Mebane, NC Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Mebane City Code § 38-94
- Minimum strip width
- 5 feet along the right-of-way
- Large shade tree rate
- 1 per 50 linear feet, min. 2-inch caliper
- Small ornamental tree rate
- 1 per 35 linear feet, min. 1-inch caliper
- Civil penalty
- $25.00 per violation (§ 38-103)
- Dead plant replacement
- Within one calendar year (§ 38-101)
Summary
In the City of Mebane, North Carolina, Sec. 38-94 requires any property abutting a public right-of-way to install a landscaped planting strip at least five feet wide running the full length of the property's frontage, with each streetscape tree given a minimum four-and-a-half-foot radius planting area. The strip must carry a set ratio of large shade trees or small ornamental trees, reviewed as part of the required landscape plan.
For any property abutting a public right-of-way, the following shall be required: (1)A perimeter planting strip, exclusive of access drives, adjacent to the public right-of-way with a minimum width of five feet, provided each streetscape tree shall have a minimum 4½-foot radius planting area. The strip's total length shall be equal to the total length of the property line adjacent to the public right-of-way.(2)Trees shall be planted within the planting strip according to one of the following requirements:a.One large shade tree for every 50 linear feet of planting strip or fraction thereof equal to or greater than 25 feet. Each tree shall be a minimum of two-inch caliper and have a minimum height of ten feet from the ground surface. A multistem tree shall be a minimum of ten feet in height from the ground surface.b.One small size ornamental tree for every 35 linear feet of planting strip or fraction thereof equal to or greater than 18 feet. Each tree shall be a minimum of one-inch caliper and have a minimum height of six feet from the ground surface. Multistem trees shall be a minimum of six feet in height from the ground surface.
Full Breakdown
Mebane requires a landscape plan for every project needing a city-approved site plan, and separately for all commercial, industrial and office-institutional projects filed with a building permit application (Sec. 38-92). For property abutting a public right-of-way, Sec. 38-94 requires a perimeter planting strip, exclusive of access drives, at least five feet wide and running the full length of the property line adjacent to the right-of-way, with each streetscape tree given a minimum 4½-foot radius planting area. Trees must be planted at a rate of one large shade tree, minimum two-inch caliper and ten feet tall, per 50 linear feet of strip (or fraction of 25 feet or more), or one small ornamental tree, minimum one-inch caliper and six feet tall, per 35 linear feet (or fraction of 18 feet or more), or a proportional combination of both.
A large shade tree is defined as one exceeding 35 feet at maturity and a small ornamental tree as one under that height, with caliper measured six inches above grade for trees up to four inches, and 12 inches above grade for larger stock (Sec. 38-93). Minimum spacing is 15 feet between large shade trees and eight feet between small ornamental trees (Sec. 38-99). Existing trees may satisfy all or part of the requirement if the owner shows they will be protected during and after construction (Secs.
38-97, 38-98), and any dead or missing required plant must be replaced with a like plant within one calendar year (Sec. 38-101). The city may inspect sites and serve a notice to comply by registered mail (Sec. 38-102).
Violations & Fines
Failing to install or maintain the required streetscape planting strip is a misdemeanor under Sec. 38-103, punishable per Sec. 1-6, plus a separate $25.00 civil penalty for the act itself. Each day a violation continues after a final written notice counts as a separate offense, and the penalty cannot be appealed to the city council if the owner missed the beautification committee's window to object; an unpaid penalty may be collected as a civil debt if not paid within ten days of the final notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every property need a street-side planting strip in Mebane?
How many trees does the planting strip need?
Can an existing tree count toward the planting strip requirement?
What happens if the required trees die or the strip is never installed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mebane
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