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Athens City Code

Source snapshot: 2026-09-15. Check the municipal source for later changes. Municipal source ↗ · Download full document · Markdown

Contents14-161 Hardships

14-161 Hardships

Original section ↗ · Link to this section

  1. (1) Intent. This chapter does not intend to create undue hardship on affected properties. The required landscaping should not exceed 15 percent of the total lot area. For existing developments, where the GFA or parking areas are being increased, the loss of off-street parking spaces (required by the zoning ordinance) as a result of compliance with the landscaping provisions should not exceed ten percent.
  2. (2) Special administrative remedies. Lots with a depth of 150 feet or less, or an area of 15,000 square feet or less, have the following special exceptions:
    1. (a) An automatic 50 percent reduction in landscape yard depth requirements for screening, street yard, and parking lot landscaping sections; and
    2. (b) A 25 percent reduction in planting requirements for all sections except for the required evergreen plantings for screening. Lots, which front on more than one street, have the following special exception: All street frontages other than the primary street frontage may have a street yard with a minimum depth of four feet. In situations where the landscape requirements would result in the demolition of an existing building, a loss of more than ten percent of the gross required off-street parking for an existing development, or a loss greater than 15 percent of the lot area for development, the following administrative remedies may be applied:
      1. (i) Reduce the required minimum landscaped area widths up to 50 percent; and
      2. (ii) Reduce the tree planting requirements by up to 25 percent.
  3. (3) Administrative guidelines.
    1. (a) Where possible, reduction of landscaping requirements in one area should be offset by an increase of landscaping requirements in other portions of the site.
    2. (b) The first priority is to provide trees along the street frontage.
    3. (c) The second priority is to provide trees within portions of the parking lot that are highly visible from the street.
    4. (d) A screen should always be provided if it is required by this chapter. Where there are space limitations or potential sight distance problems, the landscape yard shall be reduced as necessary. If the planting area is less than five feet in width, a minimum six-foot-tall wood or composite fence or masonry wall shall be required.