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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFence Information and Guidelines Document 2021 1 Created 3.26.2021 City of Iowa City Neighborhood and Development Services Building Division Fence Information and Guidelines This document was created as a general guideline for residential fence projects within the City of Iowa City, city limits. For the complete City Code visit icgov.org/city-government. Code section for fencing may be found under “Accessory Uses” 14-4C-2L. Things to consider before starting your fence project: • Are there private covenants in your subdivision agreements? For private covenants & subdivision agreements contact the Johnson County Recorder’s Office at 319-356-6093. • Where are your property lines? The City of Iowa City does not survey property lines. • Are there easement restrictions? For easement restrictions contact Development Services at 319-356-5120. • What are the setback requirements? • Call 811 before you dig. Iowa One Call 800-292-8989 or visit iowaonecall.com • What type of lot do you have? Double frontage, interior, or corner lot etc. Street Street Street Street Street Street DOUBLE FRONTAGE LOT INTERIOR LOT INTERIOR LOT CORNER LOT CORNER LOT REVERSED CORNER LOT INTERIOR LOT REVERSED CORNER LOT INTERIOR LOT INTERIOR LOT Diagrams of Lot Types LOT DEFINITIONS Double Frontage Lot – A lot having frontage on 2 parallel or approximately parallel streets. Corner Lot – A lot located at the intersection of 2 or more streets. Reversed Corner Lot – A corner lot, the rear of which abuts the side of another lot. Interior Lot – A lot bounded by a street on only one side. Front Lot Line – the line separating a lot from the street right-of-way. Rear Lot Line – The lot opposite and most distant from the front lot line. Street-Side Lot Line – Any lot line that separates a lot from a public or private street (not including alleys or private rear lanes). Lot Line – A line oriented by stable points of reference which establishes one boundary of a lot. Lot Frontage – the continuous width of a lot measured along the public right-of-way line. 2 Created 3.26.2021 Site Plan Example Wood Privacy Fence Building Plan Example City of Iowa City Neighborhood and Development Services Building Division Fence Information and Guidelines This document was created as a general guideline for residential fence projects within the City of Iowa City, city limits. For the complete City Code visit icgov.org/city-government. Code section for fencing may be found under “Accessory Uses” 14-4C-2L. A permit is required for: • Fences over 6 feet in height. • Electrical fences • Barbed wire fences • Any retaining wall over 4 feet in height as measured from the top of the footing to the top of the wall • A retaining wall of any height that supports a surcharge or impounds flammable liquids If your fence project requires a permit: Visit www.icgov.org/permitinfo for complete permit information. There you will find a link to our self- service permitting software, CSS. Once an account is set up, you may apply for a permit. The type of permit for fence projects in residential zones is a “Residential Building-Accessory Structure” permit. Detailed plans, showing dimensions and structure elements, will be required when applying. 3 Created 3.26.2021 City of Iowa City Neighborhood and Development Services Building Division Fence Information and Guidelines This document was created as a general guideline for residential fence projects within the City of Iowa City, city limits. For the complete City Code visit icgov.org/city-government. Code section for fencing may be found under “Accessory Uses” 14-4C-2L. Setback Requirements • Fences, walls and hedges must be set back at least 2 feet from any alley or street right-of-way line. • To avoid blocking the view and for safety reasons, on corner lots, fences, walls, and hedges over 2 feet in height must comply with the provisions of Article 14-5D, Intersection Visibility Standards. • In properties zoned residential and properties with frontages within 50 feet of a residential zones, fence height is limited to 4 feet in the front yard area. However, on double frontage lots and reversed corner lots, along expressways or an arterial street the height limit is increased to 6 feet. Be aware that corner lots have two front yards. Front Setback Line – A line parallel to the street and as far back from the street as specified for the principal building front setback. Front Setback Area – The area on a lot between the street-side lot line(s) and the front setback line. Rear Setback Area - On an interior lot, the area extending from one side lot line to another side lot line and between the rear setback line and rear lot line. - On a corner lot, the area extending from the side lot line to the front setback line between the rear lot line and the rear setback line. - On double frontage lot, there is no rear setback Side Setback Area – Any setback area between a side lot line and a side setback line that is not a front or rear setback area. Street, Local – A street used primarily for access to abutting property and for moving local traffic. Street, Collector – A street whose principal function is to carry traffic from local streets to arterial streets. Street, Arterial – A street whose principal function is to provide for through traffic and which is designed to carry large volumes of traffic. Definitions 4 Created 3.26.2021 Collector Streets and Local Streets-Vision triangle is measured at the point of intersection from the curb lines extended, 30 feet along each curb. City of Iowa City Neighborhood and Development Services Building Division Fence Information and Guidelines This document was created as a general guideline for residential fence projects within the City of Iowa City, city limits. For the complete City Code visit icgov.org/city-government. Code section for fencing may be found under “Accessory Uses” 14-4C-2L. Visibility Triangle Standards Intersection Visibility Standards may be found in Article 14-5D of City Code. You should not build within the triangle to avoid blocking the view from the street. Two Arterial Streets- Vision triangle is measured at intersection of right-of-way lines, 30 feet along each line. Collector or Local Street and Arterial Street-Vision triangle is measured along right-of-way line of arterial street, 30 feet from intersection of right-of-way lines. Along collector or local street, measure 30 feet from where curb lines intersect. Visibility Triangle Standards Examples For More Information Permit Information: icgov.org/permitinfo City Code: icgov.org/city-government Fencing code may be found under “Accessory Uses” 14-4-C-2L Visibility Triangle Standards may be found under Article 14-5D General and Easement questions: Development Services at 319-356-5120 Call before you dig: iowaonecall.com or 800-292-8989 Private Covenants & Subdivision agreements: Johnson County Recorder’s Office at 319-356-6093