HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 4056 �
. � Amends Ordinanc� ,No. ,3899
Amended by ORD 5008 5132
CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON
ORDINANCE N0. 4056
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RENTON,
WASHINGTON, AMENDING A PORTION OF CHAPTER
7, TITLE IV (BUILDING REGULATI�JNS) OF
ORDINANCE N0. 1628 ENTITLED "CODE OF
GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF RENTON"
RELATING TQ REGULATIOr1S OF FENCES, �n1ALLS
AND HEDGES
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON TO ORDAIN
AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I : Existing subsection (C) of Section 4-717 of Chapter 7,
Title IV (Building Regulations) of Ordinance No. 1628 entitled "Code of
General Ordinances of the City of Renton is hereby amended to read as
follows:
Section 4-717 C. , as amend�d: Fences and Hedges
1 . Purpose:
(a) These regulations are intended to regulate the material and
height of fences and hedges, particul�rly in front yards and in yards
abutting public rights o.E way, in order to promote traffic and public
safety and to maintain aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods. The
following regulations are intended to provide and maintain adPquate sight
distance along public rights of way at intersections and to encourage
safe in�rzss and egress from individual properties. These regulations
also encourage the feeling of spaciousness along neighborhood streets and
minimize the closed city atmosphere which tall fences along public rights
of way can create.
(b) A pro�erty owner wishing to vary the height restrictions or
placement of a fence or hedge on a lot may make written application to
the Building and Zoning De�artment for an administrative review of the
situation. The Department' s staff shall review the application and
prepare a written determination based upon criteria listed in these
regulations.
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ORDINANCE N0. 4056
(c) The provisions and conditions of this Section regulating height
are not applicable to fences or barriers required by State law or by the
zoning provisions of this Code to surround and enclose public safety
installations, school grounds, public playgrounds, private or public
swimming pools and similar installations and improvements.
2. Definitions.
(a) . Clear Vision Area. The area bounded by the street
property lines of corner lots and a line joining points along said street
lines twenty feet (20 ' ) from their point of intersection.
(b) . Corner Lot: A lot that generally abuts two or more
streets except it may abut one street if such street changes its axis
more than 45° along that portion of the lot which it abuts.
(c) . Interior Lot: A lot that generally abuts or has frontage
on only one street, although on through lots that run from one block face
to another , such lots could abut two streets.
3. General Requirements:
(a) . Measurement to Fence Height:
(1 ) The height shall be measured from the top elevation of the
top board rail or wire to the ground. In cases where a wall is
used instead of a fence, height shall be measured £rom the top
surface of the wall to the ground on the high side of the wall.
A berm may not be constructed with a fence on it unless the
total height of the berm plus the fence is less than the
maximum height allowable for the fence if the berm were not
present.
( 2) Where the finished grade is a different elevation on
either side of a fence the height may be measured from the
side having the highest elevation.
( 3 ) Where a traffic vision hazard is created, the City may
require a modification to the height limitations and location
of fences, hedges or walls to the degree necessary to eliminate
the hazard.
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ORDINANCE N0. 4056
(b) . Height Limitations:
( 1 ) Residential Uses:
a. Interior Lots.
l . Front Yard Setbacks: Fences, walls or hedges a
maximum of iorty eight inches ( 48" ) in height may be
allowed within the required front yard subject to
these provisions.
2. Side Lot Lines: Fences, walls or hedges on
interior lot lines of required front yards shall not
exceed a maximum of forty eight (48" ) inches in
height. F�nces, walls or hedge� on interior side 1ot
lines not within required front yards may be a
maximum of seventy-two (72" ) inches in height.
3. Rear Lot Line: A fence or hedge a maximum oE
seventy-two (72" ) inches may be located on the rear
lot line.
4. Fences, walls or hedges along rear lot lines of
interior lots abutting alleys shall contain an access
gate to the alley.
b. Corner L�ts:
1. Front Yard Setbacks : Fences, walls or hedges a
maximum of forty-two (42" ) inches in height may be
allowed within any part of the Clear Vision Area.
