CITY OF COLUMBIA
Landscape and Tree Preservation
Ordinance
ADMINISTRATIVE
GUIDELINES
Table of Contents
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………….3
Illustration of Typical Landscaping Requirements for New Commercial Development…4
Checklist of Landscaping requirements ………………………..…………….....…5
Benefits of trees …………………………………………………………………...6
Guidelines for the City of Columbia’s Landscape and Tree Preservation Ordinance
Section 1: Amendment to Section 17-55, “Definitions”………………………….7
Section 17-411. Purpose, Intent and Applicability
.………….…………….…..9
Section 17-412. Landscape plan, tree inventory and survey requirements……....12
Section 17-413. Single-family residential subdivisions and required
density factor for the site ……………………………………………..….....18
Section 17-414. Credit for existing vegetation ..………………………………...18
Section 17-415. Planting specifications .………………………………………...18
Section 17-416. Alternative compliance; Columbia Landscaping
and Tree Fund ………………………………………….………………... …20
Section 17-417. Buffer transition yards…………………………………………22
Section 17-418. Street protective yard ……………...………………………….31
Section 17-419. Vehicular surface area interior landscaping …………..….. .…35
Section 17-420 Screening for loading, trash collection, display and
utility service areas…………………………………………….....………...37
Section 17-421. Protection of existing trees during development ………….…..37
Section 17-422. Required [tree] density factor for the site (DFS) …...……….. 41
Section 17-423. Compliance and Maintenance ………….……………….…….45
Section 17-424. Violations; penalties………………………………….……......46
ARTICLE VII. TREE PRESERVATION/PROTECTION WHEN NO
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT IS REQUIRED …………………………….….….47
DIVISION 1. PURPOSE, DEFINITIONS AND APPLICABILITY ……..………....47
Section 17-793. Applicability. ………………………………………….………47
Section 17-794. Timber harvesting: Commercial timber operations …………..48
Section 17-795. Timber harvesting: Non-commercial timber operations ……..49
Section 17-796. Revegetation required …………………………………………49
1
ARTICLE VIII. COLUMBIA TREE AND APPEARANCE COMMISSION;
AUTHORITY OF FORESTRY AND BEAUTIFICATION
SUPERINTENDENT; TREE PRESERVATION AND CARE OF CITY
PROPERTY ON CITY PROPERTY AND PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY …………50
DIVISION 1. PURPOSE, DEFINITIONS, APPLICABILITY …………….…….….50
Section 17-813. Applicability ………………………….……………...………..50
DIVISION 2. ADMINISTRATION………………………………….……….……50
Section 17-814. Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission ………………...50
Section 17-815. Forestry and Beautification Superintendent (Director)….…….51
DIVISION 3. TREE PRESERVATION/PROTECTION ON CITY-OWNED
PROPERTY AND THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY…………………...………52
Section 17-831. Trimming, pruning, planting, and removal of trees
on City property and public right of way …………………………………..52
Section 17-832. Injuring trees or shrubs on city-owned property
and public right of way …………………………….………………………53
Section 17-833. Trees and shrubs adjacent to City-owned property
and to public right of way ………………………………………………….53
Charts, Tables and Illustrations
Checklist of Landscaping and Tree Preservation Requirements…………………5
Landscape Plan …………………………………………………………………15
Tree Inventory ………………………………………………………………….16
Tree Survey …………………………………………………………………….17
Land Use Impact Table (Table 13-1)..………………………………………….26
Buffer transition yard Tables 13-2 and 13-3 …………………………………...27
Tree Protection Detail …………………………………………………….……40
Density factor for the site conversion Tables 13-4 and 13-5 ……………….….42
Appendices
List of trees for the City of Columbia …………………………………………54
City of Columbia’s Landscape and Tree Preservation Ordinance….………....57
2
INTRODUCTION
The City of Columbia Landscape and Tree Preservation Administrative Guidelines has been
written as a guide to assist in the interpretation of the City of Columbia Landscape and Tree
Preservation Ordinance No. 2002-050, adopted June 5, 2002. In the text that follows, these
documents may alternatively be referred to as the Administrative Guidelines (or Guidelines) and
the Landscape Ordinance, respectively.
The Landscape Ordinance and the Administrative Guidelines apply to all activity requiring
the issuance of a Zoning permit by the City of Columbia. Even when a Zoning permit is not
required, these documents regulate tree protection and preservation on public and private
property, with certain exemptions. Tree protection extends to timber harvesting, for which
prior notification of the City’s Zoning Administrator is required.
Other than certain pages of illustrations, charts, or tables, the Guidelines text that begins on page
seven is divided into two columns. The left column lists section and subsection numbers and
headings as they are addressed in the Landscape Ordinance. Thumbnail illustrations may also
appear in this column. Interpretation, including examples, is provided in the right column.
Parenthetical page references are to the Guidelines unless denoted “LO”, which refers to the
Landscape Ordinance (included in its entirety as an appendix). Some explanatory text and
illustrations are inserted as separate pages within the Guidelines main section.
Since publication of the Landscape Ordinance, the Division of Forestry and Beautification has
become a Department, and its Superintendent is now Director of this Department. The
Guidelines reflects these changes, although the Ordinance predates these administrative changes.
Additional information, such as plan illustrations, detailed planting instructions and
recommended plant lists are included as appendices. The complete Landscape and Tree
Preservation Ordinance is included as an appendix in the last section of the Guidelines.
3
P r o p e r t y lin e
C o m m e r c ia l p r o p e r t y ( m e d iu m im p a c t )
in
t r a s h b in
C o m m e r c ia l
B u ild in g
( U n d e r 2 5 , 0 0 0 s q . f t.)
P u b lic s t r e e t r ig h t o f w a y
S c r e e n in g
fo r
S t r e e t p r o t e c t iv e y a r d
B
T
B u f fe r t r a n s it io n y a rd
S i n g l e - f a m il y r e s i d e n t i a l ( l o w im p a c t )
ra s
h
V e h i c u la r S u r f a c e A r e a
B u f f e r t r a n s it io n y a r d
S in g le - f a m i ly r e s id e n t i a l ( lo w im p a c t )
Typical landscaped areas, if applicable, for a small (medium impact) commercial property:
• Buffer transition yard with trees and shrubs between commercial and residential
• No buffer transition yard between commercial & commercial (of same intensity)
• Screening for trash bin
• Street protective yard with trees between property and public street right of way
• Screening between vehicular surface area (parking area) and street
• Vehicular surface area interior planting
4
Checklist of Landscaping and Tree Preservation Requirements
Submit with zoning permit application:
1. Landscape plan. (Sec. 17-412 (a))
2. Tree inventory and/or tree survey, if applicable (Sec. 17-412); if not, submit statement
that there are no protected trees. See 1., below.
3. Tree protection plan, if applicable (Sec. 17-421 (e) (1)); if not, statement that there are
no protected trees. See 1., below.
All of the above may be incorporated into one drawing, if space allows.
Address in the landscape plan:
1. Protected trees. (Sec. 17-421). These include:
a. Grand trees: large hardwoods 24-in. or greater DBH; pine or other softwood 30in. or greater DBH; small hardwoods 10-in. or greater DBH.
b. Eight (8)-inch or greater DBH trees in buffer transition yard and/or street
protective yard.
c. Twelve (12)-inch or greater DBH trees in any other area to be disturbed.
d. Any trees being retained for credit towards the required DFS (density factor for
the site—30 units per acre required).
e. Any city-maintained tree in the right of way.
2. Buffer transition yard requirements. (Sec. 17-417):
A buffer transition yard is required when the proposed development is adjacent
to a lower impact land use (zoning). For the required buffer yard type (width,
plantings) and the reduction allowed with a wall or fence, see Landscape
Ordinance sections 417 (c) - (g), with tables (LO, pp. 11-15).
3. Street protective yard. (Sec. 17-418).
a. The width is determined by the development’s size (acreage).
b. Adjacent to vehicular surface areas, an evergreen shrub or masonry wall screen is
required in the street protective yard.
c. One shade tree is required for every 40 feet of property adjacent to ROW.
4. Vehicular surface area interior plantings. (Sec. 17-419).
a. No parking space shall be more than 40 feet from the trunk of a shade tree.
b. Each shade tree shall have 200 square feet of planting space.
c. One tree is required for every 3200 square feet of paved area.
5. Screening of loading, dumpster and display areas (Sec. 17-420).
A masonry wall, a closed wooden fence, or evergreen shrubs or trees shall create
the screen. Its height shall be one foot taller than the object to be screened at the
time the plan is implemented.
6. Required [tree] density factor for the site (DFS). (Sec. 17-422).
The required [tree] DFS is 30 units per acre for commercial sites and 20 units per
acre for subdivision developments. See the chart on p. 13 of the Landscape
Ordinance to determine credits for existing and new trees.
5
BENEFITS OF PRESERVING AND PLANTING TREES
The Landscape Ordinance and the Guidelines were instituted largely because of the many
benefits that trees and green space bring to the urban environment. Trees assist in the
stabilization of soil, improve air and water quality, abate visual and noise pollution, and aid in
energy conservation. Trees also provide welcome shade and beautify the urban landscape,
softening the hard edges of buildings and paving. Trees and shrubs provide habitat for wildlife
and have been shown to have a positive effect on psychological as well as physical health. Some
of the benefits of trees are itemized below.
Urban trees improve air and water quality by:
1. Absorbing gaseous pollutants (ozone, nitrogen oxides) through leaf surfaces as well
as intercepting particulate matter (dust, ash, pollen, smoke).
2. Transpiring water and shading surfaces, which lowers local air temperatures, thereby
reducing ozone levels.
3. Intercepting and storing rainfall on leaves and branch surfaces, reducing storm water
runoff volumes and delaying the onset of peak flows.
