The purpose of this chapter is to control location and height of fences as may be required by city laws, rules and regulations to safeguard life or limb, property and public welfare. Fences may be constructed of any generally acceptable material except that barbed wire and electric charged fences are specifically prohibited in any R-1 or R-M zone. (Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: prior code § 7512)

   The height of a fence or wall shall be measured from the adjacent finished grade, excluding raised planters or berms, to the top of the fence, wall or hedge. (Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: Ord. 2002-06 § 3 (part), 2002)

   The following standards shall apply to sites within an R-1 zone:

   A.   Fences, walls and hedges not exceeding seven feet in height shall be permitted, except that in a required front yard or within five feet of a street side property line on a corner or side on cul-de-sac lot, a fence, wall or hedge shall not exceed three feet in height. A fence or wall may be allowed to a height of four feet provided that the additional one-foot height is at least fifty (50) percent open. A fence, wall, or hedge height greater than seven feet may be allowed when extenuating circumstances exist such as to address grade elevation differences between parcels, which allows fence height to be measured from the higher base elevation.

   B.   Required block walls for residential developments along arterial or collector roadways shall be designed to provide pedestrian access between the arterial or collector to the residential development. A Pedestrian access shall always be required as part of the block wall design abutting an arterial or collector roadway when a transit stop is located within one-quarter mile of the residential development.

   C.   Exceptions may be granted in accordance with Chapter 17.42.

(Ord. 2024-07 § 13 (part), 2024: Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: Ord. 2002-06 § 3 (part), 2002: prior code § 7514)

   The following standards shall apply to sites within an R-M zone:

   A.   Fences, walls and hedges not exceeding seven feet in height shall be permitted except that in a required front yard, or within five feet of a street side property line on a corner or side on cul-de-sac lot, a fence, wall or hedge shall not exceed three feet in height. A fence or wall may be allowed to a height of four feet provided that the additional one-foot height is at least fifty (50) percent open. A fence, wall, or hedge height greater than seven feet may be allowed when extenuating circumstances exist such as to address grade elevation differences between parcels, which allows fence height to be measured from the higher base elevation.

   B.   Wrought Iron Fences. A decorative open metal fence of wrought iron or tubular steel (not chain link) not exceeding seven feet in height shall be permitted along the front and street side property lines or within the front yard and street side yard setback areas of multi-family uses. This subsection does not authorize solid walls or fences composed of woven wire (chain link), wood, or other materials other than open metal wrought iron or tubular steel. A post or pilaster consisting of masonry, brick, or other solid material not exceeding 18 inches square and seven feet tall may be used to support a wrought iron or tubular steel fence at a minimum distance of six feet between the posts or pilasters.

   C.   Required block walls , fences, wrought iron fences for multi-family developments along arterial or collector roadways shall be designed to provide pedestrian access between the arterial or collector to the multi-family residential development. A Pedestrian access shall always be required as part of the block wall, fences or wrought iron fence design abutting an arterial or collector roadway when a transit stop is located within one-quarter mile of the multi-family residential development.

   D.   Exceptions may be granted in accordance with Chapter 17.42.

(Ord. 2024-07 § 13 (part), 2024: Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: Ord. 2002-06 § 3 (part), 2002: prior code § 7515)

   The following standards shall apply to sites within a C-N, C-R, C-S, C-MU, or D-MU zone:

   A.   Where a site in the C-N, C-R, C-S, C-MU, or D-MU zone adjoins an R-1 or R-M zone, either a concrete block masonry wall not less than seven feet in height shall be located on the property line except in a required front yard and suitably maintained or a landscaped buffer be provided as approved by the planning commission. A fence, wall, or hedge height greater than seven feet may be allowed when extenuating circumstances exist such as to address grade elevation differences between parcels, which allows fence height to be measured from the higher base elevation.

   B.   A use not conducted entirely within a completely enclosed structure, on a site across a street or alley from an R-1 or R-M zone shall be screened by a concrete block or masonry wall not less than six feet in height, if the city planning commission finds said use to be unsightly. A landscaped buffer can be approved by the planning commission in place of a required wall as an exception.

   C.   Open storage of materials and equipment, except commercial vehicles and used car sales lots, shall be permitted only within an area surrounded and screened by a concrete block or masonry wall not less than six feet in height; provided, that no materials or equipment shall be stored to a height greater than that of the wall or fence.

   D.   No fence or wall shall exceed seven feet in height if located in a required side or rear yard or three feet in height if located in a required front yard or street side yard. A fence or wall may be allowed in a required front yard or street side yard to a height of four feet provided that the additional one-foot height is not of a solid material.

   E.   Exceptions may be granted in accordance with Chapter 17.42.

(Ord. 2024-07 § 13 (part), 2024: Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: Ord. 9605 § 30 (part), 1996: prior code § 7516)

   The following standards shall apply to sites within a O-PA, O-C, or BRP zone:

   A.   Where a site in the OPA, O-C, or BRP zone adjoins an R-A, R-1 or R-M zone a concrete or masonry wall not less than seven feet in height shall be located on the property line except in a required front yard, and suitably maintained. A landscaped buffer can be approved by the planning commission in place of the wall as an exception. A fence, wall, or hedge height greater than seven feet may be allowed when extenuating circumstances exist such as to address grade elevation differences between parcels, which allows fence height to be measured from the higher base elevation.

   B.   No fence or wall in the OPA, O-C, or BRP zone shall exceed seven feet in height if located in a required side or rear yard or three feet in height if located in a required front yard or street side yard. A fence or wall may be allowed in a required front yard or street side yard to a height of four feet provided that the additional one-foot height is not of a solid material.

   C.   Exceptions may be granted in accordance with Chapter 17.42.

(Ord. 2024-07 § 13 (part), 2024: Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: Ord. 9605 § 30 (part), 1996: prior code § 7517)

   The following standards shall apply to sites within an I-L or I zone:

   A.   Where a site within an I-L or I zone adjoins an R-A, R-1 or R-M zone a concrete block or masonry wall not less than seven feet in height shall be located on the property line except in a required front yard and suitably maintained. A fence, wall, or hedge height greater than seven feet may be allowed when extenuating circumstances exist such as to address grade elevation differences between parcels, which allows fence height to be measured from the higher base elevation.

   B.   A use not conducted entirely within an enclosed structure, on a site across a street or alley from an R-A, R-1 or R-M zone shall be screened by a concrete block or masonry wall not less than seven feet in height, if the site plan review staff finds said use to be unsightly.

   C.   Open storage of materials and equipment shall be permitted only within an area screened by a concrete block or masonry wall not less than six feet in height, which is adjacent to a public street or a residence provided that no materials or equipment shall be stored to a height greater than that of the wall or fence.

   D.   No fence or wall shall exceed seven feet in height if located in a required side or rear yard or three feet in height if located in a required front yard or street side yard. A fence or wall may be allowed in a required front yard or street side yard to a height of four feet; provided, that the additional one-foot height is not of a solid material.

   E.   Exceptions may be granted in accordance with Chapter 17.42.

(Ord. 2024-07 §§ 3 (part), 13, 2024: Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: prior code § 7518)