Definitions.
Jackson Code of Ordinances § 26-448
in effectSec. 26-448. - Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Accessway means an area intended to provide entrance or exit for vehicular traffic from a public or private right-of-way to an off-street parking or loading area.
Berm means mounds or walls of earth that are molded into landforms in a landscaped area. When berms are used for screening, buffering or any other purpose, the berm shall be constructed such that soil erosion is prevented and sight triangles are unobstructed. The surface of the berms shall be completely covered with plant material or durable mulch so that the bare soil is not visible. Allowance for soil settlement shall be calculated at ten percent after the berms are compacted.
Buffering means the use of landscaping, berms, walls, fences or any combination thereof, that at least partially block, in a continuous manner, the view from one area to another.
Clearing means the removal or material damage of landscape materials by disturbing, excavating or removing the underlying soil.
Common development means a commercial development consisting of three or more businesses, which operates as a unit and shares common access and common parking areas; or a multifamily residential development consisting of three or more residences which operate as a unit and share common amenities.
Deciduous means or refers to a plant which tends to shed its leaves each year.
Development means the act, process or result of developing; a developed site.
Dripline means the periphery of the area underneath a tree which would be encompassed by perpendicular lines dropped from the farthest edges of the crown of the tree.
Encroachment means the act of advancing beyond the usual or proper limits, as in the encroachment of a motor vehicle beyond the limits of the parking area into the landscaping.
Encroachment barrier means the protective barriers which shall be provided, positioned, and secured to prevent any part of an automobile or other vehicle from extending into live landscaping, fences, or walls. Protection for all landscaping from vehicular encroachment shall be provided by curbing, wheel stops, landscape timbers, railroad ties or bumper rails.
Evergreen means of or referring to a plant which tends to retain its leaves all yearround.
Fence means an enclosure or barrier intended to mark a boundary, screen a view, or prevent intrusion.
Front building line means a building wall fronting on the street. Such building wall line shall follow and include the irregular indentations of the building. Steps and unenclosed porches shall be excluded for the purpose of this article.
Grass means low growing plants which creep along the earth surface to form a solid mat or lawn. Only perennial grasses (those which live for more than one growing season) shall qualify to satisfy the requirements of this article.
Groundcover means low growing plants which grow in a spreading fashion to form a more or less solid mat of vegetation, and which are generally included in landscaped areas to prevent soil erosion by providing permeable cover for bare earth.
Hedge means shrubs planted in a continuous line which will block at least 80 percent of a view in a maximum of two growing seasons after installation.
Interior landscaped area means that area inside the perimeter of a site which is permeable and capable of being planted with live landscape materials.
Irrigation means an adequate supply of water which can be made available to landscape plant materials including, but not limited to, underground sprinkler systems or hose bibs.
Landscape material means plant materials including, but not limited to, live trees, shrubs, groundcovers, grass, flowers, and native landscape materials; also including, but not limited to, inorganic features such as planters, stone, brick, and aggregate forms, water, and other landscape elements when used to enhance live plant materials; provided, however, that the use of inorganic materials or grass in combination with inorganic materials shall not predominate over the use of live, organic plants. Artificial plants do not qualify as landscape material.
Landscape permit means a permit issued by the planning and development department, building permit division prior to the clearing and development of all land located within the city as outlined in section 26-449.
Landscaped area means that area within the boundaries of a given site which is devoted to and consists of landscape material.
Large tree means an evergreen or deciduous upright woody perennial plant having a single main stem or several main stems, which is a minimum of eight to ten feet overall height at the time of planting and which attains a minimum height of 15 feet and a maximum height of generally more than 30 feet with few or no branches on its lower part.
Owner means the person who has legal title to the property in question; or lessee, agent, employee or other person acting on behalf of the titleholder with written authorization to do so.
Perimeter landscape area means that area surrounding the vehicular use area which is devoted to and consists of landscape materials.
Refuse storage means any area used for the storage of trash or garbage. No refuse storage shall be permitted as part of the landscaped area, but refuse storage is otherwise permitted adjacent to vehicular use areas.
Remodeling means the act of reconstructing a building or site for the purpose of making improvements. Any change or modification in existing exterior construction.
Screening means landscaping, berms, fences, walls, or any combination thereof used to block or significantly obscure, in a continuous manner, the view from one area to another.
Shrub means woody or semiwoody perennial plants that are customarily included in landscape designs to provide for lower scale buffering and visual interest.
Sidewalk means a hard-surfaced, all-weather area of a minimum of four feet in width designed for the convenience of pedestrian access, which is normally located immediately within the public right-of-way.
Sight triangle means the area on either side of an accessway at its junction with a street forming a right triangle shape within which clear visibility of traffic and pedestrians shall be maintained.
Soil means the medium in which plants will grow.
Small tree means an evergreen or deciduous upright woody perennial plant having a single main stem or several main stems, which is a minimum of six to eight feet overall height at the time of planting and which attains a minimum height of 15 feet and a maximum height of 30 feet generally with few or no branches on its lower part.
Turf means low growing perennial grasses which creep along the earth's surface to form a solid mat or lawn.
Value means that determined as the true value as provided by the tax assessor for tax purposes, or the property owner may provide a current appraisal from a certified licensed appraiser.
Vehicular use area means that area of development subject to vehicular traffic including access ways, loading and service areas, areas used for parking, storage or display of vehicles, boats or portable construction equipment, and all land which vehicles cross over as a function of primary use.
Vines means herbaceous or semiwoody plants requiring support upon which to grow and used to provide some screening or buffering effects.
Wall means an enclosing structure made of brick, stone, earth or other materials intended to mark a boundary, screen a view, or prevent intrusion.
Walkway means a hard-surfaced, all-weather area intended for pedestrian circulation within a development.
(Ord. of 1-3-95, § 3; Ord. No. 2020-13(2), § 1, 6-9-20)
Source: City of Jackson, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/jackson/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH26BUBURE_ARTIXLATRST_S26-448DEFetched: 11/1/2026