§ 50-15. Required buffers.

A buffer area shall be defined as that portion of a lot set aside for open space and visual screening purpose, pursuant to applicable provisions of this chapter, to separate different use districts and/or uses on one property from uses on another property of the same use district or a different use district.

(1)

An adequate buffer strip of at least 50 feet in width shall be required and maintained between single-family residential property in any zone and any area zoned other than for single-family dwellings. Such buffer shall be constructed and/or maintained by the owner of the land zoned other than for single-family dwellings.

(2)

An adequate buffer strip of at least 50 feet in width shall be required and maintained between any area zoned commercial, whether C-OI, C-NB, or C-GB, and any property zoned to permit residential dwellings. Such buffer shall be constructed and/or maintained by the owner of the land zoned as commercial. No buffer shall be required between zones separated by a state or county road.

(3)

An adequate buffer strip of at least 50 feet in width shall be required and maintained between any area zoned industrial I-1 and any other zone. Such buffer shall be constructed and/or maintained by the owner of the land zoned as industrial I-1.

(4)

An adequate buffer strip of at least 500 feet in width shall be required and be maintained between any area zoned mining M-1 or industrial I-2 and any nonindustrial zone or an adequate buffer strip of at least 300 feet between M-1 or I-2 and any adjoining I-1 district. Such buffer shall be constructed and/or maintained by the owner of the land zoned M-1 or I-2.

(5)

Said buffer area may not be used for any parking or for the erection of any permanent structure thereon except a fence, if desired. However, a buffer area may be used for vehicular access and utility easements and for drainage improvements required by the county based upon competent engineering studies.

(6)

Except as provided herein, the natural topography of the land shall be preserved and the area appropriately landscaped.

(7)

The owner of any land zoned as industrial or mining shall also construct a fence along the inside edge of said required buffer area. Said fence shall be at least eight feet in height or as high as necessary to hide said property from the view of adjoining property owners and shall be constructed of masonry, ventilated redwood, cedar, or chainlink fence with opaque material or other similar materials; provided, however, a natural buffer that exists between properties, which adequately hides said property from the view of adjoining properties, may be deemed to comply with this paragraph upon written approval of the zoning administrator.

(8)

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any limitation on the siting of a barn, stable, grandstand, bleachers, other structure, or riding ring area within a certain distance of property boundaries or existing residences shall be eliminated in the event that the owner of the proposed structure obtains and records on the deed records of the county an affidavit from the owner of said adjacent property and/or residence, as the case may be, stating that the adjacent owner does not oppose the proposed location of the structure. The appropriate affidavit forms shall be available from the zoning administrator.

(Ord. of 12-7-2004, art. VI, § 6.11)