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A. Purpose.

1. To provide adequate screening by regulating the height, location and design of fences and retaining walls;

2. To maintain adequate visibility on public and private property and intersections;

3. To allow for adequate air and light visibility;

4. To mitigate noise;

5. To improve aesthetics;

6. To preserve and protect the value of adjacent property with durable materials; and

7. To avoid the appearance of fence and wall canyons along streets.

B. Applicability.

1. All fences and walls shall comply with the provisions of this Section 146-4.7.9 except temporary fences and barricades around construction sites, which shall comply with all other applicable City regulations.

2. All fences and walls shall comply with any additional standards applicable to the use of the property in Section 146-3.3 (Use-Specific Standards).

3. In addition to the standards in this Section 146-4.7.9, all development shall comply with any additional fence and wall standards applicable to the development in any approved Master Plan that includes the property.

C. General Standards.

1. Avoidance of Traffic Hazards. Notwithstanding other provisions of this Section 146-4.7.9, no fence, wall, or hedge shall be located in a location that the City determines will create a traffic hazard.

2. Sight Triangle. The location and height of all fences and hedges shall conform to the sight triangle requirements of Section 146-4.2.3.I. Corner lot fences shall have a 45 degree angle if located within the 30 foot sight triangle.

3. Obstruction of Fire Hydrant or Fire Department Connection. No person shall place or keep any post, fence, wall, retaining wall, tree, shrub, hedge, or any other structure or planting within five feet of a fire hydrant or Fire Department connection. Any variation from this standard shall require written approval from the Fire/Life Safety representative within the Building Division.

4. Prevention of Fence Canyons. For existing subdivisions where the rear of the lots abut a street frontage, a homeowners’ association, Title 32 District, or other approved quasi-public entity shall maintain a fence or wall meeting all applicable standards of this Section 146-4.7.9. Residential lots shall comply with Section 146-4.3 (Subdivision Standards), which restrict rear yards of homes facing streets. Refer to Section 146-4.7.5.G for fence setback requirements when rear lots abut an arterial or collector street.

D. Permitted Fence and Wall Materials.

1. Fences and walls shall be made of high-quality durable materials that require low maintenance. Acceptable materials are as follows:

a. Brick, stone, and decorative concrete masonry unit (CMU) fences that meet the design requirements in this Section 146-4.7.9.

b. Wrought iron style and metal picket fences that meet the definition and design requirements in this Section 146-4.7.9.

c. Pre-cast concrete composed of integrally colored concrete and convincingly replicate the appearance of brick, stone, stucco and CMU fences as required by this Section 146-4.7.9.

d. Closed style wood or stockade fencing. Wood or stockade fencing shall have a top rail.

e. Chain link with or without weather resistant color coating.

f. Omega (Welded Wire).

g. Wood or concrete three-rail and/or split rail.

h. Composite wood.

E. Prohibited Fences, Walls, and Materials. The following types of fences, hedges, and materials are prohibited and cannot be erected:

1. Electrically charged fences, except for battery-operated alarmed electric fences as allowed in this Section 146-4.7.9.

2. Any sharp pointed fence of any material erected or maintained in Residential districts

Picket fences less than six feet six inches in height shall have the top of pickets sawed or rounded to provide a blunt end.

3. Barbed wire fences, except in Special Purpose districts, construction sites, and for enclosing a public or private utility installation. See Section 146-4.7.9.F.2 for time and placement limitations on these exceptions.

4. Any fence using concertina wire or similar materials except that government facilities may be exempt if approved by the Planning Director based on security needs.

5. Fences constructed of chicken wire, corrugated metal, fabric materials, fiberboard, garage door panels, plywood, snow fencing, agricultural, rope, and miscellaneous materials not commonly associated with residential fences.

F. Special Requirements for Specific Districts and Types of Development.

1. Residential Districts. The following standards apply to fences and walls in Residential districts, but do not apply to multifamily developments.

a. Maximum length of unbroken fence plane shall not exceed 660 feet along arterial streets and shall not exceed 330 feet along collector streets in Subarea A.

b. Maximum length of unbroken fence plane shall not exceed 700 feet along arterial streets and shall not exceed 350 feet along collector streets in Subareas B and C.

