Athens TransparencyPublic records. Clearer understanding.
Menu

About the records

Start with a question.
Follow it to the record.
Independent civic research
← References

Athens City Code

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

Contents14-167 Screening Requirements

14-167 Screening Requirements

Original section ↗ · Link to this section

  1. (1) Intent. To provide a transition between incompatible land uses and to protect the integrity of less-intensive uses from more intensive uses, screening and buffering will be required. The purpose of the screen is to provide a year-round visual obstruction. The buffer provides transition between the incompatible uses by requiring a landscape yard of a minimum specified depth along the shared property line.
  2. (2) Procedure. The procedure for determining screening requirements shall be as follows: Refer to the matrix below to determine any screening requirements for the proposed development. First, identify the type of zoning for the proposed development (along the left side of the matrix) and each adjoining property (along the top of the matrix). Find where the zoning of the proposed development and each adjoining property intersect on the matrix. If a screen is required, a capital letter will indicate the type of screen to be applied. A description of each screen type is provided below.

    Existing


    		Manufacturing/WarehousingCommercialOfficeHigh-Density ResidentialLow-Density Residential
    Manufacturing/ warehousing∆CBAA
    Commercial∆∆∆BB
    Office∆∆∆CC
    Residential (high-density)ABC∆C
    No screen or buffer required = ∆

    Zoning Districts

    Manufacturing/warehousingI-1 and I-2
    CommercialB-1, B-2, B-3 and B-4
    OfficeM-1 and P-1
    Residential (high-density)R-2, R-3, and R-4
    Residential (low-density)R-E and R-1
  3. (3) Screening types. The screening types shall be as follows:
    1. (a) Type A. 30-foot deep landscape yard planted with:
      1. (i) Evergreen trees spaced a maximum of ten feet on-center or two staggered rows (spaced a maximum of seven feet apart) of shrubs spaced a maximum of eight feet on-center; and two rows of shade trees spaced a maximum of 35 feet on-center.
      2. (ii) All plantings shall be of a species common to southeast Tennessee.
    2. (b) Type B. 20-foot deep landscape yard planted with:
      1. (i) Evergreen trees spaced a maximum of ten feet on-center or two staggered rows (spaced a maximum of seven feet apart) of shrubs spaced a maximum of eight feet on-center; and one row of shade trees spaced a maximum of 35 feet on-center.
      2. (ii) All plantings shall be of a species common to southeast Tennessee.
    3. (c) Type C. Ten-foot deep landscape yard planted with:
      1. (i) Evergreen trees spaced a maximum of ten feet on-center or two staggered rows (spaced a maximum of seven feet apart) of shrubs spaced a maximum of eight feet on-center.
      2. (ii) All plantings shall be of a species common to southeast Tennessee.
    4. (d) Type D. Dumpsters to be screened in the manner described below:
      1. (i) Screening shall be a minimum height of six feet;
      2. (ii) All four sides of the dumpster shall be screened;
      3. (iii) The screen should incorporate access to the dumpster by using a wood fence or other opaque device to serve as a gate;
      4. (iv) Screening materials can be any combination of evergreen plantings, wood, composite or masonry material.
    5. (e) Type E. Stormwater facilities located in the landscaped yard subject to the following conditions:
      1. (i) Trees and other living organic materials can be planted along stormwater facility.