City of Orlando Corner Lot Fence and Street Corner Visibility Regulations
In the City of Orlando, fences on reverse corner lots within residential and office districts are limited to a maximum height of 4 feet in required front and street side yards. For all corner lots, a clear sight triangle must be maintained where no fences, structures, or plantings may obstruct vision between 2 feet and 8 feet above the street level. The specific dimensions of these visibility triangles are determined by the posted speed limit of the intersecting streets, ranging from 350 feet at 25 mph to 650 feet at 55 mph.
Fence and Wall Height Standards for Corner Lots
The City of Orlando regulates the height of fences and walls on corner lots based on the zoning district and the specific orientation of the lot. For "Reverse Corner Lots" (where the side of the lot is adjacent to the front of a neighboring lot), stricter height limits apply to protect the neighbor's visibility and the character of the streetscape.
Maximum Fence and Wall Heights
| District Category | Location on Corner Lot | Maximum Height |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Residential Districts | Required Front and Street Side Yards on Reverse Corner Lots | 4 feet |
| Office and Residential Districts | Required Street Side Yards (excluding Reverse Corner Lots) | 6 feet |
| Office and Residential Districts | Required Side and Rear Yards | 6 feet |
| Commercial and Industrial Districts | Required Front and Street Side Yards | 6 feet |
| Commercial and Industrial Districts | Required Side and Rear Yards | 8 feet |
In the City of Orlando, any fence or wall built on a building site must be maintained in good repair and sound structural condition [Section 58.1180, Section 58.931]. Within One-Family and Two-Family Residential districts, any structure located in a front or street side yard is generally restricted to 4 feet in height [Section 60.223].
Street Corner Visibility (Sight-Triangles)
The City of Orlando mandates that all corner lots maintain a "Street Corner Visibility Area" to ensure traffic safety at intersections. These regulations apply to both public and private streets [Section 60.141].
Visibility Obstruction Prohibitions
Within the designated visibility area, the following restrictions apply:
- Vertical Clearance: No fence, wall, structure, hedge, or shrub planting may obstruct vision between 2 feet and 8 feet above the street level [Section 60.143].
- Trees: Trees are permitted within the visibility area only if their foliage is maintained at a minimum height of 8 feet above the ground [Section 60.143].
- Enforcement: All fences and walls must conform to these requirements; failure to do so may result in the structure being declared a nuisance and ordered for removal [Section 64.302].
Sight Distance Requirements
The size of the sight triangle is determined by the speed limit and the type of traffic control at the intersection. Distances are measured from a point parallel to the property line and 2 feet from the edge of the travel lane (for stop-controlled streets) or 2 feet from the yellow line (for signalized intersections) [Section 60.142].
| Posted Speed Limit (mph) | Required Corner Sight Distance (feet) |
|---|---|
| 25 mph | 350 feet |
| 30 mph | 400 feet |
| 35 mph | 450 feet |
| 40 mph | 500 feet |
| 45 mph | 550 feet |
| 50 mph | 600 feet |
| 55 mph | 650 feet |
District-Specific Variations
Certain areas within the City of Orlando have additional design standards that may impact corner lot configurations:
- Traditional City: In the Traditional City overlay, the Appearance Review Officer may permit projections (like porches) to extend into setbacks, but these must still comply with overall height and visibility rules [Section 62.600].
- SODO Special Plan: In this district, corner lots may be subject to unique "triangular plaza" treatments for buildings three stories or higher to improve sight lines and pedestrian space [Section 62.499].
- Conway Road Special Plan: Chain link fences are explicitly prohibited within the front yard setbacks of properties adjacent to the Conway Road right-of-way [Section 62.498].
Sections Cited
- Section 58.441 Purpose of the t Overlay District
- Section 58.928 Street Corner Visibility
- Section 58.929 Height (Fences and Walls)
- Section 58.931 Maintenance
- Section 58.1180 Nonconforming Parking Lot Landscaping
- Section 60.141 Street Corner Visibility General Requirements
- Section 60.142 Location and Dimensions (Sight Distance)
- Section 60.143 Development Restrictions (Visibility Area)
- Section 60.223 One-Family and Two-Family Residential Development Standards
- Section 62.498 Conway Road Special Plan
- Section 62.499 SODO Special Plan
- Section 62.600 General Requirements (Traditional City Design)
- Section 64.302 Prohibited, Unlawful and Nonconforming Signs Declared Nuisances; Removal