Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. advance the general purposes of this ordinance;
2. promote the conservation of existing trees and vegetation;
3. ensure visual screening of unsightly areas;
4. establish appropriate buffers and visual screening features to reduce the negative impacts of glare, noise, trash, odors, lack of privacy, and visual appearance that can occur when higher intensity land uses locate near lower intensity land uses;
5. safeguard and enhance property values and protect public and private investment;
6. protect and improve environmental functions and conditions by providing ecosystem services such as shade, air purification, oxygen regeneration, filtering of stormwater runoff, and abatement of noise, glare and heat;
7. assure that the appearance of Greensboro positively contributes to the growth and economic prosperity of the city; and
8. provide realistic and effective regulations that are viewed as an asset to the community.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. New Buildings or Uses
   Principal buildings or open uses of land constructed, reconstructed, or established after June 30, 1992.
2. Changes in Use
   Changes in use that result in an increase of 2 or more in the Land Use Classification number, in which case the landscaping requirements of this article apply to the entire zone lot.
3. Expansions
   The requirements of this article apply only to the expansion of buildings, parking areas, or open uses of land.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. lots occupied or to be occupied by single-family detached dwellings or two-family dwellings;
2. property lines abutting utility easements in excess of 60 feet in width and all railroad rights-of-way; and
3. property lines abutting dedicated street right-of-way that has remained unopened for a period of at least 15 years.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. Type of Buffer Planting Yard Required
   1. To determine the type of buffer planting yard required, first identify the class of the proposed (new, changed, or expanded) use and then identify the class of each existing use on adjacent sites (See Table 10-2). Then using Table 10-1, the intersection of the row associated with the proposed use and the column associated with the adjacent use shows the type of planting yard required. Staff will determine the location of planting to provide for the maximum visual buffer effect.
      
      

      Commentary: For sites abutting vacant property see also buffer requirements in Section 30-10-2.6(B).

1. 2. A land use is considered to “exist” on an adjacent property when a building permit is issued.
   3. If a zone lot contains uses with different land use classifications, the higher numbered land use classification applies unless the Technical Review Committee grants a Type 2 Modification in accordance with 30-4-11.
   4. Land uses are assigned to classes in accordance with the following table (Table 10-2).

2. Buffer Planting Yard Landscaping and Design
   Required buffer planting yards must be landscaped and designed in accordance with the following requirements:

(Amended by Ord.14-48 on 4/15/14)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. Canopy trees may be substituted for shrubs at the rate of one canopy tree for 8 shrubs and understory trees may be substituted for shrubs at the rate of one understory tree for 5 shrubs if approved by the Planning Director.
2. Understory trees shall be substituted for canopy trees at the rate of 2 understory trees for every canopy tree when planted within 20 feet of an overhead utility line as measured from the utility pole. (See Landscaping and Tree Conservation Manual)
3. On lots of record that existed prior to July 1, 1992 that are less than 55,000 square feet in area, no development is required to landscape more than 15% of the site.
4. Canopy trees from required planting yards may be relocated to the street right-of-way if all of the following conditions are met and if approved by the Planning Director:
   1. The proposed landscape plan complies with all provisions of 30-10-2;
   2. The entire street cross-section is being constructed as part of the development or the street is existing with the abutting lots devoid of street trees;
   3. Sidewalks are existing or are being installed as part of the development;
   4. There are no overhead utilities parallel to the right-of-way line; and the Engineering and Inspections Director certifies that planting would not conflict with utility maintenance and public service functions;
   5. The right-of-way width and street width complies with applicable city standards; and
   6. GDOT (or NCDOT) has determined that there is no proposed street widening or turn-lane construction along the lot frontage or other transportation infrastructure or operations issues that would conflict with the plantings.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. Required Landscaping
   1. Parking lot planting yards must include at least one canopy tree for every 12 parking spaces.
   2. Required canopy tree areas must be located within the parking lot. They may be located in landscape islands, landscape divider medians between rows of parking, or in driveway medians.
   3. Islands or other planting areas for canopy trees must have a minimum area of 200 square feet with a minimum dimension of 7 feet, measured in any direction. Islands or planting areas of less than 200 square feet may not be counted toward satisfying parking lot landscaping requirements.
   4. The landowner may provide required landscape islands or planting areas using one or more of the planting area sizes below. Each parking space must be entirely within the designated distance of a parking lot planting area as specified below:

1. 5. Grouping canopy trees within the same landscape island or planting area is strongly encouraged, even if this would decrease the number of islands within the parking lot.

