This division is intended to guide the construction of fences
and walls within the city in any of the zoning districts provided
that the fencing complies with the requirements of this code as to
location, height, and composition.
(Ordinance 1494 adopted 2/22/11)
In all cases, fences and walls must meet the following:
A. Location
and Height
1. Fences
generally may be constructed along the front, rear and side property
lines, if located entirely on private property and not in excess of
the maximum height allowed.
2. Fences
must not be designed or constructed so as to interfere with traffic
site visibility. Fences determined to cause immediate danger may be
removed by the city.
3. Fences
located in the front yard, along the property line and/or the side
property line(s), to a depth less or equal to the front yard setback,
are restricted to a maximum height of four feet in residentially zoned
districts and eight feet in commercial, industrial and other nonresidential
districts. Fences within the front yard along the property line in
residentially zoned districts shall have a minimum opening of four
inches or may be chain link.
4. Fences
located in the rear or side years [yards], along the rear property
line or the side property line(s) at a depth less or equal to the
required front yard setback, are restricted to a maximum height of
eight feet in residentially zoned districts and fifteen feet in commercial,
industrial, and other nonresidential districts.
5. There
are certain circumstances, however, whereby the maximum height of
a fence erected in the designated front and side yards of a lot which
is zoned residential may exceed the four-foot maximum height limitation.
In these circumstances, all fencing or walls must not interfere with
traffic site visibility or public safety.
B. Fence
Materials
1. Composition
of fences is restricted to materials commonly used in fence construction,
including wood, wire, brick, stone, pipe, concrete, or materials approved
by the Director of Planning.
2. Fences
composed of tires, bumpers or other new or used materials, not commonly
used in fence construction, are prohibited in all zoning districts.
3. The use
of barbed wire, razor wire, concertina wire, or similar materials
is prohibited in all zoning districts with the exception of used [uses]
in the LM and HM districts and in any district where federal law requires
facilities to install such fencing.
The Director of Planning may grant a property owner permission
to use such fencing materials on a limited basis and in areas where
there will be little or no visibility from the public right-of-way.
4. Electric
fences are prohibited in all zoning districts.
C. Exceptions
to Fence Height
1. The Director
of Planning may grant a property owner permission to exceed the maximum
height limitation when there are circumstances whereby the maximum
allowed height of a fence erected does not provide sufficient safety
or privacy.
(Ordinance 1494 adopted 2/22/11)