The purpose of this chapter is to promote architectural compatibility, individual property safety, and vehicular and pedestrian safety through fence design, height, and placement.

(Code 2023, § 10-21-1; Ord. No. 2017-54, 12-13-2017)

Certain words and phrases in this chapter are defined in HCC chapter 10-3.

(Code 2023, § 10-21-2; Ord. No. 2017-54, 12-13-2017)

1. Applicability. The requirements of this section shall apply to any fence located on a lot or parcel in a residential zone.
2. Front yard setback. Within a front yard setback or along a front lot line:
   1. A solid fence shall not exceed three feet in height; and
   2. An open type fence, e.g., wrought iron, shall not exceed four feet in height.
3. Side and/or rear yard setback. A fence which exceeds eight feet in height shall not be constructed:
   1. Within a side yard and/or rear yard; or
   2. Along a side yard or rear yard lot line.

(Code 2023, § 10-21-3; Ord. No. 2017-54, 12-13-2017)

1. Permitted fence materials. Fences and walls shall be made of high quality, durable materials that require minimal maintenance. The following fencing materials shall be allowed in all zones, except as otherwise provided in this section or by a more restrictive provision of this title or engineering standard:
   1. Decorative precast concrete or integrally colored and textured block, brick, stone, or other masonry wall materials;
   2. Heavy-gauge vinyl fence materials with beige, white or neutral color;
   3. Composite fence materials; or
   4. Decorative wrought iron fence materials.
2. Prohibited fence materials. The following fencing materials shall be prohibited in all zones:
   1. Plastic materials other than vinyl;
   2. Materials not typically used, designated, or manufactured for fencing, such as metal roofing panels, corrugated or sheet metal, tarps or plywood;
   3. Scrap materials such as scrap lumber and scrap metal;
   4. Wood fencing of any type;
   5. Chain-link fencing, with or without slats; or
   6. Barbed wire, concertina wire, razor ribbon, and similar fencing materials.
3. Fence material exceptions. The following fence materials may be permitted if compliant with the specified requirements:
   1. Vinyl coated chain-link fencing may be erected for recreational land uses as provided in HCC 10-21-10;
   2. Straight-line barbed wire with wood or metal fence posts may be used to enclose or protect an agricultural land use that encompasses five acres or more of property and is registered as a protected greenbelt as per the Utah Farmland Assessment Act (U.C.A. 1953, § 5-2-501); and
   3. Large animal corrals in agricultural zones shall be constructed of sturdy fence materials that may include metal pipes, horse-grade vinyl, wood posts, or a minimum of 1 1/2-inch thick wood planks without dangerous protrusions. Electric fence wire may also be used if attached along the top of an approved fence material. Electrically charged fence wire must be removed within 30 days of the time when large animals no longer live on the property. No electrically charged fences will be permitted between noncompatible uses, nor along any public rights-of-way.

(Code 2023, § 10-21-5; Ord. No. 2017-54, 12-13-2017; Ord. No. 2019-30, 9-11-2019)

1. Corner lot visual obstruction. No obstruction to view which exceeds three feet in height shall be placed on a corner lot within the triangular area formed by a right-of-way boundary line and the line connecting them at points 30 feet from the intersection of the right-of-way boundary line. A fence on corner lot or parcel adjacent to a collector or arterial road shall be approved by the city engineer.
2. Right-of-way visual obstruction. No plant material, monument sign, or other obstruction shall be permitted above three feet in height within the triangular area formed by a right-of-way boundary line and the line connecting them at points 30 feet from the intersection of the right-of-way boundary line.
3. Driveway visual obstruction. No obstruction to view in excess of three feet in height shall be placed at any driveway or automobile accessway within the triangular area formed by connecting the points of intersection of the side driveway or accessway line and the property or side street line with points 12 feet along the property line and 12 feet along the driveway line.

(Code 2023, § 10-21-6; Ord. No. 2017-54, 12-13-2017)

Whenever a lot is developed with a use that is incompatible with a use located on an abutting lot or parcel, the new development shall include installation of a fence or wall along the property line between the incompatible uses as provided in this section.

