Richmond City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VIII
Supplementary Regulations
Section 405.540 Landscaping And Screening.
[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]
A.
General.
1.
Purpose. The provisions of this Section are intended to protect property values and enhance community appearance.
2.
Application. This Section shall be the minimum standard for landscaping and screening in the City of Richmond.
3.
A landscaping and screening plan shall be required in connection with any new subdivision plat and upon application for a building permit in the following instances:
4.
A landscaping and screening plan is not required upon application for a building permit in the following instance:
Where a building permit concerns construction or alterations of a building with a zero (0) street setback.
5.
The landscaping and screening plan shall include the following information:
a.
Scale at one (1) inch equals twenty (20) feet to fifty (50) feet.
b.
North reference.
c.
The location and size of all utilities on the site.
d.
The location of all existing and proposed parking areas.
e.
The location of all existing and proposed buildings and structures.
f.
The location, condition, size and quantity of all proposed landscape materials. Plant materials shall be identified by both common and botanical name.
g.
The location, size and common name of all existing plant materials to be retained.
h.
Plant species shall be shown on the plan by indicating their mature crown spread drawn to scale.
6.
Landscaping and screening plans must be approved by the Community Development Director prior to the issuance of a building permit. In cases where landscaping plan approval would cause harmful delay to the start of construction, the Community Development Director may issue footing and foundation permits for the project so that construction may proceed. Permits for construction beyond the footing and foundation stage shall not be issued until the landscaping plans have been submitted and approved. A landscaping and screening plan shall be required for only that phase of development for which the building permit is being acquired.
B.
Minimum Standards For Landscaping Of Commercial, Industrial And Residential Uses Of Three (3) Or More Units.
1.
The minimum landscaping requirements shall be one (1) tree and two (2) shrubs per five thousand (5,000) square feet of total lot area.
2.
All portions of the site not covered with paving or buildings shall be landscaped. Open areas not covered with other materials shall be covered with ground cover. Ground cover shall be utilized on all slopes in excess of twenty-five percent (25%).
3.
In addition to the minimum requirements listed in Subsection (B)(1) above, landscaping at least ten (10) feet wide, consisting of a continuous planting of evergreens and deciduous trees, at a minimum of one (1) two-inch diameter deciduous tree, two (2) two-inch diameter flowering trees and eight (8) four (4) feet to five (5) feet tall evergreens, shall be planted for each one hundred (100) feet along the property line to separate commercial, industrial or multi-family uses from adjoining single-family residential developments or "I- 1," "I-2," "B-3," "B-2," "R-3" or "R-4" zoned districts.
C.
Minimum Standards For Screening For Commercial And Industrial Uses.
1.
All exterior trash storage containers shall be screened so as not to be visible from off the property. Enclosures shall be constructed of brick or split-faced blocks or when deemed appropriate by the Community Development Director of solid vinyl fencing, chain link fencing with slats or solid wood privacy fence, concrete floor and solid door. Such enclosures shall be included on any required final development plan. Such enclosures shall be constructed large enough to contain the desired trash container and any other such items as waste grease containers, waste oil containers, waste recyclable containers, etc. Such enclosures shall harmonize with the building in material, color, size and shape.
2.
For all commercial and industrial uses, screening shall be provided, not less than six (6) feet in height, along all side and rear property lines which are common to property zoned or used for residential purposes. Such screening shall not extend in front of the building line of adjacent dwellings.
3.
In all zoning districts, parking lots shall be screened as defined herein from residential uses or zones if both of the following criteria are met:
D.
Plant Materials.
1.
The following are the minimum plant sizes and conditions to be used in satisfying the requirements of this Chapter:
New Plant Materials | ||
|---|---|---|
Small ornamental trees | 6 foot — 8 foot height B&B(1) | |
Deciduous shade trees | 2 inch caliper B&B | |
Evergreen trees | 4 foot — 5 foot height B&B | |
Medium to large shrubs | 18 inches — 24 inches height B&B | |
Dwarf to small shrubs | 12 inches — 18 inches height B&B | |
Ground cover | 2 1/2 inches height P.P.(2) | |
(1) | B&B = balled and burlapped; container grown stock may be used where appropriate | |
(2) | P.P. = peat pot | |
Ornamental small trees | 15 foot — 30 foot ultimate height | |
Deciduous medium trees | 30 foot — 70 foot ultimate height | |
Deciduous large trees | over 70 foot ultimate height | |
Dwarf shrubs | less than 4 foot ultimate height | |
Small shrubs | 4 foot — 6 foot ultimate height | |
Medium shrubs | 7 foot — 10 foot ultimate height | |
Large shrubs | over 10 foot ultimate height | |
2.
Existing trees which are to be retained to satisfy the requirements of this Chapter shall meet the following standards:
a.
For shade trees, the diameter four and one-half (4.5) feet above ground shall be at least three (3) inches.
b.
For ornamental trees, the height shall be at least eight (8) feet.
c.
For evergreen trees, the height shall be at least six (6) feet.
d.
Trees shall be free from mechanical injuries, insect infestations and disease.
e.
Artificial plants and turf are prohibited.
E.
Installation Of Materials.
1.
Landscaping, as required by the provisions of this Chapter, shall be installed by the date specified on the approved landscaping and screening plan. However, the Community Development Director may allow an additional period of up to twelve (12) months if circumstances so require. A screening fence, if required, shall be installed before an occupancy permit is granted. Failure to complete the landscaping and screening plan within the above-prescribed time limit shall be cause to revoke the bond.
2.
Trees shall be protected from injury to roots, trunks and branches during grading and construction. Protective fencing, tree wells and/or retaining walls shall be utilized where necessary to insure tree vigor upon completion of construction.
F.
Maintenance. The owner, tenant and their agent, if any, shall be jointly responsible for the continuing maintenance of landscaping and screening required by the Zoning Code. Landscaping shall be maintained in conformance with Chapter 220: Nuisances. Nothing in these codes shall be construed as prohibiting the redesign and replanting of landscape materials, provided that such replanting conforms to the minimum standards set forth herein.
G.
Obstruction Of Sight Distance At Intersections. Where two (2) or more streets intersect, landscaping and screening materials shall not be placed within the triangular areas formed by the public right-of-way lines and a line connecting them at points twenty-five (25) feet from their point of intersection.