4. Increasing the soil’s capacity to infiltrate rainfall, reducing overland flow.
5. Reducing soil erosion by diminishing the impact of raindrops on ground surfaces.
6. Reducing stream sedimentation due to soil particles carried by runoff and deposited in
streams.
Trees provide many aesthetic, social, economic and health benefits, such as:
1. Absorption of high frequency noise, which can be a major nuisance in urban settings
2. Reducing exposure to ultraviolet light, thereby lowering the risk of harmful health
effects from skin cancer and cataracts.
3. Allowing a sense of connectivity to nature for city residents.
4. Providing habitat for wildlife, such as songbirds.
5. Providing important settings for recreation.
6. Creating or improving spaces that encourage walking.
7. Increasing residential property values. (A National Association of Homebuilders
report cited that people will pay 20 to 30 percent more for a residential lot with trees
than for one without trees.)
6
City of Columbia
Code of Ordinances
Section 1: Section 17-55,
“Definitions”
Section 1 of the Landscape and Tree Preservation Ordinance
states that Section 17-55, “Definitions”, of the City of Columbia
Code of Ordinances is amended to include new terms related to
landscaping and tree preservation. Except for the short list
included immediately below, please refer to the Landscape
Ordinance for definitions of terms used either in that document or
the Administrative Guidelines. (LO, pp. 1-2.)
Caliper
Caliper. Traditionally used for new trees, this is the standard for
trunk diameter measurements used by nurserymen. Caliper
measures trunk diameter at six (6) inches above the ground for
four (4)-inch or smaller caliper trees and twelve (12) inches above
the ground for larger sizes.
New trees
4-in. or smaller
cal.: Measure 6
in. from base
of tree.
Greater than
4-in. caliper:
Measure 12
in. from
base.
D.B.H. (Diameter at breast
height)
D.B.H. (diameter at breast height). Traditionally used for existing
trees on a site, this is the standard used by foresters and surveyors.
D.B.H. measures trunk diameter at a height of four and one-half
(4½) feet above the ground. If a tree splits into multiple trunks
below four and one-half (4½) feet, the trunk is measured at the
narrowest point beneath the split.
Measure DBH at 4’6” from
base of tree
Tree inventory
Tree inventory. A tally or careful estimate of the number, species
(or genus or type), approximate size and approximate location of
existing trees on a site, which may be obtained through photos,
including aerials. To be verified by on-site viewing of city staff
authorized to perform the verification. Such data are also needed
to verify that there are no protected or other significant trees
existing on a site.
7
Section 1: Section 17-55,
“Definitions” (continued)
Tree survey. A survey completed by a registered land surveyor,
usually as part of a site plan, of the location, size (as D.B.H.) and
species of the existing trees on a site
Tree survey
For purposes of this ordinance, any survey or inventory should
include all protected trees: grand trees, trees of 12” or greater
D.B.H. in any areas to be disturbed, trees of 8” or greater D.B.H.
in protected zones (buffer transition yards and street protective
yards), trees on the City of Columbia right of way, and any other
trees identified to meet the required density factor for the site. To
be verified by on-site viewing of city staff authorized to perform
the verification.
Note: See illustrations of a tree inventory and a tree survey on
pp. 17 and 18.
See also further discussion of these terms under Sec. 17-412,
Landscape plan, tree inventory and survey requirements.
(pp. 12-14; LO pp.7-8 )
Section 17-411. Purpose,
Intent and Applicability
(a) Purpose and Intent
The purpose of the Landscape Ordinance is to ensure a healthful
and attractive living environment and to better control flooding,
noise, summer heat, glare, and soil erosion, thereby protecting
and enhancing the quality of life as well as property values in the
City of Columbia.
The intent of the Landscape Ordinance and the explanatory
Administrative Guidelines is to provide for the preservation of
existing trees and green space, thus reducing clear cutting, and to
regulate the installation of new trees and landscaping to enhance
the City in a manner that is compatible with the reasonable
development of property, taking into account private property
rights.
The Administrative Guidelines is to be used as an interpretive aid
for the requirements set forth in the Landscape Ordinance for
landscaping and tree protection in new development, as well as in
an existing property’s expansion or renovation to which the
ordinance is applicable.
Note: The Guidelines is not to be used as a substitute for the
Landscape Ordinance. Both documents should be read for a
clear understanding of the landscape and tree regulations in
the City of Columbia.
8
Section 17-411. Purpose,
Intent and Applicability
(continued)
(b) Applicability
The Landscape Ordinance and the Administrative Guidelines
apply to all activity requiring issuance of a Zoning permit by
the City of Columbia. Even when a Zoning permit is not
required, these documents regulate tree protection and
preservation on public and private property (with certain
exemptions). Tree protection extends to timber harvesting, for
which prior notification of the City’s zoning administrator is
mandated.
Both documents include provisions for the Columbia Tree and
Appearance Commission, outlining its powers and duties.
Provision for the Department (formerly, Division) of Forestry
and Beautification and its Director (formerly Superintendent), as
well as her/his powers and duties are also covered. The
Guidelines is subject to all requirements set forth in the City of
Columbia Landscape and Tree Preservation Ordinance.
(1) General requirements
The requirements and the applicable section or page references
are listed below.
Buffer Yard
Screening
Street Protective Yd.
Vehicular Surface Area
Buffer Yard
All page references refer to the Guidelines, unless denoted
“LO”, which refers to the Landscape Ordinance.
See page 5 of the Guidelines for a checklist of these
requirements. See also the illustration on page 4 for typical
areas of property to be landscaped.
•
•
•
Landscaping Requirements
Illustrated Above
Buffer transition yard
Street protective yard
Vehicular surface area
Screening for trash
collection area
•
•
•
•
•
Landscape plan with tree inventory and/or tree survey (Sec.
17-412), pp. 12-14; LO, pp. 7-8.
Single-family residential subdivisions (Sec. 17-413), p.19;
LO, p. 8.
Buffer transition yard (Sec. 17-417), p. 23-31;
LO, pp. 10-15.
Street protective yard (Sec. 17-418), pp. 32-35;
LO, pp. 16-19.
Vehicular surface area interior landscaping (Sec. 17-419),
pp. 36-37; LO, pp. 19-22.
Screening for loading, trash collection, display and utility
service areas (Sec 17-420), p 38; LO, pp. 22-23.
Protection of existing trees during development (Sec. 17421), pp. 39-41; LO, pp. 23-25.
Required [tree] density factor for the site (Sec. 17-422),
pp. 42-45; LO, pp. 26-28.
9
Section 17-411. Purpose,
Intent and Applicability
(continued)
(b) Applicability
The following are exempted from the Landscape Ordinance,
with the exception that any trees (including root zones), shrubs,
or other plants on the right of way or other city property are
protected and may not be removed, altered, or damaged in any
way without a permit from the applicable city agencies (See
Sec. 17-831.):
(2) Exemptions
Single-family residence
1. Lots zoned for single-family detached dwellings, except
during development of single-family residential subdivisions.
(See Sec. 17-422)
2. Public and private utilities, except when a zoning permit or
subdivision approval is required. (See also Sec. 17-831.)
3. Renovation/reuse that does not increase the existing recorded
tax value of the property by at least 50 % (except when there
is a change of use to a greater intensity—see LO Table 13-1.)
4. Expansions of less than 25% of the:
• Total gross floor area of the building and/or
• Total vehicular surface area
(3) Full Compliance
Any new development not exempted above must fully comply
with Landscape Ordinance requirements. See especially the
bulleted items under General Requirements on page 9. For new
development, see also:
• Credit for existing vegetation (Sec. 17-414)
• Planting specifications (Sec. 17-415 )
• Alternative compliance (Sec. 17-416 )
• Compliance and maintenance (Sec. 17-423)
Change to higher intensity
of use
Any existing structure for which a zoning permit is sought for a
change of use to a more intense (higher impact) use (See Table
13-3) must fully comply with:
•
Buffer transition yards (Sec. 17-417)
•
Screening (Sec. 17-420)
New, additional, or expanded portions of vehicular surface areas
for such change of use must fully comply with:
• Street protective yard requirements for vehicular
surface areas (Sec. 17-418)
• Vehicular
surface
area
interior
landscaping
(Sec. 17-419)
10
Section 17-411. Purpose,
Intent and Applicability
(continued)
Twenty-five percent
expansion
An existing structure for which there is a 25% expansion of the
gross floor area and/or 25% or more of the vehicular surface area
must fully comply with
• Street protective yards (Sec. 17-418)
• Vehicular surface area interior landscaping (Sec. 17-419)
in any new, additional, or expanded vehicular surface areas.
Renovation/reuse
An existing structure for which there is a renovation/reuse (not a
more intense use—see Table 13-3) that increases the building’s
recorded tax value by 50% or more, must fully comply with
Screening (Sec. 17-420). New, additional or expanded vehicular
surface areas must meet 100% of
• Street protective yards (Sec. 17-418)
• Vehicular surface area interior landscaping (Sec. 17-419)
Existing parking used to
meet new building’s
requirements
Any existing vehicular surface area used to meet parking
requirements for a new building must fully comply with
• Street protective yards (Sec. 17-418)
• Vehicular surface area interior landscaping (Sec. 17-419)
(4) Partial compliance for
certain expansions or
renovations
Note re partial compliance: No buffer transition yard is to
measure less than ten feet in width at any point, and no street
protective yard may be less than five feet in width at any point.
Partial compliance is required as follows for:
1) An existing structure for which there is a 25% expansion
of the gross floor area and/or 25% or more of the vehicular
surface area;
2) An existing structure for which there is a
renovation/reuse (not a more intense use—see
Table 13-3) that increases the building’s existing recorded
tax value by 50%.
