Minimum landscape requirements for zoning districts.
Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250833
in effectSec. 250833. - Minimum landscape requirements for zoning districts.
(1) RS-1: Each plot shall have a minimum of:
(a) Four (4) trees and twenty (20) shrubs in the front half of the plot. A minimum of two (2) of these trees shall be shade trees. Foundation plantings are required.
(b) Two (2) trees and ten (10) shrubs in the rear half of the plot. A minimum of one (1) of these trees shall be a shade tree. All RS-1 properties shall comply with these regulations by March, 2000.
In addition, each plot shall have a minimum of one (1) tree and five (5) shrubs for each seven thousand two hundred sixty (7,260) square feet of plot area over forty-three thousand five hundred sixty (43,560) square feet of which fifty (50) per cent of these additional trees shall be shade trees. Shrubs used to screen accessory structures shall not be counted for minimum plot requirements.
Corner plots shall contain a minimum of one (1) shade tree and four (4) shrubs in the required street side yard in addition to other requirements of this section.
(2) RS-3, RS-4, RS-5, RS-6 RC-6 and RD-8: Each plot shall have a minimum of:
(a) Four (4) trees on the plot in addition to the required street trees. Of these four (4) trees two (2) may be small trees with the other two (2) being shade trees. Palms may be used 1:1 to meet the small tree requirement and 3:1 to meet the shade tree requirement. However, palms may not make up more than fifty (50) per cent of the required trees per plot.
(b) Fifteen (15) shrubs in the front one-half (½) of the plot and ten (10) shrubs in the rear of the plot.
(c) Foundation plantings are required.
(d) In addition, each plot shall have one (1) tree and five (5) shrubs for each two thousand (2,000) square feet of plot over twelve thousand (12,000) square feet, or portion thereof. Not less than fifty (50) per cent of these additional trees shall be shade trees.
(e) Shrubs used to screen accessory structures shall not be counted for minimum plot requirements.
(f) Corner plots shall contain a minimum of one (1) tree and four (4) shrubs in the required street side yard in addition to other requirements of this section.
(3) Zero lot line developments: Each zero lot line dwelling site shall have a minimum of:
(a) Three (3) trees on the site in addition to any required street trees. One (1) of these trees may be a small tree with the others being from the medium or shade tree category. Palms may be used 1:1 to meet the small tree requirement and 3:1 to meet the shade tree requirement. However, palms may not make up more than fifty (50) per cent of the required trees per plot. If no street trees are present in the right-of-way adjacent to the site, one (1) of these trees shall be a shade or medium tree located within ten (10) feet of the property line.
(b) Fifteen (15) shrubs in the front one-half (½) of the plot and ten (10) shrubs in the rear of the plot.
(c) Foundation plantings are required.
(d) Zero lot line common areas shall have a minimum of one (1) tree and five (5) shrubs for each one thousand (1,000) square feet of site area or portion thereof, not utilized for structures or vehicular use areas.
(4) RC-12, RC-15 and RM districts: Each plot shall contain a minimum of one (1) tree and six (6) shrubs per two thousand (2,000) square feet of plot area, or portion thereof, not utilized for structures or vehicular use areas, in addition to landscaping requiring in other portions of this chapter. A minimum of fifty (50) per cent of these trees shall be shade trees. Multifamily buildings shall provide foundation plantings.
(5) B, IC, CF-G, CF-E, SU, GU, IRD, MC and EC districts: Each plot shall contain a minimum of one (1) tree and five (5) shrubs for every one thousand (1,000) square feet of plot area, or portion thereof, not utilized for structures, outdoor storage, or vehicular use areas in addition to landscaping required in other portions of this chapter. A minimum of fifty (50) per cent of these trees shall be shade trees.
(6) A-1, GC and P: Each plot utilized for other than athletic playing fields or courts, open play areas, golf courses or water bodies shall contain a minimum of one (1) tree and five (5) shrubs for every one thousand (1,000) square feet of plot area, or portion thereof, not utilized for structures or vehicular use areas in addition to landscaping required in other portions of this chapter. A minimum of fifty (50) per cent of these trees shall be shade trees.
(7) Special provisions:
(a) In all districts where a planting strip or planting easement is designated or required, landscaping shall be required in the said planting strip or planting easement of a minimum of one (1) tree and twelve (12) shrubs per forty (40) lineal feet.
