Otsego City Zoning Code

The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards for the installation of fencing, screening, and landscaping and as may be required by other sections of this title to protect the general health, safety, and welfare of the City. (Prior Code § 20-19-1)

   A.   Generally: Landscaping of all properties shall be installed and maintained in accordance with section 5-2-3 of this Code.

   B.   New Residential Subdivision, Semipublic, And All Income Producing Property Uses:

      1.   Single-family dwelling units shall provide a minimum of two (2) deciduous shade trees per lot.

      2.   All other uses shall be subject to mandatory landscape plan and specifications with a landscape plan required to be developed and installed with an emphasis upon the following areas:

         a.   The boundary or perimeter of the proposed site at points adjoining other property.

         b.   The immediate perimeter of the structure.

         c.   The perimeter of parking and loading areas.

      3.   All landscaping incorporated in said plan shall conform to the following standards and criteria:

         a.   Approved Plants Required: Plantings suitable for complying with this chapter shall be as approved by the Zoning Administrator.

         b.   Minimum Size: 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:

 

         c.   Spacing:

            (1)   Plant material centers shall not be located closer than three feet (3') 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 feet (4') on center, and/or evergreen shrubs shall not be planted more than three feet (3') on center.

         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 two to one (2:1) are prohibited unless approved by the Zoning Administrator.

            (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 one 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 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. (Prior Code § 20-19-2)

   A.   Nonresidential Uses: Where any nonresidential use except agriculture and farming (i.e., structure, parking or storage) abuts property zoned for residential use, that nonresidential use shall provide screening along the boundary of the residential property. Screening shall also be provided where a nonresidential use is across the street from a residential zone, but not on that side of a nonresidential use considered to be the front (as defined by this title). All fencing and screening specifically required by this chapter shall be subject to section 11-16-4 of this title regarding traffic visibility and shall consist of either a green belt planting strip, fence or combination thereof, as follows:

      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 eight feet (8'). Earth mounding or berms may be used but shall not be used to achieve more than three feet (3') 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 masonry, brick, vinyl or maintenance free composite materials. A required screening fence shall provide a solid screening effect to a minimum of six feet (6') in height but shall not exceed eight feet (8') in height unless allowed by issuance of an interim use permit.

   B.   Residential Buffer Yards:

      1.   Overlay Easements Required: 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 feet (10') 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.   Buffer Yard 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 feet (3') 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 feet (4') on center, and/or evergreen shrubs shall not be planted more than three feet (3') on center.

            (4)   Deciduous trees intended for screening shall be planted not more than forty feet (40') apart. Evergreen trees intended for screening shall be planted not more than fifteen feet (15') apart.

         b.   Earth Berms:

            (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 feet (4') 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)   Earth berms shall contain no less than four inches (4") 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. (Prior Code § 20-19-3)

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 City, any fence within a front yard, within a residential buffer yard, or a property line fence without first making an application for and securing an administrative permit, which shall be treated as a formal agreement as to the construction and location of the proposed fence between the City and applicant in accordance with section 11-8-4 of this title.

   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:

      1.   All fences shall be located entirely within the private property of the person, firm, or corporation constructing or causing the construction of such fence.

      2.   The owners 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:

            (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 permit.

      3.   Fences shall not be placed on or extend into public rights-of-way or onto public property.

      4.   Placement of fences within drainage and utility easements shall be prohibited, unless:

         a.   The City Engineer, at their discretion, determines that the fence location and design will not interfere with the City’s purpose and use of the easement, including unrestricted access necessary to maintain or service stormwater, sewer, or water facilities and equipment.

         b.   The City Engineer may require modification to the location of the fence or its design in allowing an encroachment to ensure the City has full use and access to the drainage and utility easement.

         c.   The fence, or a portion thereof, may be removed at any time by the City for the purpose of utilizing or accessing the drainage and utility easement; the property owner shall be responsible for any costs incurred by the City for removal of the fence and the City shall not be responsible to replace or otherwise compensate the property owner for the fence removal.

         d.   The property owner shall execute an encroachment agreement approved by the City Attorney that is to be recorded by the City at Wright County with the title of the property.

      5.   Fences located within a yard abutting a public right-of-way shall maintain the traffic visibility requirements of section 11-16-4 of this title.

   D.   Construction And Maintenance:

      1.   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.   All fences shall be provided with a gate which affords reasonable and convenient access for public safety.

   E.   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 11-16-5 of this title.

   F.   Residential District Fences:

      1.   Height: The maximum height of a fence shall be six feet (6') except as may be allowed by this section.

      2.   Yards Abutting Public Rights-of-Way:

         a.   All yards abutting local streets:

            (1)   Maximum Height: Four feet (4')

            (2)   Minimum Open Space: Seventy five (75%) percent

         b.   Side or rear yards abutting major collector or arterial streets:

            (1)   Maximum Height: Six feet (6')

            (2)   Minimum Open Space: None

            (3)   Minimum Setback: Ten feet (10')

            (4)   For interior through lots, a gate or other opening is to be provided in the fence to allow for maintenance of the street side boulevard.

            (5)   The yard on the street side of the fence abutting a major collector street shall be grass and landscaped with plant materials, subject to the following standards:

               (A)   Plant material centers shall not be located closer than three feet (3') 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 feet (4') on center, and/or evergreen shrubs shall not be planted more than three feet (3') on center.

               (C)   Deciduous trees shall be planted not more than forty feet (40') apart. Evergreen trees shall be planted not more than fifteen feet (15') apart.

   G.   Commercial And Industrial District Fences:

      1.   Fences On Corner Lot: Fences extending across a required front yard or a required side yard abutting a public right-of-way shall be at least seventy five percent (75%) open for the passage of air and light and shall maintain the traffic visibility requirements of section 11-16-4 of this title.

      2.   Height: Fences may be erected up to eight feet (8') in height, except as may be approved with 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 feet (7') above the ground.

   H.   Special Purpose Fences: Fences for special purposes and fences differing in construction, height or length may be permitted by the City by issuance of an interim use permit upon a finding by the City Council that the fence is necessary to protect, buffer or improve the premises for which such fence is intended.

   I.   Screening Provisions: The screening provisions required by Section 11-19-3 of this title shall supersede, where applicable, the provisions of this section. (Prior Code § 20-19-4; amd. Ord. 2026-07, 5-26-2026)