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Landscaping and Buffering
Landscaping of parking lots, commercial, industrial and multi-family developments is required by the Landscaping Ordinance The purpose is to provide visual buffering, break up large expanses of paved areas in parking lots, and enhance in the beautification of the City. Appropriate landscaping helps preserve and protect investment and the unique identity and environment of the City.
The Landscaping Ordinance
Landscaping plans for parking lots, commercial, industrial, and multi-family sites, and for all development in mixed used districts including downtown must be submitted for Site Plan Review. Quantities, sizes, and varieties of plant material as well as the placement of that material are checked. Transitional landscaping buffering is required between certain uses.
General Requirements in Most Zoning Districts
Front Setback—A minimum ten foot of green space (natural plants such as turf, groundcover, and shrubs) is required between the back of curb of parking areas and street rights-of-way. Trees spaced thirty-five feet apart and at least 8’ in height must be planted.
Parking Lots—One planting island is required within the interior of the parking area for every 20 parking spaces.
Overall—After all of the above green space requirements have been met, the total amount of green space shall be at least 10 percent of the total square footage of the site.
Loading and Privacy Areas—must be screened with a solid wood or masonry privacy fence and landscaped with a continuous evergreen hedge and trees spaced 35 feet apart.
Dumpsters—must be screened with a wooden or masonry fence at least six feet in height surrounded with shrubs.
Transitional Buffers are required between multi-family and institutional uses and non-residential uses and adjacent lower density residential uses. These consist of a solid wood privacy fence or masonry screen wall at least six (6) feet in height in conjunction with shrubs, trees, and varying depths of landscaped green space. See tables on pages 39-40 of the Landscaping Ordinance for additional information.
Transitional Buffers Required
Developing Use
Multifamily—Attached and multifamily in one building with more than 12 units; Planned multifamily and attached developments and manufactured housing parks
Institutional
Low Density: Civic, service and fraternal organizations, cultural facilities, Residential day care centers; group homes with more than 6 residents and nursing homes, rest homes and assisted living homes.
Medium Density: Religious institutions, up to 750 seats.
High Density: Religious institutions over 750 seats
Transitional Buffers Required
Developing Use
Multifamily—Attached and multifamily in one building with more than 12 units; Planned multifamily and attached developments and manufactured housing parks
Institutional
Low Density: Civic, service and fraternal organizations, cultural facilities, Residential day care centers; group homes with more than 6 residents and nursing homes, rest homes and assisted living homes.
Medium Density: Religious institutions, up to 750 seats.
High Density: Religious institutions over 750 seats
Mixed Use Districts
Parking Lots--Requirements for Downtown and other mixed use districts is different from the requirements given above. In general, a landscaped buffer of at least four (4) feet in width is required along the street frontage of all vehicular use areas. In addition, the planting of one(1) large tree is required every forth (40) linear feet or fraction thereof or one (1) small tree every thirty-five (35) linear feet along a vehicular use area’s street frontage. As an alternative to these requirements interior landscaping may be provided.
Amenity Zones--Trees are not necessary permitted in the amenity zone between sidewalks and building fronts in these districts. Consistency and uniformity is desired in street trees and lighting. Landscaping plans are currently being developed for these zones. Until adopted, the City Landscape Architect will make a determination on a case-by-case basis.
Outdoor Screening Requirements
All outdoor storage yards that contain any material, vehicle or equipment that has been used, discarded, damaged or partially dismantled and is stored or held outside as inventory for future sale, processing or use (including but not limited to automobiles or automobile parts, appliances, boxes, crates, pipe or pipe fittings, paper, metal, tires, furniture, fixtures, machinery, motors, lumber, buildings, or portions of buildings, building materials, barrels, pallets, or clothing) must be screened by an approved fence installed and maintained which will provide maximum screening to obscure the view of such storage yard from the public.
Approved fencing material include wood, masonry, and in some instances chain length fencing with slats inserted. Auto parts and tin or other material that rusts or is not weather proof is not permitted. Salvage material is prohibited. Sheathing materials, post, rails, or any other fencing construction materials must be naturally weather resistant or shall be painted or finished to resist decay or rust. Fences must be maintained by repair, painting and/or replacement as necessary to maintain obscurity.
Fences must be a minimum of six (6) feet and a maximum of eight (8) feet in height and must be located along any public right-of-way, and adjacent to the lot line where an outdoor storage yard abuts any property zoned residential, C-1, C-1A, C-2, Special Use or TIP.
Exterior storage by a retail establishment is permitted only for items which by their nature are typically uses outdoors. To protect the integrity of adjacent properties, the Zoning Administrator may require these areas be completely or partially screened by a six (6) foot high wood or masonry fence or natural plants or trees. Zoning Ordinance Section 702.05.02.
For Information about the Landscaping Ordinance Contact:
Mary Merck, Land Development Manager
200 S. President St., 4th Floor
Jackson, MS 39205
601-960-2071 mmerck@city.jackson.ms.us
For Information about Outdoor Screening Requirements Contact:
Kenneth Taylor, Official Building Inspector
Economic and Planning Department
200 S. President, 3rd Floor
Jackson, MS 39205
601-960-1157 or ktaylor@city.jackson.ms.us
For more Jackson business information see: [http://www.city.jackson.ms.us/business]