2. Industrial Districts.

a. No fence or wall shall exceed a maximum height of nine feet, except for oil and gas perimeter screening and sound walls.

b. New wood closed-style fences are only allowed on Arterial streets in connection with industrial development, and only if they meet all the appearance and design requirements of this Section146-4.7.9 and related graphics.

c. Barbed wire is only permitted in industrial districts, but may not be installed adjacent to any residential or commercial uses or residential or commercially zoned districts or along arterial or collector streets.

d. For major public or private utilities in any zone, barbed wire may be allowed if it is located outside of required buffer yards.

e. The use of metal picket prongs is permitted in lieu of barbed wire.

f. Where allowed, barbed wire shall not extend more than six inches above the height of a permitted fence.

3. All Other Development. No continuous fence plane shall extend more than 700 feet without including an offset in fence alignment and/or a change in material, fence, and/or wall type.

G. Along E-470. In all residential developments adjacent to E-470, a minimum eight-foot high solid sound attenuation wall shall be constructed along the development's E-470 frontage, and shall meet all the material and design requirements for fences and walls along arterial streets. The sound attenuation wall shall be constructed and maintained by the developer, Title 32 District, homeowners’ association, or business district.

H. Along Arterial and Collector Streets.

1. Setbacks. Fences in new subdivisions shall be set back at least the following distances:

a. Where the rear lots of residential homes front a street, fence and/or walls shall be set back a minimum of 40 feet from the flow line of arterial streets, 38 feet from the flow line of minor arterial streets and 34 feet from the flow line of collector streets. See graphics below.

b. Fences and/or walls provided along the side yards continuous for a distance of 300 feet or more shall be required to be setback 10 feet from the back of walk unless the fence or wall is being provided in connection with outdoor storage screening, then the buffer setback requirements as specified in Table 4.7-2 shall apply.

c. Residential fencing in the front yards shall comply with the front yard setback requirements and shall not exceed 42 inches in height.

d. Fencing in the front yard of any commercial and/or industrial developments shall be limited to 42 inches in height unless such fencing is being provided in connection with the screening of outdoor storage, parking lots, equipment, or is to secure the site, in which case, fencing shall be limited to nine feet in height. Refer to Section 146-4.7.8.B.2.

Figure 4.7-32: Arterial Street Frontage – Straight Walk

Figure 4.7-33: Arterial Street Frontage – Meandering Walk

Figure 4.7-34: Minor Arterial Street Frontage

Figure 4.7-35: Collector Street Frontage

2. Allowable Materials. The following materials are permitted, except as required or permitted in Section 146-4.7.8.B.2.c (Outdoor Storage).

a. Brick, stone, and integrally colored decorative concrete masonry units (CMUs);

b. Decorative and durable pre-cast concrete panels and rails;

c. Wrought iron, metal picket, and other metals simulating the appearance of wrought iron;

d. Composite wood (not including vinyl);

e. Closed-style wood fences, but only for industrial uses and only if located outside of the required buffer yards;

f. Open-style three-rail fences made of wood or simulated wood adjacent to private open space areas and private common spaces; and

g. Open-style three-rail fences made of wood adjacent to public parks and open space areas.

3. Masonry Columns.

a. All fence types along arterial and collector streets shall incorporate masonry columns of a minimum cross-section of 18 by 18 inches.

Figure 4.7-36: Street Frontage Fencing

b. For all fence and wall types and locations, columns shall be placed at all fence corners, points of transition to other fence styles along a run of fence, and fence termination points.

c. In addition to the requirements of Subsection b, in residential developments, columns adjacent to residential uses shall be placed at a minimum spacing of 60 feet on center, or one for every two residential lots, and columns adjacent to community uses shall be placed at a minimum spacing of 60 feet on center.

d. In addition to the requirements of Subsection b, in commercial and industrial uses, columns shall be placed at a minimum spacing of 120 feet on center, and shall extend 75 feet down interior lot lines.

4. Special Requirements for Closed-Style Fences and Walls Over Four Feet in Height.

a. Maximum length of continuous fence shall not exceed 1,500 feet along arterial streets and shall not exceed 1,000 feet along collector streets.

b. Maximum length of unbroken fence plane within length of fence shall not exceed 500 feet along arterial streets and shall not exceed 320 feet along collector streets.

I. Fences and Walls Along Other Public and Private Streets. For fences and walls along other public and private streets, allowable materials shall include those permitted for arterial and collector streets plus:

1. Wood fences, provided they meet the design standards in this Section 146-4.7.9 and related graphics; and

2. Wood or wood simulated open-style three rail fences, provided they meet the design requirements in this Section 146-4.7.9 and related graphics.

