Orange County NC Website
Article 6: Development Standards 13 <br /> Section 6.8: Landscaping, Buffers&Tree Protection <br /> (1) The use of potable water sources to irrigate should be minimized by utilizing <br /> rainwater or other allowable systems. <br /> (2) Native, non-invasive, and drought tolerant species should be arranged into zones <br /> according to their water needs, by employing xeriscaping. <br /> (3) Landscaping in the rural zoning districts (RB, AR and R1)should must be <br /> clustered and shall be consistent with existing or dedicated Common Open <br /> Space and/ore recreational areas to provide a more natural look. More formal <br /> arrangements are possible in the medium and high density residential districts as <br /> well as the ^^mmeMial iRdustrial andeGE)ROMOG deve'OpMen+non-residential <br /> zoning designations, including NR-CD. Variations may be permitted, as allowed <br /> by Section 6.8.3. <br /> (4) LandSGape materials she ld be seTesfed and arranged +^add variety and visual <br /> IRterrest, as v well as to avoid MOROGUItYFeS that Gar"i--ei.RGE)'a',"-cagge the spread of pests <br /> and doc <br /> (5) Landscaping shall not be located on any portion of a public or private drainage or <br /> utility easement. <br /> (6)(4) Plant placement in buffers may include clustering; however, such clustering <br /> should be reflected in plant placement that provides the maximum protection of <br /> neighboring properties. <br /> (5) Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED), as outlined by the <br /> National Crime Prevention Institute, should be considered when laying out sites <br /> to maximize public safety. <br /> (6) If there is existing, healthy, natural native, non-invasive and drought tolerant <br /> vegetation in the area of a required buffer and greater than12" inches dbh, it <br /> must be preserved. If the vegetation is removed for any reason, other than in <br /> accordance with an approved landscape and tree preservation plan, the <br /> dimensions of the buffer within the impacted area shall be increased 50% and <br /> the number of required plantings shall be increased 50%. <br /> (7) The ^r4+*^_' rget ZGRe drip line of trees within the a required buffer must be <br /> protected if the applicant seeks credit for preservation of existing trees. For <br /> example, if a required buffer has a dimensional width of 30 feet, and the G40cel <br /> f^,�;a drip line extends beyond the 30 feet, the buffer will be extended to the <br /> edge of the ^r'+'^a' reet zGpe drip line in the area around the tree.? <br /> (B) Basic Plant Types <br /> There are five basic plant types referred to in this section, and all shall require the use of <br /> locally-adapted plants. They include canopy trees, evergreen trees, deciduous understory <br /> trees, evergreen understory trees and shrubs, defined as follows: <br /> (1) Canopy Trees <br /> Large deciduous shade trees with a mature height of 30 feet or greater and a <br /> mature spread of 30 feet or greater. <br /> (2) Evergreen Trees <br /> Trees at least 20 feet tall at maturity usually having green foliage throughout all <br /> seasons of the year. <br /> (3) Deciduous Understory Trees <br /> 18 and 9 have been relocated from Buffers section,with modifications from existing language in bold. <br /> Orange County, North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-39 <br />