Subject to the following conditions, fences and walls may be erected and hedges and other plantings may be grown along the boundaries of a lot.
(A) Clear sight triangle. Fences, hedges, other plantings, or walls at street corners shall not interfere with any clear sight triangle. The height of such objects is restricted to three and one-half feet within the clear sight triangle. No fence, hedge, other plantings, or walls shall otherwise impose a threat to the public safety, including by obstructing the view of motorists to oncoming traffic or pedestrians.
(B) Height restrictions. Fences, walls, hedges, and other plantings used for the purpose of screening shall not exceed 42 inches in height from the front building line extending to the front lot line, and shall not exceed six feet in height extending behind the front building line of the main structure, excluding porches and stairs.
(C) Fences and walls.
(1) Fences and walls shall be durably constructed and well maintained.
(2) Fences and walls that have deteriorated shall be replaced or removed immediately.
(3) Fence and walls shall not be constructed out of fabric, junk, junk vehicles, appliances, tanks, barrels, razor wire, or barbed wire. Electric fencing shall only be used to protect a garden, provided that electric fencing shall not exceed 48 inches in height, shall not be located in the front yard, and shall post a warning sign on each side of the fence that reads “Warning - Electric Fence” at intervals of not more than 50 feet.
(4) The finished side of the fence shall be oriented toward the front of the lot or the direction of the adjacent property owner, unless the fence is not visible from adjoining property.
(D) Landscaped buffer areas.
(1) Five foot landscaped buffer areas are the preferred method of buffering. However, where a buffer strip is considered to be impracticable or inappropriate, an opaque fence at least six feet in height, in the rear or side yard, or four feet in height in the front yard so as to restrict a clear view beyond said buffer may be substituted in whole or in part for a natural buffer, subject to approval by the Zoning Officer.
(2) Landscaped buffer areas shall be continually maintained by the landowner. Any plant material that does not survive shall be replaced within six months. All landscaping shall be kept free of refuse and debris.
(3) Landscaped buffer areas may be required by the Board of Zoning Appeals as a condition of a conditional use permit.
(4) Landscaped buffer areas shall not be required where the lot abuts an area of existing natural vegetation that effectively screens the lot from casual observation to a height of at least eight feet
(5) All species within the screen planting shall be indigenous or otherwise well-suited to the city, except that trees with large leaves which could clog storm drains; trees that are brittle, disease- prone, have low, spreading branches or shallow root systems; trees that drop large fruit or much sap; or any plantings that are otherwise messy shall also be avoided.
(6) Hedges shall be kept trimmed so that their branches shall not extend into the public road, or upon the lands of an adjoining owner, more than 18 inches over the dividing line.
(E) Location of buffer areas. Landscaped buffer areas shall be provided between any new multi- family, commercial, or industrial development that is adjacent to single-family residential property (existing or zoned) or adjacent to any dwelling, which landscaping shall be at least five feet wide and at least five feet high, subject to height limitations contained within this section.
(F) Tree placement. At least one tree for each 50 linear feet shall be planted in a landscaping strip in addition to other planting materials.
(G) Barriers. Landscaped areas shall be protected from the encroachment of vehicles by use of curbing, wheel stops, bollards, fencing, or other approved barriers.
(H) Sight lines. The landscaped areas shall not obstruct sight distances for motorists or pedestrians, nor shall such landscaping create any potential hazard to public safety.
(Ord. passed 6-3-2019)