The Village of Forrest is dedicated to providing an attractive, well-maintained community; therefore, a fence construction and maintenance ordinance is a method of meeting this goal.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
FENCE
An accessory structure which is a barrier and is used as a boundary, screen separation, means of privacy, or confinement and is constructed of wood, plastic (PVC), metal, masonry, or other similar material.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 100, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Swimming pool fences shall be regulated by the Building Code currently in effect in the Village. Therefore, it is the property owner's responsibility to procure a copy of the currently effective Building Code and construct to that end.
A. 
Residential.
(1) 
No fence or wall which exceeds a height of three feet above ground level may be erected, placed, or maintained in a front or corner side yard.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 100, General Provisions, Art. I)]
(2) 
No fence or wall may be erected, placed, or maintained which is located in a front or corner side yard and shall not exceed a height of three feet above ground level.
(3) 
Where a lot is adjacent to nonresidential-zoned property, no fence may be erected, placed or maintained to a height exceeding eight feet above ground level.
B. 
Nonresidential. No fence or wall may be erected, placed, or maintained on any nonresidential lot to a height exceeding eight feet above the ground level.
A. 
The minimum gauge of wire for a wire mesh fence shall be not less than 11 gauge and the minimum size wire mesh shall not be less than 2 1/4 inches.
B. 
No chicken wire, barbed wire, razor wire or the like shall be permitted on any residential lot. In addition, no snow fence (either wood slat or plastic) shall be erected as a primary or permanent fence on a residential or nonresidential lot.
A. 
It shall be the property owner's responsibility to assure that any fence installed between property lines, is within their property line as described in Subsection C below. The Village may require a survey before the issuance of a permit if the property line is in dispute.
B. 
No fence shall be installed on the property line.
C. 
The entirety of the fence or wall shall be placed not less than three feet inside the owner's property line.
D. 
Fences shall not be placed closed than 24 inches from telephone, electrical, cable, gas or similar pedestal; or manholes, catch basins, water or sewer service points that would interfere with the maintenance of these utilities.
A. 
The bottom of the fence shall be placed three inches above the grade (ground) level to assure drainage and proper maintenance.
B. 
The depth of the fence posts shall be 1/3 of the height of the fence or 18 inches, whichever is more. Exception: In corners or gate supports, the depth in this case shall be 32 inches. In this case, there shall be a gravel base and not less than eight inches of concrete fill below the grade.
C. 
All excess fill or soil from the excavation must be removed or redistributed in a tidy manner.
D. 
All fences must be constructed with the finished (better) side facing outward from the property on which it is constructed.
A. 
All fences must be maintained in good sound condition.
B. 
They must be free of damage, breaks or missing structural members.
C. 
Areas that are leaning, buckling, sagging or deteriorating must be repaired or replaced with compatible material.
D. 
The area at the base of the fence must be kept free of debris and neatly trimmed.
E. 
Where fencing has been previously painted and there are areas of chipping, peeling scaling or missing paint equal to or greater than 20% of the fence surface, then the surface must be repainted or stripped of all paint.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 100, General Provisions, Art. I)]
A permit is required for new construction or where repair is equal to or more than 50% of the existing fence.
A. 
Diagram of fence.
B. 
Description of fence.
C. 
Copy of Assessor information (including Tax ID).
D. 
Setbacks with diagram.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 100, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Post hole depths, whether augered or driven in, shall be inspected during installation and a final inspection will be required; please call the Village Office (815-657-8226).
A. 
In the event any part of this article is in conflict with any other Village ordinance, this article will take precedence.
B. 
Any interpretations of this article will be the responsibility of the Village President and his/her decision will be final.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 100, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Violating this article will range from $25 to $750 per day, with each day being considered a separate violation.