The use of fencing and screening by other measures reduces visual, noise, and lighting impacts on adjacent properties and provides visual separation and physical buffers between land uses. It also serves to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community by eliminating dangerous conditions and preserving property values.
(Ord. 16-018 § 6 (Att. B), 2016)
A. 
In residential zoning districts, the height of a fence within the front yard shall be:
1. 
Thirty-six inches or less for sight-obstructing fences; or
2. 
Forty-eight inches or less for non-sight-obstructing fences, such as chain link fences.
B. 
In residential zoning districts, fences shall not exceed eight feet in height when located on a flanking, side, or rear yard behind the minimum required front yard setback line. Lots with double street frontage may have a fence on the property line not used as the main point of access (the apparent rear yard).
C. 
In nonresidential zoning districts, fences shall not exceed eight feet in height without a conditional use permit except as provided in SVMC § 22.70.020(H).
D. 
The height of a fence shall be measured from the base of the fence.
E. 
In nonresidential zoning districts, barbed wire may be used for security purposes only on the upper one-quarter of the fence unless the use is adjacent to a residential zoning district, in which case no barbed wire shall be allowed on the portion of the fence adjacent to the residential zoning district. An administrative exception may be granted by the city manager or designee for public utility distribution or transmission facilities seeking relief from barbed wire requirements.
F. 
In residential zoning districts, barbed wire fences may only be used to confine animals if the parcel meets the animal raising and keeping requirements contained in SVMC § 19.65.020.
G. 
Barbed wire shall not project outside of the property line or into the public right-of-way.
H. 
Electric fences shall only be allowed to enclose outdoor storage areas in nonresidential zoning districts or to confine animals in residential zoning districts. Electric fences shall not be allowed for any other purpose. Electric fences shall:
1. 
Not exceed 10 feet in height when used for outdoor storage or eight feet in height when used to confine animals;
2. 
Be clearly marked with warning signs at least 24 square inches in area located every 60 feet;
3. 
Be surrounded by a non-electrical fence located within 12 inches of the electrical fence;
4. 
Have an energizer driven by a commercial storage battery that does not exceed 12 volts DC; and
5. 
Not produce a charge upon contact that exceeds the energizer characteristics set forth in paragraph 22.108 and depicted in Figure 102 of International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 60335-2-76.
I. 
Fences and all sight obstructions including vegetation shall be located outside of the clearview triangle pursuant to SVMC § 22.70.030 and shall not block the view of fire protection equipment.
(Ord. 16-018 § 6 (Att. B), 2016; Ord. 17-004 § 3, 2017; Ord. 20-003 § 3, 2020)
A. 
A sight distance is the length of roadway visible to a driver. The clearview triangle is the triangular area calculated at the intersection of two streets or the intersection of an alley, private street or driveway, and a street to provide the required sight distance and provide unobstructed vision to motorists and pedestrians.
1. 
For commercial approaches, alley approaches, and stop sign controlled intersections, the clearview triangle shall be calculated pursuant to Table 22.70-1 and Figure 22.70-1.
Table 22.70-1 – Clearview Triangle Calculation for Controlled Intersections
Case Type
Through Street Speed Limit (mph)1
Distance to Point A in Feet
Required Sight Distance1,2,3 (BC) in Feet
Commercial approaches, alley approaches, and stop sign controlled intersections2
25
15
280
30
335
35
390
Signal controlled intersection, yield controlled or all-way stop sign controlled
Per AASHTO Green Book
Notes:
1. Required sight distance shall be adjusted for grades three percent or greater, more than two lanes, skewed intersections, sharp curves, posted speeds in excess of 35 miles per hour (mph), or for vehicles other than passenger cars pursuant to the street standards as adopted pursuant to SVMC § 22.130.040.
2. For stop sign controlled intersections, commercial approaches, and alley approaches, use Figure 22.70-1 to determine required sight distance and location of Point A.
3. To determine the clearview triangle, locate points A and C, determine the required distance (BC/CB) using Table 22.70-1, locate point B and connect points A, B, and C. The area enclosed by points A, B, C and the right-of-way is the clearview triangle, hatched area in Figure 22.70-1.
