Uncovered stairs, landings, terraces, porches, balconies, and fire escapes may project into any yard, but not to exceed six feet and not closer than 10 feet to any lot line.

Architectural projections, such as chimneys, flues, sills, eaves, belt courses, and ornaments, may project into any required yard, but such projections shall not exceed three feet.

Residential fences are permitted on the property lines in all districts but shall not in any case exceed a height of six feet, shall not exceed a height of four feet in the street yard, and shall not be closer than one foot to any existing public right-of-way. A privacy fence, which substantially blocks the view, in any agricultural zoning district shall not be closer than half the height of the fence to any property line.

Security fences are permitted on the property lines in all districts except residential districts but shall not exceed 10 feet in height and shall be of an open type similar to woven wire or wrought iron fencing.

Essential services, utilities, electric power, and communications transmission lines are exempt from the height, yard, and distance requirements of this chapter.

This section does not apply to antennas and communications towers.

Retaining walls are permitted in all districts but shall not be closer than one foot to any property line. The retaining wall's height shall not be greater than the distance to any property line, and shall not exceed a height of 10 feet. Retaining walls in residential districts and closer than 10 feet to any property line shall be constructed of natural stone or concrete retaining wall blocks and shall not exceed a height of six feet. Retaining walls along navigable waterways to protect the shoreline from erosion shall be exempt from the restrictions of this subsection.

Purpose. The Plan Commission may hear an application for a special exception from those requirements of this chapter described in Subsection E, below, and may grant a special exception permit if the Plan Commission finds that such special exception is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of this chapter, is in accordance with the specific requirements of this section, and meets all of the criteria set forth in Subsection D, below.

Application. An applicant shall provide the Plan Commission Clerk with a complete application containing all of the following:

Notice, public hearing and decision. The Plan Commission shall, after providing a Class 2 notice under Ch. 985, Wis. Stats., hold a public hearing upon each application for special exception, listing the time, place and special exception proposed. Following the hearing the Plan Commission shall consider the proposed special exception and state the grounds for granting or refusing the special exception permit.

Criteria. Pursuant to Subsection A, a special exception may be granted only upon a finding, by not fewer than four members of the Plan Commission, that:

Permitted special exceptions. Special exceptions may be granted only with respect to the following requirements of this chapter:

Conditions. The Plan Commission, in considering and granting an application for a special exception permit, may condition the granting of a special exception on the compliance by the applicant with other conditions, including, but not limited to, landscaping, site plan changes, deed restrictions, and any other requirements necessary to fulfill the purpose and intent of this chapter. The applicant shall also comply with all applicable state statutes and rules.

Factors. In making its determination under Subsection A, the Plan Commission may consider factors such as characteristics of the real property, including, but not limited to, relative placement of improvements thereon with respect to property boundaries or otherwise applicable setbacks; existing and future use of property; useful life of improvements at issue; disability of an occupant; aesthetics; degree of noncompliance with the requirement from which a special exception is sought; proximity to and character of surrounding properties; zoning of the area in which property is located and neighboring areas; and the purpose and intent of the Zoning Code subsection imposing the requirement.

Revocation. Where the conditions of a special exception permit are violated or the related use is discontinued for 12 months or longer, the special exception permit shall be subject to review and possible revocation by the Plan Commission.

Recording. A special exception approved by the Town shall not be considered to be in effect until the applicant has provided the Town with the appropriate documentation to enable a land covenant that incorporates said permit to be recorded with the Sheboygan County Register of Deeds.