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Florence City Zoning Code

Appendix C

Planting Details

Best Management Practices (BMPs) are methods or techniques found to be the most effective and practical means in achieving an objective. In the case of this appendix, the following best practices are those required by the City as to planting and landscape design, to insure successful long term establishment of plant materials.

PLANTING NOTES

  • ALL PLANT MATERIALS SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICAN STANDARDS FOR NURSERY STOCK (ANSI Z60.1-2004).
  • FOR SHRUBS AND TREES DIG PLANTING HOLE A MINIMUM OF 2X THE WIDTH OF THE ROOTBALL. SCARIFY THE SUBGRADE AND SIDES OF PLANTING HOLE WHEN IN CLAY SOILS.
  • PROVIDE A COMPACTED BASE UNDER ROOTBALL AS SHOWN; PLACE TOP OF ROOTBALL 1” ABOVE FINISH GRADE.
  • LIFT AND SET TREE BY ROOTBALL ONLY. DO NOT LIFT USING THE TREE TRUNK AND DO NOT USE TRUNK AS A LEVER.
  • FOR BALLED AND BURLAPED TREES AND SHRUBS; REMOVE TOP 1/3 OF BURLAP, STRAPS AND WIRE. FOR CONTAINER PLANTS; REMOVE CONTAINER AND UNTWIST ANY GIRDLING ROOTS.
  • BACKFILL AROUND ROOTBALL WITH PLANTING SOIL MIX OR STRUCTURAL SOIL AS SPECIFIED.
  • PLANTING SOIL BACKFILL SHALL CONSIST OF: 1/3 BY VOLUME (33%) PASTEURIZED, Ph BALANCED COMPOSTED COW MANURE; 1/3 BY VOLUME (33%) TOPSOIL OR MANUFACTURED TOPSOIL; 1/3 BY VOLUME (33%) NATIVE SUBSOIL.
  • STRUCTURAL SOIL BACKFILL SHALL CONSIST OF: 4/5 BY VOLUME (80%) CRUSH ANGULAR STONE (GRANITE) GRADED FROM ¾” – 1 ½” DIAMETER; AND 1/5 BY VOLUME (20%) Ph BALANCED HEAVY CLAY LOAM; THOROUGHLY MIXED AND COMPACTED IN PLACE TO 85% MODIFIED PROCTOR MAXIMUM DRY DENSITY. (Structural soil volume may be used for stormwater detention following DHEC calculations).
  • CONSTRUCT AN EARTH SAUCER AROUND ROOTBALL AS A WATER RETENTION BASIN.
  • WATER PLANT HOLE THROUGHLY TO SETTLE PLANTING SOIL BACKFILL AND REMOVE VOIDS.
  • STAKE TREES WITH 2” X 2” WOOD STAKES SUFFICIENT IN LENGTH TO BE DRIVEN INTO UNDISTURBED SOIL A MINIMUM OF 18” AND TO GUY TO TREE TRUNK BELOW THE FIRST BRANCHES. STAKES SHOULD BE SPACED EQUALLY ACROSS FROM AND IN LINE WITH THE TRUNK PARALLEL TO THE PREVAILING WIND.
  • APPLY 3” MULCH AS SPECIFIED. LEAVE A 2”SPACE AROUND THE TRUNK FOR AIR CIRCULATION.
  • DO NOT PRUNE TREES OR LARGE SHRUBS UNLESS DIRECTED BY ARBORIST.
  • PRUNING SHALL BE LIMITED TO DEAD, DISEASED OR BROKEN BRANCHES; AND BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANSI A300 SPECIFICATIONS.
  • REMOVE IMMEDIATELY FROM SITE ANY DEAD OR REJECTED PLANT MATERIALS.

