No fence shall be installed, erected or maintained except in strict compliance with the following requirements:
(a) Metal Fences. Metal fences shall consist of new materials manufactured and/or treated in a manner to prevent rust and corrosion.
(b) Wood Fences. Wood fences shall be constructed of new materials and painted, stained, or preserved with decay resistant processes in a manner to maintain the fence in good structural condition and with an appearance that is aesthetically compatible with other sections of fence to which it connects or is a part and which it represents.
(c) Plastic or Other Synthetic Material Fences. Where any of these materials are used as a fence, or part thereof, only new such materials shall be used and they shall be treated and maintained in a manner to maintain the fence in good structural condition and with an appearance that is aesthetically compatible with the type of fence it represents. Further, such materials shall be of a design and constructed or integrated with the fence to which they are a part in a manner to prevent them from being destroyed or torn apart from the fence by climatic elements. For example, metal or synthetic material slats inserted in a fence shall be inserted in a manner so as to prevent them from being blown away or removed by wind or other weather conditions.
(d) Masonry Fences. Except as otherwise provided in any other Clinton Township ordinance requiring such fences or “walls” a masonry fence shall only be permitted with written approval of all property owners abutting the sides of the property upon which the fence is to be erected. Architectural or engineering drawings may be required at the discretion of the Building Superintendent and proper drainage shall be provided for.
(e) Barbed Wire or Electrically Charged Fences. These materials and types of fences are expressly prohibited, except as may be authorized for protective purposes as follows:
(1) Barbed wire may be affixed to the top of any fence used in an industrial or commercial district for protective purposes when such fence is a minimum of six feet between the ground level and the point at which such barbed wire is attached; and
(2) The Building Department determines that such barbed wire will not endanger the public health, safety or welfare.
(f) Height. No fence shall exceed four and one-half feet in height, except:
(1) Any fence which is of a type of material that obscures, and which is designed for the purpose of obscuring the property which it surrounds, may be of a greater height if the Building Department determines that such greater height will not endanger the public health, safety or welfare of the Township of Clinton and its inhabitants.
(2) A fence located in an industrial or commercial zoned district may exceed four and one-half feet in height when necessary for the purpose for which the fence is erected upon a determination by the Building Department that such additional height will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare of the Township of Clinton and its inhabitants.
(3) Fences surrounding private swimming pools in Residential Districts must comply with swimming pool enclosure requirements of the current state building code.
(g) Privacy Screens. These types of structures which are erected for other than swimming pool areas and not upon property lines for enclosure of the land may be erected without a permit under this chapter, provided however, that this type of structure shall be subject to other requirements of this chapter.
(h) Maintenance of Fences. All fences shall be maintained in a manner to prevent rust, corrosion and deterioration and otherwise so as not to become a public or private nuisance, dilapidated or a danger to adjoining property owners and the public.
(i) Existing Fences. Any fence existing upon the effective date of this chapter may not be enlarged, extended or replaced except in strict compliance with all of the requirements of this chapter.
(j) Location in Front Yard. No fence shall be located in the front yard or nearer to the street or roadway upon which the premises abut than the front building line.
(k) Orientation. Post of fences and other supporting members shall be installed facing inward toward the property upon which such fences have been installed and the smooth side of the fence shall be installed facing adjacent properties and/or the public way. Any other orientation shall only be permitted upon approval by all adjoining property owners whose notarized signatures are furnished and approval of the Township in writing by the Superintendent of the Building Department.
(Ord. 261-A-1. Passed 2-11-80; Ord. 394. Passed 7-25-11; Ord. 410. Passed 1-5-15.)