Morrisville Unified Development Ordinance – September 2018

Article 5: Development Standards Section 5.12. Landscaping 5.12.3. General Landscaping Standards

Upgrading of Landscaping Nonconformities Where existing development is nonconforming in terms of compliance with this section’s standards for off-street parking and loading, such development is subject to the limitations and upgrading requirements in Section 9.7, Nonconforming Site Features. C. Landscape Plan Required A landscape plan shall be included as part of any application for Type 1 Subdivision Preliminary Plat Approval (Section 2.5.6.B.1), Type 2 Subdivision Preliminary Plat Approval (Section 2.5.6.B.2), Major Site Plan Approval (Section 2.5.7.B), or Minor Site Plan Approval (Section 2.5.7.C) or Construction Plan Approval (Section 2.5.8) for development subject to the standards in this section. Landscape plans shall be prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Administrative Manual. (Ord. No. 2016-001, 05/10/2016) D. Allowed Deviation of Standards Deviations from the landscaping standards in this section may be authorized in Section 2.5.19, Administrative Adjustment, Section 2.5.20, Alternative Equivalent Compliance, or Section 5.12.6, Alternative Landscape Plan. (Ord. No. 2014-051, 11/10/2014)

5.12.3. General Landscaping Standards

A. New Planting Standards

Required vegetation shall be planted in accordance with American Standards of Nursery Stock guidelines. At the time of planting, vegetation included as part of required landscaping shall comply with the following size standards: a. Shade trees shall have a caliper of at least three and one-half inches and be at least 14 feet in height above ground level. They shall be capable of attaining a height of at least 35 feet and a crown diameter of at least 30 feet at maturity. b. Understory trees shall have a caliper of at least two inches and shall be at least eight feet in height above ground level. c. Shrubs shall be upright in nature and at least 18 inches in height above ground level. They shall be capable of attaining a height of at least 30 inches within three years after planting. d. Grasses and groundcovers do not have a required minimum. All landscape plant materials shall be of standard quality or better, true to name and type of species or variety. The use of drought-tolerant vegetation native to the Morrisville area is strongly encouraged (see the list of acceptable native plant species in the Administrative Manual).

Figure 5.12.3.A: Minimum new planting standards.

Morrisville, NC

September 25, 2018

Unified Development Ordinance

Page 5-123