LANDSCAPING GUIDE
LANDSCAPING GUIDEParking Lot andFoundation LandscapingSpecifications and StandardsLandscape Screening andBuffering Specificationsand StandardsTree Planting, Preservationand ReplacementRevised: March 2009THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACHDecember 2002
Landscape Committee’sMission StatementTo provide a set of well thought-out guidelines and standards that promotethe use of plants to soften the edge of developments, buildings and streets.The qualitative value to the City derived from the use of plants in alldevelopment helps to advance the City in the following areas:·······minimize impacts to adjacent neighborhoods;economic prosperity;quality physical environment;ecologically responsiveness;quality of life and safety of all citizens;safe and stable neighborhoods; andcreation of a strong and positive image of the City in the region, stateand nation.Acknowledgments to the Landscape Committee:Planning Department: Faith Christie, Brenda Gray, Karen Prochilo, Michael McIntyre,Calvin Jackson, Dawn Althoff, Barbara Duke, Harold GaskillGeneral Services/Landscape Division: Debra Loucka, Frank FentressPolice Department/Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED):Master Police Officer Jeff EatonPublic Works/Traffic Engineering: Gary WaltonBasgier & Associates: Elizabeth KovnerKathleen Zeren-Brown Landscape Design: Kathleen Zeren-Brown
PrefaceLandscaping is valued in Virginia Beach for the significant contributions it makes in the areas ofecological health, aesthetic image, improvedeconomic well-being and general quality oflife. Trees, plants and grasses as well as otherlandscaping effectively counterbalance thehardened urban environments defined byconcrete, steel, asphalt and other structuralmaterials. Therefore it is the purpose of thisdocument to provide the kind of landscaping direction for sites proposing new development orredevelopment that will fulfill the city’s objectives of enhancing a quality physical environmentand advance its economic vitality potential.
Table of ContentsDecember 2002 (Revised March 2009)SPECIAL TREATMENTSIntroduction.1PARKING LOT AND FOUNDATION LANDSCAPINGIntroduction.1Section 5A. Intent.2Landscaping Requirements .3Parking LotsInterior Coverage Requirements .4Street Frontage Requirements .9Parking GaragesWith Parking on Ground Level - Street Frontage Requirements .13With Offices/Businesses on Ground Level Foundation Landscaping Requirements .16Display AreasInterior Coverage Requirements .18Street Frontage Requirements .21Commercial and Public Buildings .24Dumpsters and Trash Receptacle Areas .26Loading Docks.27Scenic Easements.28Free-Standing Sign Landscaping.29Landscaping Installation .31Maintenance Responsibilities.31Plantings.32Tree Retention .32Procedures: Plan Submission and ApprovalPlan Preparation .35Plan Content .35Site Plan Approval .35Certificate of Occupancy .36Parking Lot and Foundation Landscaping Specifications and StandardsParking Lot Interior Coverage .37Parking Lot Street Frontage .37Parking Garage Landscaping Requirements.38Display Area Landscaping Requirements.38Foundation Landscaping Requirements .39Screening Requirements .39Tree Retention.39Plants .40Installation .42Maintenance.43Parking Lot Visibility (Site Distance).44
Plan Submission and Approval.44Recommended Tree and Plant Materials List.46Checklist for Landscape Site Plan Review.54LANDSCAPING, SCREENING AND BUFFERING SPECIFICATIONS & STANDARDSIntroduction.1Intent .2Article 1 - General Provisions .3Article 2 - Description & Specific Requirements of Landscape Screening Categories2.1 Category I .62.2 Category II .72.3 Category III.82.4 Category IV.82.5 Category V .112.6 Category VI.112.7 Category VII .132.8 Category VIII .13Article 3 - General Construction Specifications and Standards3.1 Landscaping Criteria.153.2 Plant Materials, Installation & Maintenance.153.3 Required Screening.183.4 Visibility Triangle .223.6 Erosion & Sedimentation Control Criteria .223.7 Stormwater Drainage Design Criteria .22TREE PLANTING, PRESERVATION AND REPLACEMENTIntroduction.1Intent .2Residential Lots.2Street Tree Planting .4Procedures.6Residential Landscaping Specifications and Standards.8Tree ListsRecommended List of Residential Trees .9Recommended List of Street Trees.12Non Acceptable Trees .14DETAILS AND PROTECTIONPlanting Illustrations .1Tree Protection on Development SitesIntroduction .8Pre-Development Phase .8Development Phase.8Post-Development Phase .13Sight Distance Visibility
