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Code Review April 19, 2006 Page 2 Discussion: In response to the City Council’s direction to have the Planning Commission examine the City Code relating to fences, retaining walls and terraces, staff has put together information from our Zoning Code as well as handouts and codes from other communities. It is interesting to note (yet not uncommon) that neither fence, retaining wall nor terrace is defined in our City Code. The requirements as stated below are fairly basic and are quite common among other municipalities. The City Code indicates the following relative to fences and retaining walls: 1103.08: FENCING, SCREENING AND LANDSCAPING: Subd. 1. Height: No fence shall exceed eight feet (8') in height, and in the case of grade separation, such as the division of properties by a retaining wall, the height shall be determined on the basis of measurement from the average point between the highest and lowest grade. Subd. 2. Intersections: No fences, structures or planting of trees or shrubs shall be permitted within thirty feet (30') of any corner formed by the intersection of street property lines or the right of way of a railway intersecting a street, except properly constructed chain link fences. Such chain link fences shall not exceed forty eight inches (48") in height from the grade level at the lot line and shall have openings in the wire mesh of not less than one and five-eighths inches (1-5/8") nor more than two and one-fourth inches (2-1/4"). Such fences may follow the lot line to the lot corner. The thirty feet (30') restriction noted above shall consist of the triangle formed by connecting the two (2) points on intersecting lot lines that are each thirty feet (30') from the lot corner. Subd. 3. Location: a. Except as provided in subdivision 2 above, fences not to exceed forty eight inches (48") in height may be located on any part of a lot. Fences not to exceed ninety six inches (96") in height may be erected on any part of a lot behind the front line of the principal building. The City Council may require or approve fencing up to ninety six inches (96") in height in a front yard to satisfy a buffer or screening condition of a development review or conditional use permit. (Ord. 658, 8-14-00) b. A fence shall be installed on the applicant's property. The fence shall not be installed directly over the property line. Subd. 4. Landscaping Required: In all zoning districts, the lot area remaining after providing for off- street parking, off-street loading, sidewalks, driveway, building site and/or other requirements shall be planted and maintained in grass, sodding, shrubs or other acceptable vegetation or treatment generally used in landscaping. Subd. 5. Surface of Fences: Any fence shall be so constructed that the surface facing adjoining properties or public rights of way shall be of finished construction. The only mention of “retaining wall” in our code is in Section 1103.08, Subd 1, where it addresses grade change or separations, “such as the division of properties by a retaining wall”… This would clearly indicate that retaining walls were anticipated at lot lines similar to fences.