formula WB=(42) x (.6) x (LA) x (.62) is used, where WB is the yearly water usage for landscaping, 42 is average annual water requirements in inches per year, .6 is the adjustment factor to be used to reduce or moderate water consumption, LA is the landscape area in square footage and .62 converts inches to gallons per year.
Santa Fe, New Mexico has prepared a Landscape and Site Design green law that incorporated Xeriscape, protection of existing vegetation, storm water management coordination and an increased open space requirement for commercial projects. The principles of Xeriscape incorporated into the law include 1. Planning and design, 2. Appropriate plant selection, 3. Soil analysis, 4. Practical turf areas, reduce the use of high water consumption grass, 5. Efficient irrigation, 6. Use of mulches, 7. Appropriate maintenance.
Bedford, New York where tree removal is proposed in connection with any site plan or subdivision application submitted, The Planning Board may require the planting of trees to replace trees removed from the affected property prior to site plan or subdivision application approval. The Planning Board may require moving or relocating other structures in order to preserve trees considered by the Board to have particular value. The Planning Board may designate certain trees to be preserved and specify means for their preservation during construction.
Croton-on-Hudson, New York is very interested in wetland and enacted a ‘wetlands and watercourse’ ordinance. The ordinance defines wetlands, proscribes buffers, establishes a permit process, and requires public hearing on any activity that will impact wetlands in the Village.
Hempstead, New York sets forth standards for curbside plantings. Trees with aggressive root system are not recommended by the city for use along public sidewalks.
Ithaca New York standard for tree removal and replacement on public property is based upon an "inch for inch ratio."
Cary, North Carolina supplements their landscape code with a ‘standard appearance specifications manual.’ This document sets forth standards of environmental, aesthetic and functional design quality that must be met by good design and good planting and horticultural practices.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina a Tree Protection Plan should consist of existing and proposed landscape elements including: 1. Their location, species, and size; 2. Identification and specific location of specimen trees; 3. The location, grade and dimensions of planting areas, street lawns, vehicular surface areas and buffers; 4. The location and description of barriers to be erected to protect trees and soils from damage both during and after construction as now required; 5. Provisions for temporary irrigation and drainage, soil enhancement and stabilization, plant protection, maintenance access and construction worker areas, and
storage areas for topsoils and transplanted landscape elements; 6. All existing or proposed land uses adjoining or adjacent to the site; 7. A description of a proposed schedule of maintenance activities for soils and trees including thinning and replacement for the life of the design: 8. A zoning compliance permit should not be granted until the resource management plan is approved and an individual is assigned by the developer to assure that the plan is honored.
Charlotte, North Carolina requires a perimeter planting strip 8’ in width where property abuts a public street. Planting requirements are determined from a chart based upon linear footage of frontage.
Garner, North Carolina wheel stop standard is 54" from edge of planting beds and no closer than 5’ to any tree. Parking spaces shall be no more than 75’ from any tree.
Knightdale, North Carolina each single family or two family residential lot shall contain a minimum of 1 large shade tree for each 2000 SF of lot area.
Raleigh, North Carolina requires one interior VUA tree per 2000 SF of pavement and one shrub for each 500 SF of pavement.
Salisbury, North Carolina has set standards for plant material categories based upon the following sketch.
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Fig. 2. Plant Categories, downloaded from public domain with permission, graphics prepared by Lynn Raker,ASLA
Grand Forks, North Dakota Commercial district landscaping requirements (except B-4). For landscaping commercial establishments shall include a combination of trees, shrub beds and lawn areas. The trees shall be selected, in any combination, from the following categories: Shade tree (two (2) inch to two and one-half (21/2 inch caliper), and evergreen tree (three and one-half (31/2 feet to four (4) feet in height). A lawn area or shrub bed, or combination of the two (2) must be included. Trees, lawn and shrubs shall be provided in accordance with the following minimum schedule:
Commercial Percentage Canopy Coverage of Required Zoning Districts
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Tree canopy shall be calculated as shade trees providing five hundred (500) square feet and ornamental trees providing two hundred fifty (250) square feet. Any combination of ornamental or shade trees may be used. Open space is defined as other than impervious surface area. Lawn, shrub bed or combination space shall be located in area designated as open space.