Partial compliance:
• 50% of the buffer transition yard requirements, both
width and shrub quantities.
• A minimum five-foot width (along entire property
adjacent to right of way, except driveways) for the
street protective yard.
• 50% of the vehicular surface area requirements for
any existing VSA. (Full compliance for new.)
• Screening of new locations for trash collection,
loading, or display area.
11
Section 17-411. Purpose,
Intent and Applicability
(continued)
(5) Parking reductions to
facilitate compliance
Section 17-412.
Landscape plan, tree
inventory and survey
requirements
Where to Apply for
Required Permits
•
Encroachment:
Engineering Dept
•
Zoning:
Zoning Dept
•
Driveway &
Other Permits:
Inspections Dept
In order to facilitate an existing development’s compliance with
the Landscape Ordinance, the zoning administrator may reduce by
ten percent the required off-street parking spaces when an
expansion, renovation/reuse or change of use mandates such
compliance.
A preliminary landscape plan and a tree inventory or tree survey,
along with a tree protection plan if applicable, must be submitted
for approval when applying for a zoning or grading permit or for
subdivision approval, unless exempted under Sec. 17-411 (b) (2)
Exemptions.
Tree protection plan
The tree protection plan should be included on the site plan and
submitted at the time a grading or demolition permit is applied
for. For any work on the right of way, an encroachment permit
and tree protection plan approval, if applicable, must be obtained
from the Director of Forestry and Beautification. These are also
prerequisites for issuance of a driveway permit.
See illustration of tree protection plan on page 40.
See illustration of a landscape plan on page 15.
Section 17-412.
Landscape plan, tree
inventory and survey
requirements
Landscape plan
It is preferable for the landscape plan to be prepared by a
professional qualified to perform this service, such as a landscape
architect, a horticulturist, or other experienced landscape
designer.
Alternatively, the plan may be prepared by a layperson with
sufficient knowledge of landscape materials and design to meet
the required criteria for the landscape plan as set forth below.
The landscape plan is typically drawn or printed on a 24” x 36”
or a 30” x 40” sheet. It must be at the scale indicated on the sheet
(not a reduced copy) and include the following:
1. The name, tax map number and street address of the project.
2. A vicinity map locating the site.
3. The scale of the drawing (typically 1” = 10’, 1” = 20’,
1/8” = 1’, etc.)
4. The north arrow showing orientation.
12
Section 17-412.
Landscape plan, tree
inventory and survey
requirements (cont’d.)
Landscape plan
Preliminary
landscape plan
5. Labeling of all properties adjacent to the landscaped site,
including streets and type of adjacent property use, such as
“single family residential” or “medium impact commercial.”
6. The total acreage of the site, total square footage of
proposed buildings, and the total square footage or acreage
of all proposed vehicular surface areas, with parking spaces
accurately delineated and total number of spaces indicated.
7. Identification of physical features on the site, including
buildings, existing grand and other protected trees or tree
stands, streams, slopes, paved areas, walks, areas of turf,
trash collection areas, with notation as to whether each
feature is existing or proposed.
8. Location of all existing or proposed overhead and
underground utilities and easements (where applicable) and
location of existing and/or proposed irrigation systems.
9. * Labeling by key (keyed to plant list) or by botanical name
(common name optional) of all new plantings.
10. * A plant list including the botanical names, size (caliper,
container size, height, as required in Sec 17-425, p.15), and
quantity of all new plants included in the design, along with
other optional notes for their installation and care.
11. * Labeling by botanical or common name and DBH
(diameter at breast height—see “Definitions”) size of
existing trees to be retained.
12. ** Required tree protection measures, including required
fencing and signage where applicable and including concrete
curbing or other similar structures to prevent vehicular
damage to trees in vehicular surface areas.
See Protection of existing trees during development (Sec.
17-421) and example of tree protection detail incorporating
these measures on pages 40.
13. The name and telephone number of the person responsible
for the landscape plan
* The preliminary landscape plan may include just the type
(e.g., shade tree, small-maturing tree, low evergreen shrub) and
size of plants, but specific names must be provided in a final
plan, to be submitted and approved prior to implementation
** The tree protection plan may be submitted separately as part
of the site plan, as noted on preceding page.
13
Section 17-412.
Landscape plan, tree
inventory and survey
requirements (cont’d)
Examples of a complete landscape plan, a tree inventory and a
tree survey follow as foldouts on pages 16, 17, and 18.
Tree inventory
A tree inventory must be completed at the sketch plan phase of
any non-exempt development. The inventory must make specific
note of all grand trees and list all trees of eight (8)-inch or greater
DBH in protected zones (buffer transition and street protective
yards), all trees twelve inches or greater in the remainder of the
site, and any trees in the right of way.
A tree protection plan is illustrated on page 40.
When the site is heavily wooded, and a detailed inventory would
be unreasonably burdensome, the wooded areas may be
delineated as such on the plan, provided that a description of the
estimated range of tree sizes, tree density, and species in such
areas is included.
The purpose of the tree inventory is to determine the tree cover
existing on the site prior to development in order to facilitate
preserving as many trees as possible. A tree survey may be
submitted in place of the tree inventory.
Optional
pre-development
conference
Prior to any disturbance to the site the developer may request an
on-site pre-development conference with city staff (Zoning and
Planning). At this time staff may review the tree inventory and
discuss site development and potential tree preservation, with
emphasis on saving any grand trees.
Tree survey
Once trees or tree stands in wooded areas have been selected for
preservation, a tree survey of the trees to be saved is required.
The survey may designate groupings of trees as specified for
wooded areas above, without the need to survey individual trees
within these groupings provided that no disturbance is proposed
within this area.
Along with the survey a tree protection plan specifying how the
criteria for tree protection outlined in Sec. 17-421 (e) will be met
must be submitted for approval. See illustration on page 40.
14
A Landscape Plan
15
A Tree Inventory
16
A Tree Survey
17
Section 17-413.
Single-family residential
subdivisions and required
[tree] density factor for
the site (DFS)
Single-family residential subdivisions are required to meet a
tree density factor for the site (DFS) of 20 units per acre.
•
•
•
•
SUBDIVISION
PHOTO
•
•
At the sketch plan phase the subdivision plan must show the
specific trees that will be retained or planted to meet this
requirement.
When the final plat is submitted for approval or recording,
any project under bond must include landscaping costs in the
bond amount, if landscaping has not been completed. (See
Sec. 17-423 (a).)
Each phase of development must average 20 units per acre.
Existing trees may be retained or new trees planted in the
following locations:
1. Adjacent to the street right of way.
2. Along the perimeter of the development.
3. In entranceways.
4. In common open space.
Saving grand trees is a priority.
Credit for existing trees requires submission of a tree
protection plan that complies with Sec. 17-421, Protection of
existing trees during development.
Section 17-414. Credit for
existing vegetation
Existing vegetation in good health may be used to satisfy
planting requirements for buffer transition yards, street protective
yards, vehicular surface area, as well as the required density
factor for the site (DFS), provided that trees are protected
according to a tree protection plan, as outlined in Section 17-421,
Protection of existing trees during development, and that shrubs
or other plant materials remain in good condition following
construction.
Section 17-415.
Planting specifications
New trees, shrubs, and other plants installed to comply with
Landscape Ordinance requirements must be species adapted to
the existing site conditions (sun or shade, soil type, drainage,
etc.). Proper soil preparation and installation of new plants,
followed by proper maintenance practices, are essential to ensure
the health and longevity of the plants.
(a) Species
.
For recommended species of trees and shrubs, please see the
“Plant List of Recommended Trees and Shrubs” in appendix, pp.
54-56.
18
Section 17-415.
Planting specifications
(c) Trees
Shade Trees
Small-Maturing Trees
(1) Planting Size
For purposes of this Landscape Ordinance, trees are classified as
shade trees or small maturing trees and may be evergreen or
deciduous.
Shade trees, whether evergreen or deciduous, are expected to
mature at a height of over forty feet with an expected crown
spread of over thirty (30) feet. Deciduous examples of shade
trees are most native oak species, red maple, American sycamore,
tulip poplar, and sweet gum. Evergreen shade trees include
southern magnolia, live oak, and loblolly pine (although the latter
creates limited shade).
Small-maturing trees, evergreen or deciduous, reach a mature
height of between fifteen and twenty-five feet. Examples are
flowering dogwood, eastern redbud, and crabapple—all of which
are deciduous; evergreens include Foster or Savannah holly,
‘Little Gem’ southern magnolia, and native yaupon holly.
Planting size of new trees shall be as follows:
Shade trees: minimum of two (2)-inch caliper and ten (10)
feet in height
Small-maturing trees:
eight (8) feet in height
minimum two (2)-inch caliper and
Note: Caliper measurement is the trunk diameter taken at six
inches above ground when planted for new trees under four
inches caliper and twelve inches above ground for trees of four
inches or greater caliper. (See illustration on page 7.)
American Standards for
Nursery Stocks
The ratio of tree height to trunk caliper and the root ball of any
tree to be planted must meet the current “American Standards for
Nursery Stocks” published by the American Association of
Nurserymen.
Multi-trunk trees
All multi-trunk trees must be a minimum of eight (8) feet in
height at planting and must be “tree form”, with three to five
stems. (Most common example: crape myrtle)
19
Section 17-415.
Planting specifications
(continued)
(c) Shrubs
Shrubs must be a minimum of three (3)-gallon container size and
eighteen (18) inches in height or in spread (if growth habit is
spreading, such as creeping juniper).
Shrubs may be required to be larger for screening or buffering
purposes. (See Secs. 17-417, -418, and -420.)
(d) Mulch
Mulch conserves soil moisture, moderates soil temperatures,
controls weeds, prevents soil crusting and reduces erosion. As
(organic) mulch decomposes it improves soil structure and adds
nutrients to the soil.
