The following standards shall apply to all fences, walls and hedges located in any commercial or industrial district.
A. Except for retaining walls, the height of a fence, wall or hedge shall be measured from the highest finished grade on either side of any fence, wall, or hedge.
B. Fences, walls and/or hedges shall be measured as a single unit if built or planted within three feet of each other.
C. Corner cutoff area. There shall be a corner cutoff area at the intersection of any two streets, a street and alley, or any two alleys. The corner cutoff area shall be measured from a point not less than thirty feet from the intersection of the two property lines. Nothing in excess of three feet in height, with the exception of buildings, may be located within the corner cutoff. This includes fences, walls, monument signs, hedges and other landscaping. Where due to an irregularly shaped lot, or a lot on a curved street, when a typical corner cutoff area cannot be provided, an area shall be established which will adequately protect intersection visibility. Such area shall be approved by the Director of Community Development.
D. Permitted fences, walls and hedges. Fences, walls, and hedges not greater than six feet in height shall be permitted on or within all rear and side property lines and on or to the rear of all front setback lines. No fence, wall, or hedge over four feet (commercial) or three feet (industrial) in height shall be permitted in any required front yard or in the required street-side of a corner lot.
E. Exceptions. The Director of Community Development may permit fences, hedges, and walls in excess of six feet where it is determined that the additional height is necessary due to unusual site conditions such as sloped lots, grade differences between lots, existing adjacent development or, specialized security needs. However, in no event shall a fence, wall, or hedge be permitted in excess of ten feet.
F. Retaining wall - protecting cut below natural grade. Where a retaining wall protects a cut below natural grade and is located within three feet of a property line separating lots, such retaining wall may be topped by a fence, wall, or hedge, but the height shall be measured from the highest actual finished grade on either side.
G. Retaining wall - containing fill. When a retaining wall contains a fill, the height of the retaining wall built to retain the fill shall be considered as contributing to the permissible height of a fence, solid wall, or hedge, providing that in any event a protective fence or wall not more than 42 inches in height, as measured from the grade retained, may be erected at the top of such retaining wall and any portion of such fence, wall or hedge above the otherwise permitted height shall comply with Section 20.04.291.
H. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to set aside or reduce the requirements for fencing by local, state, or federal law or regulation. (Ord. 2021-05-1519 § 5 (part))