Cleveland, Ohio requires 5% of VUA to be planted.
Dublin, Ohio provides a ‘planting manual for Dublin street trees’ where information is provided to landscape contractors, horticulturists, landscape architects, developers and residents to help them make better choices in regards to street trees.
Village of Canal Winchester, Ohio all off street parking areas shall provide one tree, no smaller than 2’ trunk diameter, measured 4’ above ground, for every six parking spaces. All plant materials shall conform to the standards of the American Association of Nurserymen. (American Nursery And Landscape Association)
Gahanna, Ohio sets forth a screening standard for accessory buildings (trash enclosure) a continuous 100% opacity planting hedge, fence, wall or earth on four sides with provision for access gates. Height of screen shall be one foot higher than the enclosed structure but not in excess of 10.’
Grove City, Ohio truck vehicular use areas and truck parking zones setback standard is 45 feet from the edge of the right-of-way. The setback must be curbed and sculpted with a 6’ height continuous earth mound with a maximum 3:1 slope. Truck VUA shall be landscaped with two 2" caliper trees per 100 LF and three rows of 6’ evergreen trees staggered at 20’ on center.
Old Town Hilliard, Ohio has adopted historic district landscape regulations in which historical plants common at the time the town was constructed are to be used to maintain the ambiance of a turn of the century mid-western town. Emphasis is placed on ‘foundation plantings’ which was common at the time.
Marysville, Ohio standard for planting trees on edge of public right-of-way, (street tree planting area) shall be a minimum spacing of 35’ for large and medium trees and 25’ for small trees.
West Carrollton, Ohio requires a 15’ or 20’ side and rear buffer depending upon adjacent land use and zoning classification. They also require that 10% of the front yard be landscaped with a combination of trees, shrubs, planting beds and or perennials.
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma sets a standard of ten 3 Gal shrubs for each 50 LF of street edge buffer. Trees must be planted 50’ on center in this buffer. Buffer width is 10 feet and separates the public street from parking lots and drives.
Mustang, Oklahoma subdividers shall plant trees in new subdivisions that are not located in wooded areas. Before the trees are planted, the subdivider shall submit a plan of such planting to the planning commission for its study and recommendation in order to prevent the planting of certain species that could become nuisances either because of insects or disease or because they might unduly interfere with sewer mains or other utilities. The planting of trees in street easements shall be a minimum distance of four
feet from the curb.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma requires in their landscape ordinance that ‘sight proof’ fences by designed to withstand 15-lbs. psf wind pressure.
Tulsa, Oklahoma requires that 15% of the streetyard be landscaped and that parking areas be screened from residential properties with a strip not less than five feet in depth. Street yard trees are planted at the rate of one tree per 1500 SF. They require that a Certificate of Installation signed by a landscape architect or the owner be submitted as proof that the landscape was installed in accordance with the approved landscape plan.
Stillwater, Oklahoma common facilities in planned developments may be established where certain
facilities are shared by several adjacent property owners within the PD, or are available to the general
public for use in connection with visiting individual properties in the PD. Such common facilities may
include private streets, off-street parking and access drives, service areas, recreational facilities, plazas and other open space provided, however, that at least fifteen (15) percent of the area of any common open space shall be used for landscaping and/or pedestrian amenities.
Medford, Oregon sets standards for two types of landscape buffers. Type A buffer is 10’ in width and Type B buffer is 20’ in width. Both buffers are planted with a variety of canopy trees, conifer trees, understory trees, shrubs and either a wooden fence or masonry wall.
Portland, Oregon has six types of screening based upon based upon height, density and material composition. They have also enacted a Floodplain Preservation Management ordinance.
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania enacted a Land Preservation District Ordinance (LPD) to preserve open land including those containing unique and sensitive natural features such as woodlands, steep slopes, streams, floodplains and wetlands. This ordinance also preserves scenic views and elements of the municipality’s rural character.
Philadelphia, New Castle and Chester Pennsylvania enacted landscape codes in the eighteenth century making them the first towns in America to set standards for plant material use, species, function, spacing and the public good.
