(A) Specifications.
(1) For the purpose of maintaining a compatible relationship between certain land uses, a screening requirement is established for the initiation and continuance of particular uses in such instances as may be hereafter designated.
(2) All junkyards, salvage yards, storage yards, outside storage yards, commercial vehicle and equipment parking lots, scrap yards, scrap metal reduction operations, garbage reduction operations, or similar operations to any of the afore listed, shall be completely enclosed with an opaque fence not less than eight feet in height. This fencing requirement is mandatory for all storage areas for inoperable vehicles or inoperable equipment in conjunction with repair shops or similar operations when such storage areas abut the residential or office districts or are visible from the public way.
(3) When the provisions of this code require the construction of a screening wall or fence as a condition for the initiation and subsequent continuance of a use, the screening wall or fence:
(a) Shall be constructed with customary fencing materials which are compatible with the surrounding area, and shall be designed and arranged to provide visual separation of uses irrespective of vegetation. Examples of customarily used fencing materials are:
1. Chain link fence with privacy slats;
2. Stockade type fencing material;
3. Decorative brick walls;
4. Previously used materials shall not be used except in the ease of bricks; and
5. Walls built with concrete or cinder block are prohibited;
(b) Shall not exceed three feet in height in any front yard or street side yard, but otherwise shall be six feet in height;
(c) Shall be constructed with all braces and supports on the interior, except when both sides are of the same design and appearance;
(d) Shall be erected prior to the occupancy of the building or initiation of the use required to be screened; and
(e) Shall not be topped by barbed wire, razor wire, and broken glass, and shall not be electrified.
(B) Maintenance. The screening wall or fence shall be maintained by the owner of the lot containing the use which requires the fence construction. Failure to maintain the screening wall or fence after notice by the duly appointed public official shall constitute an offense hereunder.
(C) Modification of the screening wall or fence requirement. The Board of Zoning Appeals, as a variance, may:
(1) Modify or remove the screening requirement where existing physical features provide visual separation of uses;
(2) Modify the screening requirement where an alternative screening will provide visual separation of uses;
(3) Grant an extension of time to erect a screen where properties which are to be benefitted by the screen are undeveloped; and
(4) Remove the screening requirement where the purpose of the screening requirement cannot be achieved.
(Ord. 12-16, passed 8-8-12)