HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Zoning Text Amendments Relating to Fences in Setbacks Section 29.408(2) ORDINANCE NO. 4245
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF
AMES, IOWA,BY REPEALING CHAPTER 29,SECTION 29.408(2)AND
ENACTING A NEW SECTION 29.408(2)THEREOF,FOR THE PURPOSE
OF CLARIFYING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR FENCES IN SETBACKS;
REPEALING ANY AND ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF
ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT TO THE EXTENT OF SUCH CONFLICT;
AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED,by the City Council for the City of Ames,Iowa,that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames,Iowa shall be and the same is hereby amended by
enacting a new Section 29.408(2)as follows:
"Sec.29.408. OTHER GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.
(2) Fences.
(a)Applicability. These standards apply to all zoning districts except General Industrial(GI),Research and
Innovation(RI),and Planned Industrial(PI).
(b)Types of Fences.These standards apply to walls,fences and screens of all types whether open,solid,wood,
metal,wire,masonry,earthen,or other material.
(c)Location and Height.
(i)Height in Front Setbacks&Yards.The maximum height of fences in front setbacks and front yards
is four(4)feet.
(ii)Height in Side and Rear Setbacks.The maximum height for fences in side or rear setbacks is six
(6)feet,except as further limited by this section in setbacks abutting street rights-of-way.
(iii)Height in Setbacks Abutting Rights-of-way.The maximumheight of fences in any setback abutting
a street right-of-way is four(4)feet,except that up to six(6)feet of fence is allowed in any side or rear setback if:
a.The lot does not abut the front yard of any other residential property along the same side
of the street; and
b. The fence is at least five(5) feet from the property line abutting a street right-of-way.
Within this five(5)foot area,landscaping is required consisting of one landscape tree for every 50 lineal feet and two
high or three low shrubs for every ten lineal feet of area to be planted.
(iv)Height Outside of Setbacks.The maximumheight for fences that are not placed in setbacks is eight
(8)feet,except that in any portion of a front yard fences shall not exceed four(4)feet.
(v)Retaining Wall.In the case ofretainingwalls and supporting embankments,the above requirements
shall apply only to that part of the wall above finished grade ofthe retained embankment,provided that the finished grade
at the top of the wall or embankment extends at least 20 feet or if the available area is less than 20 feet,the grade extends
to the principal structure. Otherwise,it will be considered an earthen berm and will be subject to the height limitation
for fences.
(vi)Visibility Triangle.All fencing shall meet the requirements of the visibility triangle as defined in
section 29.408(5)of the Municipal Code.
(d)Prohibited Materials. Barbed wire,razor wire,electric, and similar types of fences are prohibited."
Section Two. All ordinances,or parts of ordinances,in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of
such conflict, if any.
Section Three. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication as
required by law.
Passed this 26'day of January,2016.
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Ann H. Campbell,Mayor