A. 
Purpose and intent. The purpose and intent of this section is to regulate the location and height of fences and walls to protect adjacent properties from the indiscriminate placement and unsightliness of fences and walls, and ensure the safety, security, and privacy of properties.
B. 
Applicability.
(1) 
The provisions of this section shall apply to all construction, substantial reconstruction, or replacement of fences or walls not required for support of a principal or accessory structure, and to any other linear barrier intended to delineate different portions of a lot.
(2) 
Temporary fences for construction sites and tree protection fencing are exempted from these standards, but shall comply with the requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building Code.
(3) 
In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this section and any screening standard in § 72-55.5, Screening, the standards in § 72-55.5 shall control.
A. 
General.
[Amended 1-10-2017 by Ord. No. 16-28]
(1) 
Fences or walls shall be located outside of the public right-of-way.
(2) 
Fences and walls are permitted on the property line between two or more parcels of land held in private ownership.
(3) 
Fences and walls may be located within any required yard.
B. 
In easements or around fire protection facilities. Fences located within utility easements or around fire protection facilities shall receive written authorization from the easement holder or the City (as appropriate). The City shall not be responsible for damage to, or the repair or replacement of, fences that must be removed to access such easements or facilities.
C. 
Blocking natural drainage flow. No fence or wall shall be installed in a manner or in a location so as to block or divert a natural drainage flow on to or off of any other land, unless the fence or wall has specifically been approved as part of an approved stormwater management plan. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the installation of temporary fencing to protect existing trees, or as part of an approved erosion and sediment control plan.
D. 
Within buffers. Fences and walls shall be installed so as not to disturb or damage existing vegetation or installed plant material, to the maximum extent practicable. The perimeter fencing or wall for a single development shall be of a uniform style that complies with the standards of this section.
[Amended 1-10-2017 by Ord. No. 16-28]
A. 
All fences and walls shall conform to the standards in Table 72-56.2, Fence and Wall Height. In all cases, heights are measured from established grade on the highest side of the fence or wall (see Figure 72-56.2, Fence and Wall Location).
[Amended 9-8-2020 by Ord. No. 20-17]
Table 72-56.2: Fence and Wall Height (effective date January 10, 2017)
Zoning District
Location
Maximum Height
(inches)
Residential
Any location on a vacant lot
48
Residential
Commercial
Planned development
Creative Maker
Between a front lot line and the front of the principal building
48
Within a secondary front yard
48
Any other location on the lot
72
Industrial
Between the front lot line and the front of the principal building
72
Within a secondary front yard
72
Any other location on the lot
96
Any zoning district
Within a sight triangle
40
B. 
The following exceptions to the general height regulations apply to corner and through lots:
[Amended 9-8-2020 by Ord. No. 20-17]
Zoning District
Location
Special Circumstance
Maximum Height
Residential
Commercial
Planned development
Creative Maker
Secondary front yard
The secondary front yard abuts a primary front yard of another lot.
72 inches if the fence is no closer to the secondary front property line than the front of the abutting principal structure.
The secondary front yard abuts the secondary front yard of another lot.
72 inches
An accessory structure is located within the secondary front yard.
72 inches if the fence is no closer to the secondary front lot line than any side of the accessory structure
C. 
The Zoning Administrator may approve fences or walls exceeding six feet in height in any side or rear yard in a residential, commercial, Creative Maker, or planned zoning district, if the adjacent property is in a nonresidential zoning district, or if there are unique topographic or other physical circumstances on the property that were not created by the property owner. The Zoning Administrator may condition approval on a prescribed setback from the property line.
[Amended 9-8-2020 by Ord. No. 20-17]
D. 
The Zoning Administrator may approve fences or walls exceeding the maximum height in any yard in an industrial district if there are unique topographic or other physical circumstances not created by the property owner. The Zoning Administrator may condition approval on a prescribed setback from the property line.
E. 
No fence or wall shall be constructed in a manner or in a location that impairs safety or sight lines for pedestrians and vehicles traveling on public rights-of-way.
Figure 72-56.2. Fence and Wall Location (effective date: January 10, 2017)
All fences and walls and associated landscaping shall be maintained in good repair and in a safe and attractive condition. The owner of the property on which a fence or wall is located shall be responsible for maintenance, including but not limited to, the replacement of missing, decayed, or broken structural and decorative elements. All fences and walls shall receive regular structural maintenance to prevent and address sagging and weathering of surfaces visible from the public right-of-way. Any deteriorated, damaged, or decayed fence materials shall be repaired.
[Added 1-10-2017 by Ord. No. 16-28; amended 9-8-2020 by Ord. No. 20-17]
No barbed wire, razor wire, or similar fence material is permitted in a residential, planned development, or commercial zoning district or on a lot containing or adjacent to a residential use. No chain link, wire, unpainted cinder block, nonpaintable plastic, or barbed wire is permitted in the Creative Maker District.