All fences of any nature, type or description including walls, hedges and other protective barriers shall conform to the following regulations.
(A) Agricultural uses in any district. Fences for bona fide agricultural uses such as enclosure of crop and pasture land in any zoning district are permitted and may be located on road right-of-way lines of a parcel of land, provided the fences are maintained in good condition.
(1) Barbed wire and electric fences are permitted provided that they do not result in an unreasonable hazard to persons who might come near them.
(2) No permits shall be required for fencing for bona fide agricultural uses such as enclosure of crop and pasture land.
(B) Single-family and two-family residential uses in any district (including Agricultural/Residential District).
(1) Fences may be erected along the line dividing lots or parcels of land or may be located within any required side or rear yard provided they are not more than six feet or less than three feet in height above the grade of the surrounding land.
(2) Except for properties abutting Lake Huron, fences may be erected in a required or non-required front yard or within any yard adjacent to the street of the lots or parcels in question provided they are not more than 42 inches in height, unless the fence is a pool fence in which case the fence height shall be regulated by the section applicable to pools in this chapter.
(3) All fences shall be of a type, material and finish that are customary for the type of development in question and that are aesthetically compatible with development in the surrounding vicinity, as determined by the Zoning Administrator. Barbed wire, spikes, nails or any other sharp point or instrument of any kind on top or on the sides of the fence, or any electric current or charge in the fences is prohibited.
(4) When permitted, all exposed horizontal and vertical structural members of a fence shall be located facing the inside of the property they are intended to fence.
(C) Multiple-family residential, office, commercial, industrial, utility provider, institutional and public uses in any district.
(1) All fences in connection with multiple-family residential, commercial, industrial, utility provider and public uses shall require approval by the Planning Commission as part of a site plan review. The fences shall not be located in the required front yard, nor enclose a required parking area, unless otherwise required by the Planning Commission under § 154.018.
(2) All fences shall be of an enclosure type. All fences shall be of a type, material and finish that is customary for the type of development to be enclosed and that is aesthetically compatible in the surrounding vicinity. Fence height shall be consistent with divisions (B)(1) and (2) above, unless the Planning Commission approves a different height that meets the particular needs of the development, while remaining aesthetically consistent with the surrounding vicinity.
(3) Barbed wire cradles may be placed on top of fences enclosing:
(a) Permitted rear yard storage in the GB General Business District;
(b) Permitted rear and side yard storage in the I Industrial District; or
(c) Municipal or utility provider buildings when deemed necessary in the interests of public safety by the Planning Commission.
(D) Recreational and miscellaneous uses. The type and location of fencing for recreational uses such as, but not limited to, gun clubs, hunt clubs, golf courses, campgrounds, public and private parks, other similar uses and miscellaneous uses not otherwise provided for herein shall be subject to the review and approval of the Planning Commission.
(E) Permit required. Prior to erection of a fence permitted under divisions (B) through (D) above, a permit shall first be obtained from the Zoning Administrator. The Township Board shall establish permit fees.
(Ord. passed 6-28-2006; Ord. passed 7-6-2010)