2740 Frd St Ames, IA 50010-6442

(a) Applicability. These standards apply to all zoning districts except General Industrial (GI), Research and Innovation (RI), Intensive Industrial (II), and Planned Industrial (PI). (Ord. No. 4517, 01-23-24) (b) Types of Fences. These standards apply to walls, fences, and screens of all types whether open, solid, wood, metal, wire, masonry, earthen, or other material. (c) Location and Height. (i) Height in Front Setbacks & Yards. The maximum height of fences in front setbacks and front yards is four (4) feet. (ii) Height in Side and Rear Setbacks. The maximum height for fences in side or rear setbacks is six (6) feet, except as further limited by this section in setbacks abutting street rights -of-way. (iii) Height in Setbacks Abutting Rights-of-way. The maximum height of fences in any setback abutting a street right -of-way is four (4) feet, except that up to six (6) feet of fence is allowed in any side or rear setback if: (a) The lot does not abut the front yard of any other residential property along the same side of the street; and (b) The fence is at least five (5) feet from the property line abutting a street right-of- way. Within this five (5) foot area, landscaping is required consisting of one landscape tree for every 50 lineal feet and two high or three low shrubs for every ten lineal feet of area to be planted. (iv) Height Outside of Setbacks. The maximum height for fences that are not placed in setbacks is eight (8) feet, except that in any portion of a front yard fences shall not exceed four (4) feet. (v) Retaining Wall. In the case of retaining walls and supporting embankments, the above requirements shall apply only to that part of the wall above finished grade of the retained embankment, provided that the finished grade at the top of the wall or embankment extends at least 20 feet or if the available area is less than 20 feet, the grade extends to the principal structure. Otherwise, it will be considered an earthen berm and will be subject to the height limitation for fences. (vi) Visibility Triangle. All fencing shall meet the requirements of the visibility triangle as defined in section 29.408(5) of the Municipal Code. (d) Prohibited Materials. Barbed wire, razor wire, electric, and similar types of fences are prohibited. (Ord. No. 3796, 09-14-04; Ord. No. 4052, 12-14-10; Ord. No. 4245, 1-26-16) (3) Solid Waste Collection Areas.