Plymouth City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 19
82 FENCES, WALLS, GATES, AND SCREENING
§ 19.82.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish development standards and regulations for fences, walls, gates, and screening. The intent of these regulations is to provide for adequate air and light permeability and visibility onto lots, for adequate buffering between and screening of uses and activities, for the mitigation of noise, for the attractiveness of the public realm, and for the safety of the pedestrian realm.
(Ord. 2014-01 § 1)
§ 19.82.020 Applicability.
All fences, walls, and screening shall be constructed according to the requirements of this chapter, except where exempt.
A.
Exemptions.
1.
Fences that are required by Federal or State law or regulation, or which are required by the City for public safety (e.g., temporary construction site fencing), are exempt from this section.
2.
Walls that are required by a mitigation measure and designed and approved through a tentative subdivision map, tentative parcel map, or site plan and architecture review for noise attenuation are exempt from this section.
B.
Fire Hazards. The Building Official shall not grant a Building Permit for the erection of any fence which will interfere with access in case of fire to buildings in the vicinity or which will constitute a hazard to street traffic or to pedestrians.
C.
Temporary Fences. Nothing in this title shall be deemed to prohibit the erection of temporary fences around construction works erected or maintained pursuant to the building codes and other laws of the City.
(Ord. 2014-01 § 1)
§ 19.82.030 Measurement of Fence and Wall Height.
A.
Fence and wall height shall be measured as the vertical distance between the lowest finished grade at the base of the fence and the top edge of the fence material. The finished grade shall be that as shown on the approved grading plan for the site at the time of initial development of the residential subdivision, multifamily development, or nonresidential development. In cases where a retaining wall does not require the approval of a grading plan, the finished grade shall be as determined by the Public Works Director.
B.
Retaining Walls. When a fence or wall is placed atop a retaining wall, the height shall be measured from the top of the retaining wall (see Figure 19.82.030-1 Measurement of Fence and Wall Height).
FIGURE 19.82.030-1 MEASUREMENT OF FENCE AND WALL HEIGHT  |
(Ord. 2014-01 § 1)
§ 19.82.040 Location, Height, and Transparency.
A.
Fence Location, Height and Transparency. Fences may be located anywhere within the residential parcel, and shall be no taller than six feet, four feet in the front yard, and comply with the clear vision triangle requirements in subsection E below. Industrial and commercially zoned property may construct rear and side fencing to eight feet with an Administrative Use Permit, and meeting the clear vision triangle.
B.
Retaining Walls.
1.
Timing of Construction. Retaining walls shall only be constructed as part of an approved grading plan for the site at the time of initial development of the residential subdivision, multifamily development, or nonresidential development, as part of a roadway improvement project, or as part of the necessary stabilization of the soil for the primary intended use of the property as determined by the Public Works Director.
2.
Height Limit. The height of retaining walls shall be limited to six feet. If a six-foot-tall retaining wall does not provide enough height to support and retain the soil for the property, a terraced design may be utilized with a minimum wall setback of five feet between retaining walls. The setback shall be measured from the exposed wall face. The wall setback area must include landscaping.
C.
Residential Buffer.
1.
When any multiple-family residential dwelling greater than five units abuts a single-family residential dwelling, a six-foot-high solid wall shall be required.
2.
Whenever new construction of any residential use abuts any educational institution, child care facility (with the exception of home-based child care), day nursery, small group care facility, nursing facility, convalescent facility, public utility substation, or any commercial, industrial, medical/professional office, or public/quasi-public use and/or district, a six-foot-high solid masonry wall shall be required.
D.
Open View Fencing. Open view fencing (a minimum of 50% transparency) is required in the following instances:
1.
All nonresidential fencing that is located within the front setback.
2.
When fencing is located adjacent to park, trail, or other open space area open to the public. This additional visibility is intended to increase the security of the open space area and the fenced-in property.
3.
Any portion of fencing over three feet in height located within the corner lot vision triangle.
E.
Vision Triangle.
1.
Vision triangles apply only to corner lots. The boundaries of a vision triangle are formed by drawing lines from the point of intersection of a lot's street corner property lines to points 30 feet along the two property lines and then connecting the two points with a straight line.
a.
Residential Districts. No wall, fence, or hedge higher than three feet shall be erected or maintained on a corner lot in any residential district within the area called the vision triangle.
b.
