CITY OF
FENCES AND WALLS
A building permit is not
required for fences and walls but a site plan must be submitted.
LOCATION
All boundary line fences
shall be located entirely within the private property of the person, firm or
corporation constructing or causing the construction of such fence.
SETBACK
Should no be placed any
closer than 3-feet from the property line.
There is a 10-foot utility easement around the property and residents
need to be aware that if a utility company or the city needs to dig in this
easement the resident will be responsible to replace their fence.
INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE
1. Every
fence shall be constructed in a professional and substantial manner and of
substantial material reasonably suitable for the purpose for which the fence is
proposed to be used. The materials and
design shall also be compatible with other structures in the area in which the
fence is located and shall not cause blight or a negative impact.
2. Every
fence shall be maintained in a condition of reasonable repair and shall not be
allowed to become and remain in a condition of disrepair or danger, or
constitute a nuisance, public or private.
Any such fence which is or has become dangerous to the public safety,
health or welfare is a public nuisance, and the City shall commence proper
proceedings for the abatement thereof.
3. All
posts or similar supporting instruments used in the construction of fences
shall be faced inward toward the property being fenced.
ACCESS
All fences shall be provided
with a gate which affords reasonable and convenient access for public safety.
FENCES PROHIBITED
Barbed wire fences and
electric fences shall be prohibited within the City except, within the A-R
district when related to farming, and hobby farms.
EASEMENTS – PUBLIC & PRIVATE
1. Utility and Drainage Easement
Fences
may be constructed within public and private utility and drainage easements
provided that:
a. The
fence and its design is subject to the approval of the
City Engineer.
b. Removal
of the fence or a portion thereof for the purpose of utilizing the easement
shall be at the property owner’s expense.
2. Maintenance
The
city may require a property owner to secure an easement from an abutting
property owner for the necessary maintenance of a proposed fence if such
structure is located within two (2) feet of the property line.
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT FENCES
All residential district
fences shall be placed within the property being fenced.
1. Corner Lots
No
fence, wall or planting shall rise over three feet in height above the street
curb level within twenty (20) feet of any street right-of-way corner, so as to
interfere with traffic visibility.
2. Residential Districts-
Side Yard
No
fence or wall, other than a retaining wall, along a side lot line in a
residence district, shall be higher than six (6) feet unless the adjoining lot
is not in a residential district.
3. Residential Districts
– Rear Yard
Fences
having a height of six (6) feet or less may be located within the required rear
yards in any residence district.
NON RESIDENCE DISTRICTS – FENCES AND
WALLS
Required walls or fences used
as screens between a residence district and a non-residence district shall be
of not less than 90% opacity and not less than five, nor more than seven feet
in height above the level of the residential district boundary. The height regulations shall not apply to
screens of parking and loading areas.
PLANTINGS
Screen plantings may be
substituted for walls or fences, provided such
plantings are of such type as to permit a minimum of 90% opacity during all
months of the year.
EXCEPTIONS
Walls or fences of lesser or
greater heights or planting screens of lesser opacity or otherwise not
conforming with the subdivision may be permitted by the Board of Zoning Appeals
and Adjustments if there is a finding that the nature of the use being screened
is such that a lesser or greater degree of screening will as adequately promote
and protect the use and enjoyment of the properties within the adjacent
residential district, or there is a finding that the screening of the type
required by this chapter would interfere with the provisions of adequate
amounts of light and air to same said properties.
Revised 12-14-05