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Fence Regulations

See Section 17.720 of the Zoning Ordinance

Applicability: All fences, landscape walls, and decorative posts which are equal to or exceed 30 inches in height, located in any district, are subject to the requirements set forth herein, and shall obtain a building permit from the building inspector before commencing construction of said fence.

Building Permit: A building permit application for a fence shall consist of a standard building permit application together with a site plan drawn to scale. The site plan must show abutting streets, lot lines and their dimensions, existing buildings and their dimensions, the proposed fence location and proposed setbacks. A drawing or picture of the fence indicating its style and height shall also be provided.

Fence Types:

  1. Residential Fences, landscape walls and decorative posts may be constructed of wood, stone, brick, wrought iron, chain link, and wire mesh, except wire mesh is not permitted within the street yard or the side street yard. Any residential fence constructed in a street (front) yard or side street yard shall not exceed 50% in opacity. Residential fences shall not exceed 4 feet in height when located within a required street (front) yard or side street yard, and shall not exceed 6 feet in height when located in any other yard.

  2. Nonresidential Fences, landscape walls and decorative posts may be constructed of wood, stone, brick, wrought iron, chain link, and wire mesh. Nonresidential fences shall not exceed 4 feet in height when located in a street yard or side street yard, and shall not exceed 8 feet in any other yard. Security fences may be 8 feet in height in street yards. Barb wire fencing is permitted on the top of security fencing when located at least seven and one-half feet (90 inches) above the ground.

  3. Exception to Height. The maximum heights listed above may be exceeded upon the issuance of a conditional use permit (pursuant to Section 17.905 of the Zoning Ordinance) provided that:

    1. The increase in height will not obstruct vision for intersection streets, driveways, sidewalks and other traffic areas, and

    2. The fence shall be screened from view on its external side with adequate landscaping to maintain an attractive appearance on that side, and

    3. The fence shall be set back from the lot line an adequate distance to provide for the required landscaping and to maintain an attractive relationship to the fences external side.

  4. Temporary Fences, including the use of wood or plastic snow fences for the purpose of limiting snow drifting between November 1 and April 1, protecting construction and excavation sites, and protecting plants during grading and construction is permitted for up to 180 consecutive days or for intervals not exceeding an aggregate of 180 days in any calendar year.

Fence Location: On all properties, no fence, landscape wall, or decorative post shall be located closer than 1 foot to a front lot line or street right-of-way. Fences, landscape walls, and decorative posts shall be set back at least 1 inch from other lot lines. No fence shall obstruct a vision clearance triangle as set forth in Section 17.703 of the Zoning Ordinance.

Orientation: In any case where the a fence, landscaping wall or decorate posts separate two distinctly different land uses, the fence supports or other structural components of the fence or wall shall face the more intensive land use as determined by the Zoning Administrator.

Maintenance of Fences: All fences, landscape walls and decorative posts shall be maintained in a structurally sound and attractive manner.

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