Mulch should typically be an organic type such as shredded bark,
ground wood or chips (not sawdust), or pine straw.
For newly planted trees and shrubs, mulch should be applied to a
depth of three (3) inches and cover at least the full width of the
planting hole but pulled back an inch or more away from the base
of the trunk.
One to two inches of mulch is recommended for flowerbeds and
newly planted ground cover.
Sec. 17-416.
Alternative compliance;
Columbia Landscaping
and Tree Fund
The intent of alternative compliance is to allow some flexibility
to the Landscape Ordinance when unusual or unforeseen
circumstances make it impractical or unreasonable to enforce a
rigid adherence to certain requirements.
The alternative compliance provision is not to be used as a means
to remove a grand tree or to avoid compliance with any other
requirements of the Landscape Ordinance except in very unusual
circumstances. (Please see Sec. 17-421 (f), “Requesting removal
of protected trees.”)
Alternative Compliance
Committee
When a property owner believes that unusual conditions on a
particular site justify reducing or modifying requirements such as
the buffer transition yard width, the location of shade trees or
shrubs, etc., such modification must be approved by the
Alternative Compliance Committee, consisting of the Zoning
Administrator, the Planning Director, and the Land Development
Planner.
20
Sec. 17-416.
Alternative compliance;
Columbia Landscaping
and Tree Fund
(continued)
Examples of alternative
compliance
Examples of alternative compliance:
1. In a redevelopment project, the required twenty-foot
buffer transition yard (with a six-foot masonry wall)
does not allow sufficient parking space to make the
project viable.
Alternative compliance may allow a reduction of the
buffer width, with the provision that the plantings are
substantially increased and that the masonry wall is
increased to a height of eight feet.
2. A greater-than-25% expansion brings an older retail
shop under the Landscape Ordinance’s partial
compliance requirements. Meeting the minimum tenfoot buffer width requires a six-foot masonry wall. The
existing mature trees and shrubs along the property line,
however, would be damaged or destroyed by installing
the wall.
Alternative compliance may permit using the existing
plantings, together with additional shrub plantings, and
a masonry wall along part of the property line, as the
buffer transition yard.
3. In another expansion, the excavation that would be
required to plant several 24-inch tall evergreens, or to
construct a low masonry wall, as a screen in the street
protective yard would adversely impact the roots of
existing mature trees on the right of way.
An alternative compliance plan could place the shrubs in an
island that is within the parking lot. The island is parallel to the
street, and thus this solution would effectively screen most of the
parked cars from the street.
Prohibitive cost as a consideration for Alternative Compliance:
Cost as a factor in allowing
alternative compliance
Since the goal of the new Landscape Ordinance is to have
additional trees and landscaping in the City, the more
comprehensive requirements may increase landscaping costs
somewhat over those associated with the City’s former
landscaping requirements.
21
Sec. 17-416.
Alternative compliance;
Columbia Landscaping
and Tree Fund
(continued)
Cost as a factor in allowing
alternative compliance
Board of Zoning Appeals
Landscaping & Tree
Fund Tree Placement
• In ROW adjacent to
contributor’s site.
• Within sight of the
contributor’s site
• Within the same
planning district as
contributor’s site.
Increased cost in itself will not be a reason to reduce the
landscape and tree preservation requirements. This does not
preclude the possibility, however, of certain unusual
circumstances in which cost may be considered as a factor in
allowing alternative compliance.
If implementing 100% of the applicable Landscape Ordinance
requirements can be shown to pose a severe hardship, increasing
costs by an unreasonable percentage of development costs, an
alternative plan to reduce such costs may be allowed, if the
Alternative Compliance Committee agrees that the alternative
plan is justified and that it achieves the spirit and intent of the
Ordinance
Decisions of the Zoning Administrator or of the alternative
compliance committee may be appealed to the Board of Zoning
Appeals (BOZA).
Columbia Landscaping and Tree Fund
Under certain other exceptional circumstances, where even
alternative compliance does not allow enough flexibility for a site
to fully comply with all Landscape Ordinance requirements, a
developer may be allowed to monetarily compensate for a portion
of unmet requirements through the Columbia Landscaping and
Tree Fund.
Payment to the fund must equal 125% of the estimated cost of
plant materials and installation, and such cost estimate must be
verified by the zoning administrator or his designee.
Buffer Yard
Sec. 17-417.
Buffer transition yards
The buffer transition yard is a landscaped area designed to
create separation and visual screening between properties of
different intensities of land use. The purpose is to mitigate the
effects of traffic, noise, glare, and other disturbance that a higher
impact land use such as a drive-through restaurant might bring to
a low impact land use such as a residence. (See Table 13-1, Land
Use Impact Table, p. 26, or LO, p. 12, for classifications.)
Buffer Yard
22
Sec. 17-417.
Buffer transition yards
(continued)
Location
Location: The buffer transition yard, if applicable, must be
located on the developing property. It must extend from the
boundary line for the required width (addressed below) into the
developing property along the entire boundary line that abuts the
less intensive land use.
See illustration of typical location of buffer transition yard and
other landscaping on page 4. (See also Sec 17-418, Street
protective yard for landscaping adjacent to right of way.)
Width
Width: The buffer transition yard’s width is determined by the
relative intensities of the two adjacent properties. Use Tables
13-1, 13-2, and 13-3 (pp. 26-27; LO pp. 12-13) to determine the
property’s impact classification, then the type (A, B, C or D)
buffer to be used, and finally the required width and plantings.
Minimum width
The minimum buffer transition yard width measurement is ten
feet.
Mixed land uses
Interior transition yard buffers between differing land uses are
not required for a development of mixed land uses. These are
still required, however, along the external boundaries of the
development, when these abut a less intensive land use
Existing properties
Note: Existing properties are not responsible for installing buffer
transition yards when there is a new adjacent development of
lesser intensity. Partial compliance may be required, however, if
the existing property later expands or renovates. (See Sec. 17411, Applicability.)
Buffer yard reductions
A twenty-five (25) percent reduction in width, along with a fifty
(50) percent reduction in shrubs, in the buffer transition yard is
allowed if an eight-foot closed fence of rot-resistant wood is
installed. The fence height must be measured on the side facing
away from the screened property. The finished side must also
face away from the screened property.
Wood fence
Masonry wall
A fifty (50) percent reduction in width is allowed, and shrubs
become optional, if a six-foot masonry wall (measured on the side
facing away from the screened property) is placed in the buffer
transition yard. Small-maturing trees may meet one-half of the
tree requirements.
23
Determining Buffer Transition Yard Requirements
1. Refer to Table 13-1, Land Use Impact Table, to determine the use intensity of your
development (low, medium, or high impact) and the use intensity of each adjoining
property.
2. Use Table 13-2, Buffer Transition Yard Types, to see which type buffer yard, if any, you
must install for each of your property’s boundary lines (other than those abutting the
street right of way, to which street protective yard requirements apply.)
3. Use Table 13-3, Buffer Transition Yard Description Table, to determine the required
width and the tree and shrub plantings for any applicable buffer transition yard.
Example:
Using the illustration on page 4, note that a new commercial building (because less than 25,000
square feet) is classified as “medium impact use.” Two sides of the commercial property abut
single-family residential property, which is “low impact use,” and one side of the property is
adjacent to “medium impact commercial.”
Along these boundaries, from Table 13-2, you determine that a proposed “medium impact
commercial” use adjacent to a “low impact (residential)” use requires Buffer Yard Type “C.”
“Medium impact commercial” use adjacent to “medium impact commercial” requires no buffer
(“None”).
Basic requirements for Buffer Transition Yard C are determined from Table 13-3, as follows:
The basic minimum width allowed for Buffer Yard C is 30 feet. Note from the chart that, per 100
linear feet, the shrub requirement is 60 shrubs, and that the required tree caliper is 16 inches.
(Trees must be shade trees—one-half of which must be evergreen. Shrubs must be evergreen
and at least three feet in height at time of planting.)
If you increase the width of the yard to 40 feet, note (following the curve) that the shrub
requirement is reduced to 37 and the tree caliper requirement is reduced to just under 14 inches
per 100 linear feet. If the buffer yard width is 150 feet, you need plant only 5 shrubs and enough
trees to total 6 inches of caliper.
If you choose the 30-foot buffer yard width, and the length of the buffer yard (length of property
line abutting low-impact use) is 150 feet, multiply the planting requirements by 1.5. This equals
90 shrubs and 24 inches of tree caliper.
24
Determining Buffer Transition Yard Requirements, continued
Note that existing plants in good condition within the buffer yard area may meet the
requirements. For example, if within the buffer you have one existing healthy 12-inch deciduous
tree and one healthy 12-inch evergreen tree, separated by not less than (approximately) ten feet
of space, you do not have to plant any other trees in a 30-foot wide buffer yard measuring 150
feet in length.
Reducing the required buffer transition yard width and plantings:
You may reduce the width and the shrubs required for Buffer C (and other buffer yard types*) by
installing an eight-foot solid wood fence* or a six-foot masonry wall, as follows:
• With a wood fence, the width may be reduced by 25% and the shrubs may be reduced by
50%. (The tree requirement is not reduced.) The width in the above example would be
reduced to 22 feet and the required shrubs (for 150 linear feet of buffer) would be
reduced to 45.
• With a six-foot masonry wall, the width may be reduced by 50%, to fifteen feet, and the
shrub requirement becomes optional. The tree requirement is modified to allow one-half
the requirement to be met with small-maturing trees.
* Although a masonry wall can reduce buffer width requirements by 50%, and a wood fence by
25%, the minimum width allowed for any buffer transition yard is ten feet.
