(1)

The intent of this article is to improve the appearance of parking areas and properties abutting public rights-of-way and adjacent properties; to provide buffering between noncompatible land uses; to protect, preserve and promote aesthetic appeal; to promote public health and safety through the reduction of noise pollution, air pollution, visual pollution, the movement of sand by wind, air temperature, and artificial light glare within the City of North Myrtle Beach.

(2)

Landscaping includes not only trees, shrubbery, grass and ground cover, but open paving stones, benches, fountains and exterior lighting fixtures.

No buildings; parking areas; boat, equipment, or other storage areas may be included in required landscaped areas. No more than twenty (20) percent of required perimeter landscaped areas may be utilized for stormwater management areas, sidewalks, walkways, or private roads. Recreational facilities shall be allowed only in landscaped areas of multifamily developments and hotels, and shall not occupy any required perimeter landscaped area.

(3)

Any existing natural landscape character shall be preserved whenever possible. Preservation of trees and further landscape is the goal rather than destruction of existing trees or plant life. The planting of vegetation common to the immediate natural coastal environment is encouraged to ensure proper plant life development and maturation.

(4)

The above objectives are general in form; however, proper design and location of trees, shrubbery, and other landscape amenities are subject to the city's plan review procedures.

(Ord. No. 88-35, 11-1-88)

The requirements of this article shall apply to all land within the corporate limits of the City of North Myrtle Beach.

(Ord. No. 88-35, 11-1-88)

(1)

Sites affected:

(a)

New sites: All new development and redevelopment shall comply with the requirements of this article, except those exempted under section 23-53(2).

(b)

Vacant or undeveloped sites: Shall comply with the requirements of section 23-65.

(2)

Sites exempted: The following uses or sites shall be exempted from the requirements of this article:

(a)

Single-family detached residential and zero lot line developments.

(b)

Duplexes, except new residential duplexes in the R-2 district where the perimeter landscape requirements of section 23-58 shall apply.

(c)

All lots within the zero lot line overlay zone identified in section 23-25(3), note (1) and section 23-27(3), note (1).

(Ord. No. 88-35, 11-1-88; Ord. No. 89-31, § 1, 8-2-89; Ord. No. 89-57, § 1, 1-2-90; Ord. No. 02-36, § 2, 9-16-02; Ord. No. 07-23, § 1, 6-18-07)

(1)

There shall be no formal application exclusively for the landscaping plan.

(2)

Formal application shall occur at the time of building permit application. A site plan, survey, irrigation plan, landscaping plan, drainage plan and any other plans or representation of the overall site shall be submitted at the time of application. These plans shall be reviewed by the applicable city departments.

(3)

All applications for site plan approval or permit for construction, alteration, or addition to any parking area shall be reviewed by the staff for compliance with this article.

(Ord. No. 88-35, 11-1-88)

A landscape plan shall be submitted to the planning and development department prior to the alteration of any lot or structure. Such plan shall also be submitted with site and building plans for any new development or project. The following are the requirements of the landscape plan:

(a)

The landscape plan should be drawn to a scale of one (1) inch equals twenty (20) feet. This scale may vary according to the size of the area to be landscaped. This plan shall include the name, signature and address of the landscape designer.

(b)

The plan shall include the location and size of all proposed structures or improvements, landscape materials including botanical and common names and all existing vegetation by their common names.

(c)

The landscape plan shall include:

1.

A tree survey: This plan shall show all existing trees which have a diameter of six (6) inches or greater, measured three (3) feet from the base, and also all major vegetation with an index of those trees and vegetation.

2.

Total site area.

3.

Parking area.

4.

Landscape area required and provided for the project.

5.

Number of trees which are required and provided for the project.

6.

Driveway and curbcut requirements.

7.

Percent of impervious surface.

8.

Irrigation plan.

9.

Total amount of interior landscaped area.

All landscaping requirements shall be installed according to plan after review by the various city departments charged with that review. All landscaping shall be in place according to plan prior to the issuance of certificate of occupancy.

(Ord. No. 88-35, 11-1-88)

(1)

Perimeter landscaping shall comply with the requirements of section 23-58, perimeter landscaped areas ¹ . ^[16]

(2)

Interior landscaping requirements:

(a)

General Commercial (GC) District: Parking lots of more than thirty (30) spaces shall provide fifteen (15) percent of the total parking area for landscaping within the parking area. Parking lots of thirty (30) spaces or fewer shall provide fifteen (15) percent of the total parking area for landscaping in the parking area if possible. If not possible the fifteen (15) percent shall be located somewhere on the site in addition to required perimeter landscaping.