3.13.2 Visibility Triangle .143.13.3 Sight Distance at Intersections .14ORDINANCESAppendix A - Zoning Ordinance, Landscape Screening and Buffering .1Appendix C - Site Plan Ordinance, Section 5A Parking Lot and FoundationLandscaping .3Appendix E - Tree Planting, Preservation and Replacement .8
SpecialTreatments
IntroductionIt is the attention to detail that helps to make a place unique. We remember those “specialtreatments,” the use of flags, street furniture and pavers that complement the landscape. Thefollowing photos are just a few examples in Virginia Beach where going the extra step hascreated some inviting outdoor areas. We hope they get your creative juices flowing.Walkway pavers lead from building entranceinto parking area.Paving treatment, benches and trash receptaclesassist in creating a pedestrian friendly entrancearea.Landscaping Guide: Special TreatmentsDecember 2002Flags, tiered planting area and a water featureaccent the base of this office building.Designated employee area with umbrellas,tables, and chairs make for an inviting outdoorspace.Page 1 of 2
Brick Pavers are used to pave the way to an officeentrance flanked with benches and pedestrian scalelighting.Bicycle racks in use at a neighborhood recreationcenter.Tower used as a focal point in a shopping plaza.A bridge connection between a residentialcommunity and a retail development.Surrounded by open space this gazebo invitespedestrian access.Landscaping Guide: Special TreatmentsDecember 2002Page 2 of 2
Parking LotandFoundationLandscaping
IntroductionThe City Council of the City of Virginia Beach adopted the Parking Lot LandscapingOrdinance on November 4, 1985, and amended the same ordinance to include FoundationLandscaping on June 11, 1990. The purpose of this guide is to provide a wide range ofinformation and answers concerning Section 5A Parking Lot and Foundation Landscaping.This guide is not to be used as a substitute for Appendix C - Site Plan Ordinance, Sec.5A. Parking Lot and Foundation Landscaping or the Specifications and Standards located in thesection. Should you have any questions regarding the contents of this guide, please contact thePlanning Department at (757) 427-4621.Landscaping Guide: Parking Lot and Foundation LandscapingDecember 2002Page 1 of 55
Section 5A. Intent5A.1. Intent and purpose. The City Council of Virginia Beach finds that Virginia Beach isblessed with a diverse and abundant cover of trees and vegetation and that such cover is ofgeneral aesthetic value to the city and that the ecological diversity and richness of the city makeit a desirable place for residents, owners, and visitors alike; and that the appearance of VirginiaBeach from the public ways contributes ecologically and aesthetically to the growth andeconomic prosperity of the city; and also that the growth and development attached to the City ofVirginia Beach, because of its natural beauty, often times requires the removal of trees and otherplant material, thereby contributing to the depletion of a most valuable natural resource,therefore, it is necessary to protect, preserve and restore this valuable asset. The City Councildeclares the intent and purpose of this ordinance to be as follows:(a)To aid in stabilizing the environment’s ecological balance by contributing to theprocesses of air purification, oxygen regeneration, groundwater recharge, andstormwater runoff retardation, while at the same time aiding in noise, glare andheat abatement;(b)To encourage the preservation of existing trees and desirable vegetation;(c)To assist in providing clean air;(d)To provide visual buffering and enhance the beautification of the city;(e)To safeguard and enhance property values and to protect public and privateinvestment;(f)To preserve, protect, and restore the unique identity and environment of the Cityof Virginia Beach and preserve the economic base attracted to the city by suchfactors;(g)To conserve energy; and to protect the public health, safety, and general welfarethrough the reduction of noise, air and visual pollution, light glare, and moderateair temperature;(h)To provide habitat for living things that might not otherwise occur or be found inurban and suburban environments.Landscaping Guide: Parking Lot and Foundation LandscapingDecember 2002Page 2 of 55
