§ 1204. Structural buffer.

The minimum required width of a natural buffer required by this article (excludes stream buffers) may be reduced by as much as 50 percent if a structural buffer is installed along the entire buffer length where a reduction of width is sought, in accordance with the requirements of this section.

(a)

Minimum required height. A structural buffer shall provide an opaque screen to a height of no less than eight feet.

(b)

Slope of berm. If a berm is utilized as a structural buffer, it shall have a maximum side slope of 50 percent (i.e., one foot of vertical rise to two feet of horizontal run).

(c)

Planting. Within the reduced natural vegetative buffer area, where no vegetation exists or where sparsely vegetated, at least two staggered rows of evergreen trees with branches touching the ground shall be required for each 25 feet of vegetated buffer width.

(d)

Materials. Fences used in buffers must be constructed of cedar, redwood, treated wood, or other approved material. Walls used in buffers shall be masonry. Fences and freestanding walls shall present a finished appearance facing the abutting property.

(e)

Setback. Fences or walls within required buffers shall be located interior to the natural vegetative buffer.

(f)

Maintenance. Every structural buffer installed per the requirements of this section shall be maintained by the owner of the property where the structural buffer is located, so as to provide an opaque vision screen to a height of at least eight feet.

(Ord. No. 17-003 , § 1, 10-2-2017)