§ 6-8. Screening and buffer requirement

A. Purpose. Standards set forth in this section are intended to encourage the appropriate use of land and conserve and protect the privacy and value of adjacent permitted uses. Regulations are prescribed for the location and type of various screening devices to be used when required in the various zoning districts or in this section in accordance with the following standards.

B. Generally.

1. When a boundary of a non-residential zoning district sides or backs upon an SF5, SF2.5, SF1.5, MH District, or a residential planned unit development a solid screening wall or fence of not less than six feet nor more than eight feet in height shall be erected on the property line separating these districts. The purpose of the screening wall or fence is to provide a visual barrier between the properties.

2. Where a multi-family use abuts a one or two family residential zoning district, the side and rear property lines of said multi-family district shall be suitably screened to a height of not less than six feet, nor more that eight feet, from any adjacent dissimilar residential dwelling or lot.

3. The owner of such property of the lesser restrictive use shall be responsible for and shall build the required wall or fence on his property line dividing his property from the more restrictive zoning district.

4. The entire area occupied by a junk yard or salvage yard shall be surrounded by a continuous screening wall or fence.

C. Screening wall or fence construction.

1. Unless otherwise provided for herein, a screening wall or fence required under the provisions of this section shall be constructed of a permanent, solid masonry material. Such wall or fence shall not contain openings constituting more than 40 square inches in each one square foot of wall or fence surface, and the surface of such wall or fence shall constitute a visual barrier.

2. All wall or fence openings shall be equipped with gates compatible in height and screening characteristics to the wall or fence.

3. In cases where city council finds this requirement to be better met by a screen of living, irrigated plant materials, a landscape plan may be submitted in lieu of a screening wall. Such landscape screening must be no less than four feet deep and must demonstrate screening characteristics equal to that of a masonry-screening wall.

4. In cases where the city council finds this requirement better met by a decorative fence or a combination of decorative fence and masonry screening wall and/or living plant materials, the same may be submitted to the city for approval along with a landscape plan.

5. All required screening walls shall be equally finished on both sides of the wall.

D. Prohibited screening walls and fences.

1. Required walls or fences shall not be constructed of chain link, barbed wire or other similar materials.

2. With the exception of the AG district, electric fences are not permitted in any zoning district. Existing electric fences shall be removed at the time that property ownership is transferred.

3. All required screening elements shall be permanently maintained by the nonresidential property owner.

4. Dumpsters and trash receptacles located on non-residentially zoned property and on sites used for non-residential purposes shall be located on a concrete pad constructed for that purpose. Said dumpsters and trash receptacles shall be screened on three sides by a masonry wall and shall contain a solid self-latching gate. The masonry wall shall be of similar construction as the principle building. Non-decorative concrete block shall not be permitted. A screening device shall be erected along side and rear property lines adjacent to residential districts. The screening device shall be a minimum height of eight feet, unless otherwise approved by city council.

5. No screening element of solid construction such as brick, masonry, concrete or solid metal, shall be erected or placed which would interfere with the installation or maintenance of any public utility line, service, or drainage-way within easements reserved therefore.