Fences, walls and hedges are permitted in any yard but are subject to the standards and conditions in this Section 1129.10.
(a) Purpose.
(1) Fence, wall or hedge location/purpose is defined as: perimeter; garden; kennel; pool/recreational; screening; privacy; protective and other.
(2) No fence, wall, or hedge shall be closer than three (3) feet to any right-of-way line.
(3) Fences, walls or hedges extending beyond the front of a principal building shall not exceed four (4) feet in height and shall not obscure the view from adjacent properties.
(4) Any fence built on a property line shall be agreed upon in writing by both property owners and shall accompany the zoning permit application. Posts are to be placed on the applicant’s side on any fence erected or installed.
(b) Height.
(1) No fence or wall shall be erected to a height exceeding six (6) feet, except in B-2 and M-1 Districts, where the maximum height shall be eight (8) feet.
(2) When placed closer to the street than the front of the main building on any lot, the maximum height of such fence or wall shall be four (4) feet.
(3) Adjustments to fence, wall or hedge height regulations under specific circumstances may be approved by the Director of Administration, Zoning Officer, or City Engineer.
(4) Fences or walls shall follow the natural topography of the land without any harsh angles or stepping of panels, unless otherwise approved by the Director of Administration, Zoning Officer, or City Engineer.
(c) Materials.
(1) Approved fence and wall materials (may) include stone, brick, wood, vinyl, chain-link and iron; synthetic products or other material shall be approved by the Director of Administration, Zoning Officer, or City Engineer. The smooth finished side of the fence or wall shall be the side of the fence that faces outward from the location being fenced. All framing or support members shall face inward of the location being fenced.
(2) Fences shall not contain an electric charge.
(3) Fences shall not contain barbed wire, except in the M-1 Manufacturing District and then only on the top of a perimeter fence.
(4) During construction, no fence or wall shall contain spikes, broken glass, or any other sharp objects protruding that can cause injury and/or any material used that causes a health or safety concern. Once completed, no fence or wall shall contain spikes, broken glass, or any other sharp objects that can cause injury and/or any material used that causes a health or safety concern.
(d) Site Distance Requirement.
(1) No fence, wall, or hedge shall violate the sight distance requirements found in Section 1129.06(b) and Engineering Standard 1167.18.
(e) Zoning Permit.
(1) A fence zoning permit is required from the City for the erection or installation of all fences and walls.
(2) A fence zoning permit shall expire if the work is not completed within six (6) months of the issuance of an approved permit. A one-time six (6) month extension can be granted by the Director of Administration, Zoning Officer, or City Engineer with an adjusted completion date being final.
(3) If the approval of a fence zoning permit is not reached, and property owner disputes the finding, property owner may appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
(f) Construction and Maintenance.
(1) A fence or wall permitted pursuant to this section shall be maintained in good condition, shall be structurally sound and installed in a workmanlike manner of materials normally used in fence construction and acceptable to the City Engineer, and shall be acceptably finished on both sides at all times. The ground between such fence and the property line shall be maintained at all times.
(Ord. 4536-21. Passed 4-6-21.)