Landscaping RequirementsVirginia Beach City Code - Appendix C, Section 5A Parking Lot and Foundation Landscapingapplies to:······Parking Lots (with ten or more spaces)Parking GaragesDisplay AreasCommercial and Public BuildingsDumpster and Trash Receptacle AreasLoading DocksThe following chart details the landscaping required by Appendix C, Section 5A Site PlanOrdinance:LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTSPARKING LOTSINTERIORSTREETFRONTAGEXXPARKING GARAGESWITH PARKING ONGROUND FLOORXPARKING GARAGESWITH BUSINESSES ONGROUND FLOORXDISPLAY AREASXBUILDINGSFOUNDATIONSCREENINGXXXDUMPSTERS / TRASHRECEPTACLE AREASXLOADING DOCKSXLandscaping Guide: Parking Lot and Foundation LandscapingDecember 2002Page 3 of 55
Parking LotsA parking lot is any area where motorvehicles are stored for the purpose oftemporary, daily, or overnight off-streetparking. The Parking Lot and FoundationLandscaping Ordinance applies to thefollowing:·Any public or private parking lotwith ten (10) or more spaces.·Existing parking lots whose enlargement or reconstruction will increase it to ten (10) ormore spaces.The planting requirements for parking lots are:·Interior Coverage Requirements - consists of planted areas within the perimeter of theparking lot.·Street Frontage Requirements - consists of a planting strip, made up of trees andshrubs, located between the abutting edge of the sidewalk and parking lot curb line, orwhere there is no sidewalk, between the public right-of-way line and the parking lot curbline.Interior Coverage Requirements·Thirty (30) square feet of planted area for each parking space is required.·One (1) tree is required for every one hundred fifty (150) square feet of planted area.Landscaping Guide: Parking Lot and Foundation LandscapingDecember 2002Page 4 of 55
Interior Coverage Requirements (continued)·Trees must be a minimum of two (2) to twoand one-half (2½) inch caliper at time ofplanting.·Only canopy type trees can be utilized, notthose typically considered ornamental andunderstory trees. Trees should be placed soas not to interfere with overhead utility lines or parking lot lighting.·Trees must be planted in a minimum sixty-four (64) square-foot area.·Islands must provide a minimum four (4) foot distance from the tree trunk to any curband sized to accommodate the tree growth.·In no case shall entrance islands be credited with more than three hundred fifty (350)square feet toward satisfying the interior coverage requirements.·In parking lots less than one hundred (100) spaces, no planting area exceeding threehundred fifty (350) square feet shall be given credit toward satisfying the interiorcoverage requirements, except where trees are retained and protected during construction.·In parking lots one hundred (100) spaces or greater, no planting area exceeding fifteenhundred (1,500) square feet shall be given credit toward satisfying the interior coveragerequirements, except where trees are retained and protected during construction.·Existing trees may be retained and credit may be given provided the trees are healthy andin good condition, and adequate tree protection practices are followed. (See TreeRetention Section for specific requirements, page 32)Landscaping Guide: Parking Lot and Foundation LandscapingDecember 2002Page 5 of 55
·All interior coverage areas may be planted withturfgrasses, groundcovers, or ornamental shrubs.·Shrubs shall be a minimum of eighteen (18) inches inheight or spread and minimum three (3) galloncontainer at time of planting.·Groundcovers may also consist of rocks, pebbles,sand, or other approved materials.·Interior coverage landscaping is required along driveaisles that connect different sections of parking areas.A list of recommended trees and plants is provided inSection M.Plantings which may not be counted toward meeting the interior coverage requirementsare:·Plantings required for screening along the perimeter of the parking lot.·Plantings required by the street frontage or foundation requirements of this ordinance.·Plantings required by the screening requirements for dumpsters and loading docks.·Plantings required for buffering between uses.Landscaping Guide: Parking Lot and Foundation LandscapingDecember 2002Page 6 of 55
