(A) Intent. The purpose of these fence and wall standards is to provide minimum requirements in order to provide adequate light, air circulation, and privacy; and to protect the public welfare by preventing visual obstructions along public ways.
(B) General fence and wall standards applicable all zoning districts.
(1) General requirements. Fences and walls shall be permitted in all zoning districts without a permit subject to conformance with the following requirements:
(a) Structural face. All fences and walls shall present the nonstructural face outward.
(b) Drainage. No fence or wall shall disrupt the flow of water in any drainage easement, or otherwise result in impediments for storm-water runoff. Any fence or wall located in an easement may be removed by the easement holder when accessing the easement.
(c) Setbacks. All fences and walls may be permitted up to a property line except as noted in this chapter. No fence or wall may be placed in any right-of-way or required sight visibility triangle, see § 156.072. Fences and walls within the easement of a drain, pond, and/or lake shall require the approval of the County Surveyor and/or County Highway Engineer.
(d) Buffer yards. No fence or wall may be placed in any required buffer yard that does not specifically provide for the inclusion of fences.
(e) Materials. Fences and walls shall be constructed of wood, decorative metal, masonry or synthetic materials styled to simulate natural materials.
(2) Height exceptions. Fences specifically required by this chapter for screening, telecommunications facilities, or other purposes may exceed the maximum heights established by this section consistent with the appropriate specific requirements of this chapter.
Fence Height Measurement
(3) Height measurement. The height of a fence shall be determined by measuring from the adjacent grade to the highest point of the fence, excluding fence posts. Fence posts may exceed the maximum height of the fence by up to one foot.
(4) Swimming pools, private, shall be designed and installed in conformance with 675 IAC 20.
(C) Residential fence and wall standards applicable to agricultural, and residential land uses.
(1) Height requirements. Residential fences and walls shall not exceed six feet in height in any side or rear yard or 3.5 feet (42 inches) in height in any front yard. Front yard fence shall be at least 50% transparent. For the purposes of this requirement, the front yard shall be defined as the area located between an adjacent street and the wall of the primary structure that faces it. Agricultural fences shall be exempted from these standards.
(2) Prohibited fences. All electrified, barbed wire, razor wire, and stockade fences are prohibited on all non-farm property. Chainlink fences are prohibited in the front yard in residential districts. In no instance shall this be interpreted as prohibiting the use of invisible fences.
Front Yard Fence Height
(D) Non-residential fence and wall standards applicable to communications/util ities, commercial, institutional, and industrial land uses.
(1) Height standards. Fences and walls located within the front yard setback area along a public road frontage shall not exceed 48 inches in height. All other fences and walls shall not exceed eight feet in height.
(2) Architectural standards. Fences and walls located within the front yard setback area along a public road frontage shall be decorative. Such fences and walls shall include complimentary landscaping with breaks by variation in height, columns, recesses, and projections. The maximum uninterrupted length of such fences and walls, without breaks, shall be 100 feet.
(3) Exemptions. Fences for athletic facilities such as ball diamonds, tennis courts and driving ranges shall be exempt from the height and architectural standards of this section.
(4) Prohibited fences. Electrified, barbed wire, razor wire, and stockade fences shall be prohibited on all non-farm property. Industrial uses, communications/utilities, and penal and correctional facilities shall be exempt from this standard.
(Ord. 2007-1B, passed 2-5-07; Am. Ord. 2007-6A, passed 6-4-07; Am. Ord. 2014-5D, passed 4-22- 14; Am. Ord. 2015-8A, passed 8-4-15)