(b) Single-family and duplex properties may use a cluster of three (3) palm trees from the approved palm tree list to meet the on-site shade or medium tree requirements. Palm trees may also be used on a one-for-one basis to satisfy the small tree requirement. However, no more than fifty (50) per cent of the required on-site trees may be palm trees.
(c) Landscape material shall be placed on all areas not covered by main and accessory structures, walks and vehicular use areas. Landscape material shall extend to any abutting street pavement edge and to the mean water line of any abutting canal, lake or waterway (not to exceed thirty (30) feet from the property line). Where the slope does not exceed 2:1, landscape material shall be used and installed in such a manner as to allow reasonable maintenance. Where existing slopes are steeper than 2:1, they shall be cut back at time of construction to result in a slope of 2:1 or less. No slope shall be changed without approval of the city engineer and water control district having jurisdiction. No landscaped area shall be constructed with more than ten (10) per cent of the total area of non-living landscape material, excepting necessary walks and vehicular use areas.
(d) The development services department may grant special written permission to allow the planting of trees or shrubs less than the required sizes outlined in this section if qualify plants, such as Florida Department of Agriculture "Florida Fancy" grade, are used; or if a greater number of plants than the minimum number required by the ordinance are planted. However, the increased number of trees that may be required shall not exceed fifty (50) per cent of those otherwise required by this chapter. No such permitted tree shall be less than six (6) feet in height, nor shall any permitted shrub be less than nine (9) inches in height by eighteen (18) inches in width at the time of planting. Written approval for such deviation shall be obtained prior to the planting of such trees and/or shrubs.
(e) In all districts a tennis court must be screened on all sides visible from off site with a contiguous hedge at least two (2) feet in height at time of planting.
(f) The city manager or their designee may consider a written request by a property owner to allow the planting of less than the minimum required landscaping if one (1) of the following conditions is met:
1. The size or configuration of the property does not allow for the planting of the required trees or shrubs;
2. Trees or shrubs planted will not thrive due to existing site specific features. Examples include but are not limited to:
(i) Conflicts with existing improvements, utilities or structures that will require extensive and/or repeated pruning of branches or roots;
(ii) Existing and established mature trees that preclude the establishment of smaller younger trees.
(g) Street trees: Street trees shall be shade trees or palm trees as described below, unless restricted by other provisions of this chapter and placed in rights-of-way by the developer or builder prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy and maintained in accordance with this article. The function of a street tree is to provide canopy and shade thereby reducing the heat generated by adjacent impervious surfaces (heat island effect). Any pruning that significantly reduces the ability of the street tree to fulfill this function will be considered tree abuse. Variety and species shall be according to the approved list maintained by the development services department. Minimum size shall be in accordance with the standards set forth in this article for the zoning of the project for which the trees are required. One (1) tree shall be required for every forty (40) feet of street frontage or fraction thereof with a minimum of one (1) street tree per property. Accessways permitted in accordance with the land development code from the public rights-of-way through all such landscaping shall be permitted to service the parking of other vehicular use areas. Such accessways may be subtracted from the lineal dimensions used to determine the number of trees required. Trees shall be planted no further apart than sixty-foot intervals and no closer than fifteen (15) feet apart. All street trees are to be placed in a location in accordance with the requirements of the city engineer in order to accommodate location of utilities and street widening. If insufficient rights-of-way exists for street tree installation, these requirements shall be added to the overall requirements of the site. Street trees are required in all zoning districts in accordance with the street tree requirements stated above. The number, location and size classification of street trees may be field verified by the city manager or their designee to avoid infrastructure conflicts or other existing conditions (i.e. too close to sidewalk, street light, sight distance triangle, fire hydrant, overhead wires or existing trees).
Use of palm trees as street trees:
1. Existing shade trees utilized for street trees may not be removed for the sole purpose of planting palm trees.
2. Palm trees used for the purpose of street trees must be in accordance with the definition for palm trees in this section and be able to reach a mature height of at least twenty (20) feet. See the landscape manual for more details on accepted species.
3. Palm trees used for the purpose of street trees must be planted in clusters of three (3) with no palm being planted further than ten (10) feet apart.
