ARTICLE 3 GENERAL REGULATIONS

10-2.1524 Fences, hedges, walls, and obstructions in all zones.

(a) Purpose. This section is intended to provide for the regulation of the height and location of fences, walls, and similar obstructions, for the purpose of providing for light, air, and privacy and safeguarding the public welfare by preventing visual obstructions at street and highway intersections. The provisions of this section shall not be deemed to set aside or reduce the requirements established for security fencing, either by local, State, or Federal laws, or by the safety requirements of the Board of Education.
(b) Height. For the purposes of this section, "height" shall mean the vertical distance from existing grade to the top of the fence, hedge, or wall, except in a required front or exterior side setback where the finished grade is lower than the existing grade, height shall be measured from the finished grade. The following standards shall apply:

a. Front setbacks. No fence, hedge, or wall over forty-two (42) inches in height shall be permitted within any required front setback.
b. Rear and side setbacks. Except as permitted in subsections (c) and (e) of this section, no fence, hedge, or wall greater than six (6) feet in height shall be permitted within any required rear setback or side setback.
c. Reverse corner lots in residential zones. Notwithstanding subsection (b)(1)(b) of this section, no fence, wall, or hedge over forty-two (42) inches in height shall be permitted within a triangular area at the corner of the lot abutting the front setback of the key lot, which triangle shall be formed by the rear and exterior side lot lines and a diagonal line drawn between two (2) points located fifteen (15) feet along the rear and exterior side lot lines from their point of intersection (see illustration below).

a. Front and exterior side setbacks. No fence, hedge, or wall over forty-two (42) inches in height shall be permitted within any required front or exterior side setback.
b. Rear and interior side setbacks. Except as permitted in subsections (c) and (e) of this section, no fence, hedge, or wall greater than six (6) feet in height shall be permitted within any required rear setback or interior side setback.

(1) Multiple-family residential zones, wall required. A six (6) foot high decorative masonry wall, or a six (6) foot high decorative wall of mixed construction utilizing a masonry base and masonry pilasters, which shall compose at least thirty (30%) percent of such wall, and such other materials as the Planning Division may approve for not more than seventy (70%) percent of such wall, shall be provided along the side and rear lot boundaries for two (2) or more dwelling units, except along the street side of corner lots. The requirement may be waived under the following circumstances:

a. The wall would be between two (2) adjacent lots which are being developed concurrently, and not requiring a wall will enhance the aesthetic character of the project;
b. The wall would be duplicating the function of an existing wall on the adjacent property which conforms to the intent and requirements of this subsection.

a. Where a residential and a commercial zone share a common boundary along a property line, a wall shall be constructed with a minimum height of six (6) feet and a maximum height of eight (8) feet, except where such wall abuts the required residential zone front setback, such wall shall not exceed forty-two (42) inches in height.
b. Where a residential and an industrial zone or a commercial and an industrial zone share a common boundary along a property line, a wall shall be constructed with a minimum height of six (6) feet and a maximum height of eight (8) feet, except where such wall abuts the required residential or commercial zone front setback, such wall shall not exceed forty-two (42) inches in height.

(1) All corner lots shall maintain for safety vision purposes a triangular area at the street intersection corner of the lot, which triangle shall be formed by the front and side lot lines and a diagonal line drawn between two points located fifteen (15) feet along the front and side lot lines from their point of intersection or, in the case of a rounded lot corner, from the point of intersection of such lot lines if extended. Within such triangular area, no tree, fence, shrub, or other physical obstruction higher than thirty-six (36) inches above the established sidewalk grade shall be permitted.
(2) Where a lot abuts both a street and an alley, a triangular area shall be maintained for safety vision purposes at the intersection of the street and alley, which triangle shall be formed by the lot lines abutting the street and alley and a diagonal line drawn between two points located fifteen (15) feet along each lot line from their point of intersection or, in the case of a rounded lot corner, from the point of intersection of such lot lines if extended. Within such triangular area, no tree, fence, shrub, or other physical obstruction higher than thirty-six (36) inches above the established curb grade shall be permitted.

(e) Swimming pools and hot tubs in all zones. Swimming pools and hot tubs shall be entirely enclosed by buildings, fences, or walls not less than six (6) feet nor more than eight (8) feet in height. Such fences shall be equipped with self-latching gates with the latches not less than four (4) feet above the ground. All fencing shall be in place and approved by the Building Division before water is run into the pool.

(Ord. 2756 c.s., eff. January 18, 1996, as amended by Ord. 2802, eff. July 3, 1997)

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