(A) Walls and fences. A wall or fence shall be permitted along any lot line in any Agriculture, Suburban Ranch, Residential Estate, Low Density Residential, Medium Density Residential, High Density Residential or Transitional District, provided, however, that no wall or fence more than three feet in height shall be permitted within a required front yard setback area.
(B) Development abutting canals, laterals or drainage channels.
(1) Any lands proposed for residential development adjacent to actively used (non-abandoned) canals, laterals or drainage channels shall have construction thereon a barrier wall to mitigate potential property damage from flooding and to protect the health, safety and general welfare of community residents.
(2) As a general rule, the following guidelines apply to the construction of barrier walls adjoining canals, laterals or drainage channels:
(a) When proposed residential development abuts a canal or lateral the barrier wall shall be a wall of solid masonry material at least six feet high, subject to the provisions of division (B)(2)(d) below;
(b) When proposed residential development abuts a drainage channel the barrier wall may be a wrought iron fence of the same height in lieu of solid masonry;
(c) A wrought iron fence in lieu of solid masonry may be constructed when a canal or lateral abuts a roadway and a solid masonry wall exists on the opposite side of the street protecting the adjoining development;
(d) The topography of the proposed development and its relation to abutting canals, laterals or drainage channels will also affect the type of barrier wall and its height. To this end, the developer of the proposed development shall coordinate with the city and, in consultation with the irrigation district or water users’ association, determine the optimal barrier wall type, height and configuration, as well as public access points to linear parks and pathways, possible emergency access points and access points to canals, laterals and drainage channels at street crossings;
(e) All barrier wall construction shall meet the minimum requirements of the city, construction standard detail drawings, as amended;
(f) The barrier wall shall be located outside the right-of-way and any existing work or facility including embankments and access roads; and
(g) A one-foot non-access easement shall be required outside the irrigation district or water users’ association border or the existing work or facility including embankments or access roads.
(Ord. O2006-11, passed 1-18-2006; Ord. O2010-32, passed 7-7-2010)
(C) Residential subdivisions. All exterior subdivision fencing shall be six feet in height from the high ground side, constructed of masonry, sealed with an anti-graffiti coating, and shall be placed contiguous with the subdivision boundaries. Access gates, whether vehicular or pedestrian, shall not be permitted along the exterior masonry fencing for the subdivision. Such fencing can be temporarily removed during the construction of pools, in order to access utility or drainage easements, or during other residential construction as authorized through an encroachment permit issued by the City of Yuma; however, such masonry fencing and adjacent landscaping will need to be replaced accordingly upon completion of construction activity.
(Ord. O2022-043, passed 9-21-2022)