All accessory buildings shall be
constructed to be architecturally consistent with the main building.
A building permit is required for all accessory structures and buildings.
(Ordinance
2022-07-18-03 adopted 7/18/22)
(a)
General standards.
(1)
A building permit is required for the following:
(A) Any new fence or screening structure construction.
(B) Any fence or screening structure repair that alters
the location, design, or specifications of the existing fence or screening
structure.
(2)
No fences of any type shall be placed on any lot which by reason
of high walls, excessive height, etc., will unreasonably obscure the
view from a dwelling located or reasonably likely to be located upon
an abutting lot. (For this purpose, "abutting lot" includes a lot
separated only by a street from an adjacent lot.)
(3)
No fence of any type, including invisible fences installed to
prohibit animals from leaving private property, shall encroach into
the street or golf course setbacks. Exceptions:
(A) Required safety railing and guardrails.
(B) Fences up to 15 feet into a non-primary street-side
setback.
(4)
Wood fences are prohibited on lots abutting a golf course where
the wood fence would be visible from the golf course.
(5)
All fences shall be constructed so that all fence runs are finished
on both sides of the fence. Stringers shall have pickets on both sides.
Fence posts that are placed on the inside of a fence that encloses
a yard do not have to be matched on the outside of the fence.
(6)
Masonry supporting structures shall be constructed of rock,
brick or stucco and shall be a minimum of fourteen (14) inches by
fourteen (14) inches and shall be at least as high as the approved
fence height, but will not exceed the approved fence height by more
than six (6) inches.
(7)
Masonry supporting structures shall be placed on steel reinforced
concrete footings. Such footing shall be placed into virgin soil or
solid bearing and shall be at least two (2) inches larger on all sides
of the masonry structure and a minimum of eight (8) inches in depth.
(8)
Fences located over dedicated utility/drainage easements may
have to be removed should access to such easements be required by
any authorized utility company or be required to provide adequate
drainage from areas of higher elevation. Replacement of fences shall
be at the owner's expense.
(9)
For those fenced developments or projects which have keyed or
coded access through a gate, the developer or owner shall provide
keys or codes to the city police department and a key switch for the
Travis County ESD #6 Fire Department.
(10)
Lattice materials may be used for privacy screening (such as
the screening of a hot tub, patio or porch) provided they extend no
more than twelve (12) feet in length, are no more than eight (8) feet
in height. Lattice fences must use panels with a minimum thickness
of 3/8 inches. Each lattice panel shall be framed.
(11)
Plans for masonry walls, or any portion thereof, four (4) feet
or greater in height shall be signed and sealed by a registered professional
engineer or architect. Masonry walls are measured from the base of
the footing to the top of the wall. Dry stack walls are measured from
the grade under the lowest layer to the top of the wall.
(12)
All fences shall be maintained in good condition.
(13)
All fences, including wood, wrought-iron, and ornamental fencing,
shall be continuous flat-topped without spikes or sharp points.
(b)
Subdivision perimeter fencing.
(1)
Subdivision perimeter fencing is fencing that is installed with
the development of a subdivision with the intent to provide a uniform
border around the perimeter of the subdivision.
(2)
Subdivision perimeter fencing up to six (6) feet in height may
be approved administratively. Subdivision perimeter fencing up to
eight (8) feet in height may be approved by the city building commission
(CBC) as a waiver.
(c)
Yard fences.
(1)
Yard fences are those which enclose a yard to provide security
and/or to provide privacy.
(2)
Yard fences shall be constructed of wood, wrought iron, masonry
or pre-cast concrete.
(3)
Yard fences up to six (6) feet in height may be approved administratively.
Yard fences up to eight (8) feet in height may be approved by the
code official or authorized designee.
(4)
At least one end of a yard fence shall terminate at the residential
unit with which it is associated.
(5)
Yard fences should be located on property lines whenever possible.
Yard fences shall not encroach in the street-side or golf course setbacks.
Exceptions:
(A) The code official or authorized designee may approve
a waiver for encroachment of a yard fence into a setback when such
fence is extended to connect with a subdivision perimeter fence.
(B) Required safety railing and guardrails.
(C) Fences up to 15 feet into a non-primary street-side
setback.
