Sanborn City Zoning Code

For the purposes of this chapter, fences shall not be classified as a structure but shall be deemed a separate and distinct use of the land so as to allow their placement on a portion of a lot in which a structure or accessory building may not be located.

Except in a Central General Business Zone, there shall be provided an unobstructed view across a triangle formed by joining points measured 20 feet distant along the property line from the intersection of two streets, or 15 feet along both the street and the alley line from the intersection of a street and an alley. Within said triangle there shall be no sight obscuring or partly obscuring wall, fence, or foliage higher than 30 inches above grade or in the case of trees, foliage lower than five feet.

On portions of a lot not covered by street or alley intersection restrictions, the height of fences of any length and foliage continuous for five feet or more shall be limited to 42 inches on any street line and the front 50 feet of any side lot line. On all other portions of lot lines, fences, hedges and continuous foliage barriers may not exceed a height of 80 inches.

Heights of fences, hedges, and other continuous foliage shall be measured from the adjacent top of the street curb, surface of an alley, or the official established grade thereof, whichever is the highest. On inside lot lines the measurement shall be from the average grade thereof, whichever is the higher. On inside lot lines the measurement shall be from the average grade of the lot line of the parcel or property having the lower elevation.

The Board of Adjustment may approve, or may direct as a condition for granting an appeal, that fences or plantings of a height in excess of these regulations be placed as screening between different uses, or between like uses upon agreement between the parties affected thereby, provided that no such approval shall have the effect of reducing corner visibility as provided for herein.

Fences or foliage may be placed within the required setback in any zoning district at the distance specified from the property line for that district. This shall not exempt a fence or foliage from the corner visibility requirement as specified in Section 170.31, nor the height restrictions of Section 170.32. A fence or hedge may be built closer to the property line than the distance specified in Section 170.36 if a written agreement is signed by the adjacent property owners and presented to the Zoning Officer. Such agreement must state provisions for the maintenance and erection of any fence or hedge located within the distance specified in Section 170.36.

1.   Residential Districts:

 

 

2.   Business Districts:

All Yards:   No Requirement

3.   Industrial Districts:

All Yards:   No Requirement