(b)

All other zoning districts: Parking lots of more than thirty (30) spaces shall provide ten (10) percent of the total parking area for landscaping within the parking area. Parking lots of thirty (30) spaces or fewer shall provide ten (10) percent of the total parking area for landscaping in the parking area if possible. If not possible, the ten (10) percent shall be located somewhere on the site in addition to required perimeter landscaping.

1.

The interior landscaped areas shall be located in a manner that:

(a)

Assists and helps to control the movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic;

(b)

Provides visual relief from a large expanse of paving;

(c)

Preserves existing trees, where possible; and

(d)

Screens loading and service areas.

2.

A landscaped area shall be provided at the end of each parking area adjacent to the travel lane serving the parking aisle.

3.

With the exception of town centers in PDD's and the General Commercial (GC) District, no required landscape area shall be larger than three hundred fifty (350) square feet unless a larger area is necessary to save or protect existing trees. Interior landscaped areas shall contain a minimum of seventy-five (75) square feet.

(a)

In the GC district the landscape island shall contain a minimum of two hundred fifty (250) square feet. No parking space shall be located further than seventy-two (72) feet from a landscape island.

4.

Within the landscaped areas there shall be one (1) small tree at least three (3) caliper inches in size and four (4) shrubs per each ten (10) parking spaces in addition to other plant materials and ground cover.

5.

Where the parking area is located under a building or parking deck, the ten (10) percent interior landscaping shall be calculated and provided somewhere on the site other than beneath the structure.

6.

Required perimeter landscape areas shall not be used in the calculation of required interior landscape areas.

(3)

All interior landscaped areas and perimeter landscape areas which abut parking areas and driveway aisles shall be enclosed and protected by concrete curbing at least four (4) inches in height or by any other acceptable stable means, curbing, and/or wheel stops, with intermittent voids allowing for stormwater runoff into parking islands as part of the stormwater management is also allowed as per the city engineer.

(4)

When a building is erected over required interior landscaping as permitted in the development standards of R-4 (Resort Residential) and RC (Resort Commercial), the amount of required interior landscaping covered by the building shall be replaced and added to the perimeter landscaping requirement.

(Ord. No. 88-35, 11-1-88; Ord. No. 89-15, § 4, 4-4-89; Ord. No. 98-10, § 2, 4-20-98; Ord. No. 98-23, § 1, 8-17-98; Ord. No. 00-18, § 3, 3-20-00; Ord. No. 07-13, § 2, 3-5-07; Ord. No. 09-36, § 8, 11-16-09; Ord. No. 11-30, § 6, 11-21-11)

The required yards around parking decks or structures shall be planted according to section 23-58, Perimeter landscaped areas.

(Ord. No. 88-35, 11-1-88)

(1)

Size.

(a)

With the exception of PDD's, a perimeter landscaped area with a minimum depth of five (5) feet shall be provided along all property lines except when a tract is being partially developed or developed in stages the perimeter landscape area may be provided around the exterior of the developed area.

(b)

Where property abuts Highway 17, Sea Mountain Highway, Main Street, Robert Edge Parkway, Champions Boulevard, and Water Tower Road, the minimum depth of the perimeter landscape area shall be ten (10) feet.

(c)

Required plantings in the perimeter landscape area may be moved outside the minimum perimeter area when a plan is submitted showing more than the minimum is being provided for perimeter landscape area.

(d)

In a PDD, when and if a setback of less than five (5) feet has been approved by city council, it is not possible to provide the five-foot perimeter yard setback, an equal amount of area, which has been reduced, shall be provided elsewhere within the affected site. Twice the number of trees and shrubs, which would have been provided in the reduced area, shall be planted in the alternate area. On adjacent parcels within a PDD, where the developer can demonstrate that the parcels will act in coordination and conjunction with each other to form a continuous development site, perimeter landscaping on each individual parcel shall not be required when an equal amount of landscaping area and planting is provided elsewhere within the subject coordinated development as shown on the PDD master site plan. The perimeter landscaping requirement shall not be reduced on the outer perimeter of the coordinated development. A maintenance agreement is required to be signed and submitted by all property owners involved in this arrangement.

(2)

Screening requirements: Subsections (a) and (b) set forth the minimum requirements for screening between incompatible uses. The listed proposed uses shall provide screening on their property when bordered by the listed adjoining uses.

