[Amended 9-12-1974 by Ord. No. 0-12-74R; 10-28-1993 by Ord. No. 0-8-93R]
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
A structure composed of posts and boards or other materials
designed to provide a barrier or demarcation point on real property.
Fence posts or supports shall not exceed the allowable fence height
by more than six inches. Shrubbery, bushes, hedges, trees and other
landscaping shall not be considered a fence, nor shall a retaining
wall be considered a fence.
[Amended 6-25-1998 by Ord. No. 0-5-98]
A.
No person shall construct or erect a fence exceeding
three feet in height, except pursuant to a permit obtained from the
Construction Code Official.
B.
As to premises involving an application for site plan
approval, subdivision approval, change of use approval, use variance
approval or approval of an extension, enlargement or alteration of
a nonconforming use, the application for a fence permit shall be made
to the approving authority as part of the land use application. The
approving authority shall certify, in writing, to the Construction
Code Official its approval of the fence and direct issuance of a fence
permit.
[Amended 11-28-2022 by Ord. No. 407-2022]
Please refer to § 90-4A(1)(s) of the Code for fee information.
A.
Construction. Fences shall be erected in such a manner
as to permit the flow of natural drainage and shall not cause surface
waters to be blocked or dammed to create ponding.
B.
Maintenance; appearance. All fences shall be constructed
and maintained in a safe, sound, sturdy and upright condition. The
exterior appearance of all fences shall present the more aesthetic
side to the exterior, in the opinion of the Zoning Officer or appropriate
authority.
[Amended 2-23-1995 by Ord. No. 0-2-95]
A.
Fences in front yard. Fences, of any height, shall not be permitted in the front yard (as defined in § 142-3) of the lot, except that a fence not exceeding three feet in height and which is at least 50% open and unobstructed (for example, split rail) shall be permitted. A zoning permit shall be required.
[Amended 6-25-1998 by Ord. No. 0-5-98]
B.
Through lots. The restrictions as to fences in front
yards shall apply to all property lines adjoining a public street.
C.
Height. No fence shall exceed six feet in height above the normal grade elevation except as may be provided for fences around tennis, paddle tennis and platform tennis courts as provided in § 142-249.
D.
Right-of-way; easement.
[Amended 12-21-1999 by Ord. No. 0-22-99]
(1)
No fence shall be erected within a public right-of-way
or public easement; however, fences shall be permitted over public
stormwater and sanitary sewer easements, excluding trunk lines, so
long as that portion of the fence within the easement is constructed
without permanent footings and it shall be possible to dismantle the
fence by hand and without the need for machinery. If possible, the
portion of the fence within the easement shall be comprised of a gate
for ease of access to said easement. A permit is required.
(2)
Should access to the stormwater easement be
required by the Township or its agent, if possible, the property owner
shall be given notice to dismantle that portion of the fence within
the easement. In the event that access is required on an emergency
basis, or the property owner fails to remove the portion of the fence
over the easement, then, in such event, the Township or its agent
shall have such fence removed immediately and charge any cost to the
property owner as a municipal charge. Should any damage result to
said fence, whether or not located within the easement, as a result
of obtaining access to the easement, the Township shall not be responsible
for the damage or replacement or reconstruction costs.
F.
Existing fences. A fence lawfully in existence as
of the effective date of this article which shall be made nonconforming
by this article may be continued except as otherwise provided herein.
No fence which is nonconforming shall be changed, enlarged, extended
or reconstructed except to a conforming fence, but no provision hereof
shall prohibit the repainting, staining, waterproofing, minor repair
or insubstantial alteration of an existing fence. Any nonconforming
fence which is destroyed less than 50% by fire, other casualty or
act of God may be repaired and used in the same manner as prior thereto,
provided that the fence is not enlarged, extended or otherwise materially
changed. All such repairs shall be completed within six months after
the date of partial destruction or the nonconforming fence shall be
deemed to have been abandoned. When destruction of a nonconforming
fence exceeds 50%, the same shall not be rebuilt or restored except
in conformity with the requirements of this article.
[Amended 2-23-1995 by Ord. No. 0-2-95]
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein,
fences not exceeding 10 feet in height around a tennis, paddle tennis
or a platform tennis court may be permitted in a residential zone,
provided that the Construction Code Official and Zoning Officer shall
review and approve the same, provided that such does not impair the
purpose and intent of this Part 9 and is consistent with the character
of the neighborhood. Such a fence shall be permitted only in the rear
yard and shall not be located within 10 feet of the rear or side lot
lines.
The provisions of this article shall be enforced
by the Construction Code Official.
The denial of a permit for a fence may be appealed
to the Township of River Vale Joint Planning Board and a variance
therefor may be granted in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70; provided,
however, that if the proposed fence is being considered by the Joint
Planning Board as part of a site plan review or other land use application
within the jurisdiction of the Joint Planning Board, the permit denial
or fence variance application may be heard and decided by the Joint
Planning Board in the exercise of its ancillary jurisdiction.
B.
All such persons shall be required to remedy such
violations or defects within 30 days next following notice of such
violation or such extended period as may be reasonably required as
determined by the Construction Code Official and/or Zoning Officer.
[Amended 2-23-1995 by Ord. No. 0-2-95]
C.
Each 10 days following the expiration of the period
required to remedy the violation or defect that a violation continues
shall constitute a separate offense.
D.
In addition to other remedies, the proper local authorities
of the municipality or an interested party may institute any appropriate
action or proceedings to prevent such unlawful erection, construction,
reconstruction, alteration, repair, conversion, maintenance or use
of a fence or to restrain, correct or abate such violation or to prevent
any illegal act, conduct or use of a fence.