Parking Lot Interior CoverageLandscaping Guide: Parking Lot and Foundation LandscapingDecember 2002Page 7 of 55
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Street Frontage Requirements·The street frontage planting area must bea minimum ten (10) feet in width.EXCEPTION: The required plantingarea may be reduced to a minimum offive (5) feet in width in the RT-1, RT-2,and RT-3 (Resort/Tourist) ZoningDistricts.·Trees and shrubs are required in the planting area. In lieu of shrubs, a wall or fence aminimum of three (3) feet in height may be utilized. Berms, a minimum of three (3) feetin height, that meander and/or undulate, may also be used in lieu of shrubs.Landscaping Guide: Parking Lot and Foundation LandscapingDecember 2002Page 9 of 55
Exceptions for the street frontage requirements are:·Where the street frontage requirements conflict withadequate sight distances required at driveways and streetintersections, the provisions of the zoning ordinance shallapply. Sight distance requirements as specified underPublic Works Specifications and Standards 3.13 SIGHTDISTANCE may also apply.·The street frontage requirements shall not apply whereplanting is required along scenic easements designated on the Master TransportationPlan.TreesTree requirements must conform to the following specifications and standards at time ofplanting. To encourage creativity, trees may be grouped or randomly spaced as long as the totalnumber of trees required are utilized.Mature SizeMaximum Spacing*SmallMediumLarge15 feet25 feet40 feetMinimum Size at Planting6-7 feet1 ¼ - 1 1/2 –inch caliper (6-8 feet in height)2 – 2 1/2 – inch caliper (8-10 feet in height) To determine quantity required, divide the total linear footage by the plant spacing. Existing trees may be retained and given credit provided the trees are healthy and in goodcondition, and adequate tree protection practices are followed. (See Tree RetentionSection for specific requirements, page 32)A list of recommended trees is provided Section M.Landscaping Guide: Parking Lot and Foundation LandscapingDecember 2002Page 10 of 55
Shrubs, Berms, Walls, and FencesThe street frontage area must contain one or a combination of the following features:Shrubs·One (1) shrub per four (4) linear feet must beprovided. (Example: 25 shrubs per 100 feet)Seventy percent (70%) of species utilizedmust be evergreens.·To encourage creativity, shrubs may begrouped or randomly spaced as long as thetotal number of shrubs required is utilized.·Shrubs shall be a minimum of twenty-four (24) inches in height at time of planting.Berms Berms shall be undulating and/or meandering with a minimum height of three (3) feetand a maximum height of four (4) feet.·Berms that are planted and mulched shall not exceed a slope ratio of 2:1. This requires aminimum twelve (12) foot base width for a three (3) foot high berm.·Berms covered with turfgrass shall not exceed a slope ratio of 3:1. This requires aminimum eighteen (18)foot base widthfor a three (3) foot highberm.Landscaping Guide: Parking Lot and Foundation LandscapingDecember 2002Page 11 of 55
Walls and Fences·In lieu of shrubs, a wall or fence may be utilized which conforms to the minimum fencingstandards found in the City Zoning Ordinance, Section 201. (Chain link fences may notbe used.)·Walls and fences shall be a minimum of three (3) feet in height.·Walls should be made of the same or compatible material and color of the principalstructure in terms of texture and quality.Landscaping Guide: Parking Lot and Foundation LandscapingDecember 2002Page 12 of 55
Parking GaragesWith Parking on the Ground Level - Street Frontage RequirementsStreet frontage requirements are applicable for parking garages with parking on theground level. The street frontagerequirement consists of a planting areamade up of trees and shrubs locatedbetween the abutting edge of thesidewalk and parking garage foundation,or where there is no sidewalk, from thepublic right-of-way line and the parkinggarage foundation. A solid wall aminimum of four (4) feet in height isrecommended at the base of the structure. The street frontage planting area must be a minimum ten (10) feet in width.EXCEPTION: The required planting area may be reduced to a minimum of five (5) feetin width for parking garages in the RT-1, RT-2, and RT-3 (Resort/Tourist) ZoningDistricts.Landscaping Guide: Parking Lot and Foundation LandscapingDecember 2002Page 13 of 55