Upper Macungie Township, Pennsylvania requires that buffer strips consisting of 50% evergreen material be used to screen parking, loading, refuse and storage areas.
North Kingstown, Rhode Island slope planting standard is as follows. Landscaping of all cuts and fills and/or terraces shall be sufficient to prevent erosion, and all roadway side slopes steeper than one (1) foot vertically to three (3) feet horizontal shall be planted with vegetative ground cover appropriate for the purpose and for soil conditions and environment.
Akin, South Carolina landscape area standard is 12% of total available area. Total available area is calculated by subtracting the land area covered by building and structures from the total land area of the site.
Anderson County, South Carolina buffer yard design standard is based upon the width of the buffer and the number of plants that are to be planted in 100 LF. Six types of buffer yards are defined in the Anderson County Land Use and Development Standards Ordinance.
Beaufort, South Carolina includes a requirement in their green law that each building site meets a certain threshold of tree coverage expressed as Adjusted Caliper Inches or ACI. ACI is the measure of all trees, the sum of their diameters of preserved and planted trees.
Charleston, South Carolina includes five design components in their community landscape code. They include street frontage, parking lot buffers interior parking areas, visuals screens and refuse collection facilities.
Charleston, County, South Carolina requires that all trees 8" DBH be shown on a tree plan. Total DBH must be calculated and building lot interiors must preserve a combined 160 DBH or 20 trees per acre. The tree plans must show which trees are to be preserved, removed and replaced. No tree may be removed without a Zoning permit. Tree Plans can be prepared by registered surveyors, civil engineers or landscape architects.
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, once an outpost of the Yankee Army in the South, is credited with the development of private property ‘restrictive covenants’, which include appropriate landscaping, and the concept of the ‘gated community.’ These concepts were developed by Charles E. Fraser, CEO of the Sea Pines Plantation Company in 1957 and put into use in 1960. Fraser can be cited as the father of the contemporary landscape codes which cities starting adopting in the late 1960’s.
Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina defines historic trees as any tree 24" DBH or larger and significant trees as any tree 16" DBH.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has developed specifications for earthwork berms in their landscape code. They require berms to be 3’ high, sloped at less than 33% and be planted with three, 3" canopy trees, and six 11/2" understory trees and nine 10 Gal container shrubs per 100 LF of berm.
Sioux Falls, South Carolina requires screening of parking lots with shrub hedges that are planted with 18" tall shrubs that can grow to a maximum height of 48 inches within three years. All shrubs shall be spaced 18’ to 36" apart based upon species used.
Chattanooga, Tennessee utilizes a tree planting standards of 50’ on center along streets and 75’ on center along property buffers.
Collierville, Tennessee has prepared a ‘Design Guidelines Manual’ to assist with the interpretation of their landscape code. The ‘Manual’ covers site layout, site grading, and preservation of existing site features, architectural character, parking areas, landscaping, fencing, screening, pedestrian circulation, signage and historic district standards.
Franklin, Tennessee bases planting standards on units. For instance, for each acre of development a total of 26 canopy and understory trees must be planted along with 50 shrubs. Trees vary in caliper size from 2" to 5". Two 3" caliper trees must be planted on each residential lot.
Germantown, Tennessee minimal tree planting size shall be 3" DBH for large trees and 2" DBH for medium trees. Small trees shall be 8’ in height. (note, nursery stock is measured 6" or 12" above root ball so 3" DBH would be a 5" or 6" tree measured as nursery stock, ANSI Z60.1-1980)
Austin, Texas has a variety of green laws that cover everything from tree protection; post construction landscaping, erosion control and water course protection. Austin has a sensible seventeen-step landscape plan review process that results in an occupancy permit be granted for compliance with all landscape requirements in the city.
Beaumont, Texas allows an incentive density bonus in excess of the maximum permitted density in RM-M and RM-H (multifamily) districts when a ten foot landscape buffer is provided between multifamily and single family residential districts.
Bryan, Texas has a minimum landscape area standard of 8% of developed area. Not less than 50% of the landscaped area shall be planted in trees, the remaining 50% shall be landscaped with shrubs or planting beds.