2. When a parking lot or other vehicular use area abuts a vacant site or a site with the same land use classification as the subject site, a planting yard with a minimum width of 5 feet must be provided between the parking lot/vehicular use area and the abutting (interior) property line. This required planting area must be landscaped with at least 2 understory trees and 18 evergreen shrubs per 100 linear feet.
3. Trees used to satisfy the planting requirements for parking lot areas may not be counted toward the planting requirements for other required plantings on the site.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. providing a street planting yard measured from the edge of the right-of-way or back of sidewalk (whichever is farther from the centerline) that includes 2 canopy trees per 100 linear feet or 6 understory trees per 100 linear feet when located within 15 feet of overhead utilities;
2. providing a minimum 10-foot wide sidewalk with canopy trees planted in tree wells (with grates) at 30-foot intervals;
3. providing a minimum 10-foot wide sidewalk that is at least 50% covered with weather-protection materials (such as canopies and awnings); or
4. providing a plaza between the building and the right-of-way a minimum of 10 feet in width along 50% of the building wall that consists of pavers or hardscape material different from the sidewalk and permanently fixed planters with vegetation.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. Required Landscaping
   Parking lot planting yards are required in parking lots containing 10 or more spaces. Parking lot planting yards must include at least one canopy tree for every 10 parking spaces.
   1. Required canopy tree areas must be located within the parking lot. They may be located in landscape islands, landscape divider medians between rows of parking, in driveway medians, or at the end of parking bays.
   2. The landowner may provide required landscape islands or planting areas using one or more of the planter sizes below. Each parking space must be entirely within the designated distance of a parking lot planting areas, as specified below:

1. 3. Grouping canopy trees within the same landscape island or planting area is strongly encouraged, even if this would decrease the number of islands within the parking lot. The Planning Director is authorized to grant a Type 1 Modification to the standards of Table 10-5 in accordance with 30-4-11.
   4. Trees used to satisfy the planting requirements for parking lot areas may not also be counted toward the planting requirements for other required plantings on the site.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. Provide landscaping in accordance with the requirements of 30-10-2; or
2. Provide landscaping in accordance with the Urban Landscaping Requirements of 30-10-3 and a minimum 15% of the site as open space in accordance with 30-12-8.2(C)1), General, and 30-12-8.2(C)3), All Other (Non-PUD) Development.

(Amended by Ord. 13-51 on 5/7/13 and Ord. 14-13 on 1/21/14)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. 1. 2. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed so as to prevent the utilization of a larger number of different Genera than specified above. 

2. Canopy Tree Size
   1. Canopy trees must have a minimum height at maturity of 40 feet and a minimum crown width of 30 feet.
   2. Drought-tolerant canopy trees must have a minimum caliper size of 2 inches.
   3. Other canopy trees must have a minimum caliper size of 3 inches.
3. Understory Tree Size
   1. Understory trees must have a minimum height at maturity of 25 to 40 feet except that trees to be placed below overhead utility lines may not exceed a mature height of 20 feet.
   2. Drought-tolerant understory trees must have a minimum caliper size of 1 inch.
   3. Other understory trees must have a minimum caliper size of 2 inches.
4. Shrub Size and Type
   1. Shrubs located parallel to the edge of parking lots, access drives, loading and unloading areas and outdoor storage must be evergreen with a minimum height or spread of 18 inches at the time of planting and reach a minimum height of 36 inches and a minimum spread of 30 inches upon maturity.
   2. All other required shrubs may be evergreen or deciduous and must be at least 3 gallon in size (per ANSI standards) at the time of planting.
      
      (Amended by Ord. 21-037 on 3/16/21)

Effective on: 3/16/2021

1. Soil preparation for the entire planting yard must include the addition of organic amendments tilled to a depth of 8 to 12 inches.
2. All plantings must be mulched (including interior parking lot islands less than 500 square feet) to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. The mulch must be permanently maintained free of trash and weeds.
3. Earthen basins must be constructed around the installed plants.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. Landscaping features, including but not limited to, ornamental pools, planting boxes, sculpture, arbors, trellises, and birdbaths.
2. Pet shelters; at-grade patios; play equipment; outdoor furniture; ornamental entry columns and gates; flagpoles; lampposts; address posts; HVAC equipment; mailboxes; outdoor fireplaces; public utility lines, poles, pumps, and boxes; wells; fences, (see 30-9-4); retaining walls that can accommodate required landscaping; and similar structures.
3. Cornices, steps, canopies, overhanging eaves and gutters, window sills, bay windows or similar architectural features, chimneys and fireplaces, fire escapes, fire balconies, and fire towers may project not more than 2.5 feet into any required planting yard, but in no case closer than 3 feet to any property line.
4. Handicap ramps except for porches and landings.
5. Up to 15% of the required landscape area may be occupied by walkways and steps that are not connected to any above-grade structure.
6. Stormwater facility with an approved alternative compliance plan.
7. Freestanding signs that comply with 30-14-7.3(B)4).

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. To receive credit, trees being preserved must have a minimum DBH of 4 inches and must be protected from direct and indirect root damage and trunk and crown disturbance.
2. Any trees for which credit has been received that die must be replaced in accordance with minimum tree planting requirements.
3. Trees located in a designated TCA will be credited towards the planting area requirements at the rate shown in the following table:

4. Regardless of the number or size of preserved trees in required street planting yards, there must be at least one canopy tree for every 50 linear feet of street planting yard.

Effective on: 1/1/1901