Gainesville › Unified Land Development Code
Article 13 — Site Development, Chapter 13-1 — BUFFERS AND SCREENING
§ 13-1-1
Buffer Required
(a)Buffers, as defined by this ULDC, shall be required as specified in Table 13-1 and 13-2.
Buffers may also be required for individual uses as specified in Article 9.
(b)Trees retained or replanted within buffers required by this chapter shall not be included in calculations of compliance with minimum tree unit requirements established in Chapter 13-3.
Table 13-1: Minimum Buffer Requirements for Residential Districts
| Buffer Requirement | O-I | N-B | C-B | R-B | G-B | L-I | H-I |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjacent to a residential district | 25 ft. min. | 25 ft. min. | 10 ft. min. | 25 ft. min. | 35 ft. min. | 50 ft. min. | 100 ft. min. |
| Adjacent to all other districts | - | - | - | - | - | 10 ft. min. | 10 ft. min. |
Table 13-2: Minimum Buffer Requirements for Nonresidential Districts
| Buffer Requirement | O-I | N-B | C-B | R-B | G-B | L-I | H-I |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjacent to a residential district | 25 ft. min. | 25 ft. min. | 10 ft. min. | 25 ft. min. | 35 ft. min. | 50 ft. min. | 100 ft. min. |
| Adjacent to all other districts | - | - | - | - | - | 10 ft. min. | 10 ft. min. |
Reading grid · rebuilt for display · verify at source (p. 353) ↗
§ 13-1-2
Screening Required
(a)All buffers shall provide screening as defined by this ULDC. Where another provision of this ULDC requires screening in conflict with this Chapter the more stringent regulations shall apply.
(b)Minimum required screening shall consist of the following unless stated otherwise:
(1)A natural buffer utilizing existing vegetation; or
(2)A structural buffer providing an opaque visual screen to a height of at least 6 feet;
or
(3)Any combination of existing and replanted vegetation which can reasonably be expected to create an opaque visual screen at least 6 feet high within two growing seasons.
(c)Service and Dumpster Areas.
All such areas shall be screened as follows:
(1)Trash and recycling collection, dumpsters, and other similar service areas must be screened from view from all public rights-of-way by either:
i.Locating the service area or dumpster within a building; or
ii.Locating the service area or dumpster to the rear of a building; or
iii.Screening the dumpster on three sides by a wall at least 8 feet in height and on the 4th side by a solid gate at least 8 feet in height. Screening shall be 100% opaque and constructed of solid wood; decorative blocks; brick; stone;
cast-stone; or split-faced block.
A.The gate must be opaque, self-locking, and maintained in good working order.
(2)Access to all service and dumpster areas shall be limited to the hours of 6:00 a.m.
to 9:00 p.m., unless an emergency situation warrants access to these areas.
(3)Avoid locating storm drains in trash and recycling collection areas to reduce likelihood of stormwater pollution.
(d)Roof-mounted Equipment.
All such areas shall be screened as follows:
(1)Rooftop mechanical equipment such as exhaust fans, rooftop mechanical units, and satellite dishes must be screened from ground-level view on all sides. A reduction in screening may be granted by administrative variance when the Director finds that the mechanical equipment is otherwise not visible from ground level.
(2)New buildings must provide a parapet wall or other architectural element that is compatible with the principal building in terms of texture, quality, material, and color that is at least 6 inches higher than the topmost point of the screened equipment.
(3)For buildings with no or low parapet walls, roof-mounted equipment must be screened from ground-level view on all sides by an opaque screen compatible with the principal building in terms of texture, quality, material, and color.
(e)Wall-mounted Equipment.
Wall-mounted equipment more than 2 feet in height or length must conform to the following:
(1)Wall-mounted equipment located on any surface that is visible from a public street must be fully screened by an opaque wall or fence that is compatible with the principal building in terms of texture, quality, material, and color.
(2)Screening must be at least 6 inches higher than the equipment being screened.
(3)The screening element must be at least 75% opaque.
(f)Ground-mounted Equipment.
Ground mounted equipment more than 2 feet in height or length must conform to the following:
(1)Ground-mounted mechanical equipment and satellite dishes that are visible from a public street must be fully screened by an opaque wall or fence that is compatible with the principal building in terms of texture, quality, material, and color.
(2)Screening must be at least 6 inches higher than the equipment being screened.
§ 13-1-3
Buffer Materials
There are three types of buffers permitted by this ULDC: natural buffers, replanted buffers, and structural buffers.
(a)Natural Buffers shall consist of natural, undisturbed vegetation. Replanting of a buffer is required where sparsely vegetated or where screening as required by this article cannot be provided with existing natural vegetation. This is the intent whether the term "natural" buffer or "natural, undisturbed" buffer is used.
(1)Where disturbance of a required buffer is permitted by this chapter, it must be replanted to a standard acceptable to provide screening as defined by this article.
Natural buffers must contain deciduous or perennial vegetation suitable to local growing conditions that will provide a six-foot high opaque visual screen during all seasons of the year.
(b)Replanted Buffers shall consist of a combination of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs native to the region. Compliance must be demonstrated on plans submitted for a land disturbance permit as required by Chapter 11-6.
(1)All species of trees shall be of a type permitted in Section 13-3-19.
i.Required deciduous trees shall be a minimum of three-inch caliper and evergreen trees shall be at least 6 feet in height at time of planting and achieve a height of 20 feet at maturity.
(2)All shrubs planted shall be of a type as listed in Table 13-5 and must be a minimum of 3 feet in height at time of planting.
(3)Plantings in buffers shall be limited to 33% of a single tree species. Calculations must be listed on the tree protection plan.
(c)Structural Buffers may be installed as an alternative to a natural buffer subject to the following criteria. Compliance must be demonstrated on plans submitted for a land development permit as required by Chapter 11-6.
(1)Structural buffers shall be vegetated throughout the minimum area required for the buffer on both sides of any fences or walls and upon any earthen berms.
(2)All earthen berms shall have a maximum side slope of two horizontal to one vertical. Earthen berms shall not be constructed within the dripline of any existing trees that will remain on the property.
(3)Trees shall be located or planted within any structural buffer at a density of no less than one tree for each 20 feet of buffer length or portion thereof. New trees shall be a minimum of three-inch caliper upon planting and may be clustered for decorative effect following professional landscaping standards for spacing, location, and design.
(4)Fences and freestanding walls shall present a finished and decorative appearance to the abutting property. Shrubs, ground covers, or other vegetation shall be provided between the fence or wall and any adjacent right-of-way to provide a decorative effect.
(5)Fences used in buffers must be made of rot-resistant material or protected from deterioration with water-proofing material.
§ 13-1-4
Buffer Encroachments
(a)No driveways, parking areas, patios, stormwater detention facilities, or any other structures or accessory uses may be located within a buffer, except for structural buffers.
(b)Underground utilities may be permitted to cross a buffer if the screening standards of this article will be subsequently achieved to the satisfaction of the Director of Community and Economic Development and as permitted by the Director of Water Resources.
(c)Required vehicular access may be allowed through a buffer as a condition of zoning, special use or planned unit development approval by the governing body; or through an administrative variance as provided for in Chapter 20-3.
§ 13-1-5
Waiver of Required Buffer
(a)The Governing Body or Planning and Appeals Board may, at the time of application for rezoning or special use, waive a buffer requirement of this Code upon determination that such that a buffer is not necessary for the protection of the public health, safety and general welfare.
(b)The Director may waive the buffer requirements of this ULDC when it is determined that the intent of this Chapter can be met without the installation of a buffer.
§ 13-1-6
Reduction of Natural Buffer by Installing Structural Buffer
If a structural buffer is provided that creates an opaque screen to a height of at least 8 feet, the required buffer width may be reduced by up to 50%.
§ 13-1-7
Maintenance of Buffers and Structural Buffers
(a)Buffers required by this Code shall be maintained by the owner of the property where the buffer is located.
(b)Dying, diseased or dead vegetation shall be removed, provided minimal disturbance occurs. Any removed vegetation must be replaced where necessary to satisfy buffer requirements of this ULDC.
§ 13-1-8
Stream Protection Buffers
In addition to the buffers specified in this chapter, properties shall comply with the stream protection buffer requirements specified in Chapter 12-3, as applicable.
§ 13-1-9
Fences and Walls
(a)Location. Fences and walls should be located along any side or rear common property line. No fence or freestanding wall shall be erected in a manner that obstructs visibility at street intersections. Retaining walls and subdivision entrance monuments shall not be placed within the right-of-way of a local street. All fences visible from the public right-of-way shall have their appearance softened with landscaping as approved by the Director.
(b)Height. Fences or freestanding walls constructed between the build-to-line and the front lot line in a front yard of a residential lot shall not exceed 4 feet in height;
provided. Subdivision or project identification monuments at the entrance to a subdivision or development and wall or fence extensions thereof, where permitted, shall not exceed 8 feet in height and columns shall not exceed 10 feet in height. If a fence or freestanding wall, other than a retaining wall or necessary fence encompassing an outdoor recreational court is to be placed in a yard, it shall be no more than 8 feet in height. Fences or walls on properties with nonresidential uses shall not exceed 8 feet in height and columns shall not exceed 10 feet in height in a front, side or rear yard.
(c)Composition. Fences and walls shall present a finished and attractive surface on both sides and must be maintained in a structurally sound condition and in good repair.
Fences must be free from loose or rotting materials and must have braces and supports attached or fastened in accordance with common building practices.
Exposed concrete block, tires, scrap metal, sheet metal, plastic/fiberglass sheeting, vinyl siding or fabric, plywood, pallet material, junk or other discarded items are not allowed as fence or wall materials. In all residential districts, fences and walls erected within the front yard shall be constructed of brick, stone, wood, stucco, wrought iron, split rail, vinyl plastic or chain-link coated with black vinyl. All fences visible from the public right-of-way shall have their appearance softened with landscaping as approved by the Director.
(d)Gates. Gates for vehicular access shall not be located closer than 25 feet to a public street or road right-of-way to ensure safe ingress and egress.
(e)Exemptions. These requirements shall not apply to temporary fencing erected within a construction site. All such temporary fencing shall be approved by the Building Official upon issuance of a building permit and shall be removed upon completion of construction.