Dallas, Texas Planting areas in general must have the following soil depths and dimensions.
For each large shrub or small tree installation, a minimum of 24 inches of soil depth and
16 square feet of surface area (total of 32 cubic feet). For each large tree installation, a
minimum of 36 inches of soil depth and 25 square feet of surface area (total of 75 cubic feet).
Planting areas located above underground buildings or structures must have the following soil
depths and dimensions. For each large shrub or small tree installation, a minimum of 30 inches of soil depth and 25 square feet of surface area (total of 62.5 cubic feet). For each large tree installation, a minimum of 40 inches of soil depth and 36 square feet of surface area (total of 120 cubic feet).
Fairfax, Texas have included tree cover standards in their landscape code. The standards are commercial/industrial land uses (10%), multifamily residential (15%), and low density residential other districts (20%).
Fort Worth, Texas has one of the nations newest landscape laws. They require that 10% of commercial institutional uses be landscaped. For every 500 SF of required landscaping one tree, 3" caliper or larger is required. Up to 50% of the required trees may be substituted with 5 Gal shrubs at the rate of 10 shrubs for each tree. For every 50 SF of required landscape area, one 5 Gal shrub is required. Up to 50% of these shrubs may be substituted for trees at the rate of 10 shrubs for each 3" tree.
Garland, Texas gives authority to the Director of Planning for reviewing all landscaping screening plans, which are prepared by licensed professionals.
Grapevine, Texas will not issue permits for grading, paving, building or construction or approval of Subdivision Plats, Site Plan Review or Master Development Plans until a landscape plan has been submitted and approved by the city. If landscaping is found to be in non-conformance with the Landscape Regulations the Certificate of Occupancy can be withdrawn by the city.
Hildago, Texas Credit for trees. Trees contribute greatly to the quality of the community's environment. Positive contributions of trees are a function of the size of the tree rather than of the size of the planting area in which the tree is planted. Therefore in recognition of the contributions made by trees to the objectives of this article, credit shall be given for each tree in accord with the following schedule:
(1) Trees that are newly planted shall receive credit against the landscape area requirements
according to the following schedule:
a. Large trees.
1. Greater than 12-inch caliper, 200 square feet.
2. Greater than six-inch caliper, 100 square feet.
b. Medium trees. Between three- and six-inch caliper, 50 square feet.
(2) In order to encourage the preservation of trees that are already established and growing, an
additional credit of 100 square feet shall be given to existing trees that are preserved rather than
planted.
(3) These credits shall apply where the tree is in a planting area whose least dimension is half the
radius of the crown spread of the tree measured from the trunk center. In no case shall this least
dimension be less than a radius of 21/2 feet, measured from the center of the tree trunk to
the near edge of the landscape area. Credit allowed for trees shall be in addition to the actual square
footage of planting area within which the tree is located.
Houston, Texas has adopted a landscape code to improve air quality, reduce noise, glare, and reflected heat, and mitigate adverse environmental effects and to effectively screen incompatible land uses and unacceptable views.
Irving, Texas tree removal permit application shall be submitted to the Building Inspection Division on forms provided by the City of Irving, with an application fee of a minimum of thirty-five dollars ($35.00), or as established by the most recently approved schedule of Building Permit Fees. Such applications shall provide the name, address and telephone number of the owner of the property involved; the name, address and telephone number of the person applying for the permit; the address or other location of the trees proposed to be removed, a detailed description of the trees proposed to be removed and a written justification for the proposed removal.
Such applications shall also be accompanied by a tree survey of the property showing the location of
the tree or trees proposed to be removed, all other trees six (6) inches in caliper or larger on the site,
other physical features of or proposed improvements to the site, and the location of all adjacent
rights-of-way or easements. Such tree survey shall be drawn to scale and signed by the person who
prepared the survey.
Lake Dallas, Texas screening standards under various zoning districts and circumstances include the following are the approved types of screening as referred to in various places in this chapter.
height of six feet, measured from the average grade of the nearest property line of the
property adjacent to that on which the screening is required.