Exceptions for the street frontage requirements are: Where the street frontage requirements conflict with adequate sight distances required atdriveways and street intersections, the provisions of the zoning ordinance shall apply.Sight distance requirements as specified under Public Works Specifications andStandards 3.13 SIGHT DISTANCE may also apply. The street frontage requirements shall not apply where plantings are required along ascenic easement designated on the Master Transportation Plan.Landscaping Guide: Parking Lot and Foundation LandscapingDecember 2002Page 14 of 55
TreesThe tree requirements must conform to the following specifications and standards at time ofplanting. To encourage creativity, trees may be grouped or randomly spaced as long as the totalnumber of trees required are utilized.Mature SizeSmallMediumLargeMaximum Spacing*15 feet25 feet40 feetMinimum Size at Planting6 - 7 feet1¼ - 1½-inch caliper (6-8 feet in height)2 - 2½-inch caliper (8-10 feet in height)* To determine quantity required, divide the total linear footage by the plant spacing.A list of recommended trees is provided in Section M.For a parking garage that has a second level overhanging the planting area, thefollowing applies:·Columnar trees shall be planted adjacent to each side that faces a public right-of-way.·Columnar trees shall be a minimum of two (2) inch to two one-half (2 ½) inch caliper attime of planting and spaced a maximum of thirty-five (35) feet apart.·Trees may be planted in the public right-of-way, but only with written authorization fromthe Planning Department Director or his designee.·Trees located within a sidewalk shall have steel tree grates placed around each tree.Shrubs and WallsThe street frontage area must contain the following combination:Shrubs·Shrubs shall be minimum twenty-four inches in height at time of planting.·One (1) shrub per four (4) linear feet must be provided. (Example: 25 shrubs per 100Landscaping Guide: Parking Lot and Foundation LandscapingDecember 2002Page 15 of 55
feet) Seventy percent (70%) of species utilized must be evergreen.Walls·Walls a minimum of four (4) feet in height shall be required at the parking structure.·Walls shall be made of the same or compatible material and color of the principalstructure in terms of texture and quality.With Offices/Businesses on the Ground Level - Foundation Planting RequirementsFoundation requirements are applicable for parking garages with businesses or offices onthe ground level.·A minimum of fifty (50) percent of any side of a building facing a public right-of-waymust be planted.·Plantings must be placed adjacent to building sides or provided in planters near thebuilding sides.·Planting areas must be a minimum of three (3) feet in width excluding a minimum two(2) foot wide strip along the curb for vehicular overhang, unless wheel stops are used.·One (1) tree or one (1) shrub is required for every fifteen (15) square feet of totalrequired planted area.·Trees shall be at least five (5) to six (6) feet in height at time of planting.·Shrubs planted immediately adjacent to the building shall be a minimum of eighteen (18)inches in height at time of planting.·Shrubs planted in elevated planters located near the building should be a minimum offifteen (15) to eighteen (18) inches in height or spread and minimum three (3) galloncontainer at time of planting.·Foundation plants should be grouped so as not to block or obstruct windows and doors.Landscaping Guide: Parking Lot and Foundation LandscapingDecember 2002Page 16 of 55