(c)

Planting requirements: Perimeter landscape area. Where the perimeter landscape area is not functioning as a buffer between two (2) incompatible uses, then the landscape plan shall indicate at least one (1) tree for each twenty-five (25) linear feet of landscape area and one (1) shrub for every ten (10) linear feet of landscape area. A minimum of fifteen-hundredths (15) inch caliper of trees is required for each linear foot of perimeter landscape area.

(d)

Planting requirements for vegetative screens: Where a vegetative screen is required between two (2) incompatible uses, the screen shall contain shrubs at least thirty (30) inches high at the time of planting. The screen shall be planted in the required perimeter yard. The spacing of the shrubs shall be according to the vegetative screen section contained in this article. The type of shrub used needs to be capable of attaining a height of at least six (6) feet at maturity. Maturity shall mean that, within five (5) years of planting, the entire vegetative screen shall achieve at least seventy-five (75) percent opacity from twelve (12) inches to six (6) feet above ground level. A list of plants capable of achieving this desired effect is found in section 23-66.

(e)

Screening requirements, streets: Where the rear property line abuts a street, a vegetative screen shall be required. The screen shall contain shrubs at least four (4) feet high at the time of planting. The screen shall be planted in the required perimeter yard. The spacing of the vegetation shall be according to the vegetative screen section contained in this article.

(f)

Screening requirements, "big box" retail establishments: A finished six-foot high masonry wall shall be constructed within five (5) feet of the rear property line. In exchange, a berm within a ten-foot perimeter landscape area, measuring, five (5) feet in height with trees or shrubbery planted atop the berm (each tree having a three-inch caliper measured three (3) feet from the base when installed) may be substituted. The height of the wall or berm shall be measured from the highest elevation point on either side.

All loading and receiving docks (or bays), and the area within one hundred (100) feet of multi-axle vehicle parking, shall be screened with an additional row of trees within the adjacent landscape area or areas. Each tree shall have a minimum three-inch caliper (measured three (3) feet from the base at planting) installed to achieve an opaque screening at maturity. Loading docks (or bays) shall be constructed to enclose both sides to shield from view trucks making deliveries.

(3)

When designing landscape buffers, special consideration shall be given to on-site traffic circulation patterns and the potential for headlight spillage onto adjoining residential properties. The zoning administrator may require supplemental plantings or buffering in cases where it is determined that headlight spillage may negatively impact adjoining residents.

(Ord. No. 88-35, 11-1-88; 90-11, 1(a)—(d), 5-1-90; Ord. No. 98-23, §§ 2—4, 8-17-98; Ord. No. 98-24, § 1, 8-17-98; Ord. No. 98-33, § 1, 10-19-98; Ord. No. 99-46, § 5, 11-15-99; Ord. No. 00-18, § 3, 3-20-00; Ord. No. 02-22, § 1, 6-3-02; Ord. No. 02-27, § 1, 7-1-02; Ord. No. 02-28, § 1, 7-1-02; Ord. No. 06-54, § 1, 8-21-06; Ord. No. 07-13, § 3, 3-5-07; Ord. No. 09-36, § 9, 11-16-09; Ord. No. 11-30, § 7, 11-21-11; Ord. No. 15-22, § 1, 7-6-15; Ord. No. 25-06, § 1, 2-17-25)

Ground cover shall be placed or planted on all portions of exposed ground or earth not occupied by other landscape material. Refer to section 23-66, Plant lists and illustrations, for choices of ground cover.

(Ord. No. 88-35, 11-1-88)

(1)

All dumpsters whether side loading or front loading shall be screened on three (3) sides by a fence. The screening shall exceed the height of the intended container by twelve (12) inches.

(2)

The opening for the removal of trash pickup shall allow for a clearance of eighteen (18) inches on each side of the container. In addition, metal guard posts shall be filled with concrete.

(3)

In developments of regional significance, areas for trash collection or compaction shall not be visible from abutting streets as per section 23-29.5(7).

(Ord. No. 88-35, 11-1-88; Ord. No. 11-30, § 8, 11-21-11)

All site plans conform to the following:

(1)

Two (2) driveway/curbcuts shall be permitted per lot and if needed one (1) additional driveway for each one hundred (100) feet of road frontage in excess of two hundred (200) feet. The only exception to this rule is as follows:

(a)

One (1) single-family or duplex on a single lot.

