Red Oak City Zoning Code
ARTICLE 11
LANDSCAPE, DEVELOPMENT AND SCREENING REGULATIONS
§ 1 SCREENING AND FENCING REGULATIONS.
11.1.1
Screening
The property owner shall construct screening which meets the requirements of this section in the event the owner causes to be constructed a building in a nonresidential or apartment zoning district which abuts a residential district. In the event the Commission approves a plat for a single-family residential subdivision for land which abuts property zoned for nonresidential or apartment uses, the developer of the residential subdivision shall cause to be constructed screening along the perimeter of the entire subdivision which meets the requirements:
A.
The screening shall be of masonry construction unless otherwise approved by the City Council.
B.
The screening must be a minimum of six (6) feet in height but no greater then eight (8) feet in height.
C.
The screening must allow and maintain clear vision at least twenty-five (25) feet from all intersections or outside the visibility triangle at an intersection.
D.
The construction plans for the screening must be prepared by a structural professional engineer registered in the State of Texas.
11.1.2
Fencing
The following regulations shall apply to fencing:
A.
On a lot platted for residential use, a fence cannot extend beyond the front building line, except in a Single-Family Residential Estates (RE) zoning district or on a lot of at least one (1) acre, in which event a masonry, brick or wrought iron fence may extend to the front property line.
B.
A fence can extend into the front yard on a lot or parcel located in a nonresidential zoning or Agricultural District or on an undeveloped lot where an agricultural activity is taking place.
C.
A fence cannot obstruct any public right-of-way.
D.
The maximum height of a fence shall be eight (8) feet.
E.
A fence shall be constructed of wood, masonry, brick, wrought iron, wire or woven wire mesh or other compatible materials.
F.
The property owner shall maintain the fence in such a manner that it is not dilapidated or unsafe.
(Ordinance 07-15 adopted 7/9/07; Ordinance 10-039, sec. 1, adopted 10/12/10)
§ 2 LANDSCAPE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS.
11.2.1
Generally
The landscape development regulations of this Section (a restatement of Ordinance No. 96-09 and Ordinance 01-30) shall apply to development in Planned Development (PD), all common areas in all residential districts, Apartment (A), Commercial-1 (C-1), Highway Oriented (HO), Commercial-2 (C-2) and Industrial (I) zoning districts. The regulations are as follows:
A.
Landscaping regulations apply to all new construction, reconstruction and where a Certificate of Occupancy is requested to be issued. Plans must be submitted and approved before a building permit or a Certificate of Occupancy can be issued.
B.
Fifteen percent (15%) of the total land area must be landscaped with trees, shrubs and ground vegetation including grasses. Fifty percent (50%) of this landscaping must be located in the front yard. Special landscape designs, which are appropriate for the building design (i.e. southwestern and Spanish styles or xeriscape design) may be approved if a landscape architect or certified landscape designer approves the submitted landscape plan.
C.
Landscaping must be irrigated or located within seventy-five (75) feet of a water source for proper maintenance and care.
D.
Trees shall be planted along property frontage at a rate of one, three (3) inch caliper tree for every forty (40) feet of frontage.
E.
A screening row of shrubs/plantings is required along at least (50%) of any street frontage. Such plants shall grow to at least thirty-six (36) inches at maturity.
F.
Curbed island areas and parking lot islands shall be landscaped with materials or plantings other than exclusively lawn grass. In lieu of shrubs, vegetation and trees decorative concrete, paving stones, paving bricks or decorative stones may be used for at least 50% of the island areas.
G.
Shrub and tree plantings in appropriate areas are also required along side perimeters of developed lots.
H.
In parking lots, for every twelve (12) parking spaces, ninety (90) square feet of landscaping (trees, shrubs and/or ground vegetation, including grasses, or decorative concrete, paving stones, paving bricks or decorative stones) in island areas is required.
I.
The owner commits an offense if he does not maintain the required landscaping with plantings properly watered and pruned. All dead trees, shrubs, vegetation and grasses must be replaced within a reasonable period of time and no later than thirty (30) days. In the event of a drought or emergency, the Building Official shall grant a reasonable extension of time for the replacement of dead trees, shrubs, vegetation and grasses.
11.2.2
Recommended Tree List
All trees used to satisfy the requirements of this Ordinance shall be of a species common or adaptable to this area of Texas. The following is a list of acceptable trees:
American Elm | Lacebark Elm |
Bald Cypress | Lacey Oak |
Black Hickory | Live Oak |
Black Oak | Pecan |
Black Walnut | Post Oak |
Bur Oak | Rusty Blackhaw |
Cedar Elm | River Birch |
Chinese Pistachio | Shumard Red Oak |
Chinquapin Oak | Southern Magnolia |
Dawn Redwood | Sweet Gum |
Durand Oak | Green Ash |
Eastern Red Cedar | Texas Ash |
Big Tooth Maple | Texas Oak |
Gingko | Texas Walnut |
Gum Burnelia | Texas Walnut [sic] |
(Ordinance 07-15 adopted 7/9/07; Ordinance 10-039, sec. 1, adopted 10/12/10)