§ 138-3702. General requirements.

(a)

Residential fences and walls. In residential districts, walls and fences are subject to the following height limits:

(1)

Within the required side and rear setback area: six feet for a fence or wall of any style; or eight feet for a decorative fence or wall along secondary arterial and collector frontages.

(2)

Within the required front setback area:

a.

Three feet for a fence or wall of any style; additional height may be added for semi-opaque decorative toppers, the complete fence or wall shall not exceed a total height of five feet.

b.

Four feet for a decorative fence or wall; additional height may be added for semi-opaque decorative toppers, the complete fence or wall shall not exceed a total height of five feet.

c.

Eight feet for a decorative fence or wall when one of the following conditions apply:

1.

The fence or wall encloses the perimeter of a development adjacent to roads classified as collector streets or arterial roads. In such case: It must be located at least two feet from the right-of-way and shall be landscaped with two trees for each 100 lineal feet and hedge material planted, in keeping with the intent of chapter 166, article II, trees should be planted at least five feet in distance from the wall to allow adequate room for growth. Hedges within sight triangles must be maintained at no more than three feet above pavement.

The fence or wall must be reviewed and approved as part of a site plan or as a modification to an approved site plan. This includes the requirement that plans submitted be signed and sealed by a registered professional engineer in the State of Florida, thereby certifying that the fence or wall as proposed will not cause a sight distance obstruction for vehicles maneuvering on the adjacent or any nearby street system. Minimum sight triangle requirements for maintaining adequate sight distance are detailed in the appendix to this section.

2.

The subject property is a corner lot, double frontage lot, or other multiple frontage lot, and the fence will be located within a setback area from the adjacent right-of-way for which the property is not addressed. In such case, the applicant must obtain from the county traffic engineer a written statement of no objection that the fence as proposed will not cause a sight distance obstruction for vehicles maneuvering on the adjacent or any nearby street system. Such statement shall be in accordance with standard safe engineering practices as established by Pinellas County. The applicant for such permit shall provide to Pinellas County detailed information to show that these conditions are met.

(b)

Rural residential districts (R-A, R-E and R-R). Split rail fences may be permitted up to six feet within the required front setback area. Such fences shall maintain at least 50 percent transparency.

(c)

Nonresidential fences and walls. In nonresidential districts, walls and fences are subject to the following height limits:

(1)

Within the required side and rear setback area: six feet for a fence or wall of any style, except when required as part of a Type 2 Review (special exception) or (Type 3 Review (conditional use) approval.

(2)

Within the required front setback area:

a.

Three feet for a fence or wall of any style; additional height may be added for semi-opaque decorative toppers, the complete fence or wall shall not exceed a total height of five feet.

b.

Four feet for a decorative fence or wall; additional height may be added for semi-opaque decorative toppers, the complete fence or wall shall not exceed a total height of five feet.

c.

Six feet for a decorative fence or wall, provided the applicant satisfies the requirements of subsection 138-3702(a)(2)c.

(Ord. No. 18-36 , § 3(Att. B), 10-23-18)