(b)

The lot has double-frontage on nonintersecting streets. On these lots, two (2) additional driveway/curbcuts shall be permitted on the second street provided no driveway/curbcut on the property is greater than twenty-two (22) feet in width.

(2)

Driveway openings shall not exceed thirty (30) feet in width, except where the property has more than one hundred (100) feet of street frontage, or where the state highway department recommends a larger driveway opening. For properties with more than one hundred (100) feet of street frontage driveway widths may be increased to a maximum of forty (40) feet.

For properties with more than two hundred (200) feet of frontage, boulevard entrances may be allowed, provided such entrances do not exceed sixty-five (65) feet in width, are at least one hundred (100) feet apart.

(3)

Raised curbs or barriers a minimum of four (4) inches in height shall be installed at designated ingress and egress points to prevent other vehicular traffic. Raised curbs or barriers shall be of asphalt or concrete and permanently affixed to the paving. Curbing with intermittent voids for stormwater runoff to enter into parking islands as part of the stormwater management is also allowed as per the city engineer.

(4)

No entrance or exit drive shall be located within fifty (50) feet of a street corner or intersection extended lines. This provision excludes oceanfront lots adjacent to street ends.

(5)

No driveway shall be closer than twenty (20) feet to another entrance or exit, with the exception of driveways for single-family or duplex residential structures.

(6)

Where the application of [sub]section 23-61(4) and/or [sub]section 23-61(5) render access to an existing lot of record impossible, entrance and exit drives shall be allowed provided such drive is located as far from the street intersection as possible.

(Ord. No. 88-35, 11-1-88; Ord. No. 92-25, § 1, 6-1-92; Ord. No. 03-38, § 1, 9-15-03; Ord. No. 11-30, § 9, 11-21-11)

(1)

A minimum "sight triangle" shall be maintained at all driveways, and street intersections. Within the sight triangle, no plant material, signage or any other obstruction shall interfere with an individual's vehicular sight line. No plant material shall exceed thirty (30) inches in height at maturity; trees shall be trimmed so that branches are at least seven (7) feet above curb level.

(2)

The minimum sight triangle for driveways shall be ten (10) feet by twenty (20) feet on each side of the driveway and shall be measured as follows:

(a)

Begin at the point where the edge of the driveway intersects with the street right-of-way line.

(b)

From this point, measure twenty (20) feet along the street right-of-way line, away from the driveway edge.

(c)

From the same point, measure then ten (10) feet toward the interior of the property, along the driveway edge.

(d)

Connect the two (2) points established by the above method to form the required sight triangle.

(3)

The minimum sight triangle required at street intersections shall be twenty (20) feet by twenty (20) feet and shall be measured as follows:

(a)

Begin at the property corner point, where the right-of-way lines of both streets intersect.

(b)

From this point, measure twenty (20) feet along the right-of-way line in each direction.

(c)

Connect the two (2) points established by the method above to form the required sight triangle.

(Ord. No. 88-35, 11-1-88)

(1)

All required landscape areas shall be irrigated or utilize plants which are drought tolerant, as indicated in section 23-66, Plant lists and illustrations, unless incorporated into the stormwater management plan as bioretention and infiltration areas wherein irrigation is provided via stormwater runoff per subsection 23-129.4(6). For bioretention and infiltration, use the recommended plant list entitled List III, Plants for Bioswales and Infiltration in section 23-66.

(2)

Irrigation plans shall be submitted for city review. This is in addition to the landscaping plan. Irrigation plans shall show location, size and type of sprinkler heads, and whether the system is automatic or manual. The irrigation plan shall be reviewed by the city engineer for compliance with all City Codes.

(3)

Irrigation systems shall minimize spray onto any pedestrian or vehicular access or abutting property.

(4)

Water preservation should be considered in the design of all irrigation systems.

(Ord. No. 88-35, 11-1-88; Ord. No. 11-30, § 10, 11-21-11)

The owner(s) and their agent, if any, shall be jointly and severally responsible for the continued proper maintenance of landscaped areas with additional standards required for developments of regional significance. The owner(s) or their agent shall be notified in writing by the zoning administrator, of any areas which are not being properly maintained, and the owner(s) and their agent shall, within fifteen (15) calendar days from the time of notification, restore the landscaped area to a satisfactory condition.

It is the intent of this section to require the continuance of healthy landscape areas as represented in the approved site plan and/or landscape plan.