    • Effective on: 1/1/1901

    DIVISION D-1.1 ON-SITE ENERGY EFFICIENT SOLUTIONS

  • Small Wind Energy Conversion Systems (wind turbines) that are designed to generate 100 kW or less are permitted if it is demonstrated that:
    1. The following standards are met:
      1. Maximum Height: 120 feet to the top of the rotor blade at its highest point.
      2. Minimum Height of Rotors on Horizontal Axis Turbine: 30 feet.
      3. Minimum Setbacks: Equal to the height of the tower measured from all:
        1. Property lines; and
        2. Overhead utility lines (except those connecting to the principal building).
      4. Access: Shall be limited by:
        1. A six-foot high fence around the base of the tower;
        2. Limiting tower climbing apparatus to not lower than 12 feet above the ground; or
        3. A design that does not include climbing apparatus because the turbine is lowered for service.
      5. Noise. Noise levels from the generator shall not exceed 40 dBA at the property line.
      6. Adjacent Property Protection. Generators shall not produce detrimental electromagnetic interference on adjacent properties.
      7. Conformance with Community. Wind turbines shall be painted a non-reflective, non-obtrusive color that conforms to the environment and architecture of the community.
      8. No Advertisement. Small wind energy conversion systems shall not be used for displaying any advertising except for reasonable identification of the manufacturer or operator of the wind turbine.
      9. Warning Signs. Appropriate warning signage (e.g., electrical hazards) shall be placed on wind turbine towers, electrical equipment, and small wind energy conversion systems.

    • Effective on: 1/1/1901

    Sec. D-1.2.1 Single Family Detached Building Standards

  • Single-Family Homes and Patio Homes.
    1. Generally. The standards of this Section apply to single family and patio homes within cluster and planned developments.
    2. Front-Facing Garages. The impact of garage doors on the street shall be mitigated in any of the following ways:
      1. Proportion. The total width of front-facing garage doors is not more than 45 percent of the width of the front elevation of the principal building.
      2. Alley Access. Vehicular access to the property is provided via an alley.
      3. Backyard Garage. A driveway may pass alongside the principal building to access an attached or detached garage that is set back at least 25 feet behind the front building line. 
    3. Individual Driveways. Individual driveways shall meet the following standards:
      1. Minimum Width: 12 feet.
      2. Maximum Width: 14 feet.
      3. Minimum Setback from Property Line: 2 feet.
      4. Minimum Parking Court Dimensions: 25 feet deep by 18 feet wide.  
    4. Shared Driveways. Shared driveways shall meet the following standards:
      1. Minimum Width: 14 feet.
      2. Maximum Width: 18 feet.
      3. Minimum Setback from Property Line: 2 feet.
      4. Minimum Parking Court Dimensions:  25 feet deep by 36 feet wide.
    5. Attached Front-Facing Garages. A garage door may be located on the front of a building if it is set back at least six feet behind:
      1. The front building line; or
      2. The front plane of a substantial building element (e.g., a covered porch, balcony, enclosed cantilevered space) that is at least 80 percent of the width of the garage door.
    6. Side-Loaded Garages.
      1. Orientation. Attached garages may be oriented so that the plane of the door is angled at least 45 degrees perpendicular to the front property line, provided that:
        1. The turning radius into the garage is not less than 17 feet.
        2. The side of the garage that faces the street either includes windows; or is buffered from the street with at least:
          1. One shade or evergreen tree; or
          2. Two ornamental trees.
      2. Location. Attached garages may be located on the same line as the front wall of the home, provided that they are lower in height than the highest point of the home.

    • Effective on: 1/1/1901

    Sec. D-1.2.2 Manufactured Home Building Standards

  • Generally. The standards of this Section apply to manufactured homes in manufactured home parks and subdivisions.
  • Unit Specifications. All manufactured homes shall meet the following specifications:
    1. The average elevation of the manufactured home frame above ground elevation, measured at 90 degrees to the frame, shall not exceed four feet from the top of the foundation pad.
    2. The wheels, axles, tongue, towing apparatus, and transporting lights shall be removed prior to final installation of the unit.
  • Skirting. The space between the finished grade of the property on which a manufactured home is located and the exterior edges of the finished floor of the unit must be skirted with rock, brick, vinyl, or concrete masonry construction installed on a concrete footing so there is not a visible gap between the finished floor and the ground. All skirting materials shall be compatible in appearance with the home and shall allow for adequate ventilation and drainage. The skirting must be a continuous, complete, opaque, and rigid surface that lends permanency to the appearance of the unit and totally screens the crawlspace under the unit.
  • Entrance. A shaded entrance such as a covered patio shall be installed above the front door.
  • Materials.
    1. Exterior Walls. The outside walls of the home shall not be of vinyl or metal material.
    2. Roofing. Roofing materials shall not be vinyl, corrugated metal, or an untreated metal panel.
  • Design.
    1. Roof Pitch. The roof pitch shall be a minimum of 7/12; and
    2. Roof Overhang. Roof overhang is a minimum of 12 inches.

