(a)

Compatibility with and buffering from adjacent land use. Buffering and separation shall be required between adjacent land uses of differing densities or intensities of use sufficient to ensure compatibility between uses. Issues of compatibility shall include considerations for noise, sight, and level of traffic generation. The width and degree of vegetation required depends on the nature of the adjoining thoroughfares and uses. Buffering for mixed use developments shall be based on the more intense use in the building or cluster of buildings.

(b)

Fencing requirements. Except for bona fide agricultural uses, all fences over 36 inches in height must comply with established building permit procedures, if any. All fences on each property must be of uniform or for alternative materials and/or color, compatible in design, materials, and color.

(1)

Materials. Fences must be constructed of conventional and traditional building materials including, but not limited to, concrete block, brick, wood, decorative aluminum, iron or steel, chain link or composite products manufactured specifically for fences and walls. Non-traditional materials, including but not limited to, tires, mufflers, hubcaps, auto or mobile homes body parts etc., are prohibited. Fabric liners are also prohibited.

(2)

Location. Except as may be specifically permitted or required by other sections of this Code, no fence may be erected, placed:

a.

Within any street right-of-way or street easement.

b.

Within any natural water body where submerged lands are owned or controlled by the state unless otherwise approved by the state department of environmental protection.

c.

Within a regulatory floodway as shown on the adopted flood insurance rate maps (FIRM).

(3)

Height. Fence height will be measured from the existing elevation of the natural grade adjacent at the location of the fence.

a.

Residential districts. A fence within the front yard setback may not exceed four feet in height. A fence between a sided or rear lot line and the required setback line is limited to a maximum of six feet.

b.

Commercial, industrial and public buildings and grounds districts. A fence may be a maximum height of eight feet around the project perimeter providing the fence does not interfere with vehicle visibility at traffic access points.

(c)

Screening requirements. Screens separating adjacent incompatible uses or influences or abutting arterial streets may be in the form of maintenance-free fences/walls in materials listed above, landscaping, or planted earth mounds. Such screens shall be at least six feet in height and at least 80 percent opaque. All portions of a wooden fence shall display the finished side on the outside. When landscaping is used for screening, it must consist of at least 50 percent of vegetation native to North Florida and must attain the height and opacity requirements of this section within 18 months of planting. Such walls. landscaping or planted earth mounds shall be located no nearer than one foot to an arterial right-of-way being screened.

(d)

Interior landscaping. All parking areas shall have interior landscaping to provide visual and climatic relief from broad expanses of pavement, and to direct and define logical areas for pedestrian and vehicular circulation.

(e)

Off-street parking areas containing ten or more parking spaces a continuous screen with a minimum height of six feet consisting of a solid wall, fence or compact permanent shrubbery. Interior landscaping shall be protected from vehicle encroachment by curbing or wheel stops.

(f)

Use of required landscape areas. No accessory structures, garbage or trash collection points or receptacles, parking, or any other functional use contrary to the intent and purpose of this Code shall be permitted in a required landscape area. This does not prohibit the combining of compatible functions such as landscaping and drainage facilities.

(g)

Screening required for trash areas, dumpsters and outdoor storage areas visible from any public street or from residential uses. Trash areas, dumpsters and outdoor storage areas visible from any public street or from residential uses and zones shall be screened with plants, opaque fencing, or masonry walls on three sides in such a manner as to provide a minimum of six feet, but no more than eight feet, of vertical visual obstruction.

(h)

Appropriate site plans showing proposed landscape development shall be submitted to the town clerk. Landscape plans for new nonresidential construction only, excluding renovations and additions, shall be prepared by a licensed. Florida registered landscape architect or other licensed professional authorized by law to practice in the area of landscape design. The site plan shall be drawn to scale normally of not less than one inch equals 30 feet. A different scale may be permitted for good cause shown. Amendments or modifications to approved landscape plans shall be reviewed administratively within five working days. Such site plan shall include the following:

(1)

Plant name, size and location, number, spacing and size upon installation of all trees, shrubs and ground covers.

(2)

Existing and proposed landscape areas.

(3)

Existing and proposed parking areas, including access aisles, driveways, catch basins and all vehicular use areas, scaled and/or dimensioned.

(4)

Reserved.

(5)

Locations of all existing and/or proposed, structures, sidewalks, pools, fences and walls, all applicable utilities services, dumpsters and other improvements, properly dimensioned and referenced to property uses, setback and yard requirements.

(i)

Corner visibility. On a corner lot in any residential district, no hedge, structure or planting, or other obstruction to vision between the heights of two and one-half feet and ten feet above street level shall be erected, placed or maintained within the triangular area formed by the intersection of curblines and a straight line joining the curblines at points which are 20 feet distant from the point of intersection measured along the curblines.

(j)

Appeals. A person aggrieved by an administrative order, determination or decision of the building department may appeal the order, determination or decision to the town council appeals for a variance from the strict requirements of this section.

(Ord. No. 2015-06, § 11, 2-9-2016; Ord. No. 2016-11, § 1, 7-12-2016; Ord. No. 2017-3, § 1, 3-14-2017)