J. Fences and Walls Along Interior Property Boundaries and Alleys.

1. Permitted Materials.

a. Permitted materials shall include those permitted for arterial and collector streets, except as modified by Subsections b through d below.

b. Chain link fencing for industrial development, provided it is not visible from a street and is not located on a lot adjacent to commercially or residentially zoned properties.

c. Chain link fencing within industrial zone districts must be color cladded and may not include fabric mesh or slats.

d. Color cladded chain link, welded wire, and Omega or similar welded wire fencing may not be used to meet screening requirements.

2. Locations.

a. Shared fences and walls shall be placed on lot lines.

b. Fences and walls shall not be located in required lot buffer areas but shall be located on the inner edge or interior buffer line with landscaping located along the exterior of the fence or wall. Exceptions are decorative low walls or seat walls.

K. Fences and Walls Along Open Space Tracts, Parks, Reservoirs, Golf Courses, Trails, and Drainage Ways.

1. For proposed development and new construction, fences adjacent to public parks, open space, trails, and drainage ways shall meet the design standards shown in Figure 4.7-37 and the screening requirements of Section 146-4.7.5.H.2 (Buffer Standards for Areas Adjacent to Public Parks, Open Space, and Trails) shall also apply.

a. Within a master planned development, residential lots that abut public open space where the open space also abuts a street, alley or shared drive may use a privacy fence in lieu of a three-rail fence to screen views into side and rear yards located across from the street, alley or shared drive. The fence design and material shall be included in the approved master plan and shall not exceed six feet in height. Additional landscaping may be required adjacent to the privacy fence depending on the context of it and will be reviewed with each Site Plan.

2. Existing fences adjacent to public parks, open space, trails, and drainage ways not within a master planned development shall be maintained and repaired in accordance with the location, height, design, and materials as shown on approved Site Plans.

a. For replacement fences, the Director of Parks, Recreation, and Open Space shall determine the location, height, design, and materials of fences adjacent to city-owned property taking into consideration consistency in the appearance and treatment along neighboring properties and the screening and access control needs relative to abutting land uses if no Master Plan or Site Plan exists for a property.

3. Fences adjacent to public golf courses or reservoirs shall be an open wrought iron style with masonry columns, or other styles or column spacing as may be specified by the Director of Parks, Recreation, and Open Space. Screening requirements of Section 146-4.7.5.H.2 (Buffer Standards for Areas Adjacent to Public Parks, Open Space, and Trails) shall also apply.

4. Fences may be up to four feet in height for parks and open space, and up to nine feet for athletic courts and fields and may exceed those maximum heights if the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department determines that the additional height is needed and will not create a traffic hazard.

Figure 4.7-37: Fencing Along Open Areas

L. Fences and Walls in Residential Developments. The standards in Table 4.7-4, Figure 4.7-38, Figure 4.7-39, and Figure 4.7-40 apply to all Single-Family Detached, Single-Family Attached, Two-Family, Co-housing, and Cottage Development or similar residential uses. In case of a conflict with other standards in this Section 146-4.7.9, these standards shall govern.

1. Location and Height.

Table 4.7-4

Fence Location and Height: Residential Uses

Standard

Requirements

Front Yards

Height

Maximum 42 inches

Setback

Fence – 18 inches minimum from back of sidewalk, unless larger setback required per by another provision of this UDO.

Side Yards (See Section 146-4.7.9.H for new fencing along Arterial and Collector Streets)

Height

Maximum six feet

Setback

Fence – four feet minimum from back of sidewalk

Fence abutting an adjacent lot’s front yard shall meet the front yard fence requirements.

Where existing homes that share an internal fence, the fence may be chain link or welded wire and may be located on the lot line.

Rear Yards (See Section 146-4.7.9.H for new fencing along Arterial and Collector Streets)

Height

Maximum six feet

Setback

Four feet minimum from back of sidewalk, if replacing an existing fence

Where existing homes that share a rear yard fence, the fence may be located on the lot line.

Corner Lots

Height

Maximum 42 inches.

Setback

A fence that meets the front yard requirements may wrap a corner and shall be set back a minimum of 18 inches from back of sidewalk.

New side yard fences shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the back of sidewalk adjacent to the street, but in no case less than 15 feet from the street flowline.

