5.6.E Fences and Walls | Sedona Land Development Code

These standards regulate walls, fences, retaining walls, and vertical combinations of those items in order to:

a. Enhance the visual appearance of the built environment in the City;

b. Establish an attractive streetscape;

c. Ensure visual compatibility with public spaces; and

d. Promote street and neighborhood character.

a. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a wall or fence required by any law or regulation of the state of Arizona or any state or federal agency.

b. Fences are not considered an accessory use for purposes of the use regulations of this Code, and may be erected prior to establishment of a primary use.

Walls and fences within a required front setback area shall not exceed four feet in height, with the following exceptions:

Properties in the CF and IN zoning districts may install a fence up to six feet in height within the front setback area.

Properties in the RS-70 and RS-35 zoning districts may install a fence that is a minimum 50 percent transparent up to six feet in height within a required front setback area.

Walls and fences along the interior side or rear lot lines shall not exceed six feet in height; provided, that the wall or fence does not extend into any required front setback area.

In single-family residential districts, walls and fences located in exterior (street) side setback areas between the front of a primary structure to the rear property line shall not exceed six feet in height, and shall not exceed four feet in height between the front of a primary structure and the front property line. In all other districts, walls and fences located in exterior (street) side setback areas shall comply with the height limitations applicable to front setback area walls.

Any fence or wall that is not located within a required setback shall comply with the maximum height requirements for primary structures and buildings.

Walls and fences up to eight feet in height may be allowed if:

1. They are temporary fences on construction sites erected for protection purposes during the period of construction only; or

2. They enclose loading, service, refuse areas, nonresidential recreational activities, public works facilities, utilities or other similar uses outside the front setback area; or

3. They enclose outdoor storage areas in nonresidential zoning districts outside the front or exterior side setback area.

Fences and walls shall not impede or divert the flow of water in drainage ways.

The standards of Section 5.4.F, Visibility Triangles, shall apply.

1. Walls and fences shall be designed as an integral part of a new development project and shall be architecturally compatible with principal buildings in terms of materials, colors, and design.

2. Walls and fences shall be designed to be compatible with the total surrounding landscape and architectural character of the building.

3. Posts and rails on solid wood fences shall face the interior of the lot when the fence faces a public street.

The following are prohibited as fence materials:

i. Chain link or open wire fences, except as provided in Section 5.6.E(7)b.2;

ii. Razor wire;

iii. Highly reflective corrugated metal; or

iv. Nontextured or unfinished concrete or block (CMU) walls.

Vinyl-coated or painted chain-link fencing is permitted for fencing in the RS-70, RS-35, RS-18, RS-10, RS-6, RMH, CF and IN zoning districts, but is prohibited in the front and exterior side setback areas in the single-family residential and CF zoning districts.

Portions of walls or fences that exceed four feet in height and face any public street right-of-way, public open space, or public trail shall incorporate the following features to break up the massing:

1. If the wall or fence exceeds 20 feet in length, a landscape area a minimum of three feet in width shall be provided and planted with a minimum of four shrubs for each 20 linear feet of wall or fence; and

2. In addition to the requirements of subsection E(7)c.1, if the wall or fence exceeds 40 feet in length, features that provide visual breaks, such as trees, columns or vertical pilasters, changes in wall alignment, or terracing of walls shall be provided a minimum of every 40 feet. To be considered a change in wall or fence alignment, the change in directions shall be a minimum of 30 degrees. (See Figure 5-8 – keyed to these standards 1 and 2.)

The height of retaining walls supporting either cut or fill conditions shall not exceed 16 feet in height measured vertically from the lowest point at natural grade to the highest point of the wall.

Retaining walls greater than eight feet in height shall be terraced to minimize visual impacts on residents, neighboring properties, and the public realm by:

1. Limiting terracing to three tiers, with each tier no greater than eight feet in height (see Figure 5-9);

2. Providing a minimum terrace width of five feet between any two retaining walls with a maximum slope of 3:1 and planted with a minimum of four shrubs per 100 square feet of terrace area (see Figure 5-9); and/or

three tiered retaining wall — Figure 5-9: Three-Tiered Retaining Wall

3. The Director may approve reduced terrace depths and alternative landscaping treatments where site constraints limit the amount of space available to accommodate the minimum width and planting densities.

1. Retaining walls that exceed three feet in height and are over 40 feet in length shall incorporate recessions and/or projections that have a minimum wall plane change of two feet.

2. A direction change of more than 30 degrees in plan view shall also constitute a recession or projection.

If a freestanding wall or fence is required or proposed on top of a retaining wall, then the following shall apply:

1. The combined height of a solid, freestanding fence or wall on top of a retaining wall shall not exceed eight feet when measured from the low side of the finish grade and shall not exceed the height limit for fences when measured from the high side of the finish grade.

2. If greater height is required as permitted in Section 5.6.E(4), then the freestanding wall or fence shall be moved back from the top of the retaining wall a minimum of five feet to create a planter area between the walls. (See Figure 5-10.)

i. A minimum of four shrubs for each 20 linear feet of planting area shall be planted.

ii. The Director may authorize the substitution of one-gallon vines or cascading plants (such as rosemary) for shrubs at a 3:1 ratio, such as three vines or cascading plants for one shrub.

iii. The Director may waive or reduce the width of the planter area if the proposed fence is made of wrought iron or similar materials and landscaped in such a manner that its potential visual impact is reduced.