1. Residential and agricultural uses. A minimum six-foot-high solid vinyl fence shall be installed between residential uses and existing agricultural uses.
2. Residential and commercial uses. A minimum six-foot-high decorative precast or integrally colored and textured block, brick, stone, or other masonry fence and/or wall shall be installed between residential uses and commercial uses.
3. Commercial or office and agricultural or residential zones. A minimum six-foot-high decorative masonry wall is required between commercial or office zones and agricultural or residential zones. Other fencing or landscaping techniques may be used to buffer waterways, trails, parks, open spaces or other uses.
4. Warehousing or manufacturing and residential, commercial, or professional office uses. A minimum six-foot-high solid vinyl, simulated wood, wrought iron or masonry fence is required between warehousing or manufacturing uses and residential, commercial, or professional office uses. Other fencing or landscaping techniques may be used to buffer waterways, trails, parks, open spaces or other uses.
5. Higher fence or wall. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the planning commission may require a higher fence or wall under the following circumstances:
   1. Unusual topography.
   2. For a major utility.

(Code 2023, § 10-21-7; Ord. No. 2017-54, 12-13-2017)

1. Applicability. Whenever a lot or parcel is proposed to be developed which abuts a collector street, as identified in the city master street plan, a minimum six-foot-high wall shall be installed along the street right-of-way line adjoining the lot or parcel as provided in this section. Whenever a lot or parcel is proposed to be developed which abuts an arterial street, as identified in the city master street plan, a minimum eight-foot-high wall shall be installed along the street right-of-way line adjoining the lot or parcel as provided in this section. Exception: The community development director may modify or waive the wall requirement for lots that were recognized as legal by the city upon annexation or have been approved by the city since incorporation.
2. Materials. A wall located on the right-of-way line of an identified collector or arterial street shall be constructed of masonry or precast concrete in a style and color consistent with existing walls already installed along the length of the street. If no wall has been constructed along the street, the wall shall have a style and color consistent with other walls in the vicinity.
3. Mountain view corridor noise walls. Any development abutting the Mountain View Corridor shall include construction of a noise wall along the corridor right-of-way line if the state department of transportation determines such wall is necessary pursuant to an environmental study.

(Code 2023, § 10-21-8; Ord. No. 2017-54, 12-13-2017; Ord. No. 2023-14, exh. A(10-21-8), 7-12-2023)

1. Permitted. A full privacy fence may be installed along a trail if the minimum distance, at any arc or angle, between any point on a property line to the closest private property line opposite a park, trail, or open space is 50 feet or more.
2. Prohibited. A full privacy fence is prohibited if the minimum distance, at any arc or angle, between any point on the property line to the closest private property line opposite a park, trail, or open space is less than 50 feet. In such case a semi-private six-foot-high fence with slats may be installed.
3. Maintenance. Any vegetation on fencing along trails shall be maintained by the abutting property owner so that it does not interfere with the use or maintenance of the trail.

(Code 2023, § 10-21-9; Ord. No. 2017-54, 12-13-2017)

On interior, side and rear lot lines, fences for uses such as tennis court enclosures, sport courts, covered Jacuzzis®, and ball diamond backstops may be erected to a height greater than eight feet, but shall not exceed a height of 18 feet and shall meet accessory building setback requirements for the zone in which the fence is located.

(Code 2023, § 10-21-10; Ord. No. 2017-54, 12-13-2017)

Double fences shall be prohibited except for the following:

1. When located adjacent to an existing agricultural or animal use. This exception means that owners who wish to construct a fence may need to tie their fence into an existing fence located on an adjacent lot or parcel unless the fence is not deemed a double fence as defined in HCC chapter 10-3.
2. Lots located directly adjacent to school district property.
3. When an adjacent property owner is unwilling to allow the removal and replacement of an existing fence located on or near a common property line, the community development director may permit double fencing to mitigate reasonably anticipated detrimental impacts from incompatible land uses as defined within this title.

(Code 2023, § 10-21-11; Ord. No. 2017-54, 12-13-2017; Ord. No. 2023-14, exh. A(10-21-11), 7-12-2023)

Following the release of any improvement completion assurance for the construction of a fence, the abutting property owner shall maintain the fence in good condition unless the city specifically agrees to maintain the fence. All fences must be maintained in good condition and free from damage, breaks, or missing parts.

(Code 2023, § 10-21-12; Ord. No. 2017-54, 12-13-2017; Ord. No. 2023-14, exh. A(10-21-12), 7-12-2023)

When a difference in grade exists on either side of a fence or wall, the height of the fence or wall shall be measured from the average elevation of the finished grade of adjoining properties at the fence line.

(Code 2023, § 10-21-13; Ord. No. 2017-54, 12-13-2017)