Sec 19 Landscaping and FencesSECTION 19
BUILDING RELOGAT LANDSCAPING, SCREENING AND FENCES
Section
20-19-1: Review DrOGesspurpose
20-19-2: Exempti Landscaping
20-19-3: Rorf^rmanGe Stand Screenina
20-19-4: D^rf^rmaRGe e^G„ri+"Fences
Milli M,- - i1iijo-
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20-19-1: PURPOSE: The purpose of this Section is to establish standards for the
installation of fencing, screening, and landscaping and as may be required by other Sections of
this Chapter to protect the general health, safety, and welfare of the City.
20-19-2: LANDSCAPING:
A. General: Landscaping of all properties shall be installed and maintained in
accordance with Section 5-7-3 of the City Code.
I andSGapinry New Residential Subdivision, Semi -Public, and All Income
Producing Property Uses:
1 =EXnli ding Residential StF Gti Fee nnntainip less than four /4TSinale
family dwelling units shall provide a minimum of two (2) deciduous shade
trees per lot.
2. All of other uses Prier to approval of a building permit, all above
refereneed uses shall be subject to mandatory landscape plaR and
specifications , its.Saidwith a landscape plan s#aflreauired to
be developed and installed with an emphasis upon the following areas:
The boundary or perimeter of the proposed site at points adjoining
other property.
The immediate perimeter of the structure.
The perimeter of parking and loading areas.
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23. All landscaping incorporated in said plan shall conform to the following
standards and criteria:
a. Plantings suitable for complying with this Section shall be as
approved by the Zoning Administrator.
ab. All plants must at least equal the following minimum size in
conformance with American Nursery Association standards
measured from the top of the ball or container to the top of the
tree/shrub or bottom of the evergreen leader:
Shade Trees
Half Trees (Flowering Grab
Russian Olive, I-- awthern e etG)
Ornamental Trees
Evergreen Trees
Tall Shrubs & Hedge Material
(Evergreen or Deciduous)
Low Shrubs - Deciduous
- Evergreen
- Spreading Evergreens
bc. Spacing.
Potted/Bare Root or
Balled & Burlapped
2 inch diameter
1-1/2 inch diameter
3 - 4 feet high
3 - 4 feet high
24 - 30 inches
24 - 30 inches
18 - 24 inches
(1) Plant material centers shall not be located closer than three
(3) feet from the fence line or property line and shall not be
planted to conflict with public plantings based on the
judgment of the Zoning Administrator.
(2) Where plant materials are planted in two (2) or more rows,
plantings shall be staggered in rows unless otherwise
approved by the Zoning Administrator.
(3) Where massing of plants or screening is intended, large
deciduous shrubs shall not be planted more than four (4)
feet on center, and/or evergreen shrubs shall not be planted
more than three (3) feet on center.
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d. Design.
(1) The landscape plan must show some form of designed site
amenities (i.e., composition of plant materials, and/or
creative grading, decorative lighting, exterior sculpture, etc.,
which are largely intended for aesthetic purposes).
(2) All areas within the property lines (or beyond, if side grading
extends beyond) shall be treated. All exterior areas not
paved or designated as drives, parking or storage, must be
planted into ornamental vegetation (lawns, ground covers or
shrubs) unless otherwise approved by the Zoning
Administrator.
(3) Turf slopes in excess of 2.1 are prohibited unless approved
by the Zoning Administrator.
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(4) All ground areas under the building roof overhang must be
treated with a decorative mulch and/or foundation planting.
(5) All buildings must have an exterior water spigot to ensure
that landscape maintenance can be accomplished.
e. Landscape Guarantee: All new plants shall be guaranteed for MG
(` full years one—C11—year from the time planting has been
completed. All plants shall be alive and in satisfactory growth at the
end of the guarantee period or be replaced by the property owner.
f. Tree Preservation: Prior to the issuance of building permits for all
new and/or expanded multiple family residential, commercial,
industrial and institutional uses, a tree preservation plan shall be
submitted. The plan and its implementation shall be in accordance
with the City's adopted tree preservation guidelines and
requirements as outlined in the City -Ls Subdivision Ordinance, as
may be amended, and shall be subject to review and approval of
the City Engineer and Zoning Administrator. The Zoning
Administrator may exempt an applicant from the submission of a
tree preservation plan upon demonstration that a tree preservation
plan is not considered relevant to the site in question.
