(a) Every part of a required yard in all R, C and M Districts shall be open to the sky, unobstructed by a building, except for accessory buildings; and except by ordinary projection of sills, belt courses, cornices, ornamental features not to exceed twelve inches and eaves not to exceed twenty-four inches. Unenclosed balconies, metal awnings and fire escapes projecting into a required yard not more than five feet may be permitted by the City Engineer or Acting City Engineer when they are placed so as not to obstruct light and ventilation.
(b) An uncovered porch or paved terrace may project into a required front or rear yard for not more than ten feet.
(c) Fences, hedges and other plantings shall be permitted in any R, C and M District under the conditions specified herein for each District. All rear and side yard fencing shall be basketweave on batten, baffle, stockade, estate rail or solid wood, chain link, woven picket, welded lawn, hinge, joint or masonry. All front yard fence shall be chain link, spaced picket and split rail. Barbed wired shall be permitted, but only as herein specified.
(d) Each District shall conform to the following:
(1) R Districts.
A. Front yard fence height, or plantings used as a fence, shall not exceed eight feet, except when the fence is twenty feet or less from the curb line of the street adjacent to the front yard, then in that event, the fence or plantings used as fence shall not exceed four feet. No fence or plantings used as a fence shall be permitted within twenty feet of the curb line of any street adjacent to a corner lot, except by written permission of the City Engineer or the Acting City Engineer.
B. Rear yard fence height, or plantings used as fence, shall not exceed eight feet. Side yard fence heights, or plantings used as fence, shall not exceed eight feet. The City Engineer or the Acting City Engineer may require a height of not more than four feet if human life is endangered by the presence of an eight foot fence or plantings used as fence.
(2) C and M Districts.
A. Fence height, or plantings used as fence, shall not exceed eight feet in either side yard, rear yard or front yard, so long as the fence, or plantings used as fence, does not unsafely impair visibility of pedestrians, motor vehicle operators, or railroad vehicle operators, subject to the approval of the City Engineer or the Acting City Engineer.
B. Barbed wire shall not be permitted except when placed above other approved fence, or plantings used as fence, at a height no less than six feet above surface or contour of the earth.
(e) No fence shall be erected in any District without the property owner first having obtained a permit to construct the fence from the Engineer or Acting Engineer of the City. The fee for the permit shall be twenty dollars ($20.00) for each application.
(2004 Code)