All walls and landscape berms of any nature, type or description located in the City of Maumee must conform to the following regulations:
(a) Approval Required. The erection, construction or alteration of any wall or other type of protective barrier must be approved by the Zoning Administrator (or designee) as to conformance with the requirements of the zoning district and this section.
(b) General Wall and Landscape Berm Standards.
(1) Wall or landscape berm height measurement. The height of a wall or landscape berm will be measured using the following method:
A. The permitted height of all walls and landscape berms will be measured from the ground elevation adjacent to the wall or berm, as determined by the Zoning Administrator (or designee).
B. Where elevations differ by more than four (4) feet within ten (10) feet of side or rear lot lines, the Zoning Administrator (or designee) may allow additional wall or landscape berm height for the property at the lower elevation.
C. The permitted height of walls will not be measured from an area of the ground that has been built-up or constructed in a manner that would have the effect of allowing a taller wall than permitted by this chapter (e.g. the height of walls erected on a berm will be measured from the finished grade adjacent to the edge of the berm).
(2) Masonry walls. Masonry walls must be constructed of the same or complementary building material to that of the principal structure and must be un-pierced (except for pedestrian and vehicular connections) and have a decorative cap. Cement or slag blocks will not be permitted.
(3) Decorative fences, walls and landscape berms. Fences, walls, and landscape berms which are two and a one-half (2½) feet or less in height are considered decorative and do not require a permit.
(4) Landscape berms. Where provided, landscape berms must conform to the following standards.
A. Berms must comply with the height restrictions for walls in subsection (c) of this section, but in no case may they be maintained at a continuous height. All berms must be undulating and include gaps where deemed necessary.
B. Sides of the berm must be constructed with slopes no steeper than one (1) foot vertical for each five (5) feet horizontal unless otherwise approved by the Zoning Administrator.
C. In measuring slope and height, grade elevation will be the average ground elevation adjacent to the proposed berm.
D. Side slopes must be protected from erosion by sod, seed or other living ground cover. If slopes are seeded, they must be protected until the seed germinates and a permanent lawn is established.
(c) Walls in Commercial and Industrial Districts.
(1) No wall may exceed eight (8) feet in height, unless otherwise approved by the Zoning Administrator (or designee).
(2) No walls may be located in the required and addressed front yard.
(3) All walls must be ornamental in nature and should be made of brick, stone, and similar replication of these materials unless a varied material is approved by the Zoning Administrator for the purpose of conforming to architectural standards elsewhere on the property.
(d) Temporary Protective Fencing Associated with Construction Projects. During construction, protective fencing must be placed around existing vegetation proposed for preservation and other site elements which cannot be easily removed or stored.
(1) Proposed protective fencing must be clearly identified on the landscape plan. The Zoning Administrator (or designee) must also determine compliance with these standards.
(2) Protective fencing cannot be located closer that one (1) foot outside the perimeter of the following, as identified on the landscape plan:
A. The drip lines of existing trees and shrubs; and
B. Planting beds and other site element.
(3) Materials.
A. Fencing must be comprised of high density polyethylene mesh fabric or chain link with a nominal two-inch diamond design not less than forty-eight (48) inches above grade.
B. Steel posts must be at least eight (8) feet long and at least one (1) inch wide with a nominal weight of one (1) pounds per foot exclusive of the anchor plate. Steel posts must include an anchor plate and be notched, studded or have other means for holding the fabric in place on the post.
C. Fencing must be attached to each post with at least five (5) eleven (11) gauge galvanized or aluminum coated wire fasteners.
(4) Installation.
A. Install steel posts a maximum of ten (10) feet apart. Steel posts must be installed plumb with a post driver into undisturbed earth. Bent or broken posts are prohibited. Line posts shall have a minimum bury depth of thirty (30) inches. Corner posts shall have a minimum bury depth of forty-two (42) inches and must be braced as necessary to ensure that the posts remains plumb and the protective fencing remains taut once it is attached.
B. Install line posts with the anchor plate turned to parallel with the fencing. Install corner posts with the steel plate turned to cross the inside of the angle formed by the fence runs on each side of the corner post.
C. Stretch fence fabric taut and fasten to each post using wire fasteners. Fasteners must be spaced no greater than twelve (12) inches apart on the steel posts with the bottom fastener being located no more than two (2) inches above the ground.
(5) Maintenance. The temporary fencing must be regularly inspected and any broken sections of fence must be immediately removed and replaced. Bent or leaning posts must be removed, replaced and anchoring methods improved so that the posts remain plumb. Fence fasteners must be visually inspected and replaced should any be found to have come undone or to have torn through the protective fencing.
(6) Duration. The installation and removal of temporary fencing associated with a construction project must coincide with the start and completion of the construction project.
(Ord. 093-2020. Passed 7-6-20.)