& Community

Design

LSU Green Laws Research ProjectLSU Green Laws Research Project

Green Laws

Green Laws

Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry

EBR Parish Tree And Landscape Commission Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry

EBR Parish Tree And Landscape Commission Photographs: Live Oak Gardens Ltd.

Abbey Associates Landscape Architects

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Daniel Raggio

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Community Landscape CodesLandscape codes or green laws are special parts of a

community’s zoning ordinance. Certain provisions are written to influence the design of parking facilities and make

improvements to the environment of urban areas

Notable codes include New York City, Gainesville, Florida, Cary, North Carolina, Davis, California, Portland, Oregon,

Charleston, South Carolina, Austin, Texas, New Holland, Illinois, Dublin, Ohio

Gross Ile Township, MichiganAnnapolis, Maryland

and Mandeville, Louisiana require improvements to parking lot environments.

Open Space Planting Requirements

Most codes require a specified amount of open space for the purpose of planting trees or allowing permeable space to soak up storm water or trap sediments. Open space planting is often measured by canopy coverage or by DBH measure. DBH measure equates to the quantity

of trees on a site.

The Problem 1.

The Problem 2.

The Problem 3.

The Problem 4.

Purpose of Open SpacePlanting Requirements

Re-establish the urban forest following development

Require a specified amount of open space for the purpose of planting trees or allowing permeable space to

soak up storm water or trap sediments

Determine that an appropriate percentage of the site remain “permeable” and plantable

Types of RequirementsLot sizes reduced but must be compensated by an

equivalent area as open space.

At least 40 percent of the subdivision must be provided as open space to obtain a density of 2.3 units per net

acre.

The minimum size of such active recreation space shall be the number of square feet derived by multiplying

gross land area by the applicable ratio

Code Writing EssentialsPurpose

Open space for planting trees or for permeable space to soak up water Location

On development site, access to amenities

Size length, width, height, acreage, lot size

Design CompositionRelation to existing lot size or development

Plant Specifications native, deciduous, evergreen, spacing, growth rate, existing

Related ElementsRecreation, open space, permeability,

A Visual Gallery

of Open SpacePlantings

Visual Gallery 1.Green space along riverfront

– Chattanooga, TN

Visual Gallery 2. Planting along road and walkway – Chattanooga, TN

Visual Gallery 3.Open space percentage – Cincinnati, OH

Visual Gallery 4.Tree canopy density – Louisville, KY

Visual Gallery 5.Open space along roadside – Memphis, TN

Visual Gallery 6.Minimum open space (aquarium) – Chattanooga, TN

Specimen TreesSouth Carolina

Aesculus (Buckeye)Amelanchier (Serviceberry)Asimina (Pawpaw)Carpinus (Hornbeam)Cercis (Redbud)Chionanthus (Fringetree)Cornus (Dogwood)Crataegus (Hawthorn)Diospyros (Persimmon)Fagus (Beech)Halesia (Silverbell)Hamamelis (Witch-hazel)Ilex (Holly)Juniperus (Cedar)MagnoliaOstrya (Hophornbeam)Oxydendrum (Sourwood)Sassafras (Sassafras)Tsuga (Hemlock)

Typical Code SpecsCity of Gwinnett

One (1) tree for each 25 linear feet of strip length shall be provided. Deciduous trees shall be at least 2 inches in diameter and evergreen trees shall be 6 feet in height at time of planting. Trees shall be a species native or suitable to this region.

On each property for which a Tree Preservation and/or Replacement Plan is required, existing trees shall be retained and/or new trees shall be planted such that the property shall attain or exceed a Tree Density Standard of 16 Tree Density Units per acre, exclusive of any acreage within a zoning buffer and any trees required to be preserved or planted within a zoning buffer and except any other land area allowed to be excluded by this article.

Typical Code SpecsCity of Chapel Hill

Required buffers shall be located along the interior or street lot lines nearest the adjacent streets, land uses, or zoning designations except where such lot lines are intersected by crossing accessways or utility easements, or by a joint parking area. Buffers shall not be located on any portion of an existing or proposed street right-of-way or easement.

No tree greater than six (6) inches in diameter at breast height (DBH) shall be removed for the purpose of surveying without a permit issued by the town manager approving such action.

Typical Code SpecsCity of Charleston

One canopy tree shall be provided for each 50 linear feet of parking, loading or vehicular use area perimeter. These trees may be used to satisfy the interior parking lot landscaping requirements.

All trees with a diameter breast height (DB(h) of 6 inches or greater within buffers shall be preserved.

Paved areas shall not constitute more than 25 percent of the protected area beneath a tree. Any paving, grading, trenching, or filling within the remaining 75 percent of the protected area must be approved by the Planning Director and may require specific construction techniques be used in order to preserve the health of the tree.

ReferencesCity of Gwinnett, Georgia Land Use Management, Appendix A, Article 5.6, Landscaping Screening and Buffering

City of Charleston, South Carolina Development Standards, Appendix A, Zoning and Land Development Regulations, Article 9.5, Landscaping Screening and Buffering

City of Chapel Hill, North Carolina Land Use Management

Appendix A, Design and Development Standards, Article 5

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