Franklin Zoning Ordinance

215 FENCES, WALLS, AND SCREENING Retaining Walls 13 Chapter Franklin Zoning Ordinance Effective December 8, 2020 13.2 Retaining Walls 13.2.1 Exemptions A. Capital improvement projects for public streets are exempt from this Section. B. Retaining walls used for stormwater management features shall comply with Subsection 13.2.6, Materials, but are exempt from all other Subsections within this Sectio n. 13.2.2 Location A. Retaining walls shall be set back from a lot line a minimum of five feet or the distance equal to the height of the wall, whichever is greater. B. Retaining walls shall not: 1. Be constructed within a public right- of-way or in areas to be dedicated for public right-of-way; 2. Conflict with sight distance visibility of intersections or points of ingress/ egress; 3. Block or divert a natural drainage flow onto or off of any other property; 4. Encroach into a utility easement, unless the easement holder has provided written consent; 5. Block access to mechanical or utility equipment; and 6. Be located within six feet of a fire hydrant. 13.2.3 General A. Retaining wall height shall be measured from lowest finished grade to the top of the wall. B. Retaining walls may need a building permit, depending on the height. 13.2.4 Retaining Walls for Residential Lots Retaining walls f or residential lots shall comply with the following: Residential Lots Front Yard Retaining Wall Height Maximum 2 feet Side and Rear Yard Retaining Wall Height Maximum 6 feet Number of Retaining Walls Maximum 3 per lot Distance Between Retaining Walls Minimum horizontal separation of three linear feet between the opposing wall faces to allow for the planting of vegetation 13.2.5 Retaining Walls for Multifamily, Nonresidential, and Mixed-Use Lots Retaining walls for multifamily, nonresidential, and mixed-use lots or building sites shall comply with the following: A. Retaining walls shall not exceed a height of ten feet; B. Changes in grade may be permitted to reach a maximum of 16 feet if two or more retaining walls are used, provided each wall is no greater than eight feet tall and there is a minimum horizontal separation of six linear feet between the opposing wall faces to allow for the planting of vegetation; and C. Retaining walls shall have a single row of evergreen shrubs , planted every five feet on center, at the base of a retaining wall to soften its appearance. Shrubs shall be a minimum of 30 inches in height at the time of planting. Evergreen trees or groundcover may be permitted as an