Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fence And Wall Regulations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board flags fence heights and wall footings that encroach on neighbor property; asks staff for engineering input
Summary
Members raised concerns about differing fence height rules (single‑family rear fences up to 8 ft when abutting alleys vs multifamily limitations), retaining walls built on property lines and footings that require excavation on neighbors' lots; they asked staff to consult engineers and return with setback and permit clarifications.
Staff outlined current fence height provisions: single‑family and two‑family properties may have 8‑foot rear fences where they abut an alley, while multifamily uses are limited to six feet. Multiple board members recounted recent permits where contractors installed concrete walls with footings that extended onto neighboring lots and warned that Florida's sandy soils can cause cave‑ins and utility impacts.
Members asked staff to research the ordinance history for the 8‑foot allowance, produce options for consistent treatment across land‑use types, and consult engineering on setback/minimum foundation offsets for walls and retaining structures. Staff agreed to return with technical guidance and possible code edits.