Figure 22.70-1 – Clearview Triangle for Commercial Approaches and Stop Sign Controlled Intersections
2. 
For uncontrolled street intersections (e.g., intersecting local access streets), the clearview triangle shall be calculated pursuant to Figure 22.70-2.
Figure 22.70-2 – Clearview Triangle for Uncontrolled Street Intersections
3. 
For noncommercial driveways, the clearview triangle shall be calculated pursuant to Figure 22.70-3.
Figure 22.70-3 – Clearview Triangle for Noncommercial Approaches
B. 
Within the clearview triangle, the space between three and one-half feet and seven feet above the street, or three feet and six and one-half feet above the sidewalk, shall be unobstructed from vegetation, structures, signs, and other view obstructions in the manner shown pursuant to Figure 22.70-4.
Figure 22.70-4 – Clearview Triangle Vertical Clearance Requirements
C. 
Exemptions. Clearview triangle requirements shall not apply to:
1. 
Public utility poles;
2. 
Trees, so long as they are not planted in the form of a hedge and the shortest branches are trimmed to a height of at least seven feet above the street surface;
3. 
Properties where the natural ground contour penetrates the clearview triangle; or
4. 
Traffic control devices installed by the City;
5. 
Parked vehicles, provided they are legally parked, currently registered, and operable.
(Ord. 16-018 § 6 (Att. B), 2016; Ord. 23-023 § 3, 2023)
A. 
Applicability. The provisions of SVMC § 22.70.040 shall apply to nonresidential projects, multifamily projects and subdivisions. They shall not apply to projects located in an industrial zoning district.
B. 
Multifamily and nonresidential projects, except when located in an industrial zoning district, shall provide the required landscaping points pursuant to Table 22.70-2.
Table 22.70-2 – Landscaping Point Requirements
Improved Area1
Number of Landscaping Points Required
Developed area (500 – 2,500 sq. ft.)
25
Developed area (2,501 – 5,000 sq. ft.)
50
Developed area (over 5,000 sq. ft.)
50 plus one point for each 200 sq. ft. of area over 5,000 sq. ft.
Parking (where 10 or more parking spaces are required)
Two per required parking space plus one for each proposed additional parking space
Stand-alone parking lots (one or more parking spaces)
Three per parking space
Notes:
1. Developed area shall be calculated as the area of the building and amenities including patios, sidewalks, and common areas. Required landscaping points for parking areas shall be calculated based on the number of parking spaces as provided in Table 22.70-2.
C. 
Modification of Landscaping Requirements. The city manager or designee may approve modifications to the landscape requirements when the applicant demonstrates that:
1. 
Required landscaping directly interferes with the operation or maintenance of existing stormwater facilities or natural drainage systems; or
2. 
Existing development, improvements, utilities, or easements directly preclude installation of the required landscaping.
D. 
Landscaping Plan Requirements. A landscaping plan shall be prepared and stamped by a landscape architect licensed by the state of Washington when a proposal requires 150 or more landscape points. Landscape plans shall include the size and type of landscaping materials and vegetation, the dimensions of the lot(s), the developed area, parking areas, and point calculations showing compliance with the requirements of Chapter 22.70 SVMC.
E. 
An applicant may use any combination of planting materials to meet the requirements of SVMC § 22.70.040. Landscaping point values to meet the landscaping point requirements shall be calculated pursuant to Table 22.70-3.
1. 
The landscaping point values listed in Table 22.70-3 may be increased by 20 percent for xeriscaping plantings pursuant to Appendix 22-A, Recommended Planting List[1].
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix 22-A is included as an attachment to this title.
2. 
When an applicant proposes to preserve existing healthy trees or shrubs, the point value for the specified type of preserved vegetation pursuant to Table 22.70-3 may be used for the vegetation to be preserved. Preserved vegetation shall be protected during development and if any is destroyed, it shall be replaced so that landscaping point requirements are met.
Table 22.70-3 – Landscaping Point Values
Type of Plant Material
Minimum Size (at time of planting)
Point Value
Deciduous Trees (in caliper inches)
Evergreen Trees (in feet of height)
New Vegetation
Preserved Vegetation
Large Tree
Over 25-inch caliper
>41
58
20.1-inch to 25-inch caliper
37 – 40 ft.
