§ 8-12. Screening devices and fence regulations.  


Latest version.
  • A.

    Purpose. It is the express intent of this ordinance to regulate the placement, size and height of any and all screening devices (fence or wall) used to separate property, screen dumpster areas, and provide perimeter screening along thoroughfares. All construction shall be in accordance with the City of Saginaw Construction Standards.

    B.

    Screening standards: nonresidential uses. The following standards shall apply to screening devices in the nonresidential zoning districts:

    1.

    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.

    2.

    The screening device shall be solid and made of masonry, wood (cedar or redwood), or chain link with opaque slats.

    3.

    A concept plan of the screening device shall be submitted to the city for review and approval.

    4.

    Screening fence or wall. An opaque vertical visual barrier constructed of appropriate materials as permitted by ordinance and meeting the appropriate height regulations as established by the city and used to block the view of the general public.

    C.

    Screening standards: residential uses. The following standards shall apply to screening devices in the residential zoning districts:

    1.

    In areas where a single-family district abuts a multi-family district, a screening device shall be erected along side and rear property lines. The screening device shall be a minimum height of eight feet. It shall be the responsibility of the multi-family district to construct the screening device.

    2.

    The screening device shall be solid masonry, unless otherwise approved by city council.

    D.

    Screening along arterial and collector thoroughfares. The following screening requirements shall apply:

    1.

    A screening device is required along the side and/or rear property lines adjacent to any arterial, or applicable collected grade street as determined by the city council, and shall be a minimum height of eight feet.

    2.

    The screening device shall be solid and made of masonry, wood, or a combination of masonry and ornamental iron with landscape screen, unless otherwise approved by the city council.

    3.

    The screening device shall be offset onto the property a distance of three feet along a minimum run of a single lot width, or a maximum run of two lot widths. The portion of such screening device perpendicular to the roadway may be built of ornamental iron with landscape screen, with approval of the city council.

    4.

    A concept plan of the screening device shall be submitted to the city for review and approval.

    E.

    Special screening: trash receptacles. A screening device is required around all trash receptacles. The screening device shall be solid and made of masonry, wood, or chain link with opaque slats. The screening device shall be a height of eight feet, or two feet above the top of the receptacle, whichever is less.

    F.

    Prohibited materials. The following types of screening materials are subject to prohibition:

    1.

    Electric fences are specifically prohibited in all residential districts. special exception approval by the city council may be given in zoning districts other than residential.

    2.

    Smooth face concrete masonry units (CMU) are not to be used as a masonry wall material. Textured face CMU is acceptable.

    3.

    "Spite" fences shall be prohibited.

    G.

    Safety. The following safety provisions shall apply to screening devices within the City of Saginaw:

    1.

    No screening device shall be constructed or maintained in such a manner as would endanger the health or safety of the public.

    2.

    Fences constructed of barbed wire, walls topped with broken glass or surfaced with any like sharp material, or which are topped by "razor" wire or coiled barbed wire shall be prohibited.

    3.

    Screening devices constructed of materials which are not commercially available materials shall be prohibited.

    4.

    Security fences of not less than six feet in height may be topped by barbed wire aprons in nonresidential areas.

    5.

    Barbed wire fences shall be permitted in agricultural districts where such fences are providing for the actual enclosure of farm animals.

    6.

    No electric fence shall be permitted, except in agricultural districts where such fence is providing for the actual enclosure of farm animals, in which case said electric fence shall be posted along each adjoining public right-of-way and abutting residential areas at intervals of not less than 100 feet.

    H.

    Special provisions. The following special provisions for screening devices shall apply:

    1.

    The height of a screening device shall be the vertical distance between the ground and the top of the fence. In terrain where ground slopes at a grade of ten percent or more, the fence or wall may be built in ten foot horizontal stair-step sections; the average height of each such section shall comply with the height regulations set forth herein.

    2.

    No screening device located in the required front yard, according to the zoning district provisions, shall have a height of more than three feet. Such fences shall not have openings less than that which would allow a six-inch sphere to pass through the openings.

    3.

    No screening device located on a corner lot shall have a height in conflict with the regulations governing visibility at intersections as follows:

    a.

    At intersections, there shall be a visibility triangle maintained without obstruction by any structure over 30 inches in height within the POSE (public open space easement) as required by the subdivision ordinance and/or plat.

    b.

    Entranceways, which have decorative structures and plantings, shall be built with the same regulations as fences within the POSE (public open space easement) and as approved by the final plat/construction plans.

    4.

    No screening device other than decorative fence may be built nearer the street onto which the house or building faces than the front building line. Exceptions to this may be made for schools and in nonresidential districts if deemed necessary by the city council.

    5.

    Other yard uses, such as fences, wall, poles, posts, customary fixed yard accessories and ornaments, and roof overhangs projecting not more than 24 inches, may be permitted in any minimum required yard, subject to height limitations and requirements limiting obstruction of visibility.

    I.

    Decorative fences. Decorative fences shall be defined as fences not over three feet in height, as measured from the top of the curb, used for landscaping or ornamentation and not primarily for enclosure. The construction of a decorative fence is subject to the following limitations:

    1.

    The fence must not be totally solid, and must allow for good visibility through the fence. This includes fences made of split rail, wrought iron, widely spaced pickets with six inches or more separation, or other ornamental material.

    2.

    If shrubs are planted along the decorative fence, they must not obstruct the visibility through the fence.

    3.

    Chain link fences, barbed wire fences, and other wire mesh fences that are ordinarily used to contain animals are specifically prohibited as a decorative fence.

    4.

    A decorative fence may be built no nearer the street than the furthermost of the following distances:

    a.

    Ten feet behind the curb.

    b.

    The edge of the street right-of-way nearest the property line.

    c.

    The edge of the sidewalk nearest the building line; however, in no instance shall the decorative fence enclose the sidewalk.

    J.

    Maintenance requirements. A screening device in public view shall be maintained by the owner and/or tenant, or homeowners association where applicable, in a manner that will eliminate leaning of any portion of the screening device that creates a public safety hazard or that could be considered unsightly. A screening device in public view shall be subject to inspection by the building inspections department for compliance.

    K.

    Requirements, permits, and fees. Screening device requirements shall be required for all new businesses, for any change in occupancy, or when external improvements over $2,500.00 are made to the property. All permits and fees shall be subject to the requirements as established by the City of Saginaw for building permits.