Winchester city has announced new permitting guidelines for fences and walls in the district. The requirements differ depending on the location of your home, type of lot and why you are installing a fence or wall. If you are thinking of adding a wall or fence you should review the new rules and make sure your contractor is aware of the new guidelines as well!
The city has released graphics to help you determine what type of lot you own. There are different set back requirements, height and opacity of fences allowed depending on the lot layout. The historic district, corridor enhancement and floodplain districts have additional requirements as well.
There are four types of lots in the City’s Zoning Ordinance, see images for visual descriptions of each lot layout.
Corner Lot
Traditional Lot
Additional Front Yard Lot
Double Frontage Lot
Requirements
A & B:
Fences and non-retaining walls up to eight feet in height above surrounding grade, may be installed in any required rear yard (A) or non-corner side yard (B).
C:
Fences up to four feet in height above surrounding grade which are at least 25% open (Example: picket, chain link, rail, etc.) and non-retaining walls up to three feet in height above surrounding grade may be installed in any required front (C) or corner side yard (C), except as per 18-12 of the Zoning Ordinance (Visual Obstructions).
D:
On double-frontage residential lots, fences up to six feet in height above surrounding grade may be installed in the non-primary front yard (D) which is situated between a public street and the rear elevation of the main building provided that they are set back from the public right of way at least three feet plus one additional foot of setback for every one additional foot of fence height above four feet:
ORANGE = Fence height: between 5-6 ft.
DARK YELLOW = Fence height: between 4-5 ft.
YELLOW = Fence height: 4 ft. or less
E:
Fences and walls (both retaining and non-retaining) up to five feet in height above surrounding grade may be permitted in non-required front yard (E) and corner side yards (E), except as per 18-12 of the Zoning Ordinance and provided that any retaining wall over three feet in height shall include a railing, fence or hedge at least thirty-six inches high along the top to protect persons from injury due to falling.
You can see additional requirements and find the permit application here!