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Display AreasA display area is an area generally considered accessible to the public including auto/truck sales,leasing and rental lots, recreational vehicles sales, trailer sales lots, etc.Planting requirements for display areas are:·Interior Coverage Requirements - consists ofplanting areas within the perimeter of thedisplay area.·Street Frontage Requirements - consists of aplanting area, made up of trees and shrubs,located between the abutting edge of the sidewalk and display area curb line, or wherethere is no sidewalk, between the right-of-way line and the display area curb line.Interior Coverage RequirementsA minimum of twelve (12) percent of the designated display area must have interior landscaping.·All interior coverage areas may be planted with turfgrasses, groundcovers, or ornamentalshrubs.·Shrubs shall be a minimum of eighteen (18) inches in height or spread and minimumthree (3) gallon container at time of planting.·Groundcovers may also consist of rocks, pebbles, sand, or other approved materials.·Islands must provide a minimum four (4) foot distance from the tree trunk to any curband sized to accommodate the tree growth.·In display areas of less than thirty thousand (30,000) square feet, no planting areaexceeding three hundred fifty (350) square feet shall be given credit toward satisfying theLandscaping Guide: Parking Lot and Foundation LandscapingDecember 2002Page 18 of 55
interior coverage requirement, except where trees are retained and protected duringconstruction.·In display areas thirty thousand (30,000) square feet or greater, no planting areaexceeding fifteen hundred (1,500) square feet shall be given credit toward satisfying theinterior coverage requirement, except where trees are retained and protected duringconstruction.·In no case shall entrance islands be credited with more than three hundred fifty (350)square feet toward satisfying the interior coverage requirements.TreesThe tree requirements must conform to the following specifications and standards at time ofLandscaping Guide: Parking Lot and Foundation LandscapingDecember 2002Page 19 of 55
planting.·Trees must be planted in a minimum sixty-four (64) square foot area.·One (1) tree is required for every one hundred fifty (150) square feet of planted area.·Trees must be a minimum of two (2) to two and one-half (2½) i
life. Trees, plants and grasses as well as other . 18 3.4 Visibility Triangle . 3 Appendix E - Tree Planting, Preservation and Replacement.8 . Special Treatments . Landscaping Guide: Special Treatments Page 1 of 2 December 2002 Introduction It is the a
Landscaping projects can either be new installations of landscaping, or existing landscaping updated to benefit . biodiversity. Landscaping projects stand apart from most habitat projects in that they have a formal, defined and often manicured appearance. Most commonly, landscaping projects will consist of formal gardens.
IMPORTANCE OF LANDSCAPING Student Learning Objectives The primary objectives of this problem area are to: 1. Develop an understanding of the reasons for landscaping. 2. of landscaping. 3. How does landscaping increase property value? The
Hard Landscaping: Hard landscaping refers to all of the structure within a garden or grounds and does not include the plants. Hard landscaping most often refers to the boundaries such as walls and fencing, and is inclusive of pathways, walls, decking, paving and patios. Soft Landscaping: Soft landscaping is pretty much, the exact
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native landscaping projects will be ecologically sound, sustainable, and attractive within a reasonable timeframe. Consultant and landscaping firms without experience and expertise in native systems can often mislead organizations seeking to implement native landscaping and restoration projects which can lead to project failure loss of investment.
The Green Landscaping requirements: 5% permeable surface: 5% x 16,240 s.f. 812 s.f. 5' deep perimeter landscaping strip 5' x 360' 1,800 s.f. One on-site tree per 5 parking spaces One on-site tree per 20' frontage 5' landscaping strip at 360 perimeter approx. 1650 sf (after curbcuts, corners) 812 sf of permeable surface
Landscaping Guidance for Improving Air Quality near Roadways (Landscaping Guidance), which focuses on the Sacramento region and aims to translate information from the EPA Recommendations for local use. The goals of this landscaping guidance document are to: Provide guidelines for evaluating a potential vegetation barrier site;
landscaping approach. Conservation Landscaping . According to the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council, a coalition of individuals and organizations working to promote sustainable landscapes in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, a conservation landscape displays eight essential elements. A conservation landscape:
