9.6.2 Required Street Trees

Trees shall either be retained or planted such that there is an average of at least one street tree for every 40 feet of street frontage along the sides of all existing and proposed rights-of-way (except alleys), and private street easements. If understory trees are planted, then the average shall be at least one understory street tree for every 30 feet of street frontage along the sides of all existing and proposed rights-of-way (except alleys), and private street easements.

For new streets and extensions of existing streets, street trees shall be located in the right-of-way or street easement. The Public Works Director in consultation with the City Transportation Director or City Urban Forestry Division, as applicable, or NCDOT, as appropriate, may require an alternate location due to conflicts with existing utilities.

(1) Planting location within right-of-way or street easement shall be pursuant to street cross-sections within the Public Works Reference Guide for Development.

(2) Planting and species requirements shall be pursuant to this Article and the Durham Landscape Manual.

(1) Street trees shall be located within 10 feet of the right-of-way or street easement and in a street yard. In the Suburban and Rural Tiers, street trees located within four feet of street right-of-way require approval from the City Public Works Director in consultation with the City Transportation Director or City Urban Forestry Division, as applicable, or the NCDOT, or designees, as appropriate.

(2) Street trees can be planted in the right-of-way or street easement under the following conditions:

(a) The City Public Works Director in consultation with the City Transportation Director or City Urban Forestry Division, as applicable, or the NCDOT, or designees, as appropriate, authorize their location in a right-of-way;

(b) If the trees are existing trees, the tree protection zone outside of the right-of-way is protected; and

The location of street trees can be varied, as long as the separation between each tree does not exceed 100 feet, measured between the centerline of each trunk. If existing obstructions, access points, or sight distance triangles prevent compliance with the maximum separation requirement, the separation can exceed the maximum only to the extent necessary to avoid the obstruction, access point, or sight distance triangle.

Street trees shall be provided pursuant to Sec. 16.4, Streetscape Standards.