20-19-3: REQUIRED FENCING, SCREENING AND LANDSCAPING AND SCREENING:
A. Non -Residential UsesF=nn^;n^ and gGree„i„n: Where any non-residential use
except agriculture and farming (i.e., structure, parking or storage) abuts property
zoned for residential use, that non-residential use shall provide screening along
the boundary of the residential property. Screening shall also be provided where
a non-residential use is across the street from a residential zone, but not on that
side of a non-residential use considered to be the front (as defined by this
Chapter). All fencing and screening specifically required by this Chap Section
shall be subject to Subsection 20-16-4 of this Chapter regarding traffic visibility
and shall consist of either a menGe eT a green belt planting strip, fence or
combination thereof) as provided for below:
1. A green belt planting strip shall consist of evergreen trees and/or
deciduous trees and plants and shall be of sufficient width and density to
provide an effective visual screen. This planting strip shall be designed to
provide complete visual screening to a minimum height of c;�ei ht 8
feet. Earth mounding or berms may be used but shall not be used to
achieve more than three (3) feet of the required screen. The planting plan
and type of plantings shall require the approval of the City Council.
2. The City may also require that a fence may be installed, but not in lieu of
the greenbelt. A required screening fence shall be constructed of
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masonry, brick, wood or metal vinyl or maintenance free composite
materials. SUGhA required screening fence shall provide a solid screening
effect to a minimum of six (6) feet in height but shall not exceed eight (81
feet in height unless allowed by issuance of an interim use permit. T44e
design and materials used in �S� i in�g a required cGrepning Fenno shall
ac�r��-arrazrraccrrarsuvca�rr c �rccfa-rrccry " � � � � � � crrcc�rrurr
neiight shall roni�approval of the Zoning Administrator and the Building
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B. Residential Bufferyards.
1. Double frontage lots or corner lots abutting a collector or arterial street, as
defined by the Comprehensive Plan, preliminary platted after October 14,
2002 shall have an additional ten (10) feet of depth or width to be overlaid
with a drainage and utility easement in order to allow space for screening
along the lot line abutting such street rights-of-way.
2. Plan Required. For all applicable subdivisions, a landscape plan shall be
submitted. The plan shall identify all proposed buffer screening including
plantings, berms, and fences. The development contract shall include a
security for the cost of materials and installation of the approved plan.
3. Design Standards.
a. Plantings: All designated buffer yards must be seeded or sodded
except in areas of steep slopes where natural vegetation is
acceptable as approved by the City Engineer. All plantings within
designated buffer yards shall adhere to the following:
(1) Plant material centers shall not be located closer than three
(3) feet from the fence line or property line, and shall not
conflict with public plantings, sidewalks, trails, etc.
(2) Landscape screen plant material shall be planted in two (2)
or more rows. Plantings shall be staggered in rows unless
otherwise approved by the Zoning Administrator.
(3) Deciduous shrubs shall not be planted more than four (4)
feet on center, and/or evergreen shrubs shall not be planted
more than three (3) feet on center.
(4) Deciduous trees intended for screening shall be planted not
more than forty (40) feet apart. Evergreen trees intended for
screening shall be planted not more than fifteen (15) feet
apart.
b. Earth Berms:
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(1) Except in areas of steep slopes or where other topographic
features will not permit, as determined by the City Engineer,
an earth berm at least four (4) feet in height shall be installed
in all designated buffer yards.
(2) Earth berms shall not exceed a three to one (3:1) slope
unless approved by the City Engineer.
(3) Shall contain no less than four (4) inches of topsoil.
