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(A) Stormwater Devices
Culverts, rip rap structures, lakes, and other stormwater-related devices must be landscaped to reduce their visual impacts. This landscape screening must consist of evergreen plantings and be part of the approved landscape plan. Placement of these structures must allow adequate width for the installation of plantings on all sides of the structure. Vegetation shall be provided along the shorelines of lakes or ponds to prevent erosion and provide for an aesthetically appropriate environment, particularly when the shore is accessible to pedestrians.
(B) Mechanical and Utility Equipment
(1) Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and other mechanical and utility equipment, including but not limited to hoses, pipes, vents, fans, compressors, pumps, and heating and cooling units, ground based electrical transformers, telephone, or cable junction boxes, which are located on, beside, or adjacent to any building or development, shall be fully screened from the view of streets and adjacent property.
(2) The screen shall exceed the height of the equipment, shall not interfere with the operation of the equipment, and shall use building materials and design which are compatible with those used for the exterior of the principal building.
(3) Where mechanical and utility equipment is located on the roof of a structure, all devices shall be fully screened from the view of streets or adjacent property after grading or other improvements are made outside or adjacent to the site.
(4) The Planning Director may require mufflers or other noise reducing technique on mechanical and utility equipment in developments adjacent to existing or future residential projects to mitigate noise impact (refer to Town Code for noise requirements).
(5) Utility equipment and facilities associated with on-site electric, cable, telephone, gas or other similar utility, including ground-based electrical transformers and power meters, shall be placed in service areas on the sides or rear of buildings, and shall be screened, to the extent possible, with evergreen plantings or other acceptable alternative approved by the Planning Director. (This requirement applies to both residential and non-residential developments). Areas around this equipment and facilities shall remain clear based on each utility company’s guidelines.
(C) Trash Containment Areas
Developments must account for disposal of trash, including trash and recycling containment devices. Restaurants, large retail establishments and other similar businesses must indicate how they plan to address cardboard recycling prior to site and/or subdivision plan approval. All trash containment devices, including compactors, dumpsters, and recycling drop-off bins, shall be located and designed so as not to be visible from the view of adjacent streets and properties. If the device is not visible from off the site, then it need not be screened. The type of screening used shall be determined based on the proposed location of the trash containment area, existing site conditions, and the type and amount of existing and proposed vegetation on the site. All such areas shall meet the following standards:
(1) All trash containment areas shall be enclosed so as to not be seen off-site and be enclosed with solid gates to contain windblown litter. In addition, the Planning Director may require self-closing gates for such enclosures.
(2) The enclosure shall be at least eight feet tall or two feet taller than the highest point of the compactor or dumpster, whichever is greater.
(3) The enclosure shall be made of a material that is opaque at the time of installation and compatible with the design and materials of the principal building. The material shall be masonry or other material that matches the building material; however, wood and other similar material may be used for gates, provided that interior bollards are installed to protect the enclosure from damage caused by unloading the trash container.
(4) All compactors and dumpsters shall be placed on a concrete pad that is large enough to provide adequate support, allows for positive drainage, and conforms to the Wake County Health Department regulations governing compactor pads.
(5) The Planning Director may require some uses to install a pad and screening enclosure large enough to accommodate both a trash container as well as a recycling container for cardboard.
(6) The enclosure shall contain gates to allow for access and security (gates must be maintained in good working order).
(7) The enclosure shall be kept free of litter, debris, and residue.
(8) The dumpster or compactor shall be accessible to the handicapped.
(9) All recycling drop-off containers
and storage bins, with the exception of roll-out carts located in
townhouse and multi-family developments and
recycling containers located on school sites,
shall be screened from view to at least 50 percent of the height of the
containers and bins in the station. The screen may be fencing or
plantings. If plantings are used, the plants must reach the
required height within three years of planting. Roll out carts
shall be a neutral or earth tone color, not be visible from a public
street, and be located within the interior of the development. Drop-off
containers and storage bins shall be located no closer than 50 feet to a lot occupied
by a dwelling. 
Cary, NC Land Development Ordinance On-line VIC Version - This site last updated 3/4/2008
Note: This is not the official version of the Cary Land Development Ordinance