Important: When a buffer transition yard area intersects the street protective yard or street right
of way, the fence or wall should measure only four feet in height for a length of approximately 25
feet from the right of way (or approximately the setback distance from the right of way of
affected buildings).
Please see additional specifications under Buffer transition yards (Sec. 17-417).
Miscellaneous examples of the four buffer yard types are illustrated on pages 28-29, following
the Buffer Yard Tables.
25
TABLE 13-1
LAND USE IMPACT TABLE
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Residential uses.
Single family and duplexes
Low Impact Use
Multifamily, three to ten units
Medium Impact Use
Multifamily, more than ten units or high-rise
High Impact Use
Institutional uses (Public/semi-public uses)
25,000 square feet or less
Medium Impact Use
Over 25,000 square feet
High Impact Use
Office/Commercial uses
25,000 square feet or less
Medium Impact Use
Over 25,000 square feet
High Impact Use
Industrial uses.
All industrial uses
(5)
High Impact Use
Other uses.
For land uses not listed, the zoning administrator shall determine the land use
impact based on the classification of similar uses.
(a)
Table of buffer transition yard types. See table on following page.
26
27
Examples of Buffer Yard Compliance
BUFFER TRANSITION YARD A
EXAMPLES:
Property Line
30 FEET WIDE
Without Fence or Wall:
30’ wide x 100 linear feet*
10 Shrubs Required
7-8 in. Tree Diameter,
50% evergreen
(4 2-in. trees, 2 4-in. trees, 1
7-8-in. tree, etc.)
Masonry wall
Property Line
10 FEET WIDE
100 LINEAR FEET
100 LINEAR FEET
With Masonry Wall**
10’ wide* x 100 linear feet
20 Shrubs (Optional)
12 in. Tree Diameter
(6 2-in. trees, 3 4-in. trees,
2 6-in. trees, etc.,
50% evergreen; 50% may be
small-maturing)
BUFFER TRANSITION YARD B
Property Line
Without Fence or Wall*:
30 FEET WIDE
30’ wide x 100 linear feet
30 Shrubs Required
13 in. Tree Diameter
(7 2-in. trees, 5 3-in. trees,
3 4-in. + 1 2-in. tree, etc.
50% evergreen)
With Masonry Wall:
100 LINEAR FEET
Property Line
10 FEET WIDE
10’ wide x 100 linear feet
Masonry wall
100 LINEAR FEET
Shrubs optional with wall
14 in. Tree Diameter
(7 2-in. trees, 5 3-in. trees,
3 5-in. trees, etc.,
50% evergreen; 50%may
be small-maturing)
* Without wall, minimum width for Buffer A is 15 ft.; for Buffer B, 20 feet
** With masonry wall, minimum width for Buffer A or Buffer B is 10 feet
28
Examples of Buffer Yard Compliance, cont’d.
BUFFER TRANSITION YARD C
EXAMPLES:
Without Fence or Wall:
Property Line
30 FEET WIDE
30’ wide x 100 linear feet
60 Shrubs Required
16 in. Tree Diameter
(8 2-in. trees, 4 4-in.
trees, 2 8-in. trees, etc.,
50% evergreen)
Property Line
Masonry wall
15 FEET WIDE
100 LINEAR FEET
With Masonry Wall:
15’ wide x 100 linear feet
Shrubs Optional
16 in. Tree Diameter
(8 2-in. trees, 4 4-in. trees,
2 8-in. trees, etc.,
50% evergreen; 50% may
be small-maturing)
100 LINEAR FEET
BUFFER TRANSITION YARD D
Property Line
Without Fence or Wall:
40 FEET WIDE
40’ wide x 100 linear feet
80 Shrubs Required
20 in. Tree Diameter
(10 2-in. trees, 5 4-in.
trees, 2 10-in. trees, etc.,
50% evergreen)
100 LINEAR FEET
With Masonry Wall:
Masonry wall
Property Line
20 FEET WIDE
20’ wide x 100 linear feet
100 LINEAR FEET
Shrubs Optional
20 in. Tree Diameter
(10 2-in. trees, 5 4-in. trees,
2 10-in. trees, etc.,
50% evergreen; 50% may
be small-maturing)
29
Sec. 17-417.
Buffer transition yards
(continued)
Grade elevation change
Buffer yard plant materials
specifications
Trees
A twenty-five (25) percent reduction in buffer yard width is
allowed if there is an elevation change between the developing
and adjacent lower-intensity use properties provided that:
1. The change in elevation is six feet or more.
2. The slope is no greater than three to one (3:1), except that it
can be greater if a sound retaining wall is used to hold the
slope.
3. The developing property is below the adjacent property from
which it is to be screened.
4. The plantings are located at the top of the slope in the buffer
transition yard.
Shade trees must be used except when a reduction, as noted
above, permits one-half to be small-maturing trees. A smallmaturing tree shall also be used if a tree is to be planted within
fifteen feet of an overhead power line.
One-half of the required trees in the buffer transition yard must
be evergreen.
Trees used to meet buffer yard requirements are to be spaced a
minimum of ten feet apart.
Tree credit based on
tree diameter
Note: To encourage tree preservation, tree credit within the
buffer transition yard is based on the total tree diameter (DBH of
existing trees, caliper of new trees—see illustration, page 7)
rather than the number of trees. For example, the requirement for
Buffer D is 20 inches of combined tree diameter per 100 linear
feet along the buffer yard.
There is no limit on the diameter (DBH) to be credited for
existing trees, but credit allowed for a newly planted tree is
limited to four inches caliper.
Shrubs
Shrubs must be evergreen, a minimum of three feet tall when
planted, and should reach six feet or greater height within five
years.
30
The street protective yard separates and partially screens
properties from the street right of way, much as the buffer
transition yard separates two adjacent properties of differing land
uses.
Street Right of Way
Street Protective Yard
Sec. 17-418. Street
protective yard
Location
Minimum width
Width requirements for new
developments
Street protective yards are located on the property abutting the
right of way and may not be within any street right of way,
unless an encroachment permit has been issued for required street
protective yard landscaping to occupy the right of way.
A street protective yard is required along any property line that is
adjacent to the street right of way (front, side, and/or rear). No
vehicular surface, storage, utility surface, display, loading or
service areas are permitted in this yard.
The minimum width for any street protective yard is five feet.
For new developments the width requirement for the street
protective yard is based on the property’s size, as follows:
1. Properties measuring less than two acres, or with lot depth of
less than 200 feet from right of way:
a. Minimum square foot average = linear street frontage
times ten (10) feet;
b. Minimum width = five (5) feet.
2. Properties measuring from two to less than five acres, or with
lot depth of less than 400 feet from right of way:
a. Minimum square foot average = linear street frontage
times fifteen (15) feet;
b. Minimum width = ten (10) feet.
31
Sec. 17-418. Street
protective yard
(continued)
3. Properties measuring from five to less than ten acres, or with
lot depth of 400 or more feet from right of way:
a. Minimum square foot average = linear street frontage
times fifteen (20) feet;
b. Minimum width = ten (15) feet.
4. Properties measuring ten to less than fifteen acres:
a. Minimum square foot average = linear street frontage
times twenty-five (25) feet for ten acres
b. Minimum width = twenty (20) feet for ten acres.
5. Properties measuring fifteen acres or greater:
For each incremental increase (beyond ten acres) of five
acres, a corresponding five feet of street yard depth is
required in both the minimum average and the
minimum width, with the following provision:
No street protective yard is required to measure greater
than fifty feet in width.
Partial compliance
Note: See Sec. 17-411(b) Applicability (4) b., p. 9, for street
protective yard partial compliance requirements.
Required trees
One shade tree is required for every forty (40) linear feet of
street protective yard or fraction thereof, exclusive of portions of
the street yard needed for driveways. Each street protective yard
must contain at least one shade tree, with the following proviso:
within fifteen feet of overhead utility wires small-maturing trees
must be planted.
Note: Trees need not be evenly spaced every forty (40) feet but
must average one tree per 40 linear feet of frontage (excluding
access); minimum distance between shade trees is 20 feet.
Vegetation in non-vehicular
surface area street yards
In street protective yards not adjacent to a vehicular surface area,
shrubs, ground cover, small trees and/or turf shall cover at least
sixty percent of the surface between the required shade trees.
The remainder may be mulch but not paving except when needed
for access.
32
Sec. 17-418. Street
protective yard
(continued)
When street protective yards are adjacent to vehicular surface
areas, a visual screen must be provided as follows:
Opaque screen required
A two and one-half (2 ½) to three (3)-foot tall opaque screen
created by evergreen shrubs, a masonry wall, or combination
masonry and decorative metal wall is required along the street
protective yard adjacent to the vehicular surface area.
Sight zones
The screened area is exclusive of driveways and sight zones
needed for safe vehicular access and egress.
Evergreen screen
specifications
A screen of evergreen shrubs must be two feet in height at the
time of planting and must reach two and one half to three feet
within one year of planting. The evergreen screen must be
maintained at a maximum three-foot height for security reasons.
Masonry or decorative
metal and masonry wall
The materials for a masonry wall must be brick, stone or stucco,
or a combination of one of these materials with a decorative
metal, such as wrought iron.
An all-masonry wall must be two and one-half to three feet tall;
an average opacity of two and one-half to three feet in height is
required if the wall combines masonry and decorative metal.
Reduction of width and
planting requirements with
wall
When either type of masonry wall described above is used as the
visual screen for a vehicular surface area, the street yard width
may be reduced by half (but not to less than five feet) and the
shrubs may be reduced by two-thirds.
With a wall, shrubs, forty percent of which may be deciduous,
must not exceed three feet in height and must be planted between
the wall and the right of way. The use of evergreen vines and
ground cover between the wall and right of way is encouraged.
