Apex, NC Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Site plan or subdivision approval required
- Pervious area
- 350 sq ft per canopy tree
- Min. planting width
- 10 feet if bounded by pavement
- Geographic reach
- Town limits plus mapped ETJ
- Source instrument
- UDO, codified July 2021
Summary
New developments along Apex thoroughfares must install streetscape buffer trees in linear or clustered plantings, giving each large canopy tree at least 350 square feet of pervious ground for root growth.
Street trees may be installed in a linear fashion or in clusters or groupings of larger and/or small trees in combination with associated plantings so as to enhance the visual appearance of the streetscape and views from adjacent
properties.
Each large canopy tree in the streetscape shall be provided with at least 350 square feet of pervious ground area for root growth. Any planting area bounded by a built-upon area shall be at least 10 feet wide.
Where there is a vehicular use area between the right-of-way of the thoroughfare and a permanent building, the streetscape shall provide a semi-opaque screen or barrier between the right-of- way and the vehicular use area. The screen or barrier may consist of existing vegetation, plants, earthen berms, decorative entry fences (not privacy), walls, or any combination thereof that meets the following requirements:
The screen shall occupy the entire 100% length of the vehicular use area except for sidewalks and driveways. All vehicular use areas must be screened from off-site view. Plant material shall be at least 2 feet tall above the ground at the time of installation and must reach a height of 3 feet within 3 years.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Apex's Unified Development Ordinance requires any use that needs site plan or subdivision plan approval to install a planted streetscape buffer along every thoroughfare it abuts (UDO Sec. 8.2.6). Street trees may be set in a straight line or grouped in clusters of large and small trees. Each large canopy tree must get at least 350 square feet of pervious ground for root growth, and any planting area boxed in by pavement must be at least 10 feet wide. The rule applies inside the Apex town limits and the town's mapped extraterritorial jurisdiction in Wake County; it comes from the July 2021 UDO codification, not the more recently amended general Town Code.
Violations & Fines
Required as a condition of site plan and subdivision approval; the Planning Department can withhold approval or a certificate of occupancy until the streetscape buffer meets Sec. 8.2.6, with further enforcement under UDO Article 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this street tree rule apply outside the Apex town limits?
Does an existing single-family home have to add street trees?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Apex
Compare Apex to another location·View the North Carolina tree protection overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Parkway Planting in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wake County handle parkway planting.