(A) Permit and inspection required. No fence shall be constructed prior to the issuance of a permit by the Village Zoning Inspector. Applications for permit shall include plans or drawings having the actual and accurate shape and dimensions of the property on which the fence is to be built; the exact height, location, length, type of material, color and type of construction of the proposed fence; the location of all buildings on the lot; or any other information deemed necessary by the Village Zoning Inspector. The Village Zoning Inspector shall review each application to determine its compliance with the provisions of these regulations. Each property owner shall determine property lines and verify that the proposed fence does not encroach upon another lot or parcel of land. The issuance of a permit by the Village Zoning Inspector shall not be construed to mean the village has determined the fence is not encroaching upon another lot, nor shall it relieve the property owner of the duty imposed herein.
(B) Materials, maintenance and repair. Approved fencing and wall material include wood, metal, vinyl material, synthetic look-a-like products or other materials. Chain link fences shall be permitted for use on single-family lots if they are located in the side or rear yard and approved by the Village Zoning Inspector. The smooth finished side of the fence shall be the side of the fence that faces outward from the yard being fenced. All the framing or support members shall face the property owner (inward). Fences and walls shall be maintained in good repair, be structurally sound and be attractively finished at all times by the owner of the lot on which such fences are located.
(C) Height and location. The permitted height of a fence shall be determined by its location on the property as follows.
(1) Front yards. Ornamental fences only may be erected in front yards. Examples of permitted ornamental fences are picket fences, split rail fences, wrought iron fences and other fences approved by the Village Zoning Inspector. The fence must be parallel to the building line, to a height not exceeding four feet six inches. The fence must be located at least two feet off of the sidewalk. Chain link and privacy fences are not permitted in front yards. Such front yard fences may not be any closer than two feet off of the front and side property lines.
(2) Side and rear years.
(a) Ornamental fences may be erected in side and rear yards parallel with a common property line or street right-of-way area, to a height not to exceed six feet.
(b) Chain link fences subject to the standards set for herein shall be permitted in side and rear yards parallel to a common property line or street right-of-way area, to a height not to exceed six feet.
(c) 1. Privacy fences shall be permitted in rear and side yards only.
2. The permitted height of privacy fences in side yards is as follows:
a. No more than six feet in height for the section of privacy fence running from the front corner of the residential structure to the rear of the parcel; and
b. No more than four feet six inches for the section of the privacy fence running from the front corner of the residential structure to the front of the parcel.
(d) Side and rear yard fences must be a minimum of two feet off of the property line of the street right-of-way area.
(3) Corner lot. Where a rear or side yard abuts a street, privacy fences otherwise permitted in a side or rear yard shall not extend into side or rear yards on the street side, absent prior approval of the Village Zoning Inspector. However, this provision shall not prohibit permitted rail or split rail fence to be erected in such side or rear yards parallel to and not nearer than two feet from the side or rear property line, height not to exceed four feet, six inches.
(D) Uniform design. All fences on a single parcel shall have a unified style for all fence segments visible from off the premises for any single direction, unless otherwise specifically approved by the Village Zoning Inspector.
(E) Location in regard to sidewalks. Fences are prohibited to extend further than the existing sidewalk. If no sidewalk exists, the property owner may be required to set back the fence far enough to allow the installation of a sidewalk in the future, if deemed necessary in the discretion of the Village Zoning Inspector.
(F) Similar character fences. The Village Zoning Inspector may permit other fences which are similar in character and design to one or more of the fences permitted herein.
(G) Prohibited fences. Unless provided for elsewhere herein, the following fences are prohibited:
(1) Above-ground electrified fences, barbed wire, razor wire or sharp-edged fences;
(2) Snow fencing or construction fencing, except during appropriate weather and construction conditions; and
(3) Welded wire fencing.
(Ord. 2743, passed 5-21-2020) Penalty, see § 10.99