Sometimes it is a challenge to explain in writing a design standard set down by a community planning board. It is not always easy to convey design criteria and performance standards. Landscape codes, of course, must be written to clearly communicate with landscape architects, but there are others parties who must understand the codes?EUR??,,????'??+developers, architects, builders, engineers, bankers and owners. Above all, the planners who enforce the code must grasp their meaning and intent.

?EUR??,,????'???EUR??,,????'???few ideas of mankind are more significant than the concept of written law?EUR??,,????'???.?EUR??,,????'???EUR??,,????'??+U.S. Landscape Ordinances, John Wiley & Sons, 1998

This geography must be broken down into the several site areas that are contained within the landscape code. These commonly include: open space plantings; canopy coverage requirements; street yard buffers; side yard buffers; parking lot screens and vehicular use area interiors. Other parts of the site found in this geography might include storm water facilities, irrigation system areas and natural habitat preservation zones.

A well-written code must contain written design standards and these are usually expressed as numbers or units of measure. When writing technical standards it is common to quantify descriptions using linear feet, square footage, cubic volume, percentages and ratios. When numbers, spatial organization and location combine in a document, the challenge to write an easy to read, landscape code becomes a job for the well-experienced code writer.

A Reader-Friendly Landscape Code

The landscape code of Delray Beach, Florida is a good example of a well-written landscape code. It chooses the right words, is well organized and reader-friendly. Information is presented in an orderly style, making it easy for the reader to find topical information. The code presents the three common parts of a landscape code?EUR??,,????'??+code context, design standards and administrative procedures. Technical language is provided for design, landscaping, maintenance and installation of acceptable landscape material.

Artfully Written Landscape Codes

The usual landscape codes, and there are hundreds of them across the nation, are often a jumbled mess of words. It is not uncommon for designers to search through codes in search of relevant design standards or procedures. They may be buried in a related article or even another section of the code. For example, tree planting, maintenance and tree protection standards are often in another division of the municipal code and not even part of the landscape code. Definitions are often treated this was as well.

It is important when writing a landscape code to section the code into the three dominate parts. Part one should cover the context of the law. Part two should provide all of the design components and their related technical requirements. This part must address design, implementation and maintenance as well requirements for water conservation, irrigation, on-site storm water management and habitat preservation. Part three, which is often missing, or in some other part of the zoning code, should set forth all administrative procedures including landscape plan preparation, licensing requirements, permits, inspections, fees and penalties.