A replacement for an existing fence shall be set back a minimum of 4 feet from the back of sidewalk.

2. Design and Opacity.

a. An open-style fence on a solid base is permitted in the front yard, provided the base does not exceed 18 inches in height. Where a solid base is proposed as part of the open fence, only stucco and masonry materials are allowed. A wood base is not allowed.

b. Open style picket fences that are at least 50 percent opaque are permitted in front yard.

Figure 4.7-38: Street Frontage Fencing

c. Solid base fences with bases no taller than 18 inches above grade, and picket fences no taller than 18 inches mounted on top of that base, are permitted in front yards.

Figure 4.7-39: Solid Fencing

d. Fencing on corner lots shall meet the requirements shown in Figure 4.7-39.

Figure 4.7-401: Corner Lot Fencing Setbacks

M. Fences and Walls for Other Development. The standards in this Section 146-4.7.9.M apply to all mixed-use and nonresidential development for which this UDO does not provide a different standard for fence and wall height and location.

Table 4.7-5

Fence Location, Type and Height: All Other Uses [1]

Standard

Requirements

Other Uses

Industrial

Front Yards

Height

Max. 48 in.

Max. 9 ft.

Setback

Fence: 4 ft. min. from back of sidewalk, unless a larger setback required by another provision of this UDO

Side Yards

Height

Max. 6 ft.

Max. 9 ft.

Setback

Fence: 4 ft. min. from back of sidewalk

Where existing developments share an internal fence, the fence can be on the lot line

Rear Yards

Height

Max. 6 ft.

Max. 9 ft.

Setback

Fence: 4 ft. min. from back of sidewalk

If replacing an existing fence, the fence may be on the lot line

[1] Multifamily perimeter fencing shall not be located closer to a street or property line than the required buffer depth for setbacks.

1. Battery-operated alarmed electric fences may be added to permitted fences in accordance with the Permitted Use Table 3.2-1. In addition, battery-operated alarmed electric fences require a conditional use approval if located within 300 feet of residentially zoned parcels or any parcel containing a residential use, dedicated park, open space, or trail.

N. Reserved.

Editor’s note: The provisions of this subsection were repealed by Ord. 2023-41, enacted September 11, 2023.

O. Screening of Outdoor Storage, Equipment, Asphalt, Concrete, Landscape Yards, Surface Parking Lots, Substations or Pump Stations.

1. Permitted Materials. Permitted materials include the following, all of which must be opaque:

a. Walls consisting of brick, stone, and integrally colored decorative concrete masonry units (CMUs);

b. Decorative and durable pre-cast concrete panels;

c. Composite wood;

d. Closed style wood fences.

2. Prohibited Materials. Color cladded, welded wire, chain link, Omega or similar welded wire may not be utilized to meet screening requirements.

P. Fence Replacement Program.

1. General Requirements. All portions and side of a fence shall be finished with the same quantity and quality of materials as the predominant side facing the street.

2. Minimum Column Spacing. Except for panelized construction, all masonry fences shall include masonry columns with a minimum cross-section of 18 inches by 18 inches placed at a maximum interval of 120 feet along the length of the fence. Additional columns shall also be required at all fence corners and turning points and at all fence termination points.

3. Color. All fence colors shall be integral to the material. Fence materials shall not be painted or stained with exterior coat systems. All colors shall be earth tones such as tans, browns, and traditional red brick tones. Uncolored concrete is not permitted.

4. Masonry Unit Sizes. When brick and concrete masonry are used, individual unit sizes shall not exceed 16 inches in length by eight inches in height. When panelized construction is used, the design of individual panels shall replicate the appearance of individual unit sizes as described above, or of a fence constructed of irregularly shaped stones.

5. Texture. Fences consisting of masonry units shall have a surface texture. Masonry units in excess of four inches in height shall have a decorative split-face texture. Units designed to resemble stone shall have a natural-looking stone texture. Panelized materials shall duplicate the textures of masonry and stone units as described above and may be painted to simulate masonry or stone.

6. Concrete Split Rail. Pre-cast concrete split rail and other open rail fence designs are not approved under this program for use along streets.

Q. Substitute Materials. Materials other than those required by this Section 146-4.7.9 may be allowed upon determination by the Planning Director that they are of comparable durability and quality, and have a similar appearance.

