§ 138-3361. Specific requirements.

(a)

Noise. Every use shall be operated so as to comply with chapter 58, article XII of the Pinellas County Code.

(b)

Screening. Non-residential uses shall provide screening and/or buffering around certain outdoor land use activities that abut residential property for the purpose of mitigating undesirable impacts relating to noise, glare, and visual clutter. Where additional buffering/screening is required in other portions of this Code, the stricter standard shall apply. The following screening requirements shall apply:

(1)

This requirement shall apply to the following land use activities that are within 50 feet of residential properties:

a.

Accommodation uses including hotels/motels and bed and breakfast establishments;

b.

Commercial agricultural activities;

c.

Drive-thru facilities;

d.

Kennels;

e.

Manufacturing and other industrial processing activities;

f.

Material and heavy equipment storage;

g.

Outdoor dining/drinking areas;

h.

Outdoor sales;

i.

Service and loading areas;

j.

Sports fields;

k.

Vehicle sales;

l.

Vehicle washing and detailing; and

m.

Other similar uses as determined by the county administrator or designee.

(2)

When buffering/screening is required, the non-residential land use activity shall provide one or both of the following:

a.

A six-foot high opaque fence or wall shall be provided around the applicable land use activity for the portions that abut residential properties;

b.

A ten-foot wide landscape buffer shall be provided around the applicable land use activity for the portions that abut the residential properties that includes a continuous hedge and a canopy tree every ten feet;

c.

Areas of access and sight visibility standards are exempt from providing either of the aforementioned buffering/screening options; or

d.

Other screening/buffering methods may be allowed provided that the resulting situation meets the buffering intent. This may be approved as part of the site plan review process.

(3)

All industrial process activities (welding, spray painting, fabrication or manufacture of products, equipment repair and similar processes) that are within 300 feet of residential properties shall be within completely enclosed buildings.

(c)

Pollution, visible emissions, dust, dirt, odors and fumes. Every use shall be operated so as to prevent the emission of smoke, dust, fumes or any other pollutant as defined by the State Department of Environmental Protection and chapter 58, article IV of the Pinellas County Code, from any source whatsoever in quantity or at a level which is or may be potentially harmful or injurious to human health or welfare, animal or plant life, or property; or unreasonably interfere with the enjoyment of life or property, including outdoor recreation; or in excess of that specified or allowed by any state or county permit. Any operation which emits or can reasonably be expected to emit any pollutant shall obtain an appropriate permit from the Department of Environmental Protection and/or the county.

(d)

Industrial sewage and waste. Every use shall be so operated as to prevent the discharge into any stream, lake, or the ground of waste or other matter in amounts which will exceed the maximum standards established by local, federal or state law.

(e)

Fire and safety hazard. Each use shall be so operated as to minimize the danger from fire and explosion.

(1)

All uses which are determined to be of a hazardous nature, using the standards set forth by NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), shall be provided with additional setbacks as determined by the above-mentioned NFPA standards.

(2)

Such additional setbacks, if any, shall be determined by the county fire administrator during review of plans.

(f)

Outdoor lighting. Refer to section 138-3509, outdoor lighting.

(Ord. No. 18-36 , § 3(Att. B), 10-23-18)