    • Effective on: 1/1/1901

    Sec. D-1.2.3 Multi-Family Building Standards

  • Generally. The standards of this Section apply to all multi-family developments.
  • Building Standards.
    1. Exterior Siding Materials. The exterior portions of any building shall comply with the following standards:
      1. Siding material shall consist of a masonry material, including brick, stone, cast stone, synthetic stone, stucco, architectural concrete block, or cement siding. Siding material shall be consistent and uniform. Synthetic stone, such as pre-manufactured fiberglass, cultured stone, or glass-fiber reinforced concrete is permitted, provided it is identical in appearance and of equal or greater durability to natural stone.
      2. Heavy masonry materials shall extend to grade and be located below lighter materials, e.g. stucco or cement siding.
      3. A vertical change of materials shall occur at an interior corner or shall not occur at an exterior corner or within four feet of an exterior corner. Horizontal changes of material from brick or stone to another material shall include a stone cap or a brick sill. Horizontal changes of materials using a stone cap or brick sill shall not have the cap or brick sill interrupted by window or door openings. In all other cases, the material above the brick or stone shall extend over the top edge of the masonry with trim or siding.
      4. Masonry openings in a brick or stone façade shall have a stone lintel, a stone or brick arch, or a brick soldier course.
      5. Siding shall be a minimum of 75 percent brick. Buildings with brick on the front facade only and buildings with first floor brick and second floor lap siding are prohibited.
      6. Prohibited siding materials including External Insulating Finishing System ("EIFS"), metal siding, metal trim, smooth-faced or stained cinder block, painted concrete block, plasticized materials, vinyl, rough-sawn wood, board and batten wood, tilt-up concrete panels, standard single or double tee concrete systems, field-painted or pre-finished standard corrugated metal siding,
      7. All exposed bricks shall not be laid in a stack bond pattern. All joints shall be tooled. Brick panel veneer systems are permitted.
      8. The maximum allowable exposure of lap siding is eight inches.
      9. Applied trim materials shall consist of brick, painted wood, vinyl, or other painted materials that exhibit wood-like properties. Metal, block stone, and concrete are prohibited. Wrought iron handrails are permitted.
      10. Foundations shall not have greater than an eight-inch exposure or shall be faced in brick or stone veneer. Exposed block, stucco, and concrete are prohibited.
      11. The rehabilitation of existing buildings shall comply with these exterior siding materials requirements. Use of alternate exterior materials for the rehabilitation of existing buildings is subject to approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
    2. Roofs.
      1. The main roof of all buildings shall be gabled, hipped, mansard, gambrel, or a combination thereof. Flat roofs, curving roofs, and shed roofs are prohibited.
      2. Pitched roofs shall have a minimum slope of six feet vertical rise for every 12 feet of horizontal run on the primary roof of the building.
      3. Roof overhangs shall be of no less than eight inches and no more than 24 inches from the building facade.
      4. Eave lines shall be consistent, largely unbroken, and horizontal. All eaves shall be architecturally detailed with one or more of the following elements: detail molding, crown molding, built-up fascia, or frieze board.
      5. Roofs shall contain at least one roof projection for every 100 linear feet of building frontage. Roof projections may include cupolas, dormers, balustrade walks, chimneys, or gables.
      6. Roofs shall be constructed of asphalt shingles or a material that resembles asphalt shingles (i.e. metal roofing; roofing that resembles shake shingles). Slate and clay and concrete tile roofs are permissible.
      7. No rooftop mechanical equipment or window/wall mounted air conditioning units shall be visible from the street level.
    3. Building Massing.
      1. Plain, monolithic structures with long, monotonous, unbroken wall surfaces of 50 feet or more are prohibited. At least every 50 linear feet, wall planes shall be offset at least four feet for which the offset should penetrate the roofline. See Figure D-1.2.3, Application of Building Design Standards.
    • Figure D-1.2.3
    Application of Building Design Standards
        1. The maximum length of any building shall be 200 feet; carports and garages shall be a maximum of 120 feet. Any building that is longer than 100 feet shall provide no less than 10 linear feet of pedestrian arcade or covered porch and shall be designed to appear as multiple structures through the use of varied roof forms, building projections, vertical or horizontal offsets, or architectural details.
        2. Any portion of a building closer than 50 feet from a common property line that abuts a residential district or an existing or new neighborhood shall be no higher than 12 feet above the highest point of the closest existing residential structure. This does not apply if the residential structure is located across a street from the development or if it is within the same development proposal.
        3. The apparent exterior floor-to-floor height of each story of a building shall be limited to 12 feet. Individual floors shall be delineated on the building facade through the use of window placement and horizontal details. Interior floor-to-floor heights may exceed 12 feet.
        4. No primary eave line shall be greater than 35 feet above grade.
        5. Buildings shall have at least one building projection on the front facade below the eave line. Building projections consist of stoops, bay windows, covered porches, extruded entrances, and pedestrian arcades. With exception of pedestrian arcades, building projections shall not extend more than six feet from the face of the building.
        6. Individual building walls shall be primarily rectilinear and simplified in form. With the exception of bay projections, curved walls or non-ninety-degree corners are prohibited. Front facades shall have a predominant plane from the ground to the eave and shall not be dominated by building projections.
        7. Porches and arcade columns shall be not less than six feet wide in any direction. Metal columns are prohibited. Columns shall contain a base and a capital and shall generally align with story heights.
        8. The building back shall not face public street right-of-way.
      1. Building Articulations. Building walls shall include articulations, which shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
        1. Porch
        2. Stoop
