Petition of Denley and Sally Daw for a Variance from the provisions of St. Lucie County Land Development Code, Section 8.00.04.(B.)(2.) – Fences, Walls, and Hedges for an 8 ft. tall fence (wall) to be permitted (after the fact) on the west side of the property.

Board of Adjustments Meeting · 2026-07-22 · agenda_packet

[5505 South Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34982; case VAR-2604-000071] The St. Lucie County Board of Adjustment considered a variance request for an 8-foot-tall fence at 5505 South Indian River Drive. The property owners, Denley and Sally Daw, sought to permit an existing 8-foot-tall masonry wall (fence) after the fact, which exceeded the 6-foot maximum height allowed by the Land Development Code for rear yards. The variance was requested due to unique conditions created by the property's adjacency to the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) right-of-way, which experiences intensified rail traffic including Brightline passenger trains and freight operations, leading to noise, vibration, and visual impacts. Staff recommended approval with a condition to resolve outstanding surveyor comments. The decision date is July 22, 2026. This document outlines regulations for fence, wall, and landscape berm construction in various zoning districts. Key provisions include height restrictions based on yard location (front vs. other), adjacency to non-residential lots or street right-of-ways, and specific allowances for entry features and columns. Certain materials like cattle wire, chicken wire, razor wire, or barbed wire are prohibited in most residential districts, with exceptions for properties contiguous to named preserves or those on large parcels with unpaved private roads. Non-residential districts allow fences up to eight feet. Hedges are permitted in all yards but must comply with cross-visibility rules at intersections. Permits are not required for split-rail, cattle wire, chicken wire, barbed wire, and post-and-rail fencing in specific agricultural districts, provided they meet height and safety standards. Fences on bona fide agricultural land are exempt from the building code but subject to floodplain regulations. Fencing of vacant properties is prohibited. Fences must not interfere with drainage or block floodwaters. Special height allowances exist for public safety/security facilities (up to six feet in required yards, or higher per industry codes for specific uses) and athletic activity containment (up to twelve feet).