4. Certain large growing palms such as Bismarckia, Royal palms and Date palms (not Pygmy) may be used 1:1 to meet the street tree requirement. See the landscape manual for more details on acceptable species.
5. B, IC, CF-G, CF-E, SU, GU, IRD, MC, EC and RM districts can use palm trees as outlined above for perimeter planting but no more than twenty-five (25) per cent of the required perimeter trees may be palm trees.
(8) Sight distance for landscaping adjacent to public right-of-way and points of access:
(a) When an accessway intersects a public right-of-way, or when the subject property abuts the intersection of two (2) or more public rights-of-way, all landscaping within the triangular areas described below shall provide unobstructed cross-visibility at a level between thirty (30) inches and six (6) feet provided that they are located so as not to create a traffic hazard, with the following exceptions:
1. Trees or palms having limbs and foliage trimmed in such a manner that no limbs or foliage extend into the cross-visibility area;
2. Horizontal rail fences;
3. No landscaping other than grass or ground cover shall be permitted in the public right-of-way without written approval of the city engineer;
4. Required grass or ground covers.
(b) Any landscaping located within the triangular areas described herein shall be maintained to the standards set forth in the "City of Coral Springs Minimum Engineering Standards" so as to not create an obstruction.
LANDSCAPING RELATING TO PERIMETERS
(9) Zero lot line developments: On all zero lot line development, the following landscaping along the perimeters of the development shall be provided.
(a) The landscaping shall include two (2) trees for each forty (40) lineal feet or fraction thereof. A minimum of one (1) of these trees shall be a shade tree. Shade trees shall be planted no further apart than sixty-foot intervals and no closer than fifteen (15) feet apart. Palms utilized to meet the non-shade tree portions of this requirement shall be substituted on a three (3) for one (1) basis and planted in groups of three (3) except for those palm trees allowed to be used 1:1 as shade tree substitutes. The trees shall be located along the perimeters of the development. In addition, a hedge, wall or other durable landscape barriers of at least three (3) feet in height shall be placed within the landscape strip not adjacent to canals, lakes, or golf courses. If the durable barrier is of non-living material, for each five (5) feet thereof, one (1) shrub or vine shall be planted along the street side of the barrier. Walls shall have a continuous hedge on the exterior side of the wall. The remainder of the required landscaped areas shall be landscaped with grass, ground cover or other landscape treatment except paving.
These provisions shall not be applicable where the development abuts on existing landscape strip containing the required hedges and trees of this subsection.
(10) RC, RD and RM Districts not utilized for zero lot line development:
(a) The landscaping shall include three (3) trees for each forty (40) lineal feet or fraction thereof. A minimum of two (2) of these trees shall be a shade tree. Shade trees shall be planted no further apart than sixty-foot intervals and no closer than fifteen (15) feet apart. Palms shall not be substituted for required shade trees. Palms utilized to meet the non-shade tree portions of this requirement shall be substituted on a three (3) for one (1) basis and planted in groups of three (3). The trees shall be located along the perimeters of the development. In addition, a hedge, wall or other durable landscape barrier of at least three (3) feet in height shall be placed along the interior perimeter of the landscape strip. If the durable barrier is of non-living material, for each five (5) feet thereof, one (1) shrub or vine shall be planted along the street side of the barrier. Walls shall have a continuous hedge on the exterior side of the wall. The remainder of the required landscaped areas shall be landscaped with grass, ground cover or other landscape treatment except paving.
(b) Multifamily developments shall provide appropriately scaled berms, or tiered landscaping beds with a variety of colors, heights, textures and species along site perimeters abutting public rights-of-way.
(11) B, IC, IRD, CF-G, CF-E, SU, GU, GC, EC AND MC districts: On all B, IC, IRD, CF-G, CF-E, SU, GU, GC, EC, and MC district developments, the following landscaping along the perimeters of the development not covered by building structures shall be provided:
(a) The landscaping shall include three (3) trees for each forty (40) lineal feet or fraction thereof. A minimum of one (1) of these trees shall be a shade tree. Shade trees shall be planted no further apart than sixty-foot intervals and no closer than fifteen (15) feet apart. Palms shall not be substituted for required shade trees. Palms utilized to meet the non-shade tree portions of this requirement shall be substituted on a three (3) for one (1) basis and planted in groups of three (3). The trees shall be located along the perimeters of the development not covered by building structures. In addition, a hedge, wall or other durable landscape barrier of at least three (3) feet in height shall be placed along the interior perimeter of the landscape strip. If the durable barrier is of non-living material, for each five (5) feet thereof, one (1) shrub or vine shall be planted along the street side of the barrier. Walls shall have a continuous hedge on the exterior side of the wall. The remainder of the required landscaped areas shall be landscaped with grass, ground cover or other landscape treatment except paving.