        3. Balcony
        4. Windows
        5. Window casing
        6. Window sill
        7. Bay window
        8. Doorway
        9. Door trim
        10. Cornice
        11. Roof brackets
        12. Lintels
        13. Brick or masonry patterns
        14. Coins
        15. Columns
        16. Pilasters
        17. Piers
        18. Row locks and sills
        19. Soldier courses
        20. Keystones
        21. Shutters
        22. Material patterning/elements
      2. Building Fronts and Entries.
        1. A building shall have at least one building front. Each building façade classified as a building front shall contain at least one front door or front entrance. Front doors and front entrances shall be detailed as the obvious front entry to the building or dwelling unit.
        2. A front door shall be an entry, located on a building front that provides entry to the enclosed building space of an individual dwelling unit or the enclosed building corridor providing access to one or more dwelling units. A front door shall be detailed by an entry surround and/or columns supporting an arch, a roof, and/or a second-story porch.
        3. A front entrance shall be an entry, located on a building front that provides entry to an unenclosed building corridor providing access to one or more dwelling units. A front entrance shall be detailed by columns supporting an arch, a roof, and/or a second-story porch.
      3. Fenestration.
        1. Windowed doors shall contain a solid border a minimum of six inches wide and shall also contain mullions or divided lights not exceeding six inches in any direction. Flat doors are prohibited.
        2. Primary doors shall not exceed 42 inches in width and 84 inches in height. Oversized doors are prohibited.
        3. Windows located on a building front shall be single-hung, double-hung, casement, awning, or fixed windows. A maximum of two different window types is allowed on each building front.
        4. Glass shall be clear or tinted. Reflective glass is prohibited. Frosted glass shall be permitted only in appropriate applications, such as bathroom windows or locations where privacy is needed due to building spacing or nearby rights-of-way.
        5. All windows shall be vertically proportioned with a height to width ratio between 3:2 and 5:2. Transom windows are not subject to vertical proportions and do not count in the overall window proportion. Slit windows, strip windows, and ribbon windows are prohibited.
        6. Windows shall be provided on at least 10 percent but no more than 50 percent of the front facade. Blank facades are prohibited. Windows shall generally be spaced in an even rhythm. Windowless sections of the front facade shall not exceed 30 feet in width.
        7. All windows shall be rectilinear, provided however, that arch top windows are permitted. Triangular or otherwise angular windows are prohibited. Round windows are permitted as accent windows in locations such as gables.
        8. Primary windows shall be at least 24 inches wide and at least 36 inches tall. Picture windows shall be no wider than five feet and no taller than seven and one-half feet.
        9. Shutters shall be constructed of wood, vinyl, or a material with wood-like properties, shall be sized to fit the window, and shall have horizontal slats, vertical boards, or raised-paneled. Shutter colors shall be equal to or similar to earth tone colors.
        10. On brick walls all windows shall have sill and header trim details. On non-brick walls all windows shall have sill or header trim details.
        11. The bottom of windows shall be at least 20 inches above grade.
      4. Materials and Trim. The elevations of all buildings shall be treated so that they have a similar level of quality and architectural interest when viewed from any direction, street, side, or rear in terms of materials and trim. The design of buildings shall provide consistent architectural details on all building walls. The majority of a building's architectural features and treatments shall not be restricted to a single façade.
      5. Utilities. All utilities shall be placed underground. Furthermore, utility meters shall not be located on a building front and if on a side façade shall be fully screened from public view.
      6. Lighting. All lighting for multifamily developments shall adhere to the requirements and restrictions set out in Division 4-11.1, Lighting. Additional requirements include:
        1. All multifamily developments shall provide streetlights, parking lot lighting, pedestrian lighting, and indirect building lighting.
        2. Streetlights shall be evenly spaced along public streets with a maximum spacing of 100 feet on-center.
        3. Lighting shall be provided for all parking areas, which shall not exceed 25 feet in height and shall be placed uniformly so as to provide adequate lighting across the parking surface.
        4. Lighting for pedestrians shall be provided for all high volume pedestrian areas, including building entries; along sidewalks, walkways, or paths; and around common open spaces.
        5. Indirect building lighting shall be provided within no more than 10 feet of all buildings. Such lighting shall be designed and installed in a manner so as not to cause glow or glare in the windows of individual dwelling units.
        6. Exterior fixtures with exposed bulbs are prohibited.
      7. Landscaping. All landscaping for multifamily developments shall be in accordance with the standards and requirements of Article 10, Landscaping and Buffering. Additional requirements include:
        1. A foundation planting area with a minimum width of five feet shall be provided continuously along building fronts and those facades that face a parking lot, driveway, or are visible from a public street. Such foundation planting area shall be permanently planted with trees spaced no more than each 15 feet and shrubs with a mature height of no less than three feet or more than four feet. Annual or perennial flowerbeds may account for up to 10 percent of the foundation planting area.
        2. Trees shall be planted along all public or private streets, as well as all driveways and access drives. Trees with a minimum caliper of three inches and a minimum height of 10 feet at planting shall be spaced no more than each 20 feet.
        3. All medians shall be landscaped with no less than one shade tree and eight shrubs for each 180 square feet of landscape surface, or portion thereof. Ground cover shall be used on the rest of the landscape surface.
      8. Bufferyards. All bufferyards shall be in accordance with the standards and requirements of Division 4-10.3, Bufferyards.
      9. Parking. The required parking for multifamily developments shall be in accordance with the standards and requirements of Article 9, Parking and Loading.

