NYC Tree Requirements for Public Plazas

This New York City Zoning Resolution outlines detailed landscaping requirements for public plazas, emphasizing the integration of trees and permeable surfaces. All public plazas must include at least four trees, with larger plazas requiring additional tree caliper inches based on square footage. Trees must be planted in at least 200 cubic feet of soil with a minimum depth of 3 feet, 6 inches, and at least 50% must be flush-to-grade with a surrounding porous surface — such as grating or open-joint paving — that allows water infiltration within a minimum radius of 2 feet, 6 inches. These porous surfaces must support pedestrian movement and tree growth. Additionally, planting beds for trees must offer at least 75 square feet per tree, with continuous permeable surfaces measuring at least 5 feet square. Street trees must also be planted adjacent to public plazas unless deemed infeasible, in which case off-site planting provisions apply. All planted areas must use species tolerant to minimal watering or be equipped with automatic irrigation systems, and planted areas above subsurface structures require drainage systems to avoid water pooling.