14.34.500 Fencing Standards for Residential Zones.
Fencing in the One-Family Residential (R1), Residential Conservation (RC), Very Low Density Residential (VLDR), Low Density Residential (LDR), Medium Density Residential (MDR), High Density Residential (HDR), Campus Mixed-Use (CMU), Neighborhood Mixed-Use (NMU), and Mixed-Use (MU) Zones shall comply with the following standards:
(1) Structural fences seven (7) feet or less in height shall not require a building permit. Structural fences over seven (7) feet in height shall require a building permit from the Building Inspection Division. A structural fence or vegetative fence shall not create a sight-distance hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic as defined in Section 14.34.100, Provo City Code, and as determined by the Provo City Traffic Engineer. Fencing materials are limited to lumber, vinyl, chain-link, masonry, wrought iron and decorative metal, vegetation or other similar fencing materials. Pallets, scrap metal, tarps or other non-fencing materials are not permitted. Any fence, wall, gate, hedge or structure maintained in such condition of deterioration or disrepair as to constitute a nuisance or a hazard to persons or property shall be repaired or replaced. Standards for barbed wire and similar types of fences are listed in Section 9.14.020, Provo City Code.
(a) Front Yard. Solid walls, fences or hedges which are sight obscuring may be built to a maximum of three (3) feet in height in any required front yard perimeter. Such walls, fences, or hedges may slope upward to connect to a higher side yard fence. The length of a sloped fence section shall not exceed one (1) section or a maximum of ten (10) feet. Walls, fences or hedges which are not sight obscuring (at least fifty percent (50%) open) may be built to a maximum of six (6) feet in height in a front yard.
(b) Side Yard. Solid sight-obscuring fences or walls and non-sight-obscuring fences (at least fifty percent (50%) open) may be built to a maximum of seven (7) feet.
(c) Rear Yard. Walls and fences in a rear yard may exceed seven (7) feet; provided, that a building permit is first obtained from the Building Inspection Division prior to construction.
(d) Corner Lots. A fence not more than seven (7) feet in height may be constructed in a side yard adjacent to a public street on a corner lot, provided it does not extend into the clear vision area of a corner lot as defined by Section 14.34.100, Provo City Code.
(e) Entryways. Entry treatments to private driveways or subdivision development entrances may not exceed six (6) feet at the highest point, except lamps on pillars, and must comply with the provisions of Section 14.34.100, Provo City Code. Pillars shall be allowed to extend up to eighteen (18) inches above the allowable height of a fence; provided, that the pillars shall have a minimum spacing of no less than six (6) feet, measured face to face.
(f) Grade Differences. Where there is a difference in the grade of the properties on either side of a fence, wall or other similar structure, the height of the fence shall be measured from the natural grade of the property upon which it is located.
(g) Retaining Walls. Where a retaining wall protects a cut below or a fill above the natural grade and is located on the line separating lots or properties, such retaining wall may be topped by a fence, wall or hedge of the same height that would otherwise be permitted at the location if no retaining wall existed.
(h) Privacy Walls. Privacy walls which project into a required front yard may be built to a maximum of three (3) feet.
(i) Double Frontage Lots. A fence or wall may be erected in the rear yard of a double frontage lot to a maximum of seven (7) feet if the rear yard fencing is common to the street, subject to staff review.