    Effective on: 1/1/1901

    Sec. D-1.2.4 Overnight Accommodations

  • Access. Guest rooms shall only be accessible through interior corridors.
  • Exterior Doors. Entrance through exterior doors shall be secured and accessible only to guests and employees.
  • Cooking Facilities. Guest rooms may not contain any cooking facility.
  • Delivery Service Areas. Delivery service areas shall be screened from the view of any right-of-way or residential district or use by masonry walls with a minimum height of six feet.
  • Air Conditioning Units. Air conditioning units shall not be visible to the exterior of the building or to any rights-of-way or residential district or use.

    • Effective on: 1/1/1901

    Sec. D-1.2.5 Truck Stop / Truck Wash Building Development Standards

  • Cladding Color. Colors of cladding on the front, side, and street side facades shall be integral to the cladding. 
  • Cladding Materials. Cladding materials for the front, side, and street side facades shall be limited to:
    1. Masonry (including brick and split-face concrete blocks);
    2. Stucco;
    3. Cementitious siding;  and/or
    4. Combinations of these materials; or
    5. Other similar materials approved by the Plan Commission.
  • Prohibited Cladding Materials. The following materials are prohibited on the front, side, and street side facades:
    1. Metal;
    2. Vinyl;
    3. Smooth concrete block (painted and unpainted); and
    4. Plastic.

    • Effective on: 1/1/1901