(A) Definition. For purposes of this section the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
FENCE shall mean any permanent partition, structure, or gate erected as a dividing marker, barrier, or enclosure.
(B) No fence shall be erected, placed or altered on any lot in the city from and after the passage of this section, until the construction plans shall have been approved by the City Commission or its duly authorized committee or agency. For provisions regarding permits, see § 150.15.
(C) Fences must meet required setback lines and the following building material guidelines. Permitted building materials include wood, wood lookalike substitutes, brick, wrought iron or aluminum that appears like wrought iron, and stone. Chain link, unfinished concrete or cinder block, bare wire, barbed or razor wire and materials not generally considered appropriate for residential fencing are strictly prohibited. Electric pet fences are permitted if buried underground.
(D) The finished side of a wooden fence shall be placed to the outside or facing adjoining properties.
(E) A fence may not exceed six feet above the finished grade in the area in which it is placed. A fence must be at least three feet, six inches high, notwithstanding any other height restrictions herein. Berms, fill or other methods to raise the elevation at the base of the fence above that of the general finished grade shall not be used to circumvent the height restriction and their height will be included in the measurement of the fence height.
(F) Any fence constructed shall not extend toward the front of the house beyond a point one-half the distance of the side walls of such house. For houses on corner lots, any fence constructed to the side of the house farthest from the side street shall not extend toward the front of the house beyond a point one-half the distance of such side wall of the house. Any fence constructed to the side of the house closest to the side street which such side faces, shall not extend toward the front of the house beyond the rearmost corner of the house/garage on such side, and shall not extend toward the side street beyond the shortest distance between the side street and the rearmost corner of the house/garage at any point. In no case shall any portion of any fence extend beyond the allowable building line on the side of a property that is bounded by a street.
(G) Fences shall be maintained in a manner as to prevent rot and deterioration, rust, corrosion so as not to become a public or private nuisance, and so as not to be dilapidated or a danger to adjoining property owners or the public. Every fence shall be maintained in a condition of reasonable repair and shall not be allowed to become and remain in a condition of disrepair including, but not limited to, noticeable leaning, missing sections, broken supports, non-uniform height, or noxious or overgrowth of vegetation.
(H) No person, firm or entity shall construct, maintain or use within the city limits an electrically charged above-ground fence or enclosure.
(Ord. 4-1979, passed 9-6-79; Am. Ord. 4-1980, passed 9-4-80; Am. Ord. 4-1999, passed 11-18-99; Am. Ord. 3-2016, passed 8-18-16) Penalty, see §
150.99