(a) Fences. The following regulations shall apply to the location of fences in the front, side, and rear yards of properties located in the Village of Greenfield.
(1) Fences in Downtown (D) District. The following regulations shall govern fences located upon properties in the Downtown (D) District:
i. Front and Corner Yard Fences-Height. Between the front setback line for structures and the front facade of the principal structure, fences shall be no higher than four feet (4').
ii. Front and Corner Yard Fences-Setback. Front and corner yard fences shall be no closer to the right-of-way than three feet (3').
iii. Front and Corner Yard Fences-Opacity. Front and corner yard fences shall be constructed of an open design, which is defined as at least fifty percent (50%) open. For picket fences, the distance between pickets shall be no less than the width of the pickets themselves.
iv. Rear and Side Yard Fences-Height. Between the rear setback line or side setback line for structures and the rear façade or side of the principal structure, fences shall be no higher than six feet (6').
v. Rear and Side Yard Fences-Setback. Rear and side yard fences shall be no closer to the adjacent property line than one foot (1').
vi. Rear and Side Yard Fences-Opacity. Rear and side yard fences may be constructed of materials with a maximum opacity of one hundred percent (100%).
vii. Fence Materials. Fences in residential districts shall be constructed of materials that match or compliment any existing structures on a lot. This includes but is not limited to, painted or treated lumber, vinyl, wrought iron, painted aluminum, brick, and stone. All lumber fences shall be constructed so that the finished boards hide the vertical and horizontal posts when viewed from adjacent lots unless the fence is constructed in such a manner that the finished look of both sides of the fence is the same.
(2) Fences in Residential Districts. The following regulations shall govern fences located upon properties in Residential Districts:
i. Front and Corner Yard Fences-Height. Between the front setback line for structures and the front facade of the principal structure, fences shall be no higher than four feet (4').
ii. Front and Corner Yard Fences-Setback. Front and corner yard fences shall be no closer to the right-of-way than three feet (3').
iii. Front and Corner Yard Fences-Opacity. Front and corner yard fences shall be constructed of an open design, which is defined as at least fifty percent (50%) open. For picket fences, the distance between pickets shall be no less than the width of the pickets themselves.
iv. Rear and Side Yard Fences-Height. Between the rear setback line or side setback line for structures and the rear façade or side of the principal structure, fences shall be no higher than six feet (6').
v. Rear and Side Yard Fences-Setback. Rear and side yard fences shall be no closer to the adjacent property line than one foot (1').
vi. Rear and Side Yard Fences-Opacity. Rear and side yard fences may be constructed of materials with a maximum opacity of one hundred percent (100%).
vii. Fence Materials. Fences in residential districts shall be constructed of materials that match or compliment any existing structures on a lot. This includes but is not limited to, painted or treated lumber, vinyl, wrought iron, painted aluminum, brick, and stone. All lumber fences shall be constructed so that the finished boards hide the vertical and horizontal posts when viewed from adjacent lots unless the fence is constructed in such a manner that the finished look of both sides of the fence is the same.
(3) Fences in Commercial Districts. The following regulations shall govern fences located upon properties in Commercial Districts:
i. Front and Corner Yard Fences-Height. Between the front setback line for structures and the front facade of the principal structure, fences shall be no higher than four feet (4').
ii. Front and Corner Yard Fences-Setback. Front and corner yard fences shall be no closer to the right-of-way than three feet (3').
iii. Front and Corner Yard Fences-Opacity. Front and corner yard fences shall be constructed of an open design, which is defined as at least fifty percent (50%) open. For picket fences, the distance between pickets shall be no less than the width of the pickets themselves.
iv. Rear and Side Yard Fences-Height. Between the rear setback line or side setback line for structures and the rear façade or side of the principal structure, fences shall be no higher than eight feet (8').
v. Rear and Side Yard Fences-Setback. Rear and side yard fences shall be no closer to the adjacent property line than one foot (1').
vi. Rear and Side Yard Fences-Opacity. Rear and side yard fences may be constructed of materials with a maximum opacity of one hundred percent (100%).
vii. Fence Materials. Fences in commercial districts shall be constructed of materials that match or compliment any existing structures on a lot. This includes but is not limited to, painted or treated lumber, vinyl, wrought iron, painted aluminum, brick, and stone. All lumber fences shall be constructed so that the finished boards hide the vertical and horizontal posts when viewed from adjacent lots unless the fence is constructed in such a manner that the finished look of both sides of the fence is the same.
