Page 228 - Des Moines - Zoning, Planning and Design Ch 134, 135
P. 228
135-5. lANDScAPe AND StreetScAPe DRAFT
Screening of Necessary Appurtenances
mounted equipment at least 4 feet in height. 135-5.13 Fence and Wall requirements
1. Screen Wall. An opaque screen wall is required 5.13.1 GeNerAl
per the following:
a. The wall shall enclose the area around at A. intent. To reduce the negative impacts of fences
and protect the economic and aesthetic values
least 3 sides. within the city.
b. The screen wall shall be masonry B. Applicability. The following applies to all fencing in
construction matching any masonry from any district.
the building’s street facade design.
2. Height. The height of the screen wall shall be tall c. Sight clearance at intersections. Any fence
or wall shall conform to the vision clearance
enough to screen the use inside. The community requirements of section 114-14 of the city’s
development director may request additional municipal code.
height as needed for complete screening.
3. Visible Openings. Openings visible from the D. Permit required. No fence shall be erected until a
permit has been approved from the building official,
public way or adjacent properties shall include except the following:
opaque gates.
c. Small Private Mechanical equipment. Small 1. Chain link and wire fences 4 feet or less in
height.
private mechanical equipment includes ground-
mounted equipment less than 4 feet in height. 2. All other fences 3 feet or less in height.
1. Screening. Landscape screening with shrubs or 5.13.2 lOcAtiON AND PlAceMeNt
ornamental grasses spaced no more than 30” on
center shall be utilized, and the equipment shall A. Front Yards. No fence in any zoning district may
be fully screened by the plants within 2 years. be constructed closer than one foot to the front
property line. No solid fence may be located in
2. The community development director may any front yard in the NX or N districts, or on any
request additional screening as needed to property used for residential purposes.
ensure
B. Side Yards. No fence in any zoning district may be
constructed in a side yard closer than 6 inches to a
side property line.
c. rear Yards. No fence in any zoning district may be
constructed in a rear yard closer than 6 inches to a
rear property line.
D. Property line. Fences that are built along a
property line are allowed, provided that both
property owners sign the application for the fence
permit.
e. Face Direction. All fences shall be erected with
the “good,” “decorative,” or “finished” side facing
outward.
F. Unauthorized Placement Prohibited. It is
unlawful for any person to place or maintain any
post, rail, fence, wires or other similar obstruction
upon any street, sidewalk or public right-of-way in
the city, except as otherwise expressly provided
in these regulations or approved by the city for
outdoor dining or seating.
5.13.3 HeiGHt
A. Front Yards. No fence more than 3 feet high shall
be constructed in any front yard in any district
135-5-16 DRAFT AuGuST 3, 2017
