Sec. 10-322. Bufferyard Types

   a.    “Type A” Bufferyard

      1.   Applicability

         A “Type A” buffer yard is used to separate the following abutting districts a) single-family residential zoning districts from higher-density residential districts and b) all residential districts from light commercial, restricted professional office, and institutional districts. (Ord. No. 0-2012-38, 4/25/12)

      2.   Type A Bufferyard Composition

         A “Type A” buffer yard must consist of one of the following:

         (a)   A 10-foot-wide planting area with an average of one tree of 6” DBH or larger at maturity per 50 feet or one evergreen shrub per 50 linear feet;

         (b)   A 7.5-foot-wide planting area with an average of two trees of 6” DBH or larger at maturityand two evergreen shrubs per 50 linear feet; or (Ord. No. 0-2009-19; 3/11/09)

         (c)   A 5-foot-wide planting area with an average of two trees of 6" DBH or larger at maturity and two shrubs of any type per 50 linear feet. (Ord. No. 0-2009-19; 3/11/09)

         (d)   A 5-foot-wide planting area with an average of one medium or large evergreen tree of 6" DBH or larger at a maturity for each 50 linear feet of buffer yard spaced no more than 35 feet apart to provide additional screening above a required solid six-foot screening wall constructed of brick, stone, reinforced concrete, or other similar two-sided masonry materials. Wood (redwood, cedar, or other preservative pressure treated wood), may be used as long as a continuous masonry wall (one foot height minimum) on a concrete footer is installed. The wooden panels must be separated by masonry columns spaced no further apart than 20 feet. (Ord. No. 0-2010-119; 11/10/10)

   b.    “Type B” Bufferyard

      1.   Applicability

         A Type "B" bufferyard is used to separate a) general commercial (C-2), planned commercial (PCD) and high-intensity planned mixed zoning districts (PMXD-2) from any other nonresidential districts; and b) commercial and office districts from any residential district. (Ord. No. 0-2009-19; 3/11/09)

      2.   Type B Bufferyard Composition

A Type B bufferyard must consist of one of the following:

         (a)   A 20-foot-wide planting area with an average of one tree of 6" DBH or larger at maturity per 50 linear feet spaced no more than 35 feet apart;

         (b)   A 15-foot-wide planting area with an average of one tree of 6" DBH or larger at maturity and one shrub per 35 linear feet; or

         (c)   A 10-foot-wide planting area with an average of two trees of 6" DBH or larter at maturity and two shrubs per 35 linear feet.

         (d)   A 10-foot-wide planning area with an average of one medium or large evergreen tree of 6" DBH or larger at maturity for each 50 linear feet of buffer yard, spaced no more than 35 feet apart to provide additional screening above a required solid six-foot screening wall constructed of brick, stone, reinforced concrete, or other similar two-sided masonry materials. Wood (redwood, cedar, or other preservative pressure treated wood), may be used as long as a continuous masonry wall (one foot height minimum) on a concrete footer is installed. The wooden panels must be separated by masonry columns spaced no further apart than 20 feet. (Ord. No. 0-2010-119; 11/10/10)

  

   c.    “Type C” Bufferyard

      1.   Applicability

         A Type C bufferyard is used to separate industrial districts (M-1 and M-2) from all other zoning districts.

      2.   Type C Bufferyard Composition

         A “Type C” buffer yard must consist of one of the following options:

         (a)   A 10-foot-wide planting area with an average of two evergreen trees of 6" DBH or larger at maturity for each 50 linear feet of buffer yard, spaced no more than 35 feet apart to provide additional screening above a required solid six-foot screening wall constructed of brick, stone, reinforced concrete, wood, or other similar two-sided masonry materials; or

         (b)   A 30-foot-wide planting area with a berm at least three feet tall and minimum 4:1 side slope, with an average of four shrubs at the top of the berm per 50 linear feet.

         (c)   A 50-foot-wide buffer area with existing tree canopy equal to at least one tree per 50'. (Ord. No. 0-2010-20, 3/10/10)

Sec. 10-323 - 329. Reserved

DIVISION C. Fences and Walls

Sec. 10-330. Purpose

This division is intended to guide the construction of fences and retaining walls within the city in any of the zoning districts provided that the fences and retaining walls comply with the requirements of this code as to location, height, and composition. (Ord. No. 0-2021-23; 3/24/21)

Sec. 10-331. Required Conditions

In all cases, fences and retaining walls must meet the following:

   a.   Location and Height

      1.   Fences generally may be constructed along the rear and side property lines, if located entirely on private property and not in excess of the maximum height allowed.

