Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary and in addition to any other requirement, the following provisions shall apply:
(a) A fence or screen wall may be constructed along or upon common property lines and across any utility easement so as to allow maximum use of the area to be enclosed. Any application for a fence or screen wall within a utility or drainage easement shall be referred to the City Engineer for review and approval prior to issuance of a permit. Fences or screen walls placed on utility easements shall provide access to manholes, utility boxes, cleanouts or other apparatus that may be used from time to time for maintenance of the utility.
(b) A fence or screen wall shall not be located within three feet of a utility box, manhole or other apparatus that may be used for maintenance of the utility. When a fence or screen wall obstructs access to a utility box, manhole or other public apparatus for maintaining utilities, the owner shall be required to remove such fence or screen wall at his expense without remuneration from the City.
(c) Except for a fence or screen wall that is the same on both sides, such as split rail fences or board on board fences, fences or screen walls shall be erected so that no exposed posts or supporting cross-elements face the public right-of-way or any lot other than the lot on which the fence is to be constructed.
(d) All fences and screen walls shall be erected to withstand a fifteen pound horizontal wind pressure, shall be placed perpendicular to the ground and shall be substantially and properly supported according to standard practice.
(e) Fencing and screen walls shall not be topped with sharp points such as may readily result in bodily injury and no portion of fencing shall be of barbed wire.
(f) Where solid fences or screen walls are erected and where a water drainage situation occurs, such problem shall be disposed of by placing adequate outlets at the bottom of the fence or screen wall to eliminate possible accumulation of stagnant water or other undesirable conditions.
(g) Fences and screen walls shall be installed plumb and the top finish shall be uniform. Fences and screen walls shall follow the contour of the ground as far as is practical. Adjustments for grade shall occur at the bottom of the fence. Where adjustments for grade changes are severe enough to require stepping, a minimum of eight feet (8') of uniform fence run or sixteen feet (16') of uniform screen wall run shall be maintained prior to each step.
(h) Except as approved or required by the Building Commissioner, all fences shall extend to the ground grade, or the bottom of the fence panels shall be no higher than six inches (6") above the ground grade. All screen walls shall extend to the ground grade, or the bottom of the screen wall shall be no higher than twelve inches (12") above the ground grade.
(i) Screen walls shall be installed so that all posts and structural members are covered with a finish material to within at least twelve inches but no closer than eight inches of grade unless treated for ground contact. Materials shall be listed for exterior use and be compatible with the structure to which it is adjoined.
(j) The height of a screen wall that is attached to the main structure shall not exceed six feet (6') above the floor, deck, balcony, or patio and must comply to all setback requirements of the main structure. The height above grade of the screen wall that is independent from the main structure or does not meet the setback requirements for main structures shall comply with regulation in the Zoning Code for a fence. (Exception: a screen wall used to provide privacy for a swimming pool that complies with the accessory use requirements and setbacks may be built to a height of six feet (6') above the floor level of an attached deck or the water surface.)
(Ord. 2011-93. Passed 9-20-11.)