R. General Fence and Wall Construction Standards. All fences shall meet all the following general construction standards:

1. All construction materials shall be new and shall not include construction debris or salvaged material. Durable reprocessed and recycled materials sold as building materials for new construction may be approved by the Planning Director.

2. Wood fence posts shall be pressure treated. Cedar and redwood are not required to be pressure treated.

3. All fence posts for fences over 42 inches in height shall be set in circular concrete bases a minimum of two feet deep and one-foot diameter.

4. All wood fences shall conform to the post size and spacing requirements of Table 4.7-6

Table 4.7-6

Nominal Post Sizes and Spacing for Wood and Composite Wood Fences

Fence Type

Minimum Nominal Post

Cross-Section

Maximum Fence Post Spacing

Along arterials

All other locations

Wood fences

Four inches x four inches

Five feet

Eight feet

Four inches x six inches

Eight feet

Eight feet

Composite Wood fences

Four inches x four inches

Five feet

Five feet

Five inches x five inches

Eight feet

Eight feet

5. Rails and/or posts shall be securely fastened.

6. Pickets and boards shall be securely attached to rails and posts. Wood picket or slat fences over 42 inches in height shall be constructed with a minimum of three, two inch by four inch horizontal rails and have a minimum nominal dimension for pickets or slats widths of four inches.

7. All brick and masonry fences shall be properly mortared and securely attached with foundations.

8. Where chain link fences are permitted, they shall have top rails.

9. The finished side of the fence shall face the public right-of-way or private streets or alleys, as applicable. Posts and rails shall be on the interior side along streets.

S. Gate Standards.

1. All gates shall have hardware to secure the gate in a closed position.

2. All gates shall be installed to the maximum fence height at all entrances.

3. All unattended gates shall be self-closing, self-latching, and locked when not in use.

4. If a fence or wall along a sidewalk includes a gate, the gate shall not open into the public sidewalk area except when a person is entering or exiting the gated area.

5. All gates must be set back 35 feet from the street entry point.

T. Retaining Walls.

1. General Requirements. Retaining walls shall be required whenever slopes exceed one foot of rise in three feet of run (3 to 1). Retaining walls for detention, retention, and water quality ponds shall not exceed 48 inches in height. Any wall exceeding 30 inches in height requires a pedestrian railing or barrier.

2. Requirements for Residential Development. Retaining walls in residential development shall comply with the following height requirements:

a. Maximum 48 inch height adjacent to rear lot lines;

b. Maximum 30 inch height adjacent to side lot lines;

c. Maximum 30 inch height in front yard and side yard for corner lots;

d. Maximum 48 inch height in all common areas; and

e. Terraced retaining walls are not permitted within the side yards of single-family detached homes.

3. Requirements for Non-residential Development. Retaining wall heights shall not exceed eight feet. Walls shall be terraced until the required amount of slope has been taken up. Slopes between walls shall not exceed one foot of rise for each four feet of run (4 to 1). The area between each wall shall be landscaped with one or more of the following: shrubs or groundcover in accordance with Section 146-4.7.3.B.5 (Living Material Requirements). Each wall shall be separated by not less than 36 inches. Retaining walls visible to the public view shall not be constructed from wood, plain concrete, or painted masonry units.

4. Requirements for Detention and Water Quality Ponds. Retaining walls shall not exceed 48 inches in height unless the Director Planning determines there a wall of that height would have a negative impact on the appearance of the site or the surrounding area, in which case the Director may require that the maximum wall height not exceed 42 inches. Railings will be required along the top off all walls that exceed 30 inches.

U. Battery-Operated Electric Alarmed Fencing.

1. General Requirements. Battery-operated electric alarmed fencing shall comply with the following requirements:

a. Has an energizer powered by no more than a 12-volt direct current commercial storage battery.

b. Is surrounded by a nonelectrical perimeter fence or wall not less than five feet in height.

c. The electric fence may be two feet higher than the height of the nonelectric perimeter fence but shall not exceed 10 feet in height.

d. Warning signage shall be posted in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations with not more than 30 feet between signs, which signs shall read:

“WARNING – ELECTRIC SECURITY FENCE.”

(Ord. No. 2023-41 § 16, 09-11-2023; Ord. No. 2023-40 § 3, 09-11-2023; Ord. No. 2021-67 §§ 4 – 6, 12-20-2021; Ord. No. 2021-15 § 25, 06-14-2021; Ord. No. 2019-49 § 1, 08-19-2019)