4. Installation. All buffer plantings, berms, and fences shall be installed or
planted prior to release of the security required as part of the development
contract.
5. Maintenance.
a. Maintenance of the buffer strip planting shall be the responsibility of
the individual property owners or, if applicable, the homeowners'
association.
b. Replacement of landscape materials or plantings in a buffer yard
area shall be consistent with the original screen design.
C. All repair or plant replacement shall be done within forty five (45)
days of written notification from the City.
20-19-4: FENCES: Fences shall be permitted in all yards subject to the following:
A. Administrative Permit Required: It is unlawful for any person hereafter to
construct or cause to be constructed or erected within the platted areas of the
City, any fence without first making an application for and securing a fenGan
administrative permit.
B. Certificate of Survey: An application for fence permit shall be accompanied by a
current certificate of survey providing exact lot dimensions, the location of
existing building and structures on the lot, and the location of the proposed fence.
C. Location: All boundary line fences shall be located entirely within the private
property of the person, firm or corporation constructing or causing the
construction of such fence. The owner of the property on which a fence exists or
is proposed to be constructed is responsible for verifying their property lines by:
a. Locating their property irons: or.
b. If the property lines cannot be located:
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1) The Zoning Administrator may require the owner of property upon
which a fence now exists, or may require any property owner
proposing to construct a fence to establish the boundary lines of the
property by a survey thereof to be made by a registered land
surveyor: or,
2) The owner of property upon
which a
fence
now exists, or the
property
owner on which
the fence is
to be
constructed and the
owner(s)
of the adjoining
properties
enter
into an agreement
regarding
the location of the fence to be recorded with the titles of
the respective
properties,
subject to approval
of an administrative
e
D. Construction and Maintenance:
Every fence shall be constructed in a professional and substantial manner
and of substantial material reasonably suitable for the purpose for which
the fence is proposed to be used. The materials and design shall also be
compatible with other structures in the area in which the fence is located
and shall not cause blight or a negative impact.
2. Every fence shall be maintained in a condition of reasonable repair and
shall not be allowed to become and remain in a condition of disrepair or
danger, or constitute a nuisance, public or private. Any such fence which
is or has become dangerous to the public safety, health or welfare is a
public nuisance, and the City shall commence proper proceedings for the
abatement thereof.
3. All posts or similar supporting instruments used in the construction of
fences shall be faced inward toward the property being fenced.
4. Except as specified in this subsection. barbed wire fences and electric
fences shall only be allowed in the A-1 and A-2 Districts when related to
the keeping of farm animals. On farms in other districts, such fencing
shall be allowed when related to farming, but not including electric fences
as boundary line fences when abutting platted property.
€5. ASS All fences shall be provided with a gate which affords reasonable
and convenient access for public safety.
allowedshall only be - A 1 and
A 2 ■ ---
.. farms OR Other c-figstriG-ts, such
but net OnGluding eleGtriG fenGes
platted property.
feRGiRg shall be allewed when relate
as
boundaryfarming,
GE. Grading and Drainage:
•
1. All fences shall not obstruct natural drainage.
2. Any modifications to the grade or drainage of a _property in conjunction
with the construction of a fence shall be subject to Section 20-16-5 of this
Chapter.
#F. Drainage and Utility Easements P bk and Private:
�Utility and [Dr-a}Rage EaseMeRt: Fences may be constructed within public
and private utility and drainage easements provided that:
a1. The fence and its design is subject to the approval of the City Engineer.
b2. The fence or a portion thereof may be removed at anytime Remeval of +ho
fenGe ^r a PE)FtiOR thereef for the purpose of utilizing the easement and
such action shall be at the property owner's expense.
3. The property owner shall execute an acknowledgement of the easement
encroachment that is to be recorded with the title of the property.
Residential AI■'J_TSG'R:�tG1�:fll��T1:T�Tld'.L11■:T�:�GTSC■AtE�.