      2.   Fences must not be designed or constructed so as to interfere with traffic sight visibility. Fences determined to cause immediate danger may be removed by the city. (Ord. No. 0-2010-119; 11/10/10) (Ord. No. 0-2013-16; 2/27/13)

      3.   Fencing requirements in residential districts including “AR”:

         (a)   Fences located in the front yard, along the front property line and/or the side property line(s), to a depth less than or equal to the required front yard setback of shall be restricted to a maximum height of four feet. Such fences shall be at least 50 percent open and any concrete or masonry footing, not including any required retaining walls, shall be limited to 24 inches from grade. Fence materials shall be in accordance with subsection b. of this Section. For Key Lots as defined in this Chapter, the maximum height of a fence erected in the designated front and side yards of a lot which is zoned residential and is adjacent to the rear yard of an abutting lot, may exceed the four foot maximum height limitation. This does not apply to fences spanning the width of the front yard. Where applicable, all fencing or walls must not interfere with traffic sight visibility or public safety. (Ord. No. 0-2010-119; 11/11/10) (Ord. No. 0-2017-100; 11/8/17) (Ord. No. 0-2018-83; 10/24/18)

         (b)   Fences located in the rear or side yards, along the rear property line or the side property line(s), at a depth greater than the required front yard setback, are restricted to a maximum height of eight feet.

         (c)   Driveway gates shall not be built within the required front yard setback in residentially zoned districts, unless in accordance with a “PUR” final site plan. Legal nonconforming driveway gates must be replaced within six months of removal to maintain nonconforming status. (Ord. No. 0-2017-100; 11/8/17)

      4.   Fencing requirements for commercial, industrial and other non-residential districts:
         (a) Fences located in the front yard, along the front property line and/or the side property line(s), to a depth less than or equal to the required front yard setback, are restricted to a maximum height of eight feet. (Ord. No. 0-2017-100; 11/8/17)
         (b) Fences located in the rear or side yards, along the rear property line or the side property line(s), at a depth greater than the required front yard setback, are restricted to a maximum height of 15 feet. (Ord. No. 0-2017-100; 11/8/17)

   b.   Fence Materials

      1.   Composition of fences is restricted to materials commonly used in fence construction, e.g., wood, chain link wire materials (e.g. chain link, chicken wire, hog wire, etc.), brick, wrought iron or other iron material, stone, pipe, and concrete. Chain link wire materials and pipe fencing is prohibited within the front yard setback

      2.   Fences composed of tires, bumpers or other new or used materials, not commonly used in fence construction, are prohibited in all zoning districts.

      3.   The use of barbed wire, razor wire, concertina wire, or similar materials is prohibited in all zoning districts with the exception of on the top of the fence in all yards for uses in the M-1 and M-2 districts, the top of the fence in the rear yard for C-2 districts, for bona fide agricultural uses and in any district where state or federal law requires facilities to install such fencing. The Planning Director may grant a property owner permission to use such fencing materials on a limited basis and in areas where there will be little or no visibility from the public right of way. (Ord. No. 0-2017-100; 11/8/17)

   c.   Fences on Through Lots

      The requirement of this code that "through lots" having frontage on two streets, observe the required front yard setback on both streets, will generally apply to the location and height of fences erected on such through lots. Fences in both the designated front and rear yard of through lots, are restricted to a maximum height of four feet in residentially zoned districts and eight feet in commercial, industrial and other non-residential districts, so as to conform to the maximum fence height along either street frontage.

   d.   Exceptions to Fence Height

      There are certain circumstances whereby the maximum height of a fence erected in the designated rear yard of a through lot, which is zoned residential, may exceed the four foot maximum height limitation, including:

      1.   Where the designated rear yard of a through lot is adjacent to a four or six- lane arterial; or

      2.   Where the designated rear yard of a through lot is across the street from property zoned and developed for industrial use.

   e.   Retaining walls

      Retaining walls shall be in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 6, Section 6-11 of these Ordinances. (ORD. 0-97-62, 12/10/97); (Ord. No. 0-2021-23; 3/24/21)

Sec. 10-332. Use- and Zone-Specific Fence Standards

   a.   Front Yard Fencing in R-MF Zone

      In areas zoned R-MF where the property is in use as a multi-family residential development or as religious institution, educational facility, hospital or nursing facility, the fence may not exceed six feet within the required front yard.

   b.   Through Lot Fencing

      Where a through lot results in a back yard being a front yard for neighboring properties, fencing shall not exceed four feet in height within the extended front yard setback for adjoining lots.