Ranlo City Zoning Code
SCREENING
§ 154.065 REQUIREMENTS IN OFFICE AND INSTITUTIONAL, BUSINESS, AND INDUSTRIAL ZONES.
(A) A buffer strip consisting of a durable masonry wall, fence, or hedge, or other natural planting of comparable opacity, designed to be compatible with the residential character of adjoining properties, shall be provided along the side and/or rear lines of any lot zoned and used for nonresidential purposes, wherever the side and/or rear lines adjoin a lot in any residential zone or district. If a durable masonry wall or fence is used, it shall be four feet in height between the street line and required setback line of the adjoining lot in the residential zone or district and shall be from four feet in height to six feet in height along the side or rear yards of the adjoining lot in the residential zone or district.
(B) If a hedge or other natural planting of comparable opacity is used, it shall consist of a planted strip at least ten feet in width, and containing a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees spaced in a staggered triangular pattern not more than ten feet apart, and containing not less than two rows of dense plant materials. The hedge shall be planted at an initial height of at least three feet, and shall be of a variety that an average height of six feet can be expected by normal growth within four years from the time of initial planting. No plant material which would be a host to insects, would affect the plants on adjoining property, or would spread disease can be used; and all plant material must conform to the guidelines set forth in the 1959 edition of American Standard for Nursery Stock, published by the American Association of Nurserymen, Inc. All plant materials shall be planted at least three feet from the side or rear lot line of the adjoining lot in a residential zone or district.
(Prior Code, § 9-4051) (Ord. passed 4-27-1970)
§ 154.066 MAINTENANCE OF REQUIRED SCREENING.
The durable masonry wall or fence shall be constructed and/or the plant materials shall be planted in the required buffer strip prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy by the Inspections Superintendent. The buffer strip shall be maintained in neat order and condition by the property owner and/or occupant of the premises. The plant material shall be periodically trimmed or pruned at a height of not less than six feet, and diseased or dead plant material shall be removed and replaced.
(Prior Code, § 9-4052) (Ord. passed 4-27-1970)
§ 154.067 OUTDOOR STORAGE.
(A) Outdoor storage of any material, stocks, or equipment, accessory to a principal use on any lot shall be screened from any public street or from any adjoining lots in a residential zone by a buffer strip ten feet in width, and consisting of a durable masonry wall, fence, or hedge, or other natural planting of comparable opacity as heretofore specified in this subchapter; provided, however, that the screening may be located anywhere on the property.
(B) This requirement shall not apply to off-street parking lots nor to the storage of new and used vehicles that are offered or intended for sale, except along the side or rear yards of any lot in any zone or district where it adjoins a lot in any residential zone or district, but shall apply to auto wrecking and junk yards.
(Prior Code, § 9-4053) (Ord. passed 4-27-1970)
§ 154.068 WAIVER OF SCREENING REQUIREMENTS WHERE SCREENING IS ALREADY PROVIDED.
In case of unusual topography or size of the tract involved, or in cases in which screening devices already exist comparable to the general screening requirements of § 154.048, creating a situation whereby the installation of a masonry wall, fence, or hedge, or other natural planting of comparable opacity would not be practical and would serve no useful purpose, the Inspections Superintendent is hereby empowered to waive the requirements for screening; provided, however, that the spirit and intent of this chapter and the provisions pertaining to the required buffer strip are adhered to. This section shall not be construed to negate the necessity for establishing screening for uses which are adjacent to vacant properties.
(Prior Code, § 9-4054) (Ord. passed 4-27-1970)
§ 154.069 RESTRICTIONS.
The provisions of §§ 154.065 through 154.069 shall apply to the following zones only: MO & I, Medical Office and Institutional; O & I-1, Office and Institutional; O & I-2, Office and Institutional; B-1, Neighborhood Business; B-2, Highway Business; B-3, Central Business; B-3P, Central Business District Perimeter; B-4, General Business; I-1, Light Industrial; I-2, General Industrial; I-2L, General Industrial Limited; EI-1, Exclusive Industrial; EX-1, Extractive Industrial; and on any lot in a residential district when a non-residential use is developed on such lot.
(Prior Code, § 9-4055) (Ord. passed 4-27-1970; Ord. passed 7-10-2014)