Fences shall be permitted in all yards subject to the following:
A. Location: All fences shall be located entirely within the private property of the person, firm or corporation constructing or causing the construction of the fence.
B. Construction And Maintenance:
1. Every fence shall be constructed in a professional and substantial manner and of substantial material reasonably suitable for the purpose for which the fence is proposed to be used. The materials and design shall also be compatible with other structures in the area in which the fence is located and shall not cause blight or a negative impact.
2. 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 or danger, or constitute a nuisance, public or private. Any such fence that is or has become dangerous to the public safety, health or welfare is a public nuisance, and the City shall commence proper proceedings for the abatement thereof.
3. All posts or similar supporting instruments used in the construction of fences shall be faced inward toward the property being fenced.
4. The decorative side of any fence shall be faced outward from the property being fenced.
C. Access: All fences shall be provided with a gate which affords reasonable and convenient access for public safety.
D. Barbed Wire And Electric Fences: Except as specified in this section, barbed wire fences and electric fences shall only be allowed when related to farming activities located within the Z1 District.
E. Drainage: Fences shall not obstruct natural drainage.
F. Grade Modifications: Any modifications to the grade or drainage of a property in conjunction with the construction of a fence shall be subject to section 12-16-7 of this chapter.
G. Z2 And Z3 District Fence Standards: All residential district fences shall be placed within the property being fenced.
1. Except in the case of a secondary front yard on a corner lot that abuts a street, fences along side property lines shall not be more than six feet (6') in height for the distance commencing from a point on the side property line located along the rear lot line and proceeding along the side property line to a point that would be intersected by the front wall line of the existing principal structure on the lot.
2. Fences along or paralleling any rear property line shall not exceed six feet (6') in height.
3. The required screening provisions for residential districts shall supersede, where applicable, the provisions of this section.
4. Fences extending across required principal or secondary front yards shall be no greater than four feet (4') in height.
H. Z4 And Z6 Fence Standards: All commercial and industrial fences shall be placed within the property being fenced.
1. Business and industrial fences may be erected up to eight feet (8') in height. Fences in excess of eight feet (8') shall require a variance.
2. Fences within the Z6 District that are primarily erected as a security measure may have arms projecting into the applicant's property on which barbed wire can be fastened commencing at a point at least seven feet (7') above the ground.
3. Fences or walls that enclose self-storage or outdoor storage areas shall meet the fencing and screening requirements of subsection 12-16-5K of this chapter. (Ord. 10-003, 1-19-2010, eff. 7-1-2010; amd. 2017 Code)
I. Z5 Fence Standards: Fences within the Z5 District shall generally be prohibited; however, fences required for security measures or special purposes, or to meet landscaping and screening requirements, may be allowed subject to Development Review Committee site plan compliance review considering purpose, context, location, materials and overall relationship to surrounding properties. Approved fences shall not exceed six feet (6') in height. (Ord. 11-4, 2-15-2011; amd. 2017 Code)
J. Z7 Fence Standards: Fence standards for the Z7 District shall be established at the time of site plan compliance review. (Ord. 10-003, 1-19-2010, eff. 7-1-2010; amd. 2017 Code)