(A) Definition. FENCE or WALL means any structure composed of wood, metal, stone, brick or other material, including hedges or other plants, erected in such a manner and location so as to enclose, partially enclose or divide any premises or part of a premises for the purpose of confinement, screening, partitioning or decoration. Trellises or other structures for the purpose of supporting vines, flowers or other vegetation, when erected in such a position so as to enclose, partially enclose or divide any premises or any part of a premises, shall also be considered a fence.
(B) Permit required. No fence or wall, as defined above, may be erected within the city unless the property owner or his or her agent files application with the Zoning Inspector. Such application shall include a drawing of the lot, showing the actual location of the proposed fence or wall. The property owner shall determine property lines and certify that the fence or wall does not encroach upon another lot or parcel of land.
(C) Height and location. The permitted height of a fence or wall shall be determined by its location on the property as follows.
(1) A decorative fence or wall not exceeding 42 inches in height may be erected within the front yard, provided that the following conditions are met:
(a) The fence or hedge is located not less than three feet from the street right-of-way line;
(b) Such decorative fence shall not be opaque and shall not consist of discarded wood or debris; and
(c) The provisions of division (C)(3) below are met.
(2) A fence or wall not exceeding 72 inches in height may be erected in any portion of the lot, so long as a minimum distance of 25 feet is maintained from the front lot line and adequate sight distance is maintained from streets and/or alleys.
(3) No fence, hedge or wall shall be erected on any lot in such a manner so as to obscure the vision of motorists approaching a street intersection within a 25-foot clear sight distance along either street approaching said intersection.
(D) Prohibited fences. In any residential district, no person shall erect or maintain any fence or wall charged with electrical current, nor shall any person erect or maintain any fence or wall having wire or metal prongs or spikes, or other cutting points or edges.
(2003 Code, § 153.388) (Ord. 3459, § 29.04, passed 3-7-2002) Penalty, see § 153.999