(a) Fences and similar screening devices shall not exceed six (6) feet in height in residential districts. Fences used to screen a patio in a rear yard are permitted to be eight (8) feet in height but can not extend beyond the perimeter of the patio. If such patio extends to a side or rear property line, the maximum fence height shall not exceed six (6) feet. Fencing shall be limited to the use of split rail, wrought iron, picket or other similar decorative fencing.
(b) In the front yard, fences shall not exceed forty-two (42) inches in height provided that at street intersections, no fence shall be constructed, erected or installed which will obstruct line of sight or traffic visibility. Fences in the front yard shall be no closer than seventeen (17) feet from the edge of the road or the edge of the road right-of-way, whichever is further. A zoning certificate shall be obtained and approved prior to erecting any fence in a residential district.
(c) Fences and Walls on a Residential Through-Lot: For the purpose of this section, a fence and similar screening devices may be placed within either front setback of a through-lot subject to the following restrictions. Fences placed in the yard that is in front of the principal building, as determined by the Zoning Administrator, must comply with the regulations imposed in division (b) of this section. Fences placed in the yard that is the area behind the principal building and abutting parallel street shall be placed no closer than seventeen (17) feet from the edge of the road or five (5) feet from the back of sidewalk, whichever is further. Such fencing shall not exceed six (6) feet in height provided that it does not impede the visibility of any vehicular or pedestrian traffic for ingress/egress of private and/or public access drives or street intersections as determined by the Zoning Administrator and/or Village Engineer.
(d) Fences may be built up to the property line, but shall be located entirely on the property of the person constructing it, except property owners, with written permission from abutting property owners, may connect to fences on adjoining properties.
(e) Barbed wire, spike, razor wire, or electric fences are prohibited in any residential district. Exception to electric fences are invisible fences used to contain animals.
(f) Fences that are painted, shall be one color. Fences and walls shall be maintained in good repair at all times by the owner and/or occupant of the lot on which they are located. The smooth finished side of the fence shall be the side of the fence that faces outward from the yard being fenced.
(g) Fences, once erected, shall be maintained and any repairs shall be done using the same or substantially similar materials (and color) as the original fence.
(h) Fences surrounding a recreational facility (such as a basketball court, tennis court, swimming pool) located on a commonly owned land are permitted to a maximum height of ten (10) feet.
(i) Decorative walls or fences may be used to enclose entrances or courtyards to a height of six (6) feet at the front of the residential dwelling, if approved by the Planning and Zoning Administrator upon the review of a development plan of the property showing the location of the walls or fences.
(j) Decorative walls and/or fences used as main entrance features to an existing or new residential subdivision or development shall not:
(1) Exceed six (6) feet in height in any yard;
(2) Be located in the public right-of-way; and
(3) Obstruct line of sight or traffic visibility.
(k) All fences and decorative walls shall comply with Section 1274.31.
(Ord. 8-13. Passed 5-14-13; Ord. 17-20. Passed 8-11-20.)