The following general provisions shall apply to all fences erected, constructed, or installed after the effective date hereof:
A. Application Of Provisions: Except as otherwise provided herein, all provisions in this section governing fences shall also apply to walls, screening, hedges, or other densely growing shrubbery, and retaining walls where they extend above ground level.
B. Permit Required: No permanent or temporary fence shall be erected, constructed, or installed without first having been issued a fence permit by the zoning administrator.
C. Permitted Material:
1. Districts Other Than I District:
a. No fence or wall is permitted that is electrified or that contains broken glass, barbed wire, or other substances reasonably calculated to do bodily harm. The following types of material shall be permitted for fences located in all but the I district:
(1) Chainlink, no slats (permitted in rear and interior side yards only).
(2) Masonry or stucco wall.
(3) Wood (no plywood).
(4) Wrought iron.
(5) Decorative PVC.
b. Barbed wire shall be permitted as fencing material only in connection with public safety, public works service and/or municipal sites where the protection of the public interest is served.
2. I District: The following types of fence materials shall be permitted in the I district:
a. Chainlink (permitted in rear and interior side yards only).
b. Masonry or stucco wall.
c. Decorative PVC.
d. Unfinished concrete or cinder block walls.
e. Wood (no plywood).
f. Wrought iron.
D. Maximum Height And Thickness:
1. Height:
Maximum Fence Height In Feet | ||
Solid Fence | Open Fence | |
Maximum Fence Height In Feet | ||
Solid Fence | Open Fence | |
Within vision clearance triangle | 2.5 | 3.5 |
Outside vision clearance triangle: | ||
In industrial districts | 9 | 9 |
In other districts: | ||
In front of principal building1 | 2 | 2 |
In front or corner side yard | 63 | 44 |
In interior side yard | 6 | 6 |
In rear yard | 6 | 6 |
Notes:
1. Determined by orientation of the building and not by legal front yard.
2. No fence or wall permitted, except hedges with a fence height of 2.5 feet or less and ornamental fences, as defined in section 11-2-2 of this title as fences, ornamental, with a fence height of 3.5 feet or less.
3. Not to exceed a distance of 10 feet from an extension of the building line between such building and the lot line; except, on a through lot, a 6 foot fence is permitted.
4. Open fences greater than 4 feet in height shall comply with regulations for solid fences. On a through lot, a 6 foot fence shall be permitted on the property line at the rear of the dwelling unit.
2. Thickness: No fence, wall, or hedge shall be so thick as to inhibit passage between a lot line and any structure on the same lot.
E. Location: The location of fences shall be as follows:
1. Prohibitions: No fence shall be constructed or installed so as to constitute a traffic or safety hazard.
2. Districts Other Than I District: Fences in districts other than the I district shall be permitted in any rear or interior side yard.
3. I District: Fences in the I district shall be permitted in any yard.
4. Open fences greater than 4 feet in height shall comply with regulations for solid fences. On a through lot, a 6 foot fence shall be permitted on the property line at the rear of the dwelling unit.
F. Orientation: All fences, required or otherwise, shall have their finished face directed toward residence property or streets, where a residence property is adjacent to or across from the subject site. However, the unfinished face may be oriented toward an alley.
G. Protective Netting: Any lot that immediately abuts and adjoins a golf course may construct and maintain protective netting and posts in accordance with the following regulations:
1. Protective netting shall not be installed prior to March 1 of each year and shall be removed no later than December 15 of each year.
2. Protective netting and posts may be installed along rear lot lines and along interior side lot lines, but shall not extend past the front yard building setback line on an interior lot, or past the corner side yard setback on a corner lot. Netting and posts shall not be permitted to be attached to the front or rear of the dwelling across the side yard.
3. Protective netting and posts shall not exceed twenty feet (20') in height above grade level.
4. Protective netting attached to temporary or permanent posts shall be either plastic or nylon cloth material. No chainlink, chicken wire, or other such fencing materials shall be permitted.
5. No posts or protective netting shall be installed without first obtaining a building permit. Posts and protective netting installed prior to the effective date hereof shall be brought into compliance with the regulations of this subsection within three (3) years after said effective date.
H. Maintenance Required: All fences, walls, and other barriers shall be maintained in good, structurally sound repair.
I. Nonconforming Fences: All fences legally existing on the effective date hereof that do not conform to the regulations of this section may remain and be repaired as a permitted legal nonconforming use pursuant to the provisions of chapter 7 of this title.
J. Exemptions: The regulations herein shall not apply to chainlink fences erected on public recreation areas or school grounds.
K. Stormwater Drainage: All closed fences shall be a minimum of one inch (1") above grade in order to allow for adequate drainage of stormwater. Fences shall not block drainage of stormwater. (Ord. 99-02, 1-7-1999; amd. Ord. 2001-25, 3-15-2001; Ord. 2018-100, 12-13-2018; Ord. 2019-93, 12-12-2019; Ord. 2021-51, 6-24-2021)