Section 9.08 Retaining Walls

   (1)   The height of a retaining wall shall be measured from the outside finished grade (facing the property line) to the top of the wall. Open rail or wrought iron fencing placed on top of a retaining wall is allowed up to a height of three (3) feet in a required yard (building setback) and six (6) feet in height in the buildable area on the lot or parcel. The additional height of an open rail fence is not included in the height measurement of the retaining wall. The height of an open rail fence is measured from inside finished grade to the top of the rail. (Ord. #2007-05)

Figure 9.1: Measuring height of retaining walls.

   (2)   Retaining walls within the required yard (building setback) shall not exceed four and one-half (4-1/2) feet in height from outside finished grade. Any retaining wall, which outside (facing the property line) finished grade is higher than the inside finished grade and is located within the required front yard setback shall have an exterior finish of either split face block, natural stone and/or stone veneer. Any exterior lights placed on the wall within the required front yard setback shall consist of down lights. Light fixtures placed on top of a retaining wall within the required front yard are prohibited. (Ord. #2007-05)

   (3)   In the buildable area the maximum height of a retaining wall or a combination of retaining walls shall not exceed seven (7) feet in height from finished grade unless a greater height is approved by the Development Review Board. Any combination of retaining walls requiring Board approval shall contain split face block, natural stone and/or stone veneer applied along the entire outside (towards the property line) frontage. (Ord. #2007-05)

   (4)   Retaining walls shall be terraced if the wall height exceeds five (5) feet from finished grade. Additionally, the upper retaining wall shall not exceed four (4) feet in height and there shall be a minimum of four (4) feet of level ground between the walls. This area between the walls shall be landscaped with drought tolerant plant materials to help mask the upper section of the wall. (Ord. #2007-05)