Fences, walls, or hedges a maximum of f_orty-eight
(48" ) inches in height, may be allowed within any
part of the front yard setback when located outside
of the any Clear Vision Area on said lot.
2. Interior Side Lot Lines: Fences, walls or hedges
a maximum of seventy-two ( 72" ) inches in height may
be located on interior side lot lines to the point
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ORDINANCE NO. 4056
' where they intersect the r�quir�d front yard setback,
in which case they shall be governed by b. l �bove.
3. Side Lot Line Abutting Street: Fences, walls, or
hedges a maximum of forty-two (42" ) inches in height
within any Clear Vision Area and forty-eight (48" )
inches in height else where.
4 . Rear Lot Line: Fences, wa.11s or hedges a maximum
of (72" ) inches in h�ight may be located along the
real lot line except the fence shall be limi.ted to
forty-eight (48" ) inches in height where they
intersect the width of the required side yard setb�ck
of the side street and where the fence abuts the
front yard of an interior lot.
5. Fences, walls or hedges along rear lot lines of interior
lots abutting alleys shall contain an access gate to the a11�y.
( 2 ) Commercial, Industrial and Other Uses: A maximum of eight (8 ' )
feet anywhere on the lot provided the fence does not stand in or in
front of �ny required landscaping or pose a traFfic vision hazard.
(3 ) Fence Types:
a. Electric Fences:
1. Electric fences are permitted by special review in all
residential zones in cases where large domestic animals
are being kept provided additional fencing or other
barrier is erected along the property lines.
2. All e.lectric fences shall be postec� with permanent
signs a minimum of thirty six ( 36 ) square inches in are�
at intervals of fifteen feet (15 ' ) stating that the fence
is electrified.
3. Electric fences and any related equipment and
appliances must be installed in accordance with the
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ORDINANCE N0. 4056
manufacturer ' s specifications and in compliance with the
National Electrical Code.
b. Barbed Wire Fences: Barbed wire may only be used on top of
fences at least six (6 ' ) feet high for commercial , industrial,
utility and public uses.
c. Other :
1 . Bulk Storage Fences: See Section 4-734.
2 . Fences for mobile home parks, subdivision or planned
unit development and for sites which are mined, graded or
excavated may vary from these regulations as provided in
the respective code sections.
4 . Special Review Process :
(a) . Persons wishing to have one of the following types of
fences may submit a letter of justification, site plan and
typical elevation together with the permit fee to the Building
and Zoning Department.
( 1 ) Fences exceeding forty-eight ( 48" ) inches within front
yard setbacks but not within a Clear Vision Area.
( 2 ) Solid fences along side property lines abutting arterial
streets.
( 3 ) Electric Fences.
(b) The Building and Zoning Department shall approve the
issuance of special fence permits provided that:
(1 ) Fences, walls and hedges above forty-eight (48" ) inches
when all setback from the street property line four (4" ) inches
from every one inch (1" ) of increased height sought (over
forty-eight inches ( 48" ) , up to maximum of seventy-two inches
( 72" ) .
(2) Fences along property lines abutting a side street which
is an arterial may be a maximum of seventy-two inches (72" ) in
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ORDINANCE NO. 4056
height. This fence must be located to the rear of the required
front yard. In addition, driveways will not be allowed to
access through this fence. The location o� the fence exceeding
forty-two (42" ) inches in height along property lines,
particularly the front and side lot lines along flanking
arterial streets, does not obstruct views of on-coming traffic
at intersections or driveways.
5. C�mpliance: Fences �hich do not comply with these regulations
must be brought into compliance within six (6 ) months from the date
of notice of fence violation from the City.
SECTION II : This �rdinance shall be effectiv2 upon its passage,
approval and thirty days �fter publication.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 13th day of April , 1987.
���72��
Maxine E. Motor, City Clerk
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 13th d�Y o� April � 1987
,
�at�.bte�r� �'r ,sh.�r�.t�oG'�.
Barbara Y. Sflinpoch, "Mayor
Approved as to form:
G�-�-"
Lawrence J. Warre City Attorn�y
Date of Public�tion: April 17 , 1987
CITY/02
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