Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
277 <br /> Article 6: Development Standards <br /> Section 6.8:Landscaping,Buffers&Tree Protection <br /> (2) All rooftop equipment shall be screened or setback so that it is not visible from <br /> any adjacent right-of-way,except that solar panels shall be exempt from <br /> screening requirements. <br /> (B) Standards <br /> Features and uses specified above shall provide a visual obstruction from adjacent <br /> properties in conformance with the following standards: <br /> (1) The screen may be composed of view-obscuring vegetation used individually,or <br /> in combination with a wall,semi-opaque fence,or berm. The screen height shall <br /> be eight feet from the ground,except that utilities and trash handling facilities <br /> shall be screened to the height of the facilities plus six inches. <br /> (2) A minimum opacity of at least 80%that obscures views from the ground to the <br /> height of the object being screened shall be attained. <br /> (3) Plant materials shall be at least two feet tall at the time of installation and reach <br /> the desired height within three years of planting. <br /> (4) Except for screening around roof-top equipment,one upright shrub of an <br /> evergreen species shall be installed per four linear feet of any wall or fence that <br /> faces off-site. <br /> (5) Trash and recycling containers must be contained within a gated,durable and <br /> attractive enclosure,compatible with building architecture. Shrubs shall be <br /> planted around the foundation. <br /> (C) Fences and Walls <br /> (1) Fences and walls shall not be required to adhere to the setback requirements <br /> detailed within this Ordinance but shall be located on the property of the <br /> individual erecting the structure. <br /> (2) Fences and walls shall be compatible with building architecture. <br /> (3) Fences and walls shall be setback a minimum of ten feet from any property line <br /> adjoining a road right-of-way,either public or private,to ensure adequate site <br /> visibility. <br /> (4) Fences shall not exceed 12 feet in height. <br /> (5) Privacy fences shall be erected to that support posts and slats are visible and <br /> accessible from the individual's property that erected the structure. <br /> (6) Chain link fencing is not permitted in areas visible from adjacent properties, <br /> parking areas,street or pedestrian walkways unless it is screened through use of <br /> evergreen shrubs. <br /> (D) Credit for Other Landscaping <br /> Plant material in project boundary buffers may be counted towards the planting <br /> requirements of this section when located to serve both functions. <br /> 6.8.10 Landscape and Tree Preservation Plan <br /> (A) Whenever land development for which a site plan,special use permit, MPD-SZ—CD or <br /> MPD-RB-CD Master Plan,preliminary plat in the case of major subdivisions or a final <br /> plat in the case of minor subdivisions,is required,a landscape and tree preservation <br /> plan meeting the requirements of this Section must be submitted for review and <br /> approval in accordance with the provisions in Article 2 of this Ordinance. <br /> (B) Landscape and tree preservation plans shall be prepared by certified landscape <br /> architects or other landscape professionals with a proficiency in preparing landscaping <br /> plans,with the exception of minor subdivisions. If a minor subdivision must install <br /> plantings to meet the requirements of this section,it is encouraged that a professional <br /> Orange County,North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-48 <br />