The following specifications, derived from ASTM F537 and Standard Practice in the Fence Industry, shall apply to the materials and construction of wood fences:
(a) Posts and Framing. Post spacing shall not exceed eight feet (8'). All post holes should be a minimum of thirty inches (30") deep for four feet (4') high fences and thirty-six inches (36") deep for fences higher than four feet (4') up to six feet (6'). All terminal, corner and gate posts should be set thirty-six inches (36") deep.
(b) Post holes should be at least four inches (4") larger in diameter than the largest dimension of the post. All terminal, corner and gate posts should be set in concrete.
(c) Fences up to five feet (5') shall have a minimum of two rails (stringers) top and bottom. Fences over five feet (5') shall have a third rail at center height. Stringers shall be 2x4 minimum (nominal).
(d) Materials. All materials used in wood fencing should be either:
(1) Naturally rot resistant wood (such as Cedar),
(2) A wood pressure treated for rot-resistance, or,
(3) Be coated thoroughly with paint or a protective coating immediately on erection.
(e) Fasteners. Fasteners shall be made of a non-rusting, non-corrosive material, or coated to resist rusting. Nails shall be long enough to penetrate the receiving member twice the thickness of the thinner member but not less than one and one-half inches (1-1/2").
(f) Cover boards shall be 1/2" minimum thickness.
(g) Solid wood fences should allow for expansion to avoid buckling as follows: For widths 2 to 4 inches, a one-sixteenth inch (1/16") space should be provided; for widths 6 to 8 inches, a minimum space of one-eighth inch (1/8") should be provided.
(h) The tops of the cover boards may be cut to many different designs such as dog ear (corners cut off at 45 degree angles), gothic (two arc shaped cuts that meet in the center to form a graceful point), standard point (boards cut to a point with 45 degree angles), or domed or rounded top (where the top is cut to a half circle). There are many shapes and styles that may be custom cut at specific request. Post tops may also be cut to several decorative shapes such as pyramid, gothic, domed and chamfered. Also, shaped terminals may be screwed onto the tops of posts. (Ord. 2011-93. Passed 9-20-11.)