Fences and walls are subject to the following regulations:
(a) Fences and walls on all lots of record in all R Residential Districts which enclose property shall not exceed six feet (6’) in height, measured from the surface of the ground, and shall not extend beyond the required minimum front yard setback line.
(b) Fences and walls in all R Residential Districts, on recorded lots having a lot area in excess of 20,000 square feet and a frontage of at least one hundred feet (100’), or acreage not included within the boundaries of a recorded plat, are excluded from these regulations.
(c) Permanent fences and walls on lots of record shall not contain barb wire, electric current or charge of electricity.
(d) Fences and walls enclosing public institutions, public uses, parks, playgrounds or public landscaped areas, shall not exceed eight feet (8’) in height, measured from the surface of the ground, and shall not obstruct vision to an extent greater than fifty percent (50%) of their total area.
(e) All fences and walls shall comply with the building code of Richland County as it applies to fence and wall installation and materials.
(Ord. 01-50. Passed 12-6-01.)
(f) The construction and use of electric security fences shall be allowed in the City only as provided in this subsection and subject to the following standards.
(1) IEC Standard 60335-2-76. Unless otherwise specified herein, electric security fences shall be constructed or installed in conformance with the specifications set forth in International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard No. 60335-2-76.
(2) Electrification.
A. The energizer for electric security fences must be driven by a commercial storage battery not to exceed 12 volts DC.
B. The electric charge produced by the fence upon contact shall not exceed energizer characteristics set forth in paragraph 22.108 and depicted in Figure 102 of IEC Standard No. 60335-2-76.
(3) Conditions for Installation and Use.
A. No electric security fence shall be installed or used unless a permit has been applied for and obtained from the Zoning Inspector.
B. No electric security fence shall be installed or used unless it is completely surrounded by a non-electrical fence or wall that is not less than six (6) feet high.
C. Electric security fences shall be permitted only in industrial zones and not on any property located in an industrial zone used primarily as a residence.
D. Electric security fences shall not have a height in excess of three feet (3') higher than nor be closer than eight inches (8") to the non- electric perimeter fence.
E. Electric security fences shall be clearly identified with warning signs prepared in English and Spanish that read: “Warning-Electric security fence” at intervals of not less than sixty feet.
F. A “Knox Box Electrical Shunt Switch” and a “Knox Box” or other similar approved devices shall be installed for emergency access of Police and Fire Departments.
G. The electric current must be turned off during all posted business hours in which the business is open to the general public.
(4) Indemnification. All applicants issued permits to install or use an electric security fence as provided in this Section shall agree, as a condition of permit issuance, to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City of Ontario and its agents, officers, consultants, independent contractors and employees from any and all claims, actions or proceedings arising out of any personal injury, including death, or property damage caused by the electric security fence.
(5) Emergency Access. In the event that access by the City of Ontario Fire Department and/or Police Department personnel to a property where a permitted electric security fence has been installed and is operating is required due to an emergency or urgent circumstances, and the Knox box or other similar approved device referred to in subsection (f)(3)F. above is absent or non-functional, and an owner, manager, employee, custodian or any other person with control over the property is not present to disable the electric security fence, the fire or police personnel shall be authorized to disable the electric security fence in order to gain access to the property. As a condition of permit issuance, all applicants issued permits to install or use an electric security fence as provided in this Section will agree to waive any and all claims for damages to the electric security fence against the City of Ontario and/or its personnel under such circumstances.
(Ord. 14-65. Passed 12-18-14.)