46
15.1-inch to 20-inch caliper
33 – 36 ft.
40
10.1-inch to 15-inch DBH
29 – 32 ft.
35
8 – 10 inch
22 – 28 ft.
26
30
7 inch
19 – 21 ft.
24
28
6 inch
16 – 18 ft.
22
25
5 inch
13 – 15 ft.
20
23
4 inch
11 – 12 ft.
18
21
3 inch
9 – 10 ft.
15
17
Medium Tree
2 inch
7 – 8 ft.
12
14
Small Tree
Single trunk: at least 1 inch
5 – 6 ft.
9
10
Ornamental Tree
Multiple trunk (minimum 3 trunks): smallest trunk 1-inch caliper
5 – 6 ft.
9
10
Large Shrub
5-gallon and 24-inch height at planting
3
4
Medium Shrub
3-gallon and 12-inch height at planting
2
3
Small Shrub
2-gallon and 8-inch height at planting
1
n/a
Ornamental Grasses
1 gallon
1/2
n/a
Groundcover
1 gallon
1/2
n/a
4-inch pots
1/4
n/a
Landscaped Berm
30-inch height; 10-foot length; 3:1 slope
1 per 5 linear ft.
n/a
Turf Grass
n/a
1/4 per sq. yd.
n/a
(Ord. 16-018 § 6 (Att. B), 2016; Ord. 17-004 § 3, 2017)
A. 
Applicability. The provisions of SVMC § 22.70.050 shall apply to parking areas for nonresidential projects requiring landscaping pursuant to Table 22.70-2.
B. 
Exemptions. These provisions shall not apply to projects located in an industrial zoning district, parking garages or parking decks, or display areas for automotive and equipment sales and rentals.
C. 
Location.
1. 
All parking lot planting areas shall be protected with concrete curbs, or equivalent barriers. Bumper blocks shall not be used for boundaries around the landscaped area.
2. 
All landscaping shall be located intermittently between parking stalls, at the end of parking columns, or between stalls and the property line.
3. 
When parking islands are provided, trees shall be planted a minimum of two feet away from the outside of any permanent barrier of a landscaped area or edge of the parking area.
D. 
Headlight Screening.
1. 
Headlight screening shall be provided on the property line adjacent to the parking stalls when parking spaces are perpendicular and/or at an angle facing the public right-of-way or proposed within 20 feet of structures located on adjacent parcels.
2. 
Headlight screening shall be at least 30 inches and a maximum of 42 inches height for the length of the parking area and shall consist of evergreen plantings, masonry walls, fencing, earthen berms, or other similar materials.
3. 
Headlight screening shall not be required when more stringent buffering is required along the property line adjacent to the parking area.
(Ord. 16-018 § 6 (Att. B), 2016)
A. 
Applicability. The provisions of SVMC § 22.70.060 shall apply to multifamily, nonresidential projects, and subdivisions adjacent to public streets. They shall not apply to projects located in an industrial zoning district.
B. 
Development shall provide one medium tree or larger for each 75 linear feet, or fraction thereof, for the portion of the development abutting the right-of-way. Trees shall be planted in or within 10 feet of the right-of-way in sleeves designed to direct root development. Trees shall be evenly spaced.
C. 
Trees may be grouped when conflicts such as utilities, site topography, vehicular maneuvering areas, and clearview triangle limitations exist and prevent the installation of evenly spaced street trees.
D. 
Street trees shall be selected from Appendix 22-A, Recommended Planting List[1], Street Trees for Under Utility Lines.
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix 22-A is included as an attachment to this title.
(Ord. 16-018 § 6 (Att. B), 2016)
A. 
Applicability. The provisions of SVMC § 22.70.070 shall apply to multifamily, subdivisions, and nonresidential projects in all zoning districts including the industrial zoning district.
B. 
Visual screening pursuant to SVMC § 22.70.070(C) shall be installed along the applicable adjoining property line when:
1. 
A nonresidential project abuts a multifamily project; or
2. 