(2) Screening alternate B consists of a hedgerow of evergreen shrubs of a variety which will normally grow to a height of six feet. All plants shall have a minimum height at the
time of planting of one-half of the required screening height.
(3) Screening alternate C consists of a concrete or masonry wall, as specified in alternate A, to a minimum height of six feet, and evergreen trees. Such trees shall be a minimum of two inches trunk diameter and shall be planted not more than 30 feet on center.
Lake Jackson, Texas landscaping requirements include the following minimum standards and shall apply to all property zones except E-1, R-1, R-2 and R-3 residential.
(1) Minimum landscape area based upon Total Area of Site
a. Up to 20,000 sq. ft. 5% of area not covered by building or structure
b. 20,000 to 200,000 sq. ft. 71/2% of area not covered by building or structure
(2) Number of trees based on the area of the site not covered by a building or structures
a. Less than 3,000 sq. ft. . . . 0
b. 3,001--7,000 . . . 1
c. 7,001--10,000 . . . 2
d. 10,001--20,000 . . . 3
e. 20,001--30,000 . . . 4
f. 30,001--40,000 . . . 6
g. 40,001 or greater, per 20,000 sq. ft., rounded to the next highest whole tree . . . 3
(3) Tree preservation credit. Landscape plans that preserve existing treesshall be given credit toward the total number trees required as shown below:
Diameter of Existing Tree Credit Against Tree Requirement
(inches saved) (credit given)
a. 1—3 1.0 trees
b. 31/2—9 2.0 trees
c. 91/2—15 3.0 trees
d. 15 1/2 or greater 6.0 trees
Lubbock, Texas landscape screen planting standard calls for plant materials 6’ tall planted 4’ on center at time of planting.
Lufkin, Texas proscribes an official Street Tree Species list for plantings along city streets.
Round Rock, Texas will not allow ‘protected trees’ to be removed without a tree removal permit. Protected trees include American Elm, Cedar Elm, native Pecan, Cottonwoods and Sycamores over 25" DBA.
San Antonio, Texas Buffering of electrical substations, water pumping/storage sites, and wastewater treatment plants. In lieu of other requirements within this article, utility companies shall provide a plant buffer within the street yard of electrical substations, water pumping/storage sites, and wastewater treatment plants. The buffer shall be a minimum of ten (10) feet in width and shall include one (1) tree and ten (10) shrubs for each fifty (50) linear feet of buffer.
Southlake, Texas requires that a licensed landscape architect or other design professional prepare all irrigation plans.
Sugar Land, Texas residential Front Yard Landscaping Standards require one shade tree located within 15
feet of the front fot line for each 50 feet of lot width or portion thereof, measured along the front lot line.
Trees may be clustered or spaced linearly and need not be placed evenly at 50 foot intervals. For premises
developed for single-family or two-family dwellings, one additional tree must be planted in the front yard of the premises for each dwelling Unit.
West University Place Texas defines ‘protected trees’ as any tree within the first 25’ of any building lot, (10’ of lot side if a corner lot) and the area between the property line and the center of the street as well as any ‘significant tree.’ Significant trees are all trees with a 36" circumference.
Blacksburg, Virginia sets a standard that 5% of the vehicular use area shall be landscaped with trees and vegetative ground covers.
Chesapeake, Virginia has set standards for tree protection during construction, preservation and retention of natural areas and tree canopy calculations to meet minimum coverage requirements.
Leesburg, Virginia sets a standard of one tree and three shrubs planted within the interior of a parking lot for every 20 parking spaces.
Norfolk, Virginia mandates that 10% of the site is to be landscaped and that 8% of all parking lots shall be landscaped internally.
Prince William County, Virginia standard for buffer area landscaping is based upon 50, 100 and 200 "plant units" per 100 linear feet of buffer development. Plant unit equivalents are based upon vegetation physiography.
Spotsylvania, Virginia, near where Custer’s 7th Michigan Calvary Brigade whipped the gallant Southern Cavalier Gen. J.E.B. Stuart’s 1st Virginia Calvary requires that ten to twenty percent of each development site must be covered with a tree canopy.
