Property Improvements Standards
ertain property improvements such as fences, satellite dishes, transmission towers, landscaping, uncovered decks, roofs, etc. do not require permits, but must meet certain standards. Please contact the Community Development Department of Grandview City Hall at (816) 316-4822 for more information.
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Fences
Residential fences can be erected on your own property in your side and rear yards to a maximum height of six feet. Fences can be erected to a maximum height of four feet in front yards. Contact development staff regarding your front yard dimensions.
Fences are limited to 6' in height in the rear and side yards and 4' in height in front yard. The structural supports should be on the inside of the yard as opposed to the outside. The smooth side looks better on the outside and a ladder is created for intruders to access the yard if the structural supports are placed on the out side.
By definition corner lots have two front yards and two side yards with no rear yard. Therefore, fences on the side street must be limited to 4' in height unless the front yard setback requirement of the zoning ordinance is met.
Fences around school yards and in non-residential zoning districts have no height limitation, but can not be placed within a sight triangle.
Electric and barbed wire fences are only permitted above six feet in height except in agriculturally zoned districts for the containment of livestock.
Zoning Ordinance, Section 31-5(M)
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Satellite Receiving Dish Antennae
- In all agriculturally and residentially zoned districts:
- You may have only ONE (1) dish greater than 39 inches in diameter on a lot less than one-half acre in size; the dish shall not exceed ten (10) feet in diameter, or if roof mounted, six (6) feet in diameter.
- Dishes are only permitted in rear yards, or in interior side yards if you have a corner lot. Exceptions are permitted for dishes less than 39 inches in diameter where acceptable quality reception is not possible. Then the dish may be located in the side or front yard as long as it is attached to the main structure of the home and is not visible from the street to the maximum extent possible.
- All dishes must be made of non-combustible, corrosion-resistant materials and be mounted in a secure wind-resistant manner.
- Dishes can not be used as signs or billboards.
- In other districts, dish antennae larger than 39 inches in diameter may be ground-mounted to a height of 30 feet and located behind the minimum building setback lines or building mounted to a height not over 13 feet above the roofline and screened from view of surrounding streets to the maximum extent possible while still maintaining acceptable quality reception. All antenna support masts over 12 feet in height must meet building code standards
Zoning Ordinance, Sections 31-5(P), 31-8(C)(10), and 31-9(C)(10)
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Short-Wave Radio Antennae
You may erect a short-wave radio antenna on a residential lot as a permitted accessory use if operated as a hobby by the homeowner and in accordance with the following requirements:
- Not to exceed 60 feet in height.
- A minimum setback of one-third the height of the antenna shall be maintained from all property lines.
- The antenna must meet all FCC requirements. Zoning Ordinance, Section 31-5(I)
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Landscaping
You may install landscaping on your property in accordance with the following requirements:
- All single and two-family dwellings must maintain a minimum of 25% of the lot area as a permeable and uncovered surface that contains living materials.
- All landscaping must be installed on your own property. Your property line is not necessarily the edge of the curb. Please refer to a survey of your property to establish the location of your property lines or consult a surveyor. The ground between your property line and the edge of an adjacent street is the public right-of-way. If you plan to install landscaping in this area, please call the City Engineer at (816) 316-4857 first.
- No landscaping can be installed within a sight triangle. The sight triangle is the triangular-shaped area at a street intersection in which nothing shall be erected, placed, planted, or allowed to grow in such a manner as to materially impede vision above a height of three (3) feet above the grades at the back of the curb of the intersecting streets. The hypotenuse of the triangle is drawn by connecting points along the center lines of the intersecting streets which points are ninety (90) feet from the intersection point of the center lines of the two intersecting streets.
You should always call the utility companies before digging on your property to ensure that no dangerous buried cables or other lines exist in the dig location. Call Dig Rite at 1-800-DIG-RITE. Zoning Ordinance, Sections 31-3, and 31-23(D)(1)
High voltage power lines may be buried as shallow as 12".
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Uncovered Decks
Permits are not required for non-roof covered decks only. The requirements for these structures are as follows:
- Guardrail; A guardrail is required for all decks that are more than 30" above the ground. The guardrail must be at least 36" above the deck surface and must have intermediate posts set so a 4" ball can not pass between the posts.
- Deck floor joists must meet the minimum standard for the span and spacing. Typically 2" X 8" set 16" on center depending on the span.
- Rim joist should be bolted to the house with 1/2" lag screws 2' on center set in a zig- zag pattern.
- Joist hangers must be used on each end of the joists to support floor joists.
- If a stairway is planed a handrail is required on the open side or sides. The handrail must be placed between 34" & 38" above the nosing of the tread. The handrail must have a gripping surface of between 1-1/4" and 2" The deck must be at least 30' from the rear property line and 7' from the side property lines"
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Re-shingling Roofs
Requirements for re-shingling of existing roofs are as follows.
- Asphalt or Composition shingles: Not more than 1 overlay of asphalt or composition shingles may be laid over existing asphalt, composition or wood shingled roof.
- Asphalt or Composition shingles may not be used over an existing wood shake shingled roof. The wood shakes must be remove and new roof sheathing must be installed before asphalt or composition shingles may be installed.
- Wood shingled roofs may be overlaid with not more than one addition layer of wood shingles.
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Re-siding and Replacement of Doors & Windows
Permits are not required for any of these items unless the electrical meter must be moved for re-siding.
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