Landscaping and Screening
Columbus City Codes § 3325.361
in effect3325.361 - Landscaping and Screening
Landscaping and Screening shall meet the standards of this zoning code, including the standards contained in the Off-Street Parking and Loading and General Site Development Standards Chapters and those contained herein.
A. In architectural review commission districts, required parking lot screening shall be the screening approved by the architectural review district commissions. In all other areas, parking lot screening shall consist of:
1. A four (4) foot high solid masonry or stone wall, or
2. A four (4) foot high metal tube or solid metal bar fence located at the street right-of-way line (property line), with or without masonry pier supports, with a minimum three (3) foot wide landscaped area along either side of the fence. The landscaped area shall be planted with three (3) evergreen shrubs and one (1) deciduous shade tree per thirty (30) feet of frontage. In the case where the landscaping is provided on the street side of the fence, the fence may be set back three (3) feet from the right-of-way line to allow for the required landscaping.
B. Fences, with or without masonry piers, shall be constructed of metal tubes or solid metal bars. Fences shall not exceed a height of four (4) feet. Chain-link fences are prohibited. Walls shall not exceed a height of four (4) feet. Masonry or stone walls are recommended for screening, sitting, or for use as independent architectural elements.
C. In addition to the provisions regulating dumpsters in the General Site Development Standards Chapter, dumpsters shall be located behind a principal building and be screened from public view to the height of the dumpster.
D. Ground-mounted mechanical equipment shall be located behind a principal building and be screened from public view to the height of the equipment.
E. Plant species shall be installed and maintained as follows:
1. Shade trees shall be a minimum of two (2) inches in caliper.
2. Ornamental trees shall be a minimum of two (2) inches in caliper.
3. Hedges and shrubs may be deciduous or evergreen but shall be a minimum of twenty-four (24) inches in height at time of planting.
(Ord. No. 1003-2017, § 1, 5-1-2017)
Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT33ZOCO_CH3325UNDIZOOV_RECORCSURE_3325.361LASCFetched: 10/27/2026