Article 24 — FENCE REGULATIONS

It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, install or maintain in the City any fence or wall, unless said wall or fence is developed in full conformance with all applicable provisions of Chapters 11 and 12 of this Code and the necessary Fence Permit(s) or Building Permit(s) are obtained prior to construction or installation.

(Ord. 2518 9-17-85)

In any residential zone or on any residentially developed property, no wall or fence shall:

• (1) Exceed four feet in height in the front yard setback for all lots and in the street side yard setback for any reversed corner lot. That portion of any such wall or fence exceeding two feet in height above grade shall be open-work. The height of the fence may be increased to a maximum of five feet if the open-work portion is ornamental metal only. Additionally, any vertical masonry pillars that support the metal open-work shall not exceed sixteen inches in width and shall not be spaced closer than eight feet on-center, except where a pedestrian gate may be located between two pillars that are closer than eight feet.

• (2) Exceed eight feet in height in rear yards and side yards behind the front building line, as measured on the side of the wall with the higher natural grade. The height of the walls that are built to retain soil above natural grade shall be considered as part or all of the allowed wall height, except that an open-work guard rail not exceeding forty-two inches above the higher grade may be added to the top of the retaining wall.

The provisions shall not be so interpreted as to prohibit the erection of a fence enclosing an elementary, junior high or high school site if such fence does not project beyond the front line of the building.

(Ord. 2518 9-17-85; Ord. 90-20 10-28-90; Ord. 92-23 12-22-92; Ord. 95-31 12-12-92)

In any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential zone, when such property is not residentially developed, no wall or fence shall:

• (1) Exceed six feet in height if located within twenty feet of any public street. Such fences shall not be constructed of chain-link or other wire material;

• (2) Exceed eight feet in height if located further than twenty feet from any public street;

• (3) Exceed the provisions of Section 12-55.5 when developed around customer and employee parking lots.

• (Ord. 2518 9-17-85)

The height of walls that retain soil above the natural grade shall be considered as part of all of the allowed wall height, except that an open-work guard rail not exceeding forty-two inches above the higher grade may be added to the top of the retaining wall. (Ord. 2518 9-17-85)

No fence or wall in any residential zone shall incorporate barbed wire or other sharp or protruding objects. No fence or wall in any nonresidential zone shall incorporate same, except if a variance has been granted when such installation is deemed necessary and there exists no reasonable alternative for security purposes. Razor wire shall be prohibited in all zones. (Ord. 2518 9-17-85; Ord. 10-09 5-25-10)

A fence permit shall be required for construction or installation of any wall or fence exceeding four feet in height. Plans required to be submitted for a fence permit shall include a site plan showing the location and the height of any proposed wall or fence and additional information or plans describing the material and design of the wall or fence, along with a fee as specified in the Master Fee Schedule. Any fence requiring a building permit shall be exempted from any fence permit fee. (Ord. 2518 9-17-85; Ord. 87-6 5-19-87; Ord. 13-04 11-5-13)

Any temporary chain-link fence, wood fence or safety barricade that is installed around a construction site (for which a valid building permit has been issued) or around a potential safety hazard shall be exempt from the height and permit regulations of this Article so long as such fence or barricade is immediately removed upon completion of the construction or upon the timely elimination of the safety hazard.

(Ord. 2518 9-17-85; Ord. 87-6 5-19-87)

In any residential zone or on any residentially developed property, hedges must adhere to the following standards:

• (1) Hedges shall not exceed four feet in height when located in the front yard setback for all lots and in the street side yard setback for any reversed corner lot.

• (2) Hedges shall not exceed twenty feet in height when located in the rear and side yard setbacks.

• (3) Hedges shall be well-maintained, shall not project across any adjacent property line, and cannot be supported by any structure like a fence, post, pole, or other structural device.

• (Ord. 95-31 12-12-95)