(a) Permit Required. Except as otherwise stated in this chapter, all fences require a permit issued by the Director of Buildings or his or her designated representative. Such permit shall be issued only after an application for the proposed fence has been submitted to the Department of Building, Engineering and Inspection and approved by a department official. At minimum, an application for a fence permit shall include the following:
(1) Site plan;
(2) Elevation drawing;
(3) Description and/or illustration of material and color;
(4) Height of fence;
(5) Depth of footers.
(c) Maintenance and Durability Required. A fence permitted pursuant to this chapter shall be maintained in good condition, shall be structurally sound and shall be attractively finished on both sides at all times to present a neat, clean appearance which does not detract from the value of adjacent properties.
(1) Durable Materials. All fences shall be constructed of materials specified in this chapter and shall be designed and constructed for durability of all elements, colors, and finishes for a period of at least ten years after installation. This requirement for durability does not apply to permitted temporary fences.
(2) The grounds between such fence and a property line shall be well maintained at all times.
(3) These requirements shall also apply to existing fences.
(d) Similar Fences. The City Planning Commission may permit other fences which are similar in character and design to one or more of the permitted fences set forth in this chapter.
(e) Direction of Stakes. The stakes (vertical or horizontal) supporting a fence shall face the property of the person providing such fence.
(f) Fence Height. The height of a fence shall be measured from the finished grade of the ground on which it is mounted, except when mounted on an earthen mound as used for buffering, in which case the height of the berm shall be included in the height of the fence.
(g) Fence Color. All parts of fences shall be of a natural or neutral color including natural wood, wood stained to a wood-like color, white, beige, or cream. Metal or metal-imitation fences, such as wrought iron, may be black.
(h) Unified Fence Type Required. All fences and parts of a fence on a lot erected along the same or approximately the same property line shall be constructed in the same materials and style.
(i) Drainage. No fence which interrupts, impedes or otherwise alters the natural flow of water shall be erected in any residential district.
(j) Gates. Fence gates shall be installed so that they cannot swing into or across a public
sidewalk or onto adjacent property.
(k) Prohibited Fences. The following fences are prohibited:
(1) Barbed wire, defined as a fence made with metal wire having sharp points or barbs along its length.
(2) Fences constructed with sharp-edged or otherwise dangerous elements.
(3) Fences charged with electricity.
(4) Stockade fence, defined as a solid fence comprised of vertical boards which are pointed at the tops.
(5) Fences of wire, vinyl or plastic mesh, netting, fabric, or screen except where specifically permitted by this chapter.
(6) Solid fences constructed with materials other than vinyl are prohibited.
(l) Fences on Slopes.
(1) If constructed of pre-assembled panels, each panel shall be level and may be stepped to maintain a height conforming to these regulations.
(2) A site-assembled fence may be installed so that the top and bottom of the fence elements between posts parallel, or nearly parallel, the slope of the ground.
(3) The applicant shall provide an elevation sketch illustrating the manner of construction on the slope, including the intended treatment of gaps at the bottom of a stepped fence.
(Ord. 2016-27. Passed 10-10-16.)