Container Plantings

Plantings fully contained within above ground planters or containers that rest on top of pavement or another surface. Usually decorative containers, of a variety of sizes and shapes, which support small trees and understory plantings including shrubs, grasses, perennials and bulbs. Planters are only permitted where In-Ground Plantings or Raised Plantings cannot be achieved. When sited appropriately and properly maintained, planters provide many of the same benefits as in-ground plantings. Any planter installed on public right-of-way needs to be reviewed and approved by DOT and will require an agreement outlining maintenance responsibilities.

168th Street, Manhattan
Greenwich Street, Manhattan

Benefits

Review Benefits of Plantings in the ROW

  • Planters allow for vegetation where in-ground planting is not feasible

Considerations

Review Key Considerations

Siting and Context

  • Locate planters so as to not displace legally operating street vendors
  • Planters should be contextually appropriate, and special care must be taken when sited near artwork. PDC review is required for planters sited within 75 feet of an artwork
  • Maintain pedestrian circulation and desire lines
  • Consider the impact of planter dimensions on the visual corridor and avoid contributing to visual clutter or blocking sight lines of major thoroughfares.
  • Consider integrating planters with adjacent privately-owned publicly-accessible space and look for opportunities to group planters together where spacing allows

Environmental

  • Consider the environmental and physical stresses plants must endure. Litter/debris, vandalism, and theft are all common; plants will have to accommodate wider swings in temperature as the soil is exposed

Maintenance

  • Frequent watering is required to maintain healthy plants; ensure planters have proper drainage
  • Planters may only be installed if a maintenance plan has been submitted and approved by DOT and an agreement is in place

Application

  • Located only on sidewalks that cannot support standard street trees or in-ground planting; appropriate supporting documentation (utility plans, underground constraints, documentation from DPR, etc.) must be submitted to DOT for review and approval

Design

Refer to DOT’s Permanent Planter Design Guidelines for more information; planters that follow these guidelines do not require PDC approval

Size, Siting, and Design

  • Must be capable of providing suitable soil volume and drainage to allow small trees to thrive; planters should provide a minimum 54 cubic feet of soil volume and may vary in dimension, with a 3-feet height preferred and a 4-feet height maximum
  • 8 feet or 50%, whichever is greater, of the sidewalk width must remain clear for 15 feet on either side of the planter; DOT may require more or less clearance based on the corridor type as defined in the Pedestrian Mobility Plan
  • Review Planter in Furnishings for further guidance on the design of the container
  • Ensure a reveal on the bottom of the planter and design the planter to be moveable
  • Planters should allow for uneven or sloped sidewalks while remaining level
  • Provide positive drainage via appropriately designed weep holes or a similar method to prevent the accumulation of standing water

Planting

  • Review the Plant Finder for plants that perform well in the right-of-way. Plant selection must always be made based on site-specific conditions
  • Permanent planters must include a small-canopy tree; exceptions may be made in certain circumstances
  • Ensure plants provide year-round interest or are rotated out each season so the planters are consistently filled; at no time should a planter be empty
  • Plants should be drought-tolerant and one to two USDA zones hardier to increase winter survival potential as soil is less insulated. Plants should also be tolerant of limited soil volume and selected so as to not obstruct sight lines
  • Plants that cascade over the container edge may be considered

 

Permanent planter

168th Street, Manhattan

 

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