(6)
Wood yard fences:
(A) Yard fences constructed of wood shall have masonry
supporting structures, or supporting structures of an architecturally
superior design as approved by the code official, spaced at least
every twelve (12) feet along those portions of the fence facing the
street or lake beginning with one column at the fence end on the side
lotline.
(B) Exception: For duplexes constructed prior to 1995
and located within R-4, duplex zoned districts, masonry supporting
structures shall be located:
(i) Along fence runs facing a street at the point one
property line meets another; and
(ii) At the corners of those fences facing two streets.
(7)
Areas used for the storage of materials or equipment in nonresidential
areas shall be screened from view from the street and all adjoining
properties through the use of wood, masonry or pre-cast concrete yard
fences.
(8)
Masonry or pre-cast concrete yard fences may be required in
nonresidential areas to abate noise.
(d)
Safety railings.
(1)
Exterior wood, rock, or concrete
walkways, driveways, retaining walls, pool aprons, or other accessible
areas which exceed thirty (30) inches but less than six (6) feet above
grade shall have safety railings or plants substantial in size and
density to serve the same purpose. Continuing steps or walkways with
slopes exceeding fifteen (15) percent shall be provided with safety
railing. Safety railing installed within the floodplain must be metal
and may have to be removed during flooding situations. This type of
safety railing is a rail or obstruction no more than forty-two (42)
inches high with one horizontal member located approximately thirty-six
(36) inches above grade. Safety railing will not take the place of
required handrails or guardrails.
(2)
Exterior wood, rock, or concrete
walkways, driveways, retaining walls, pool aprons, or other accessible
areas which exceed six (6) feet above grade shall have safety railings
which meet the requirements of a guardrail. This type of safety railing
shall be a minimum of thirty-six (36) inches in height, with vertical
pickets spaced less than four (4) inches, and meet all other code
requirements.
(3)
Stormwater detention and water quality
ponds holding a water level of twenty-three (23) inches or more shall
be protected with a fence for public safety. This fence shall be a
minimum of forty-eight (48) inches in height with vertical pickets
spaced less than four (4) inches apart and shall be constructed of
solid wood, masonry, stone or wrought iron. All fences shall have
at least one gate for maintenance access and shall be equipped to
accommodate a locking device that will remain locked at all times.
(e)
Guardrails.
(1)
Porches, balconies or raised floor
surfaces located more than thirty (30) inches above the floor or grade
below shall have guardrails not less than thirty-six (36) inches in
height.
(2)
Required guardrails shall be constructed
of wrought iron, wood (finished and identical on both sides), steel,
or a pre-cast concrete railing system. Materials not approved for
guardrails include welded fabric, hog or chicken wire, or similar
products. Guardrails shall be constructed in accordance with current
code requirements.
(3)
Guardrails do not meet the requirement
for pool enclosures.
(Ordinance 2019-08-26-02 adopted 8/26/19; Ordinance 2024-04-15-05 adopted 4/15/2024; Ordinance 2024-05-20-01 adopted 5/20/2024)
(a)
Generally.
Decks exceeding 200 square feet in area, not attached
to the main home or constructed more than 30-inches above the natural
grade require a permit.
(b)
Screening of open area beneath
decks.
(1)
The open area beneath decks (two
(2) feet or more) will be screened from view.
(2)
Exceptions: If a deck is a second-story
deck.
(c)
Concrete patios and decks.
The exterior face (2' or more) of
a concrete deck or patio shall be architecturally consistent with
the main structure, using the same exterior materials (if applicable).
(Ordinance 2019-08-26-02 adopted 8/26/19)
(a)
Aboveground, one-piece, or temporary
swimming pools are prohibited.
(1)
Exceptions: Permanently installed
swim spas, hot tubs.
(Ordinance 2019-08-26-02 adopted 8/26/19)
(a)
Location.
(1)
Gazebos, playhouses, trampolines
and playscapes may not be located within any building setback, public
utility easement or drainage easement and must be located at least
ten (10) feet from any property line.
(2)
Basketball goals must be located
at least twenty-five (25) feet from the hard surface of the street
and at least fifteen (15) feet from the nearest structure on an adjoining
property.
