The NCPHA Opposes Illegal Over Height Walls-UPDATE

April 2022

Recently, the Board of Adjustment agreed with our neighborhood association and disallowed the use of 8 foot walls in our neighborhood. Thank you for your support in maintaining the allowable 6 foot permitted side and rear walls in our residential area. North Central is a lovely neighborhood and is attracting many people who are moving her from out of town and may not be familiar with the City of Phoenix’s zoning requirements regarding wall heights, not only here but in every other residential district in the City.

Let’s continue to keep North Central in compliance with the allowable wall height and use planting material to increase the beauty of your property.

With thanks,

The NCPHA Board of Directors

January 8, 2022

The Board of the NCPHA voted unanimously to oppose side and rear yard walls exceeding the required 6 feet in height. Per the City of Phoenix residential zoning codes, a 6 foot wall is allowed for side and rear yards and must be within the property lines. All wall construction requires a City of Phoenix building permit.

We recently wrote an article about this in our Fall/Winter Newsletter. One of the charming attributes of North Central is that landscaping is typically used to create more privacy or sound reduction. Concrete walls exceeding 6 feet may provide some privacy, however, it creates MORE sound for the surrounding neighborhood. While landscaping softens and absorbs the sound, foliage also adds to our cooler temperatures and lush environment. We do not want to become a concrete jungle. Our property values are based on the green characteristics that have been carefully protected over the last several decades.

We have a zoning case that involves a variance request for over height walls and WE NEED YOUR HELP. If you agree with the Board of the NCPHA that walls over 6 feet will compromise the integrity and character of our cherished neighborhood, please send in your thoughts and comments in opposition of the following zoning variance case..

This one requires immediate attention. Please send in your email(s) no later than Tuesday, January 11th. If you would like to speak in opposition on this case, please send an email to info@ncpha.org and we will send you instructions on how to register via the Webex system.

Zoning Case: ZA-610-21

Hearing Date: January 13, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.

Please send an email of OPPOSITION to zoning.adjustment@phoenix.gov and make sure you reference the Zoning case # above.

Sample letter:

Dear Zoning Administrator:

As a North Central resident, I strongly oppose the illegally constructed over height wall at 5507 N. 2nd Place. This new subdivision was approved to have a 6 foot wall on the south and east side of the parcel, but the owner/developer purposefully added height after getting his certificate of completion.

The property does not meet the four legal tests for a variance approval. This action is clearly self-imposed by the owner/developer. Allowing such enormous walls in North Central will hurt the character and integrity of our neighborhood. Missouri Avenue is a lovely, open and welcoming collector street that does not permit 8 foot walls. Please deny this variance request that will create long-term harm to our neighborhood..