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Commission supports moving hedges into landscaping rules but rejects raising backyard fence height to 7 feet
Summary
Planning staff proposed a package of fence and hedge code updates, including moving hedge rules into the landscaping chapter and raising rear-yard fence heights from 6 to 7 feet. The commission approved most changes but voted to retain the 6‑foot rear‑yard maximum; the recommendation will go to City Council.
The Planning Commission on Aug. 13 recommended that City Council adopt a set of updates to Salt Lake City’s fences, walls and hedges rules — including removing hedges from the fences chapter and regulating them under landscaping rules — but the commission declined to raise rear‑yard fence heights to 7 feet, voting instead to keep the existing 6‑foot maximum.
Planner Jason (staff) said the draft ordinance would consolidate redundant residential and nonresidential fence provisions, regulate hedges under the city’s landscaping chapter (Title 21A48) and increase the permitted rear‑yard fence height citywide from 6 feet to 7 feet. Jason also reiterated existing sight‑distance triangle rules: nothing taller than 30 inches may be placed in the triangular sight‑distance area at driveways and corners.
Commissioners discussed enforcement and practical differences between living hedges and constructed fences. Staff noted hedges are living features that can provide environmental benefits but are harder to measure and enforce; the proposed change would require hedges to meet landscaping maintenance standards rather than the fence chapter. Jason observed that, under the proposed draft, "there would be no maximum height to hedges" because hedges would be regulated through landscape maintenance rules rather than a numeric fence limit.
Several commissioners said they were uncomfortable with a generalized increase to 7 feet and concerned about the visual and neighborhood effects of taller fences. Commissioner Lila Rosenfield moved that the commission forward the draft ordinance to City Council but exclude the proposed change raising rear‑yard fence height to 7 feet (keeping the 6‑foot default); Commissioner Mike Christiansen seconded. The commission approved that recommendation 5–3.
The recommendation, reflecting the commission’s edits, will be transmitted to City Council. Staff told commissioners the code’s sight‑distance and driveway‑visibility provisions remain in effect and that fences still require permits and inspections.
