Screening is a method of visually shielding one use from another by walls, fence, berms or densely planted vegetation. The building official shall make a determination as to whether the required screening has occurred.

(Ord. of 12-2003, § 16-12)

No fence or wall, other than a retaining wall, in a required setback area for a residential zoning district shall be more than six feet in height above finished grade, except as required for screening defined in sections 26-230 through 26-233.

(Ord. of 12-2003, § 16-9)

(a)

Plantings shall consist of either trees or shrubs or any combination of both. Planted areas shall be located along the abutting property lines or in areas that provide the best screening effectiveness.

(b)

If trees or large shrubs are used solely as the screening device, under normal growing conditions, they should attain a minimum growing height of eight feet and a canopy spread of ten feet within four years. They shall be planted a minimum of 20 feet on center.

(c)

When trees or large shrubs, are used in conjunction with a wall, fence or a berm, or combination thereof, to form the required screening, the minimum sufficient opaqueness shall be held to require no less than three feet of trees or shrubs in the area immediately adjacent to the wall, fence or a berm. This is to be measured along the ground surface from the fence to the inside border of said plantings. They should attain a minimum growing height of eight feet and a canopy spread of ten feet within four years.

(Ord. of 12-2003, § 16-12(a))

Walls shall be of masonry construction and a minimum of six feet in height, but no greater than eight feet in height. The wall shall be placed on the edge of the buffer nearest the most intense use of land.

(Ord. of 12-2003, § 16-12(b))

Fences shall be a minimum of six feet in height, but no more than eight feet in height. They shall be constructed of standard wood fencing material or methods of chain link with woven inserts that will provide 90 percent visual blockage. The fence shall be placed on the edge of the buffer nearest the most intense land use.

(Ord. of 12-2003, § 16-12(c))

Earthen berms shall have a minimum height of six feet.

(Ord. of 12-2003, § 16-12(d))

Any service area, loading area, refuse or storage area between a principal building and a public street being visible from said street and lying within 100 feet of said street shall be provided with screening consisting of not less than a 20-foot base width consisting of plantings plus a wall (not otherwise part of a structure or accessory building), fence or a berm, or any combination thereof, which meet the screening standards of this division.

(Ord. of 12-2003, § 16-11)