A subdivision has lots that back to arterial streets.
C. 
Visual screening shall consist of one or a combination of the following:
1. 
A 100 percent sight obscuring fence. Fences may be made of wood, ornamental iron, aluminum, brick, masonry, architectural panels, chain link with slats, or other permanent materials;
2. 
A maintained, landscaped earthen-berm at least five feet wide with a minimum of 10 points of landscaping for every 25 linear feet of buffer area;
3. 
A natural, undisturbed wooded area that forms a solid screen; or
4. 
A five-foot-wide landscape screen that shall consist of:
a. 
A mixture of evergreen and deciduous trees, planted at a distance of not less than 35 feet on center, with a maximum of 75 percent of the trees being deciduous;
b. 
Evergreen shrubs shall comprise at least 50 percent of the plantings;
c. 
A minimum of 18 points of landscaping shall be installed for every 25 linear feet of buffer area.
D. 
Full screening shall be installed along the applicable adjoining property line when:
1. 
A multifamily or nonresidential project abuts a single-family residential zoning district;
2. 
A multifamily project abuts single-family residential use located in a multifamily zoning district;
3. 
The project is a manufactured home park;
4. 
A project located in the industrial zoning district abuts a different zoning district; or
5. 
An industrial use has the potential to substantially impact adjacent properties with noise, nuisance, or vibration as determined by the city manager or designee.
E. 
Full screening shall consist of a 100 percent sight obscuring fence and one or a combination of the visual screening options pursuant to SVMC § 22.70.070(C)(2) through (4).
F. 
Height of Screening. The height of screening shall comply with the following:
1. 
Visual or full screening shall be a minimum of six feet high measured from the finished grade, except as provided in 22.70.070(F)(2).
2. 
Where the elevation of the finished grade within six feet of the screen differs from one side of the screen to the other (as when a fence is placed at the top of a slope or a retaining wall), the height shall be measured from the side with the lowest finished grade elevation.
(Ord. 16-018 § 6 (Att. B), 2016; Ord. 17-004 § 3, 2017)
A. 
Applicability. The provisions of SVMC § 22.70.080 shall apply to multifamily and nonresidential projects. These provisions shall not apply to projects located in an industrial zoning district.
B. 
Dumpsters shall be enclosed on all four sides by a six-foot-high, 100 percent sight obscuring fence.
(Ord. 16-018 § 6 (Att. B), 2016)
A. 
All plant material planted to meet the minimum requirements of Chapter 22.70 SVMC shall be in a healthy condition at the time of planting and shall meet quality standards set forth by the American Standard for Nursery Stock.
B. 
All newly planted trees and shrubs shall be mulched and maintained in healthy conditions and to give a clean and weed-free appearance. Trees may be staked for a period of not more than 12 months after planting. Maintenance of required landscaping shall be the responsibility of the property owner.
C. 
The type and location of vegetation shall not interfere with utilities and the safe and efficient flow of street traffic. Approval by the appropriate City department and utility provider shall be required.
D. 
Turf grass shall be planted, seeded, watered, and maintained in such a manner as to completely cover all exposed areas of soil after one full growing season.
E. 
Disturbed ground shall not be left exposed. Grass and other approved ground covers or mulch shall cover all unpaved and undeveloped areas.
F. 
Landscaping may be included within stormwater facilities, providing it does not conflict with the operation of the stormwater facilities and complies with Chapter 22.150 SVMC and Stormwater Guidelines Chapter 7.8.9.
G. 
Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, person(s) who prepared any required landscape plan shall certify that the irrigation systems and landscaping have been installed in accordance with approved plans and specifications.
H. 
The city manager or designee may authorize a delay where planting season conflicts would produce a high probability of plant loss.
I. 
Landscaping shall be maintained to allow fire protection equipment to be seen from approach and provide for a three-foot clear area around all fire protection equipment in accordance with the International Fire Code pursuant to SVMC § 24.40.020.
J. 
Landscaping within the clearview triangle shall be maintained pursuant to SVMC § 22.70.030.
(Ord. 16-018 § 6 (Att. B), 2016; Ord. 17-004 § 3, 2017)