§ 8.5.13. Fences and walls.

This section is intended to provide uniform, minimum technical standards for fences and walls included as elements in a landscape plan for buffering and screening purposes. All fences and walls, whether part of a landscape plan or not, must comply with the additional standards in subsection 8.16 (fence standards) and section 4.9.2.E. (additional setback requirements) of this Code.

A.

Fence and wall standards:

1.

Fences used for screening shall be at least six feet high and not taller than eight feet from the finished grade. Fences above six feet require a building permit. All walls used for screening require a building permit, and shall be no more than ten feet in height from the finished grade. Wall heights above ten feet require written approval by the planning director or a designated representative. Fences or walls may be combined with landscape berms to achieve the desired height, if berms are sized appropriately to provide adequate support for the fence or wall. If the use or element to be screened remains visible at six feet off-site, additional screening may be required. Items may be stored in the setback areas, but shall not be visible above the height of the fence or wall. At least 60 percent of the plants provided for buffering or screening along fences or walls must be on the side facing the public right-of-way, open space, residential area or other uses being buffered or screened.

2.

Fencing or walls used as a screen must not have breaks in the run of fences or walls, unless breaks are needed to prevent wind damage. Where breaks are necessary, the placement of trees or shrubs must conceal the view through the gaps.

3.

Where fences are designed with vertical picket boards on the alternate sides of the horizontal rail, the design must use plant materials or board widths sufficient to screen the view into the site between the pickets.

4.

Where required fences or walls continue for more than 40 feet, the design must include at least one tree and six shrubs for each 40-foot section. Four of the required shrubs must be of a variety that reaches a mature height of three feet, and two of the required shrubs must be of a variety that reaches a mature height of six feet. Alternating 40-foot sections of fence and wall can be constructed within three feet of the property line, so long as they do not interfere with site triangle requirements or create safety concerns.

5.

Required fences and walls must have a unifying theme and provide variation by using clearly visible changes in height or depth, different material combinations, offset angles or structural articulation and/or plant materials. These are in addition to the required plant materials.

6.

Chain link fencing, with or without slats, shall not be used for screening or buffering.

(Res. No. 07092013R005, Exh. A, 6-10-2013)