Zero setback zoning areas
The street protective yard requirements are not applicable when
buildings are adjacent to the right of way (zero setback areas).
Any vehicular surface areas that are no behind the building (other
than driveways) must have a street protective yard between the
VSA and the right of way.
33
VEHICULAR
5-FOOT MINIMUM
10-FtT. AVERAGE
SURFACE AREA
25-FOOT MAXIMUM
Street Protective Yard
120 LINEAR FEET
PUBLIC STREET RIGHT OF WAY
Street protective yard requirements for a development smaller than two acres or with a lot depth
of less than 200 feet:
•
One tree for every forty feet adjacent to the right of way
•
Five-foot minimum width
•
Ten-foot average width
•
25-foot maximum width for averaging
•
Evergreen screen (2.5 to 3 ft. high) between vehicular surface area and
right of way (required only for VSAs adjacent to ROW)
34
Sec. 17-418. Street
protective yard
(continued)
Along major thoroughfares seventy-five percent of the trees in
the street protective yard must conform to any City of Columbia
corridor plan (i.e., must be the same species).
Tree species in City of
Columbia corridor plans
Note: See Sec. 17-411 (b), Applicability, (4) b. for partial
compliance in Street protective yard requirements.
Sec. 17-419. Vehicular
surface area interior
landscaping
Vehicular
Surface Area
A vehicular surface area is any area where motor vehicles are
stored or driven. Trees and planting areas are required within
such areas to provide welcome shade that benefits both vehicle
and driver, to add beauty, reduce storm water runoff, and reduce
the heat island effect, along with glare and pollution.
Parking space to be
withishade tree
No parking space is to be farther than forty (40) feet from the
trunk of a shade tree. This distance can be measured from any
point on the delineated parking space (typically 9’ x 20’).
Required planting area
for shade tree
Every shade tree must have 200 square feet of planting space,
with a minimum dimension of five feet. If there are two shade
trees sharing a continuous planting area, this space may be
reduced to 360 square feet.
Vegetation required in
planting area
Sixty percent of the planting areas provided must contain trees,
shrubs, ground cover or turf. The remainder may be mulched.
Minimum tree rate
Trees required for interior vehicular surface areas must be at a
minimum rate of one approved shade tree for every 3200 square
feet of total vehicular surface area.
Tree spacing
Shade trees are typically spaced forty feet apart, with a minimum
spacing of twenty-five feet.
Trees in right of way
Trees must be planted at least ten feet from any tree in the public
right of way.
35
Sec. 17-419. Vehicular
surface area interior
landscaping (continued)
All new vehicular surface areas greater than two acres in size
must, in addition to the above requirements, contain planted
medians as follows:
Medians required for
two-acre & larger VSAs
For every two acres (fractions rounded off), a planted median of
840 square feet of planted space is required, in addition to the
above requirements. The minimum median width is five feet.
The length of the median is to be uninterrupted except for
approved access ways.
Within the required medians shade trees must be planted at a
maximum spacing of forty feet. An individual shade tree must
have two hundred square feet of planting area per tree.
Sixty percent of the required median planting area is to be
planted with shrubs, ground cover, turf and other plants.
Partial Compliance
See Sec. 17-411 (b), Applicability (4) c. for partial compliance in
Vehicular surface area interior requirements.
Parking structures
(commercial garages)
A perimeter-planting strip is required between parking structures
(garages) and the street right of way. It must equal the required
setback for the zoning district but not be wider than twenty feet.
The planting strip must include one shade tree for every forty feet
(or fraction thereof) of street frontage, exclusive of access areas.
Vehicular display areas
Interior planting requirements for vehicular display areas (for
display of boats, autos, trucks, RVs, etc.) are as follows:
1. The location and size of interior planting areas is the same as
for vehicular surface areas used for parking.
2. No stored vehicle should be more than forty (40) feet from a
planting area.
3. Small-maturing trees may be used in place of shade trees.
These must be eight feet or more in height, and two inches or
greater in caliper.
36
Sec. 17-420. Screening
for loading, trash
collection, display and
utility service areas.
Loading and trash
collection areas
Loading, trash collection (including dumpsters), display (other
than vehicular), and utility service areas visible from a public
street or from an adjacent residential property must be screened.
Loading and trash collection areas must be screened by an
opaque masonry wall, a rot-resistant closed wooden fence, or by
evergreen shrubs. The screen must be one foot taller than the
object or area screened. (Evergreen shrubs, if used, must achieve
the required screening at the time of planting.)
Display areas
For display areas, any combination of plants and closed wooden
fences (finished side facing away from the screened display area)
or masonry walls may be used, with the following provisions:
1. Seventy-five percent of the periphery of the display
area (excluding driveways and the sight zone) should be
screened to an average three-foot height.
Size of screen
When averaging the amount of screening for
compliance with this requirement, any portion of the
screen extending above a sixty-inch height should not
be counted.
2. Other than for driveways and safe viewing of traffic,
there should be no gap in the screen wider than six feet.
3. Sixty percent of shrubs used in display area screens
must be evergreen. They must be at least eighteen
inches tall when planted and should reach twenty-four
inches or more in height within three years of planting.
Shrub specifications for
display area screen
Utility service areas
Sec. 17-421. Protection of
existing trees during
development
Protected trees
Utility service areas that exceed forty-eight inches above ground
level (allowing six inches for the foundation pad) must be
screened from the public right of way and from adjacent
residential properties.
Trees to be protected:
1. Grand trees:
• Large-maturing hardwoods such as oak of 24-in. or
greater DBH,
• Small-maturing hardwoods such as dogwood of 10-in. or
greater DBH;
• Softwoods such as pine of 30-in. or greater DBH
2. City-maintained trees in the right of way of 2-in. or greater
trunk diameter.
37
Sec. 17-421. Protection of
existing trees during
development (continued)
Protected trees
3. Trees of eight-inch or greater diameter located in a protected
zone—buffer transition yard or street protective yard.
4. Trees to be preserved to meet the required density factor for
the site (DFS).
Note: Trees counted towards the required DFS must meet the
following minimum standards:
1. The trunk should be sound with minimal decay or hollow; at
least 80 percent of the cambium must be living tissue.
2. There should be no more than one major and a few minor
dead limbs.
3. There should be no major pathological or insect problems.
Tree protection plan
See page 40 for illustration of a Tree Protection Detail. Plan
must indicate all trees to which the detail applies.
For any of the following activities a tree protection plan or
permit for tree work is required:
Construction, filling, demolition, grading, paving, trenching,
boring for installation of irrigation or utility lines, removal of any
protected tree, or any other land –disturbing activities.
Plans submitted to obtain
grading permit
Prior to receiving a grading permit a tree inventory or survey, a
site plan, a tree protection plan and a landscape plan must be
approved by the Zoning administrator and the land development
planner.
The tree protection plan and survey must be completed, or
verified for tree species, size and condition, by a certified arborist
or registered forester or verified by designated City staff.
Tree protection zone
The tree protection zone extends one foot in radius from the
trunk for each one-inch of tree diameter measured at breast
height (DBH, 4.5 feet above ground level). The following
measures are recommended to protect the tree roots within this
zone:
Tree protection measures
1. Placement of utilities along corridors between tree protection
zones.
2. No grading within the tree protection zone.
3. No parking, material storage, bury pits, concrete washout,
burning of debris, and other similar construction site
activities within the tree protection zone.
38
Sec. 17-421. Protection of
existing trees during
development (continued)
Procedure for removal of
protected trees
4. Tunneling or boring under the tree roots at a minimum 25”
depth is allowed if there is no alternative location for utility
lines. Such activity should be shown on an approved tree
protection plan.
5. Prior to any land disturbance or construction activity,
installation of approved protective barriers or tree fencing
along the complete outer perimeter of the tree protection
zone, with such barriers remaining until the zoning
administrator approves its removal. These include:
a. Four-foot tall wooden post-and-rail fencing of 2x4
posts and double 1x4 rail.
b. Four-foot tall orange polyethylene laminar safety
fencing mounted on wooden posts.
c. Any other fencing method approved by the zoning
administrator.
d. Curb stops, concrete curbing, or other devices to
prevent vehicular damage to required trees shown on
the landscape plan and installed prior to final
inspection.
Before any protected trees may be removed, the following
procedure is required:
1. The protected trees (including grand trees) the developer
proposes to remove must be documented and submitted as
part of the landscape plan. The zoning administrator must
approve removal of any of these trees (in conjunction with
landscape plan/zoning permit approval).
2. Grand tree removal requires the written permission of the
zoning administrator. Criteria used to evaluate requests for
grand tree removal include:
a. Topography of the site and proposed grade changes.
b. Location of buildings, utilities and driveways.
c. Location of the trees.
d. Public safety.
e. Tree health, condition and longevity.
f. Tree species.
g. Historic, aesthetic or exceptional quality of the
tree(s).
39
Sec. 17-421. Protection of
existing trees during
development (continued)
Grand tree removal
Grand tree replacement
requirements
3. The following replacement requirements apply when grand
tree removal is approved:
a. Shade trees are the preferred replacement choice.
b. An equal number of density factor units of
replacement trees must be planted to replace the
density factor units for trees removed. See Sec. 17422, Tables 13-4 and 13-5, p. 27.
c. The above replacement planting is in addition to the
required DFS (density factor for the site).
See Tree Protection Detail below.
40
Sec. 17-422. Required
[tree] density factor for
the site (DFS)
The density factor for the site (DFS) is a measurement of the
tree coverage of the site, based on the amount of tree trunk
diameter per acre. It incorporates any trees that are planted to
meet other requirements, such as street protective yard, buffer
transition yard and vehicular surface area interior requirements.