1. Except in the case of a side yard on a corner lot which abuts a street,
fences along side property lines shall not be more than six (6) feet in
height for the distance commencing from a point on such side property
line located along the rear lot line and proceeding thence along such side
property line to a point thereon which would be intersected by the front
wall line of the existing principal structure on the lot.
2. Fences along or paralleling any rear property line which is also the rear
property line of an abutting lot shall not exceed six (6) feet in height.
3. Except in the case of a side yard on a corner lot which abuts a street,
fences along a rear property line which line constitutes the side lot line of
an abutting lot shall not exceed six (6) feet in height.
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4. The required screening provisions for residential districts shall supersede,
where applicable, the provisions of this Subsection.
5. Required Front Yards and Side Yards of Corner Lots:
a. Fences extending across required front yards or a required side
yard that abuts a street on a corner lot shall not exceed forty-eight
(48) inches in height and shall be at least seventy-five (75) percent
open space for the passage of air and light, except as provided for
by Section 20-19-4.G.5.b of this Chapter.
b. A fence with a height greater than forty-eight (48) inches and/or
less than seventy-five (75) percent open space may be constructed
within the required rear yards and side yard of a corner lot abutting
collector or arterial street by administrative permii provided that:
(1) The fence does not exceed six (6) feet in height.
(2) The fence is setback ten (10) feet from the lot line abutting a
collector or arterial street right-of-way.
(3) For interior lots, a gate or other opening is to be provided in
the fence to allow for maintenance of the street side
boulevard.
(4) The fence along a side lot line abutting a collector or arterial
street right-of-way shall not extend into a required front yard
and be no closer to the front lot line than a point intersecting
the front line of the principal building.
(5) On lots where no bufferyard has been established pursuant
to Section 20-19-3.B of this Chapter, the yard on the street
side of the fence shall be grass and landscaped with plant
materials that will grow to the height of the fence, subject to
the following standards:
(a) Plant material centers shall not be located closer than
three (3) feet from the fence line or property line, and
shall not conflict with public plantings, sidewalks,
trails, etc.
(b) Deciduous shrubs shall not be planted more
than four (4) feet on center, and/or evergreen
shrubs shall not be planted more than three (3)
feet on center.
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(c) Deciduous trees shall be planted not more than forty
(40) feet apart. Evergreen trees shall be planted not
more than fifteen (15) feet apart.
C. All fences located within any required yard abutting a public right-
of-way shall maintain the traffic visibility requirements of Section
20-16-84 of this Chapter.
Commercial• Industrial.. iRdustrial
1. Fences extending across a required front yard or a required side yard
which abuts a street on a corner lot shall be at least seventy-five (75)
percent open for the passage of air and light and shall maintain the traffic
visibility requirements of Section 20-16-84 of this Chapter.
2 Business and iRdust,- al—(Fences may be erected up to eight (8) feet in
height. Fences in excess of eight (8) feet shall require a Gendntnena4 an
interim use permit.
3. Construction:
a. Fences shall be constructed of nonwood maintenance free
materials such as vinyl, stone, brick, split face block, textured or
architectural concrete panels, synthetic or composite products, or
similar materials as approved by the zoning administrator.
b. Except for fences accessory to essential services, chainlink fences
within commercial districts shall be coated with integral color vinyl
and shall not include vinyl, plastic or metal slats within the fence.
C. The location of gates across driveways accessing the site shall be
set back a sufficient distance so as not to cause congestion in the
public street.
d. Fences which are primarily erected as a security measure may
have arms projecting into the applicant's property on which barbed
wire can be fastened commencing at a point at least seven (7) feet
above the ground.
4. The screening provisions for commercial and industrial districts shall
supersede, where applicable, the provisions of this Subsection.
-LI. Special Purpose Fences: Fences for special purposes and fences differing in
construction, height or length may be permitted by the City by issuance of a
Gelid al an interim use permit as regulated by SeGt�4 ems haptcr.
Findings shall be m upon a finding by the City Council that that the fence is
necessary to protect, buffer or improve the premises for which such fence is
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intended.
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