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We have seen that land development regulations build modern American cities. Landscape codes contained within them protect, preserve and rebuild nature in new developing suburbs and within redevelopment areas within older parts of the city. There are several interesting land development codes across the U.S. that provide a picture of the structure of such development rules.
Land development codes (LDRs) are written to implement comprehensive plans. Current land development codes consist of public policy on planning procedures, zoning, building standards, development standards and subdivision regulations. Community infrastructure, such as roads, drains and utilities are also important features of LDRs. In addition, and more important to landscape architects, land development codes include landscape regulations. These may be postconstruction landscaping requirements regarding trees, land clearing controls, open space and environment preservation strategies. Protection is provided for sensitive lands?EUR??,,????'?????<
Some emerging issues of land development regulations are sustainability, green building and urban forest canopy development policies. The latter results from the debate on global warming and the role trees play in carbon sequestration and oxygen production.
The LDRs referenced below are based upon traditional zoning, performance-based zoning and form-based coding theory. They offer insight into how varied land development regulations can be.
Pierce County, Wash. has adopted design standards and guidelines as a means of controlling land development in this state. In a very graphic manner, these regulations are presented to control the development of land through well thought-out design standards for landscaping, architecture, parking and circulation, site drainage, vegetation retention, open space, rural path ways, noise barriers and lot development.
The principles illustrated in the individual design standards chapter of this LDR are intended to implement the goals, objectives, and policies of the Pierce County Comprehensive Plan by encouraging development that is compatible with and complementary of good design. Additional information concerning land development in the Pacific Northwest can be found at www.mrsc.org.
Howard, County, Md.
Howard, County, Md. adopted their land development regulations in 1961. They have been amended five times with the most recent being the 5th Edition, December 2009.
In addition, the code provides several design manuals meant to ensure land use is consistent with transportation, water and sewer elements of the general plan, zoning regulations and zoning map. Maryland?EUR??,,????'?????<
The Howard County Landscape Manual is the technical resource used to establish minimum standards of performance for preparing landscape plans for compliance with the LDRs. The manual can be accessed at www.howardcountymd.gov/DPZ/dpzpublicationsreports.htm#landscape.
A supplement to Howard County?EUR??,,????'?????<
North Miami
The city of North Miami, Florida adopted an on-line version of land development regulations in April 2009. This ordinance was created under the provisions of the Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act. The LDRs eliminated obsolete elements of the old zoning code and address the challenges of the city?EUR??,,????'?????<www.northmiamifl.gov/cityhall/ecity/news.asp?news_id=299&offset=&more=True
Hudson County, N.J.
The Hudson County, New Jersey land development regulations are very special. They have been written to promote smart growth and sustainability for this suburban New York City community. The authority for this code is derived from the New Jersey County Planning Act, and as amended and supplemented with associated documents. The Appendix to the code?EUR??,,????'?????<www.hudsoncountynj.org/planning/default.asp.
Charleston County, S.C.
The Planning Act of 1994 mandates that all South Carolina counties must bring plans and zoning ordinances into conformity with the provisions of this act. Charleston County, working with several local governments?EUR??,,????'?????<www.charlestoncity.info/shared/docs/0/charlestongreenplanweb.pdf
The land development code comprises 12 chapters that range from development review to subdivision regulations to development standards directed toward design. The sections that pertain to landscape architecture are found in Chapter 9, Development Standards. This chapter includes regulations and design standards for parking, tree protection, landscaping, screening, buffers, architectural and landscape design standards, critical areas, historic preservation, drainage, and vision clearance. Landscape design standards include standards for parking, paving, planting, lighting, screening, buffering, storm water management and circulation planning. The intent of the landscaping design guidelines is to reduce the visibility of paved areas from adjacent properties and streets, moderate climatic effects, minimize noise and glare and enhance public safety by defining spaces to influence traffic movement. Landscaping will reduce the amount of storm water runoff and provide transition between neighboring properties.
Francisco Uviña, University of New Mexico
Hardscape Oasis in Litchfield Park
Ash Nochian, Ph.D. Landscape Architect
November 12th, 2025
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