Other Districts. In any district, other than a residential district, no wall, fence, hedge, or other obstruction to view shall be erected or maintained between three feet and eight feet above grade on any corner lot within the area called the vision triangle.
2.
Planting and Landscape Materials. Planting and landscape materials (except for street trees) shall not exceed three feet in height within the vision triangle area or if taller it shall have a minimum of 50% opacity to allow views through the landscaping material (opacity measurement also includes fencing materials).
FIGURE 19.82.040-1 VISION TRIANGLE  |
(Ord. 2014-01 § 1; Ord. 2025-07, 10/23/2025)
§ 19.82.050 Design and Materials.
A.
Fencing Materials. Fences and walls shall be constructed of long-lasting materials. The following standards apply:
1.
Unless approved as a condition of approval or in conjunction with another planning permit or entitlement, fences or walls of sheet or corrugated iron, steel, concertina wire, or aluminum are prohibited, with the exception of ornamental fences.
2.
Chain link fencing may incorporate slats (vinyl slats preferred) to screen areas in commercial districts, unless otherwise conditioned by Use Permit, or Design Review.
3.
Barbed wire fencing is regulated as follows:
a.
Prohibited in Residential Zones.
b.
Permitted in any Nonresidential Zone and Nonagricultural Zone with an Administrative Use Permit (AUP).
c.
Permitted in Agricultural Zones, except that an AUP is required if abutting any other type of zone.
B.
Graffiti-Resistant Surface. When required by the City or through conditions of approval due to the location and nature of the wall, masonry walls shall be treated with a graffiti-resistant aesthetic surface.
C.
Landscaping. All required street side yard areas between the back of the sidewalk and fence/retaining wall shall be landscaped. Climbing vines shall be planted to grow on walls to deter graffiti. Landscaping shall not grow over the heights of the fences or walls, or reduce the required transparency.
(Ord. 2014-01 § 1)
§ 19.82.060 Construction and Maintenance.
A.
Fences and walls shall be structurally sound and built with quality, durable materials.
B.
All on-site landscaping shall be kept in a well-maintained and presentable manner which makes a positive contribution to the surrounding area.
C.
Fences and walls shall be maintained, in a vertical position and kept in good repair at all times (e.g., broken slats replaced).
(Ord. 2014-01 § 1)
§ 19.82.070 Gates.
All gates for vehicular access to areas used for parking or storage for residential, commercial, or industrial uses shall slide sideways or swing inwardly. If the gates serve commercial or industrial uses, they shall be closed when the premises are not open for business.
(Ord. 2014-01 § 1)
§ 19.82.080 Screening.
A.
Items to Be Screened. Trash, recycling, food waste, outdoor storage, and utility and service equipment, including satellite receiving dishes, must be located away from primary pedestrian areas, to the side or rear of buildings, or on rooftops. These items shall be enclosed or screened by landscaping, fencing, or other architectural means.
B.
Design. Screening design shall use the most appropriate materials, including solid wood fencing, masonry walls, and landscaping, to block unattractive items from view. The method of screening shall be architecturally integrated with the primary structure in terms of material, color, shape, and size.
C.
Outdoor Storage. The storage area shall be surrounded on all sides by a substantially opaque fence or wall six feet in height, unless a higher fence is required or approved by the Planning Commission. The wall or fence shall be kept in a clean, neat, and painted condition, free of graffiti.
D.
Service and Parking Areas. Fences, hedges, berms, and walls intended to screen service areas and parked vehicles in commercial, industrial, and multifamily housing projects shall not exceed three feet in height. At service and parking areas, where commercial development is sited adjacent to residential buildings, attractive screen fencing or walls must be provided along the property line(s). A five-foot wide planting area must be established adjacent to the screening fence or wall, with trees at a maximum spacing of 20 feet on center.
E.
Utility and Service Equipment. Utility and service equipment, including satellite receiving dishes, must be located away from streets and enclosed or screened by landscaping, fencing, or other architectural means. Rooftop equipment must be screened on all sides and must be integrated architecturally.
F.
Refuse and Recycling. Refuse and recycling areas shall be screened as set forth in Chapter 19.86 (Refuse and Recycling).
(Ord. 2014-01 § 1)