15.55.010 Title

This chapter shall be known as the Great Falls Screening Code may be cited as such and will be referred to in this chapter as "this code." (Ord. 2874, 2004; Ord. 2651 (Exh. B), 1993; Ord. 2405 (Exh. A (part)), 1985).

15.55.020 Purpose

The purpose of this code is to provide a standard to enhance life, health, property and public welfare by requiring the screening of salvage establishments. The intent is to present a visually attractive appearance, allowing only standard fencing materials or landscaping methods. (Ord. 2874, 2004; Ord. 2405 (Exh. A (part)), 1985).

15.55.030 Enforcement

The Community Development Director or a duly authorized representative is authorized and directed to enforce this code. (Ord. 2874, 2004; Ord. 2405 (Exh. A (part)), 1985).

15.55.040 Definitions

"Public view" means a point six feet above the surface of the center of any adjacent public right-of-way including but not limited to avenues, streets and alleys.

"Salvage" or "scrap" means fragments of material discarded as waste in manufacturing operations, or machines, tools, equipment or parts of these, no longer in serviceable condition, or such items and materials no longer used for their original intent or purpose or such items or materials which are valuable only as raw material for reprocessing.  Classes of scrap include but are not limited to metal, rubber, textiles, rope, paper, leather, lumber, plastics and equipment made of these.

"Salvage" or "scrap dealer" means any place of business which is maintained, operated or used for storing, keeping or selling salvage.  This excludes a motor vehicle graveyard or garbage dump or sanitary landfill which are regulated by other codes.  (Ord. 2874, 2004; Ord. 2405 (Exh. A (part)), 1985).

15.55.050 Screening—required

1. All salvage or scrap material accumulating, disposing of or storing salvage or scrap within the City, when the accumulating, disposing or storing thereof is outside a building or not entirely enclosed by a building hereafter so deposited, stored or accumulated shall enclose the lot or place of deposit where the salvage or scrap is stored within a visually attractive screening sufficient to enclose the salvage or scrap from public view from the outside of the enclosure.
2. Screening refers to fencing or other manmade barriers to conceal a facility from public view. It also refers to natural barriers. Any screening barrier must conform to all local zoning, planning, building and protective covenant provisions and any other legal restrictions that may be in effect for each site.

3. If a fence is used, the boards may be spaced and/or slanted to reduce wind load. The space which can be seen from a broadside view will not be more than one and one-half inches wide when viewed at any angle from forty-five degrees to ninety degrees to the fence. The interval between spaces will not be less than seven and one-half inches. Chain-link metal fences with standard fiberglass or other inserts are acceptable, provided the gap between adjacent slats does not exceed one and one-half inches. The breaks in the fence may be vertical or at any angle; they cannot be horizontal.

   Screening with shrubs and trees, while not subject to precise measurements, is to provide a similar degree of screening at all times of the year. A berm may be constructed of any solid material, including stumps, demolition debris, etc. The slopes of the berm are to be covered and graded smooth, with not less than three inches of topsoil and seeded with an adequate seeding formula.

4. Any screening must be of sufficient height that none of the salvage or scrap on the premises is visible from public view. This is not intended to require that permanent buildings, other structures, utility poles, cranes or derricks or similar structures be screened.
5. Fences are to be constructed of sound building materials. Rough dimensional lumber or better is acceptable. Slabs are not considered rough dimensional lumber. Plastics or other materials that are placed over the salvage or scrap are not acceptable. Trees and shrubs can best be used in conjunction with other screening materials to improve the appearance of the salvage or scrap facility. Chain-link type metal fence with slats inserted is acceptable. Other screening than the two types of fencing specifically approved above (metal and wood) but of equivalent permanence, attractiveness, and screening qualities are also acceptable if approved by the Board of Adjustment as provided for in Title 17 of this Municipal Code.
6. No more than one of the approved screening materials is to be used on one side of the facility. Trees and shrubs may be placed on the outside of the screening material. Other sides may use different approved materials.
7. The screening is to be maintained by the facility operator in a neat and workmanlike manner. It is to be replaced where necessary by the operator. Damage by vandals or other causes is the risk of the operator and is not to be reason for not maintaining the screening.
8. Signage on the screening must comply with Title 17, Chapter 60 of this code book. (Ord. 2874, 2004; Ord. 2405 (Exh. A (part)), 1985).

15.55.060 Nonconforming uses

Salvage material dealers in operation at the time of the enactment of this Code and which are not conforming to the provisions, shall be regarded as nonconforming. All non-conformance salvage material dealers shall be screened so as to fall under compliance with this Code within one year of the enactment of this Code. (Ord. 2405 (Exh. A (part)), 1985).

15.55.070 Violations and penalties

It shall be unlawful for any salvage or scrap dealer to operate contrary to or in violation of this Code. Any person violating this Code shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction of any such violation, such person shall be punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months or by both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 2874, 2004; Ord. 2405 (Exh. A (part))), 1985).