§ 6.01 OBSCURING WALLS AND FENCES.

   Where permitted or required by this Ordinance, obscuring walls and fences shall be subject to the requirements in this section. An obscuring wall or fence is one where more than 50% of the vertical surface is opaque so as to obstruct vision or prevent observation of activities enclosed in the fence .

   A.   Location. Required obscuring walls and fences shall be placed inside and adjacent to the lot line except in the following instances:

      1.   Underground utilities. Where underground utilities interfere with placement of the wall at the property line , the wall shall be placed on the utility easement line located nearest the property line .

      2.   Front setback requirements. Where this Ordinance requires conformance with front setback standards in the R-1 and R-1-S Districts, the Planning Commission may modify or waive the wall or fence requirements provided the intent of this section is complied with.

   B.   Time of construction. Wherever construction of an obscuring wall or fence is required adjacent to residentially zoned or used property, the wall shall be installed prior to the beginning of site grading and general construction, except where such activity would result in damage to the wall or fence , in which case the wall or fence shall be constructed as soon as feasible after construction commences.

   C.   Wall and fence specifications. For the uses and districts listed below, an obscuring wall or fence shall be provided as specified along property lines that abut a lot in an R-1, R-1-S, RR, RE or AG-SF District or a lot in any zoning district that is used for residential purposes. The height of the wall or fence shall be measured from ground level adjacent to the wall or fence , provided that fill shall not be permitted for the purpose of achieving a higher fence than otherwise would be permitted.

 

Proposed Use	Wall or Fence Height Requirements
	Minimum	Maximum
Any Off-Street Parking, including P-1, Vehicular Parking District	4.5 feet	6.0 feet
Office or Commercial District	4.5 feet	6.0 feet
Industrial District	6 feet, or minimum required to completely screen storage, loading, and service areas	8.0 feet
Utility Buildings, Substations	6.0 feet	6.0 feet

 

   D.   Substitution or waiver. 

      As a substitute for a required obscuring wall or fence , the Planning Commission may, in its review of the site plan, approve the use of other existing or proposed living landscape features (such as closely spaced evergreens) that would produce substantially the same results in terms of screening, durability, and permanence. Any such substitute screening shall comply with the applicable requirements in § 5.02.

      The Planning Commission may waive the requirements for an obscuring wall or fence upon making the determination that:

      1.   The adjoining residential district is in transition and will become nonresidential in the future; or

      2.   Existing physical features provide adequate screening; or

      3.   The abutting residential district is a sufficient distance (at least 200 feet) from the area or district to be screened so that the Planning Commission determines the screening is unnecessary to meet the intent of the Ordinance; or

      4.   The abutting residential district is separated from the area or district to be screened by an arterial or collector road .

   E.   Non-required fences in nonresidential districts. Fences , other than required obscuring walls and fences , shall be permitted in nonresidential districts, subject to the following conditions:

      1.   Location. Fences shall be permitted in the rear or side yard of nonresidential districts, provided that no fence shall extend closer toward the front of the lot than the portion of the principal structure closest to the front lot line . These restrictions shall not apply to agricultural uses.

      2.   Height. Fences in nonresidential districts shall not exceed eight feet in height.

(Ord. passed 7-9-2013)