[Amended 2-26-2018 by Ord. No. 1308]
No fence, hedge or screen planting shall be permitted within
the Township of Little Falls except in accordance with this chapter.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Measured from the average natural elevation prior to any
construction three feet either side of the proposed location of a
fence, hedge or screen planting.
Any fence that is less than 50% open space between the pickets,
slats or crossbars of the fence.
No fence, hedge or screen planting in excess of three feet in
height shall be permitted closer than 25 feet from the point of intersection
of the side lines of intersection streets so as to provide adequate
sight clearance for vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
A.
Within any required front yard, no fence or wall used as a fence
shall be erected and maintained over four feet in height. Fences erected
in the front yard shall be 50% clear. Within the required side or
rear yard, no fence or wall used as a fence shall be erected on any
lot in excess of six feet in height. All fences constructed after
March 31, 2018, shall comply with all the provisions of this chapter.
B.
The use of chain-link fence of any kind is not permitted in the front
of a principal building beyond the front building line.
C.
Fences shall not have any kind of razor wire, barbed wire or glass
as a part of the fence structure.
D.
Pillars, piers, stanchions and cheek walls may be located in the
front yard of a lot, provided that such structures are set back a
minimum of five feet from the property line.
E.
Hedges or screen plantings in excess of three feet in height may
be located in the front yard of a lot, provided that such structures
are set back a minimum of five feet from the property line.
F.
Pillars, piers, gates and stanchions may not exceed five feet in
height, measured from the finished grade, except that up to two piers
or stanchions and gates at a driveway entrance to a lot may be up
to six feet in height measured from grade to the topmost portion of
the pier or stanchion.
G.
The entrance space created by the gates, posts, piers, stanchions,
cheek walls and the like shall have 15 feet of clear unobstructed
space. This is established to allow emergency service vehicles clear
access to the property.
H.
Cheek walls attached to gates, posts, piers, and/or stanchions may
not be more than four feet long and two feet wide.
I.
A fence erected on top of a freestanding wall may not exceed three
feet in height.
J.
Fences for dog runs, animal runs, or pens of any kind may not exceed
a height of six feet. These structures may be enclosed on the top.
All fences for these structures shall be screened and may not be visible
from the street and/or neighbors. All fences for these structures
shall be set at least five feet from the rear and side yard property
lines.
K.
Any legally existing nonconforming fence may be rebuilt or replaced
in its existing location with no increase in height in the manner
herein provided.
The finished or decorative side of any fence, as determined
by the Construction Code Official of the Township of Little Falls,
shall face outward in the direction of the street or adjoining properties.
Any person or business entity desiring to erect a fence on their property shall make application and provide a property survey thereof to the Construction Code Official of the Township of Little Falls and pay the required fee pursuant to Chapter 71 of the Code of the Township of Little Falls.
Any person or business who or which is denied a building permit for a fence may appeal the decision of the Construction Code Official of the Township of Little Falls to the Township Land Use Board pursuant to the procedure set forth in Chapter 109, Land Use Procedures, in the Code of the Township of Little Falls.
It shall be the obligation of the owner or occupant of the property
to maintain any fence, hedge, or screen planting so that it does not
violate the terms or provisions of this chapter.
The Construction Official of the Township of Little Falls shall
administer and enforce this chapter and shall make the determination
concerning compliance with this chapter and the issuance of construction
or building permits.
Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed as prohibiting
in any required front, rear or side yard decorative or landscape plantings,
such as bushes, flowers, trees, and the like, which are not designed
or intended as a fence.
Violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable as provided in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article 1.
