Commercial Screening and Fencing

UDC Article 5, Section 5.3 Screening, Buffering, and Fences(PDF, 15MB) (page 143)

Section 5.3.1.D.1-3. Required Screening and Buffering(PDF, 15MB) (page 143)

1. Properties subject to this section shall meet the requirements of Tables 5.3-1 and 5.3-2(PDF, 15MB) (page 144) below.
2. To use this table, an applicant identifies the zoning or use of his/her property across the top of the table, and then reads down to identify the zoning or use of the adjacent property(ies). The box at the intersection of identifies the screening and buffering requirement for the applicant on that property line. For example, an applicant for a single-story commercial development that is adjacent to a single-family residential will need to meet the Level 2 screening and buffering requirements.
3. Different types of screening and buffering may be required on different property lines.

For proposed residential use (or mixed-use developments with residential use) adjacent to existing gas well sites:

• The residential structure shall have a minimum building setback of 300 feet from the nearest gas well drill zone or wellhead.
• The building setback is measured in a straight line from the nearest edge of the drill zone or gas wellhead.

Exception: This requirement does not apply to existing residentially-zoned properties (as currently zoned) or lots platted for residential uses prior to July 19, 2018.

UDC Article 5, Section 5.3.1.D.4.a-b. Screening Standards(PDF, 15MB) (page 143)

a. Design of Fences
When properties are required or permitted to have a screening device to meet residential screening standards, the standards of Section 5.3.4, Fences, shall apply.

b. Location of Fences
A screening fence shall be located, to the extent it is practical, along the length of the common line between properties. Required screening fences shall not extend into a required street frontage setback. Access to any required transitional buffer shall be provided for maintenance.

UDC Article 5, Section 5.3.1.D.5.a-c. Landscape Buffer Design Standards(PDF, 15MB) (page 145)

a. Planting Requirements
The landscape buffer shall be planted with an evergreen plant mix (see Approved Plant List(PDF, 150KB)). This shall include the following:

(i) For each 300 square feet of buffer area, one tree with a three-inch caliper that is 10 feet in height at the time of installation. Trees shall be layered in two rows.

(ii) Existing vegetation shall be maintained and counted toward the overall landscape requirement where the Zoning Administrator determines that it is healthy and contributes to the overall landscape mix.