(4) Fences in Industrial Districts. The following regulations shall govern fences located upon properties in the Industrial Districts:
i. Front and Corner Yard Fences-Height. Between the front setback line for structures and the front facade of the principal structure, fences shall be no higher than four feet (4').
ii. Front and Corner Yard Fences-Setback. Front and corner yard fences shall be no closer to the right-of-way than three feet (3').
iii. Front and Corner Yard Fences-Opacity. Front and corner yard fences shall be constructed of an open design, which is defined as at least fifty percent (50%) open. For picket fences, the distance between pickets shall be no less than the width of the pickets themselves.
iv. Rear and Side Yard Fences-Height. Between the rear setback line or side setback line for structures and the rear façade or side of the principal structure, fences shall be no higher than ten feet (10').
v. Rear and Side Yard Fences-Setback. Rear and side yard fences shall be no closer to the adjacent property line than one foot (1').
vi. Rear and Side Yard Fences-Opacity. Rear and side yard fences may be constructed of materials with a maximum opacity of one hundred percent (100%).
vii. Fence Materials. Fences in the Industrial Districts shall be constructed of materials that match or compliment any existing structures on a lot. This includes but is not limited to, painted or treated lumber, vinyl, wrought iron, painted aluminum, brick, and stone. All lumber fences shall be constructed so that the finished boards hide the vertical and horizontal posts when viewed from adjacent lots unless the fence is constructed in such a manner that the finished look of both sides of the fence is the same. Metal, non-chain-link, fences are permitted in the Industrial Districts.
viii. Barb-Wire Fences-Industrial Districts. Fences containing barbs may be erected as rear fences to secure properties in the Industrial Districts. The Building and Zoning Inspector shall only grant a fence permit for a fence of this type after determining that the nature and location of the fence is not a danger to the public or intended to injury persons engaged in lawful activity
ix. Barb-Wire Fences-Industrial Districts. Fences containing barbs may be erected as rear fences to secure properties in the Industrial Districts. The Building and Zoning Inspector shall only grant a fence permit for a fence of this type after determining that the nature and location of the fence is not a danger to the public or intended to injury persons engaged in lawful activity.
(b) Temporary Fences. Temporary fences may be constructed without a permit for the following reasons:
(1) As required due to an unsafe building, right-of-way or utility maintenance emergency.
(2) A construction fence in conjunction with a site that has active building permits.
(3) In conjunction with an approved temporary special land use permit or any special event approved through the Parks and Recreation Department. Temporary fences of this nature may only be maintained for the length of the approved permit or through the duration of the special event.
(4) Temporary horticultural fences are permitted as temporary fences within the area designated for rear fences. Temporary horticultural fences shall be of an open design, shall not exceed four feet (4') in height, and not enclose an area larger than five hundred (500) square feet.
(5) Temporary fences may be constructed of materials or in a manner not consistent with the provisions of this Section, but shall not be constructed in a manner designed to cause a hazard to public safety.
(6) In the event a temporary fence exists for a period of thirty (30) days or more, and the Building and Zoning Inspector determines that it is a hazard to public safety, the Building and Zoning Inspector may require a fence permit or that the fence comply with any provision of this Section.
(c) Generally Applicable Fence Regulations.
(1) All fences, unless specifically exempt by this Section, shall require a fence permit from the Building and Zoning Inspector. No fence shall be erected, constructed, altered, relocated or rebuilt prior to obtaining a fence permit. An existing fence that requires new vertical posts to be set shall be considered an altered fence, and subject to a new permit. For the purposes of this Section, a fence permit shall have the same effect as a zoning certificate in proving conformance with the Zoning Code.
(2) Fences shall only be constructed in conformance with the provisions of this Section and of the fence permit issued by the Building and Zoning Inspector.
(3) No fence shall be installed in a manner or location which obstructs or alters the drainage of the lot on which it is located or of any abutting lot. All fences that are constructed abutting or across drainage easements shall be subject to the following additional regulations:
i. Shadow box fences and fences of an open design, which is defined as at least fifty percent (50%) open will be the preferred fence styles. For picket fences, the distance between pickets shall be no less than the width of the pickets themselves.
ii. Privacy fences shall provide a gap between the vertical boards and the ground of no less than two inches (2").
(4) Fences may be inspected for compliance with the provisions of this Zoning Code. If any fence is installed, erected, constructed or maintained in violation of any of the provisions of this Section, the Building and Zoning Inspector may notify the owner or lessee of the fence in question to repair or replace the fence so as to comply with this Section or to remove it.
(5) No fence shall be constructed of materials such as highway guardrails, corrugated metal, metal wire or plastic mesh, or other such materials that are not designed for use as fencing material or are not sufficiently weather resistant and durable.
(6) No fence shall be constructed which is electrically charged, includes any material which is potentially hazardous such as spikes or barbed wire, or is otherwise designed to injure except as provided for in this Section.
(7) Chain-link fences may not be utilized as a means of support for wooden privacy fences. (Ord. 32-2020. Passed 1-19-21.)