Unified Development Ordinance - Currituck County Government

Chapter 5: Development StandardsSECTION 5.2: LANDSCAPING STANDARDSSubsection 5.2.1: Purpose and Intent5.2. LANDSCAPING STANDARDS5.2.1. Purpose and IntentThe purpose of this section is to promote and protect the public health, safety, and generalwelfare by providing for the planting, maintenance, and preservation of trees, shrubs, andother plants within the county. The intent of this section is to promote this purpose by:A. Ensuring and encouraging the planting, maintenance, restoration and survival of trees,shrubs, and other plants;B. Contributing to the protection of community residents and visitors from personalinjury and property damage, and the protection of the county from property damage,caused or threatened by the improper planting, maintenance or removal of trees,shrubs or other plants;C. Mitigating against erosion and sedimentation;D. Reducing stormwater runoff and the costs associated therewith;E. Encouraging low impact development techniques like bio-retention and other bestmanagement practices for dealing with stormwater, in appropriate locations;F. Preserving and protecting the water table and surface waters;G. Restoring soils and land denuded as a result of construction and/or grading;H. Increasing the tree canopy to provide shade and moderate the effect of urban heatislands;I. Providing incentives for greater use of sustainable development practices like greenroofs, use of native plant materials, and techniques to reduce the need for irrigation;J. Protecting and enhancing property values and aesthetic qualities;K. Providing additional improvements to air quality through the carbon dioxide uptakeprocess provided by trees and landscaping; andL. Providing visual screening, where appropriate.5.2.2. ApplicabilityA. GeneralExcept where expressly exempted, these standards shall apply to all development inthe county.B. Time of ReviewReview for compliance with the standards of this section shall occur during review ofan application for a site plan (Section 2.4.7), subdivision plan (Section 2.4.8), planneddevelopment master plan (Section 2.4.5), zoning compliance permit (Section 2.4.9), ortemporary use permit (Section 2.4.11), as appropriate.C. Existing DevelopmentChanges in use or other minor alterations to existing development proposed afterJanuary 1, 2013 shall comply with the standards in Section 8.6, Nonconforming Sites.CURRITUCK COUNTY, NC UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE5.19