View Everett Core Residential Areas in a larger map
The city is considering changes to its fence guidelines.
Right now, city code says fences in front yards and between buildings and streets are not supposed to be taller than 3 feet 6 inches and at least 30 percent transparent. (I‘m not sure how one measures transparency in a fence but they‘re talking about the spaces between the boards.) You can have a fence up to 6 feet tall in the front yard if its set back 10 feet and it has plants in front of it. Also, the fence has to allow some transparency.
The most significant of the proposed changes is a required 2 foot setback from the sidewalk for front yard fences. If you live on a corner lot, that same setback applies to the fence that runs along the side street too. The city would require landscaping in the area between the street and the fence.
Also, the city already prohibits chain link fences but they want to ban other types of metal fences, including “wire, corrugated, sheet metal or similar types of fences.” Wrought iron fences are OK.
UPDATE: The planning director contacted me this morning and wanted to make clear that these proposals are for an area called “The Core Residential Area,” which encompasses the areas surrounding downtown (not including the central business district) where multi-family housing is allowed. He said, “The fence regulations, such as the prohibition on chain link fencing applies only to this area, and not in other residential zones.”
Everett’s Planning Commission is scheduled to take your comments on the matter 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at the 8th floor of the Wall Street Building, 2930 Wetmore. You can read the complete proposal here.
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