(Ord. No. 88-35, 11-1-88; Ord. No. 11-30, § 11, 11-21-11)

(1)

The intent of this article is to provide standards for landscaping of new developments as well as to protect vegetation on vacant or undeveloped lots. It is the policy of the City of North Myrtle Beach to encourage the use of existing and native plant materials to meet the requirements of the city.

Underbrush and/or small trees (less than six (6) inches in diameter) may be cut or cleared at any time.

Cutting of large trees (over six (6) inches in diameter) shall not be allowed until review of the landscaping plans for the proposed development has been completed or a permit for clearing and cutting these trees has been issued by the planning and development department.

Nothing herein shall be construed as preventing removal of junk, debris, dead trees or limbs, abandoned structures, fences, and the like from vacant lots when such is in the interest of aesthetic appeal or public safety.

(2)

Clear cutting of trees and natural vegetation occupying a perimeter landscape area at the time of construction shall be prohibited. All trees six (6) inches or more in diameter, measured three (3) feet from the base, shall be retained and the perimeter landscape area shall remain in its natural state to the extent that the natural vegetation provides equal or better screening than the requirements of this article. Design and layout of buildings and parking lots should try to preserve existing trees which have a trunk diameter of more than six (6) inches. The removal of any vegetation exceeding six (6) inches in diameter must be approved by the city planner or zoning administrator.

(Ord. No. 88-35, 11-1-88)

(1)

No artificial plant life or facsimile shall be permitted except by prior approval. A plant list is provided at the end of this article which gives numerous choices as to the type of plants native to the area which best suit the climatic conditions. These choices are recommended suggestions.

(2)

Plants shall be sufficiently sized to ensure screening at the time of installation according to minimum container size, class and other requirements outlined in the American Standard for Nursery Stock (ANSI Z60.1-2004). Where a vegetative screen is required, plant materials shall be sufficiently sized to ensure obscurity at the time of installation. Seedling plants may be used where berms or structures are required or where the proposed use is contiguous to a street or vacant land.

The following table shall serve as a guide for determining minimum plant size:

(3)

Major turf grasses and ground covers:

Table V. Comparison of the major grasses grown for lawns in South Carolina

* Dwarf St. Augustinegrass varieties only.

See also notes following.

Notes to Table V

1.

Sprigging and plugging of all turf grass varieties is most successful when accomplished between March 15 and August 15. Sod may be laid at any time, though irrigation is essential for sod establishment during the growing season.

2.

The rye grasses and fescue grasses are cool-season adaptable, i.e., they can be used for overseeding permanent lawn areas for winter color. They will not perform year round as they cannot tolerate the heat of our summers.

3.

Ground covers can be substituted for lawn grasses. Several adaptable plants are:

English ivy (Hedera helix)—Grows rapidly once established, needs shade first year or two of growth, four (4) inches high.

Common periwinkle (Vinca minor)—Shade, blue flower, six (6) inches to eight (8) inches high.

Border grasses (Liriope muscare, Ophiopogon)—Spreads slowly, sun or shade, many variety species, four (4) inches to twelve (12) inches high.

Japanese spurge (Euphorbia japonica)—Shade, eight (8) inches high.

Junipers (Juniperus spp.)—(Same genera) sun, dry, four (4) inches to twelve (12) inches high.

Blue fescue (Festuca spp.)—Sun, will not form solid carpet.

(4)

Evergreen shrubs suitable for vegetative screens. The following tables shall serve as a guide for determining types of plant material to be used in vegetative screens:

(a)

When used as a vegetative screen, each shrub shall be at least thirty (30) inches high at the time of installation and shall be planted at one-half (1/2) of the mature diameter.

List I

Salt Tolerant Plants

List II

I. Tolerant of dry ground (once established):

List III

Plants for Bioretention and Infiltration

1 Plants that, once established*, can withstand considerable drought (3—4 weeks without rainfall)

2 Plants that grow best in moist to average soils and will only tolerate short periods (1—2 days) of flooding.

3 Plants that will tolerate longer periods of flooding (3—5 days), but will also grow in moist to average soils.

* Establishment usually takes 1—2 years for trees and shrubs and 1 year for perennials.

(Ord. No. 88-35, 11-1-88; Ord. No. 90-11, § 1(e), 5-1-90; Ord. No. 98-23, § 5, 8-17-98; Ord. No. 11-30, § 11, 11-21-11; Ord. No. 15-01, § 1, 1-5-15)