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Ripon moves to make corner lot setbacks more uniform
ripon fence
The Ripon Planning Commission is looking to change the fencing requirements on corner lot, signing off on an amendment to the ordinance

The City of Ripon's fencing requirements and standards throughout town is hardly a one size fits all.

In particular, the homes on corner lots and the placement of fences on the side yards facing the adjacent streets.

At last week's Ripon Planning Commission -- conducted online with commissioners maintaining social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic --, Ken Zuidervaart mentioned the frustration is the "varying number of different corner lot side yard fence setbacks, depending where you live."'

As the Director of Planning, he noted that fencing setbacks are taken from property lines, which could be anywhere from three to five feet behind the sidewalk, making it difficult to find the location of that line.

"Measuring fencing from the back of the sidewalk will provide for a more standardized approach while still providing a usable / maintainable landscape area," Zuidervaart said.

The current zones call for a 20-foot setback with a five-foot encroachment allowance for the purpose of covering windows and doors, he added.

Commissioners approved the recommended changes to the ordinance, calling for the fence setback at 15 feet from the back of the sidewalk to provide a more usable and maintainable landscape area.

The zoning text amendment will be forwarded to the Ripon City Council.

Earlier, Zuidervaart provided a master setback list consisted of 842 corner residential lots within the City having 24 different setbacks.

"In the older parts of town some setbacks may have a 10 foot setback," Zuidervaart said.

He listed 118 corner lots in the older parts of town, with only 20 lots having fencing closer than 15 feet to the back of the sidewalk that's considered in compliant with the fencing ordinance.

Commissioner Gary Barton asked if the 118 lots have room to place a fence within 10 feet of the property line?

"Yes," Zuidervaart said, "under the current regulations -- they have the right to a 10 foot setback from their property line."

He pointed out that 20 lots would be grandfathered in, with their property being intact under the new regulations.

"Some zones will not be allowed to utilize these standard setbacks such as the estate-sized lots," said Zuidervaart.

Added Commissioner James West: "We are standardizing but not really for all lots."