Planning - Inspection

Fencing: General Guidelines For Commercial Uses

Types of Visual Barriers:

Wood Construction
Modified Wood Construction
Modified Wood Construction attached to a Concrete or Block Retaining Wall
Block Construction Design Standards for Visual Barriers of Wood Construction

1. The height of the fence is measured from the grade on the high side of the property line.
2. Property line fencing is to be setback 25’ from the street property line.
3. Fencing is to be constructed 6' above the elevation of the parking lot adjacent to the property line.
4. Fencing over 6' high requires a building permit.

(Initial Plan)

Fences should be constructed of quality materials and built to withstand the elements of wind, water, and sun. Listed below are standards that will facilitate the longevity of a visual barrier.

Posts:

1. The support posts should be a minimum of 4" x 4" x 8", treated wood or wood of natural resistance to decay such as redwood or cedar, and a #1 grade wood.
2. The support posts should be placed a minimum of 2 feet 6 inches into the ground using 90 pounds of concrete per post for stabilization.
3. The top of the concrete should be exposed above the finished grade and slope away from the post.
4. Posts should have a maximum spacing of 8 feet.
5. Posts should be placed without any concrete under them to allow water to drain away from the post.

Rails:

1. The rails should be treated wood or wood of natural resistance to decay such as redwood or cedar, a #1 grade wood, and supported by the posts at a maximum interval of 8 feet.
2. The rails should be 2" x 4" x 8’ and attached to the posts by a galvanized simpson FB24 fence bracket or equal.
3. A minimum of two rails and preferably three rails should be used.

Slats:

1. The slats should be a minimum of 1" x 4" treated wood or wood of natural resistance to decay such as redwood or cedar, a #1 grade wood, and no greater than 6 feet high without obtaining a building permit.
2. A space of 2 inches should be left between the bottom of the slates and the ground. The slats should be installed with no space between them.
3. The slats should be fastened using galvanized 6 penny nails or 1-1/2 inch staples placed pneumatically.
4. Pecky cedar or grape stakes should not be acceptable in the construction of the visual barrier.

Wood Fence Design Standards for Visual Barriers of Wood Construction

(Alternate Plan)

Fences should be constructed of quality materials and built to withstand the elements of wind, water, and sun. Listed below are standards that will facilitate the longevity of a visual barrier.

Posts:

1. The support posts should be a steel construction with a minimum length of 8 feet, a minimum diameter of 2 inches and have rain caps.
2. The support posts should be placed a minimum of 2 feet 6 inches into the ground using 90 pounds of concrete per post for stabilization.
3. The top of the concrete should be exposed above the finished grade and slope away from the post.
4. Posts should have a maximum spacing of 8 feet.
5. Posts should be placed without any concrete under them to allow water to drain away from the post.

Rails:

1. The rails should be treated wood or wood of natural resistance to decay such as redwood or cedar, a #1 grade wood, and supported by the posts at a maximum interval of 8 feet.
2. The rails should be 2" x 4" x 8’ (16’ long for best results) and attached to the posts utilizing a 2" x 4" x 10" steel angle iron and 1/4 inch "U" bolts. Note: When using 16 foot rails the butted ends should be staggered with the other rails giving the fence better support.
3. A minimum of two rails and preferable three rails should be used.

Slats:

1. The slats should be a minimum of 1" x 4" treated wood or wood of natural resistance to decay such as redwood or cedar, a #1 grade wood, and no greater than 6 feet high without obtaining a building permit.
2. A space of 2 inches should be left between the bottom of the slates and the ground. The slats should be installed with no space between them.
3. The slats should be fastened using galvanized 6 penny nails or 1-1/2" inch staples placed pneumatically.
4. Pecky cedar or grape stakes should not be acceptable in the construction of the visual barrier.

Modified Wood Fence Design Standards for Visual Barriers of Modified Wood Construction attached to a Concrete or Block Retaining Wall

Fences should be constructed of quality materials and built to withstand the elements of wind, water, and sun. Listed below are standards that will facilitate the longevity of a visual barrier.

Posts:

1. The support posts should be a steel construction with a minimum length of 8 feet, a minimum diameter of 2 inches and have rain caps.
2. The support posts should be set in metal sleeves to a minimum depth of 2 feet inside the concrete or block wall.
3. The spacing between the posts should be a maximum of 7 feet.

Rails:

1. The rails should be treated wood or wood of natural resistance to decay such as redwood or cedar, a #1 grade wood, and overlap the posts at least 3 inches.
2. The rails should be 2"x 4" x 8’ and attached to the posts by 1/4 inch "U" bolts.
3. A minimum of two rails and preferable three rails should be used.

Slats:

1. The slats should be a minimum of 1" x 4", treated wood or wood of natural resistance to decay such as redwood or cedar, a #1 grade wood, and no greater than 6 feet high without obtaining a building permit.
2. A space of 2 inches should be left between the bottom of the slates and the ground. The slats should be installed with no space between them.
3. The slats should be fastened using galvanized 6 penny nails or 1-1/2 inch staples placed pneumatically.
4. Pecky cedar or grape stakes should not be acceptable in the construction of the visual barrier.

Retaining Wall:

1. Consult the building official to obtain the information needed to size the wall for the specific application.
2. Retaining walls over 4 feet high from bottom of footing to top of wall require a building permit. Retaining Wall Modified Wood Fence Design Standards for Visual Barriers of Block Construction Fences should be constructed of quality materials and built to withstand the elements of wind, water, and sun. Listed below are standards that will facilitate the longevity of a visual barrier.

Footing:

1. The bottom of the footing should be a minimum of 30 inches below grade.
2. The footing should run continuously, be a minimum of 18 inches wide and 6 inches thick, and extend 6 inches past the ends of the wall.
3. "L" shaped dowels should be provided at 32 inches on center projecting at least 12 inches above the footing.

Block:

1. The block should be concrete block or equivalent.
2. The block should be a minimum of 6 inches wide.
3. The top of the block wall should have a block cap that overhangs each side of the wall a minimum of 1/2 inch.

Rebar: - Minimum rebar required:

1. Vertical, #4 @ 32 inches on center.
2. Horizontal, #4 @ 48 inches on center.

Appearance:

1. A colored block should be used instead of painting the wall to reduce the amount of maintenance.
2. The relief of the wall must be varied by using pilasters, kerfed block, shadowall block, fluted split block, split block, or a mix of block types.