Non-exempt developments
All non-exempt developments, other than residential
subdivisions, must have a density factor for the site of 30 units of
credit per acre. The DFS may be achieved by preserving existing
trees (in fair or better condition) and/or by planting new trees.
Residential subdivisions
For new residential subdivisions, the required density factor for
the site is 20 units of credit per acre.
Tree trunk diameter as
DBH and caliper
Table 13-4 (following page; LO, p. 27) lists the units of credit (as
DBH, or diameter at breast height) given for existing trees I fair
or better condition that are preserved.
Table 13-5 (following page; LO, p. 27) lists the units of credit for
nursery trees (as caliper) to be installed.
Please note that if healthy trees are properly installed, the units
of credit for 3-inch caliper trees will be increased to 1.5 units
and for 4-inch caliper trees to 2 units.
Note re tree diameter measurement (See illustrations on p. 6):
1. Foresters, surveyors, etc., traditionally measure the trunk
diameter of trees existing on a site as DBH (diameter at
breast height—4 ½ feet above the ground at the tree base).
2.
Nurserymen measure the diameter of new trees as caliper.
Caliper is measured at six inches above the ground for
four-inch or smaller caliper trees, at twelve inches above
ground for larger sizes.
41
TABLE 13-4
CONVERSION FROM D.B.H. TO DENSITY FACTOR UNITS FOR TREES REMAINING ON SITE
D.B.H.
UNITS
D.B.H.
UNITS
D.B.H.
UNITS
<6
0
21
9.6
36
42.6
6
2.4
22
10.4
37
45.0
7
3.0
23
17.4
38
47.4
8
3.6
24
18.6
39
49.8
9
4.2
25
20.4
40
52.2
10
4.8
26
22.2
41
55.2
11
5.6
27
24.0
42
57.6
12
6.0
28
25.8
43
60.6
13
6.4
29
27.6
44
63.6
14
6.8
30
29.4
45
66.0
15
7.2
31
31.2
46
69.0
16
7.6
32
33.6
47
72.0
17
8.0
33
35.4
48
75.6
18
8.4
34
37.8
49
78.6
19
8.8
35
40.2
50
81.6
20
9.2
(1)
Calculating required replacement density factor (RDF). To calculate the required
(2)
Conversion of RDF to caliper. The RDF can be converted back to caliper using
replacement density factor, subtract the EDF from the required density factor for
the site (DFS).
the following table (Table 13-5). For softwoods, multiply the units in the table
by 0.5; any palmetto tree shall have the value of 1.0 unit. Any number or
combination of transplantable-size trees can be planted so long as their total
density factor will equal or exceed the RDF calculated above and a DFS of thirty
(30) per acre or greater is achieved.
TABLE 13-5
CONVERSION FROM CALIPER TO DENSITY FACTOR UNITS FOR REPLACEMENT TREES
CALIPER
UNITS
CALIPER
UNITS
1
0.0
8
1.8
2
1.0
9
2.0
3
1.1
10
2.2
4
1.2
11
2.4
5
1.4
12
2.6
6
1.5
13
2.8
7
1.7
14
3.0
Relocation of trees on development site. Replacement units will be granted for trees relocated
on site. Tree relocation is subject to the approval of the zoning administrator.
42
Sec. 17-422. Required
[tree] density factor for
the site (DFS)
Calculating DFS
To calculate the tree density factor for the site (DFS) using
Tables 13-4 and 13-5:
1. Determine the acreage for the development site or the
phase of the residential subdivision being developed.
2. Multiply the non-residential development acreage by 30
units; multiply the residential development acreage by 20
units to determine the required density factor for the site
(DFS).
3. Measure the DBH of all trees to be preserved (as specified
in Sec. 17-421) for credit towards the required DFS. Note
whether each tree is a hardwood, a softwood, or a palm
tree.
4. Use Table 13-4 to calculate the credit for each tree, noting
that softwood trees such as pine and red cedar are assigned
only half the amount of listed credit. A palmetto tree or
other palm tree of any size is counted as one (1) unit.
Examples:
a. An existing oak tree to be retained that measures 7
inches DBH would equal 3 units of credit.
b. An existing pine tree to be retained that measures 7
inches DBH would receive 0.5 times 3 units, or a
total of 1.5 units.
c. One palmetto tree and one windmill palm would
together equal two units.
5. If the above calculations result in the development’s having
less than the required DFS, use Table 13-5 to determine the
number of new trees to be planted.
Examples:
a. Thirty (30) units of credit are required for a oneacre development. One 27-inch oak tree will be
preserved, giving 24 units of credit. The six
additional required units may be achieved through
planting six new 2-inch caliper hardwood trees.
b. One phase of a residential subdivision is three (3)
acres. At 20 units per acre, the total DFS required
is 60 units. If six 12-inch existing hardwood trees
and five 20-inch existing pine trees are preserved,
the total credit is calculated as follows:
Six times six (6) units (for the 12-in. hardwoods) plus ½ (.5) of
six times 9.2 (for the 20-in. pines). This is 36 units plus 27.6
units, for a total of 63.6 units.
43
Sec. 17-422. Required
[tree] density factor for
the site (DFS) (continued)
Meeting DFS requirements
Examples
Relocating existing trees
Spatial constraints;
Columbia Landscape and
Tree Fund
Tree replacement cost for
unmet DFS quota
c. This is 3.6 more than the required DFS. Therefore
no additional trees are needed. A new retail
development is one-half acre in size and has no
existing trees. Fifteen units of tree credit are
therefore required. This can be met by planting 15
new two-inch caliper hardwood trees.
Small-maturing trees such as dogwood and crape
myrtle, as well as palmetto or other palm trees, may
be used to meet the required DFS (with palms
credited one unit each, regardless of trunk
diameter), but none of these may be used for
required vehicular surface area interior plantings
(other than in vehicular display areas) or for more
than one-fourth of the required street protective
yard trees.
Trees relocated on site are subject to the zoning administrator’s
approval and are credited as replacement trees.
If spatial constraints (due to insufficient room for proper spacing
between trees) are determined by the zoning administrator to
prevent the development’s meeting the required DFS, trees that
cannot reasonably fit into the site must be allocated to the
Columbia Landscape and Tree Fund.
When an unmet quota of required trees is allocated to the
Columbia Landscape and Tree Fund, City Council administers
the fund, with the Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission
serving as advisory board. These funds must be used within the
City of Columbia for landscaping and beautification projects on
public property.
The following standards apply when there is an allocation, as
specified above, to the Landscape and Tree Fund:
1. Estimates of tree replacement costs from three (3)
nurseries must be submitted to the zoning administrator for
approval. Replacement cost includes installation of the
trees and is based on an average of the three estimates.
2. The replacement fee is 125 percent of the total cost of
planting the trees.
44
Sec. 17-423. Compliance
and Maintenance
Certificate of zoning
compliance
Generally, before a certificate of zoning compliance is issued for
a development, the required landscaping must be installed and
inspected.
If planting must be delayed due to seasonal weather conditions,
the certificate may still be issued if a bond, irrevocable letter of
credit, or other financial surety equal to 125 percent of the cost
of the installed landscaping is posted to guarantee completion of
the required landscaping.
The financial surety will be returned once the landscaping is
completed.
The property owner is responsible for maintaining the required
landscaping, as follows:
• Keeping landscaped areas in good condition and free of
debris.
• Replacement of dead, damaged or badly diseased
plants.
Repair of any broken fence or wall are required maintenance
practices.
Replacement requirement
Plants destroyed by unusual weather conditions must be
replaced within two years. Trees must be replaced with an equal
number of density factor units.
Protection from vehicular
intrusion
Landscape planting areas adjacent to vehicular surface areas
must be protected from vehicular intrusion and excessive
lubricants or fuels.
Soil erosion
Landscape planting areas must be stabilized to protect against
soil erosion. Methods for achieving soil stabilization include
mulching, planting ground covers including grass, and/or the
placement of brick, stones or rot-resistant timbers around beds
to hold the soil in place.
45
Sec. 17-423. Compliance
and Maintenance
(continued)
The required trees must be allowed to reach their mature size and
must be maintained at this size. Except where utilities must prune
for overhead line clearance (following the standards specified in
this ordinance), trees must not be topped or otherwise have their
natural form impaired.
(See landscape ordinance, p. 29,
regarding violation of this requirement.)
An irrigation system that is installed and utilized so that the
required landscape plants receive the optimum moisture needed
for healthy survival and growth is mandatory.
Required landscaping is subject to review by the zoning
administrator or his designee, who shall have the authority to
require replanting where necessary to ensure that healthy plants
are maintained.
Sec. 17-424. Violations;
penalties
Notification of violation
If the zoning administrator learns that a property is non-compliant
with ordinance provisions, he/she will send written notification of
the violation to the property owner. The notification will specify
what must be done and the time frame allowed to conform to the
ordinance.
No violation may be cited more than five years after it can be
proved to have occurred.
Penalties
Failure to comply within the time specified on the violation notice
will result in a citation and may include the following penalties:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Fines of up to $500 per day per violation.
Stop Work orders.
Landscape modification; revegetation of site.
Revocation, suspension, or voiding of permit.
46
ARTICLE VII. TREE
PRESERVATION/
PROTECTION WHEN
NO DEVELOPMENT
PERMIT IS REQUIRED
DIVISION 1. PURPOSE,
DEFINITIONS AND
APPLICABILITY
Sec. 17-793 Applicability
Exemptions
ARTICLE VII
DIVISION 1
Please refer to the Landscape Ordinance, Sec. 17-791 (p. 30)
and Sec.
17-55 (pp. 7-8) for purpose and definitions,
respectively.