These provisions shall not be applicable where the development abuts an existing landscape strip containing the required hedges and trees of the subsection or when zero side yard setbacks are utilized.
(12) Landscaping requirements for construction-related structures as defined in Chapter 2 of the Land Development Code when said structures are utilized for real estate sales are as follows:
(a) Plot area: The plot area to be landscaped shall be the area of the sales structure plus the following:
1. Fifteen (15) feet on each side of the proposed sales location;
2. Twenty-five (25) feet immediately in front of the proposed sales location;
3. Minimum plot size shall be five thousand (5,000) square feet.
(b) Landscaping requirements:
1. One (1) tree for one thousand (1,000) square feet of plot area or fraction thereof;
2. One (1) shrub for every one hundred (100) square feet of plot area or fraction thereof;
3. A continuous hedge shall be required around all vehicular use areas except at points of vehicular and pedestrian ingress and egress;
4. All landscaping shall be kept in a healthy growing condition at all times.
(13) Parking interiors: In the RC-12, RC-15, RM, B, IC, IRD, CF-G, CF-E, SU, GU, P, GC, MC and EC districts, interior landscaping for parking areas shall:
(a) Provide a total area of interior landscaping in all off-street parking areas, with the exception of master parking areas, equal to not less than fifteen (15) per cent of the total paved vehicular use areas. Any perimeter landscaping areas may be counted as part of the parking interior area requirements as long as such landscaping is contiguous to the vehicular use areas.
(b) Be installed in landscaped areas designed and arranged for the purpose of controlling traffic, providing shade, screening unnecessary views into and within the vehicular use areas and separating the parking circulation and service area.
(c) Interior parking landscape areas shall have the following dimensional requirements:
1. Islands in parking bays shall have a minimum landscaped areas-of nine (9) feet width and sixteen-foot length. The island shall include at least one (1) tree.
2. Apart from islands, no landscaped area shall have any dimension less than five (5) feet.
3. Islands must be located every ten (10) parking spaces and at the terminus of all rows of parking. The location of islands can deviate from the above if the purpose of this is to preserve existing on site trees as approved by the city manager or their designee.
4. The distance between parking islands can be increased up to fifteen (15) parking spaces but the width of the parking island must be increased by one (1) foot for each additional space (i.e. if the distance between parking islands is fourteen (14) parking spaces the parking island would have to be thirteen (13) feet wide).
5. A minimum of seventy-five (75) per cent of trees installed in parking islands shall be appropriate shade trees. No more than twenty-five (25) per cent of the islands shall contain palm trees.
6. Developers may submit plans showing aggregate clusters of tree planting equivalent to or greater than the total area of all required parking islands. These plans must be reviewed and found acceptable by the city.
(14) Berms: All berms shall be planted with ground cover or sod. Berms provided to meet buffer provisions shall be planted with a continuous hedge.
(15) [Reserved.]
(16) Other: All yard areas and areas used for the display or parking of any and all types of vehicles or equipment, whether such vehicles or equipment are self-propelled or not, and all land upon which vehicles traverse the property as a function of the primary use, heretofore referred to as "other vehicle uses," including but not limited to, activities of a drive-in nature, such as service stations, grocery and dairy stores, banks, restaurants, new and used car lots, and the like, shall conform to the minimum landscaping requirements herein provided, including areas used for parking or other vehicular uses and parking areas serving residential dwellings.
(Ord. No. 95-038, § 20, 6-20-95; Ord. No. 2011-117, § 2, 7-5-11; Ord. No. 2023-101, § 178, 4-19-23)
Source: City of Coral Springs, Florida, Code of Ordinances, Charter and Land Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/fl/coral_springs/codes/land_development_code?nodeId=CH25ZOOR_ARTIXMILARE_S250833MILAREZODIFetched: 11/8/2026