(b)
Maximum height.
(1)
Gazebos, playhouses, playscapes
trampolines.
No portion of
the structure may extend more than twelve (12) feet above the natural
ground under the structure.
(Ordinance 2019-08-26-02 adopted 8/26/19)
(a)
Permit required.
A permit is required to construct, reconstruct,
replace, or install a boat dock within the city. (In this case, “boat
dock” includes swim docks.) In approving a permit, the code
official or authorized designee shall consider the level of boating
traffic in the area, the impact on the rights and privileges of adjacent
property owners, possible interference with the ingress and egress
of adjacent properties, and the health and safety of the general public.
(b)
Location.
(1)
Anchors, docks and ramps must be
located within the area formed by extending the side property lines
into the lake, or, where property ownership extends into the water,
the boat dock must be located over the boat dock owner’s property
only.
(2)
Boat docks shall be positioned so
that marine vehicle access to the slips can be gained without intruding
in front of the adjoining lots.
(3)
Reasonable ingress and egress shall
be provided between all docks sufficient to preserve each private
property owner’s rights of ingress and egress to enter or exit
the lake.
(4)
Exception: Whenever the mean sea level elevation of Lake Travis is less than 670 feet, the requirements in subsections
(1),
(2), and
(3) above are suspended. Boat docks may be repositioned within the same cove as permitted, as long as permission is obtained from the person owning the property over which the dock is to be located. This does not grant permission to anyone to place a dock over or attached to the property of any other owner without permission. In addition, the repositioned dock may not block access to another dock nor may it adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or property of others.
(c)
Identification.
(1)
All boat docks shall be identified
by the house address number, which will be placed on the dock so that
it is visible from the lake. The numbers shall be at least four inches
(4") in height and shall be reflective.
(2)
Upon completion, the permit holder
shall provide the city with a photograph, taken from the water, of
the new dock.
(d)
Additional requirements.
(1)
All covered docks shall have a fire
extinguisher attached thereto and be readily accessible. This fire
extinguisher shall be separate from extinguishers in boats.
(2)
All docks shall be constructed and
maintained as structurally sound and pose no threats to life or property.
(3)
Flexibility of the wiring system
shall be maintained between floating structures and the supply conductors.
All wiring shall be so installed that motion of the water surface
and changes in the water level will not result in unsafe conditions.
Connections to electrical service shall be located one (1) foot above
the floodplain.
(4)
Encased flotation material shall
be used on all new or renovated boat docks. Flotation material shall
be kept free of vegetation.
(5)
Boat docks which may pose a hazard
to navigation shall install safety lighting. Safety lighting shall
adequately define the presence of all structures located on or over
the water surface. The dock shall be continuously lighted from sunset
to sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility. Lighting shall
be located and configured or shielded so as not to present a hazard
to navigation.
(6)
Boat docks exceeding 1,499 square
feet are required to have additional permits from the Lower Colorado
River Authority (LCRA).
(7)
Boat docks not located on the main
channel of the lake shall be no larger than 1,000 square feet.
(Ordinance 2019-08-26-02 adopted 8/26/19)
(a)
Permit required.
A permit is required to construct, reconstruct,
or replace an accessory building within the city. In approving a permit,
the code official or authorized designee shall ensure the accessory
building, such as a casita, guest house, garage apartment, or the
like, is wholly incidental to the main structure.
(b)
Location.
In a single-family or multifamily district, an accessory
building is a subordinate or incidental building detached from the
main building, not used for commercial purposes and not rented. Accessory
buildings shall follow the setback requirements of the main structure.
(Ordinance
2022-07-18-03 adopted 7/18/22)
(a)
Accessory structures are not permitted
without a main structure.
(b)
Accessory structures may be permitted
in residential zoning districts and, except for hangars, shall not
exceed the height or half the footprint area of the main structure.
(c)
Accessory buildings may include a
combination of living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation but
shall not include both a full cooking area and a full bathroom.
(d)
Accessory dwelling units are not
permitted.
(e)
Accessory buildings, except for hangars
on residential lots, shall not be rented or leased.
(Ordinance
2022-07-18-03 adopted 7/18/22)