Concord, NC Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Class 1 street yard width
- 8 feet minimum
- Shade tree spacing
- 1 tree per 40 to 50 feet
- Planting strip location
- between curb and sidewalk
- Sight triangle rule
- no trees within 75 ft of stop sign
- Soil prep depth
- tilled 24 inches before planting
Summary
Concord's Development Ordinance requires an 8-foot-wide street yard along residential streets, with one shade tree for every 40 to 50 feet of frontage, planted in the right-of-way strip between the curb and sidewalk. Street trees cannot be planted within 75 feet of a stop sign, and the planting soil must be tilled to 24 inches before anything goes in the ground.
11.7.4. Level 1 Residential Street Yard Requirements
1. Class 1 Residential Street Yards shall be located in the street right-of-way planting strip between the curb and sidewalk. The use of a level 1 Street Yard for commercial development would require Administrator approval.
2. Before planting, the soil within the planting strip shall be de-compacted by mechanical tillage to a minimum depth of 24 inches along the entire planting strip. The soil shall also meet the requirements of 11.8.3. ... B. Site Triangles. Corner lots, and in situations where driveways and alleys intersect with street rights-of-way, shall be kept free of landscaping and plant materials that interfere with the vision of a motorist or pedestrian. Street trees shall not be planted on public streets within 75' of a Stop condition.
Full Breakdown
24 per linear foot. The Administrator may approve substituting two ornamental trees for one shade tree where a large shade tree would conflict with infrastructure, if the applicant identifies the conflict on the landscape plan. 3, before planting begins. 5 adds two design rules: where overhead power lines run through the street yard, only ornamental trees may be planted there, and at corner lots and driveway or alley intersections, street trees and other landscaping must stay clear of the sight triangle that protects a motorist's or pedestrian's view.
Street trees specifically cannot be planted within 75 feet of a stop condition on a public street, and street yards may not be located inside a public utility easement for water, sewer, electric or telecommunications service.
Violations & Fines
Removing or failing to install required street yard trees is a violation of the Development Ordinance under Section 1.5.2. Code Enforcement issues a notice of violation with a 7-day warning period; a first offense left uncorrected draws a $100-per-day civil penalty, and a repeat offense within 36 months carries an immediate $300 per day, collected as a civil debt in the General Court of Justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Concord require street trees to be planted?
How far apart must street trees be spaced in Concord?
Can a street tree be planted near a stop sign in Concord?
Do overhead power lines change what type of street tree Concord requires?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Concord
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