The regulations in this Article apply to all properties in the City
of Columbia, unless specifically exempted, when there is no
application for a zoning permit. (A zoning permit is not
required for timber cutting if the property will not be developed
within three years.) Article III, Division 13, Sec. 421 (pp. 3941) regulates tree preservation and protection when a zoning
permit is applied for.
The following are exempt:
1. Single-family and two-family residential detached
dwellings on their own lots.
Initial residential
subdivision development, however, is subject to the
requirements.
2. Utilities, such as storm drainage, electric, gas,
communications, street construction, and water and
sewer construction. This exemption is contingent upon
the utility company’s having an approved policy in place
to evaluate the trees to be cut and to provide for as much
tree preservation as possible.
3. Bona fide agricultural use other than commercial timber
operations. The property owner must prove that any
timber harvesting or land clearing is for bona fide
agricultural use and must adhere to the South Carolina
Forestry Commission’s voluntary protective measures
known as Best Management Practices.
47
Sec. 17-794. Timber
harvesting: Commercial
timber operations
Prior to beginning any timber cutting or land clearing conducted
as a commercial timber operation, the property owner must
notify the zoning administrator of such activity.
Notification
The burden of proof that the timber harvesting or land clearing
is conducted as a commercial timber operation is on the property
owner. He/she must submit a forestry plan demonstrating that
the intended forestry activity will contribute to the long-term
production of marketable forest products, ensuring that
reforestation will occur. A timber sale alone does not constitute
a “commercial timber operation.”
Proof of legitimate
commercial operation
Buffer and Best
Management Practices
Development permit
(three-year delay after
timber harvest)
All timber harvesting must comply with the voluntary protective
measures known as Best Management Practices, published by
the South Carolina Forestry Commission. This includes an
undisturbed buffer fifty feet in width or equal to the required
setback for the property’s zoning district, whichever is greater,
along the entire perimeter of the property, except for approved
access crossings.
If a timber harvest reduces the density factor of a property (See
DFS, Sec. 17-422, pp. 26-28) to less than 30 units per acre
under a claimed bona fide commercial timber operation, the
claim must be proved with clear and convincing evidence.
When timber harvesting is conducted as above, reducing the
density factor to less than 30 units per acre, a permit for
development may not be issued within three years of the
harvesting, regardless of ownership.
48
Sec. 17-795.
Timber harvesting:
Non-commercial timber
operations
Notification
Required density factor for
the site (DFS)
Best Management Practices
Required 50-foot buffer
Sec. 17-796.
Revegetation required
The following requirements apply to any non-commercial
timber operation:
1. Prior to any timber cutting or land clearing conducted as
a non-commercial timber operation, the property owner
must notify the zoning administrator.
2. The required density factor for the site (DFS, Sec. 17422, pp. 42-45), i.e., a minimum tree density of thirty
units per acre, must remain after the timber harvest. To
meet the required DFS, trees must be in fair or better
condition (See Sec. 17-421 (d), p. 39).
3. All timber harvesting must comply with the voluntary
protective measures known as Best Management
Practices, published by the South Carolina Forestry
Commission. This includes an undisturbed buffer fifty
feet in width or equal to the required setback for the
property’s zoning district, whichever is greater, along the
entire perimeter of the property, except for approved
access crossings.
Following a timber harvest in which the owner is unable to
prove that it was a commercial timber operation, or if noncommercial timber harvesting reduces the density factor for the
site (DFS) to less than 30 units per acre, revegetation of the site
is required.
Note: The revegetation requirement is 40 units per acre and
must be installed within twelve months of notice of the
violation.
49
ARTICLE VIII.
COLUMBIA TREE AND
APPEARANCE
COMMISSION . . .
TREE[S] . . . ON CITY
PROPERTY AND
PUBLIC RIGHT OF
WAY
ARTICLE VIII
DIVISION 1. PURPOSE, DEFINITIONS, APPLICABILITY
Please refer to the Landscape Ordinance, Sec. 17-811 (p. 32)
for purpose and authority and to Sec. 17-55 (pp. 1-3) for
definitions.
DIVISION 1.
Sec. 17-813 Applicability
The regulations under this article regarding the planting,
maintenance, and removal of trees apply to all properties owned
by the City of Columbia or located on the public right of way
within the City unless specifically exempted.
DIVISION 2.
DIVISION 2. ADMINISTRATION
Sec. 17-814. Columbia
Tree and Appearance
Commission
Powers and duties of the Columbia Tree and Appearance
Commission are listed on page 33 (Sec. 17-814) of the
Landscape Ordinance.
Members appointed by City
Council
The commission consists of eleven members, a majority of
whom must be City residents. All of these are appointed by city
council. Membership is to be represented as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
One arborist, horticulturist, or landscape architect.
One land developer or realtor.
One architect or engineer.
One representative chosen by Columbia Green from its
membership.
5. Seven members appointed at-large.
Advisory Members
The City of Columbia’s superintendent of Forestry and
Beautification and the director of the Planning Department,
and/or their designees, will serve as advisory members.
Terms
Initially three members serve for one year, four members for
two years, and four members for three years. Following these
initial appointments, appointed members serve for three years,
with reappointment permitted.
50
Sec. 17-814. Columbia
Tree and Appearance
Commission (cont’d)
City Council may remove and replace any commission member
for nonperformance of duty
Removal/replacement of
members
Organization; officers
Meetings
The commission is to be self-organized, electing its chairman and
vice-chairman from its membership and appointing any other
needed officers.
The chairman will call meetings and determine when they are
to be held.
Sec. 17-815. Forestry and
Beautification Director
This section provides for the appointment by the city manager of
a Director of Forestry and Beautification for the City of
Columbia.
Position established
The Forestry and Beautification Director is responsible for
administering and enforcing the regulations set forth in this
Article. She/he will have jurisdiction over and/or responsibility
for:
1. All trees, shrubs and other plants on the public right of
way and on any other property owned by the City of
Columbia.
2. A master street-tree plan for the City.
3. Serving as staff to the Columbia Tree and Appearance
Commission.
4. Guidelines for tree care and preservation on the public
right of way and on any other property owned by the City
of Columbia.
5. Recommending species for compliance with the
Landscape Ordinance.
Jurisdiction, duties,
responsibilities
Violations
If the Forestry and Beautification director learns that a property
is non-compliant with the provisions of this article she/he will
send written notification of the violation to the property owner.
The notification will specify what steps the owner must take to
become compliant and the time frame allowed for him/her to do
so.
Violations must be cited within five years of time damage is
proved to have occurred.
51
Sec. 17-815. Forestry and
Beautification Director
(cont’d.)
Penalties
Failure to comply within the time specified on the violation
notice will result in a citation and may include the following
penalties, with each calendar day considered a separate offense:
1. Fine of up to $500 per day per violation.
2. Stop work orders.
3. Landscape modification; revegetation of site.
4. Revocation, suspension, or voiding of permit.
DIVISION 3.
Sec. 17-831. Trimming,
pruning, planting, and
removal of trees on City
property and public right
of way
Permit required
DIVISION 3. TREE PRESERVATION / PROTECTION ON
CITY-OWNED PROPERTY AND THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF
WAY
A permit must be obtained from the Forestry and Beautification
superintendent for any of the following activity affecting trees
and shrubs on City-owned property or on the public right of
way:
1. Removal, cutting, severe pruning, root-pruning, or other
similar treatment or disturbance.
2. Trenching, digging or grading within the critical root
zone of the trees or shrubs.
3. Planting a tree or shrub in these areas.
Utilities to submit written
specifications
A public or private utility must first submit written specifications
for pruning, trimming, trenching and similar operations to trees
on City-owned property or on the public right of way to the
Forestry and Beautification director for a permit before initially
engaging in such activity.
Once the utility’s specifications have been approved, subsequent
routine operations do not require an additional permit, provided
that the specifications are adhered to.
Permit for tree removal
A request for tree removal requires a separate permit.
52
Sec. 17-831. Trimming,
etc., on City property and
public right of way
(continued)
Review of specifications by
Director
Sec. 17-832. Injuring
trees or shrubs on cityowned properties and
public rights of way
Impervious materials
Construction work
Attaching objects to trees
Failure to comply with approved specifications is a violation of
this article.
Every three years the Forestry and Beautification Director will
review specifications to determine whether modifications are
needed.
The following actions, because of their potential for injuring
trees and shrubs, are unlawful on any City-owned or public right
of way property without written permit:
1. Placing or maintaining upon the ground compacted
stone, cement or other impervious material that may
impede access of the tree or shrub roots to air or water.
2. Construction work, including operation or storage of
equipment or materials, within the drip line of any tree.
(When a permit is issued, the permitted work must
comply with all of the Forestry and Beautification’s
requirements, which may include erection of protective
barricades or enclosures.)
3. No object, such as a rope, wire, chain or sign, may be
attached to any tree or shrub, and no object may be
attached to any guard or stake erected to protect these
plantings, unless it is for the purpose of public
protection.
Sec. 17-833. Trees and
shrubs adjacent to Cityowned property and to
public right of way.
Owner must maintain
When any tree, vine, shrub or other plant adjacent to a public
street or to City-owned property projects branches, limbs or
other parts into the public area, the owner of the property on
which the plants are growing must prune or otherwise maintain
the plant to allow free and safe passage of pedestrian and
vehicular traffic along the public way.
If the owner of such property allows plant growth to impede
public safety, the city can order its removal via written notice to
the owner to correct the problem within thirty days.
City’s authority to act
Costs incurred
If within thirty days of notification, the owner has not corrected
the problem, the City has the authority to do so and to bill the
owner for the costs incurred.
If necessary for the public health, safety or welfare, the City
may act without prior notification.
53
54
55
56
CITY OF COLUMBIA
LANDSCAPE AND TREE
PRESERVATION ORDINANCE
(ORDINANCE NO: 2002-050)
JUNE 5, 2002
57