Virginia Beach, Virginia landscaping is required adjacent to any building face fronting a public right-of-way 20’ or more in width. The landscape planting space must be a minimum of 3’ in width, protected from vehicle overhand and and 50% of the building front landscaped with a combination of shrubs and trees with at least one shrub and one tree per 15 Sf of planting area. The planting area may include pedestrian sidewalks and may be bisected for building entrances.
Auburn, Washington defines four types of landscape screens based upon opacity and deciduous-evergreen plant material mix. They are defined as solid screen, visual screen, and visual buffer and see through buffer
Bellevue, Washington has a landscape ordinance that applies to all zoning districts other than single family residential areas. For all sites larger than 500 SF the city requires certification from qualified landscape professionals such as landscape architects.
Federal Way, Washington requires that landscape islands in VUA’s be properly sized. Planting areas must be a minimum of 64 SF and a maximum of 305 SF with a minimum width of six feet at the end of a 90 degree parking rows and 8’ width for islands used to separate head to head parking stalls.
Olympia, Washington according to their ‘Clearing and Grading Ordinance’ requires that no tree may be removed without obtaining approval of a tree protection and replacement plan and a tree removal permit.
Seattle, Washington uses a ‘Stormwater, Grading and Drainage Control Code that applies to all land disturbing activities other than commercial agriculture, forest practices, work of Washington State DOT.
Spokane, Washington has adopted a landscape ordinance that covers several zoning districts including ‘Limited Zones,’ ‘Design Zones,’ ‘Residential Zones,’ ‘Business Zones,’ and ‘Residential Office Zones.’
Washington, District of Columbia. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has prepared a series of model landscape ordinances that deal with various aspects of the built environment. Contact them to get information about 1. Open Space Development Ordinances, 2. Storm Water Control Ordinances, 3. Post Construction Control Ordinances, 4. Erosion and Sediment Control, 5. And miscellaneous ordinances that deal with transfer of development rights, wetlands and watercourses, forest conservation, golf course development, non-point pollution control, and water quality. Visit them at www.epa.gov/owow/nps/ordinance/
Woodinville, Washington landscaping adjacent to freeway rights-of-way shall be as follows.
All residential developments shall provide a minimum of 20 feet of Type I landscaping adjacent to freeway rights-of-way. All other developments shall provide a minimum of 20 feet of Type III landscaping adjacent to freeway rights-of-way. Landscaping types are defined as follows.
Type I landscaping shall consist of.
a. A mix of primarily evergreen trees and shrubs placed to form a continuous screen;
b. At least 70 percent evergreen trees;
c. Evergreen trees spaced no more than 15 feet on center;
d. Broadleaf trees spaced no more than 20 feet on center;
e. Evergreen shrubs spaced no more than four feet apart; and
f. Ground cover
Type II landscaping:
1. Type II landscaping is a "filtered screen' that functions as a visual separator. Type II landscaping shall consist of:
a. A mix of evergreen and broadleaf trees and shrubs spaced to create a filtered screen;
b. At least 50 percent broadleaf trees and at least 30 percent evergreen trees;
c. Evergreen trees spaced no more than 15 feet on center;
d. Broadleaf trees spaced no more than 20 feet on center;
e. Shrubs spaced no more than five feet apart; and
Brookfield, Wisconsin has one of the newest landscape codes in the country. This code is of a new generation; those heavily based upon design. Their innovative code recently won an award from the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Eau Claire, Wisconsin has banned boxelder, cottonwood, chinese elm and siberian elm from the public streets of the city.
Madison, Wisconsin has developed a landscape code based upon a point system of compliance. Codes of this type allow maximum flexibility and replace the ‘formula based’ or ‘performance standard basis’ of compliance adopted by most communities.
River Falls, Wisconsin declares American Elm trees harboring Scolytus multistriatus a public nuisance.
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Note. Public ordinances are constantly changing due to legal enhancement, changing public attitude, and court decision and severability requirements. The LSU Green Law Web Site advises readers that the observations written above may have changed without notice. If any community referenced above finds that their ordinance has changed, or the comments are not correct, kindly call it to our attention.