The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this article, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Alternate orientation.
Created when a structure located on a corner lot is constructed to face the street frontage not normally associated to be the front of the lot.
Barrier.
A permanent fence, wall, building wall, or combination thereof that completely surrounds the pool or spa and obstructs the access to the pool or spa. The term “permanent” shall mean not being able to be removed, lifted, or relocated without the use of a tool.
Building official.
The officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this article, or said officer’s duly authorized designee or representative.
Corner lot.
A lot, tract or parcel which abuts two (2) streets at their intersection, with the longer street frontage being the side of the lot.
Corner orientation.
Created when a structure located on a corner lot is constructed to face the intersection, diagonally across a lot, rather than a traditional orientation toward one (1) of the intersecting streets. In cases of corner orientation, both sides of the lot along the street frontages are to be treated equally as front yards.
Earth-toned R panel fencing.
An exposed fastener metal fence panel with raised ribs with a flat area between the ribs in various warm, muted colors ranging from neutral to deep brown, and includes trim and end caps.
Electrical fence.
An outdoor area enclosure consisting of an electrically charged or partially charged metallic material designed to discourage crossing by either man or animal.
Fence.
An outdoor area enclosure of approved building material (as required in the screening requirements of the applicable zoning district and herein) serving to enclose, divide or protect an area. Fences shall be defined as walls when the average construction thickness exceeds three (3) inches.
Front building setback.
Minimum required front yard setback as specified under the Palmer Zoning Ordinance.
Front yard.
That portion of a lot lying between the required front yard setback(s) and the property line(s) adjacent to the street right-of-way or access easement.
Interior lot.
A lot, tract or parcel which is bounded by one (1) or more lots, tracts or parcels along both sides of the lot lines (not a corner lot).
Key lot.
An interior lot, tract or parcel which sides to the rear of one (1) or more lots, tracts or parcels.
Non-residentially zoned areas.
Any land within the city zoned for nonresidential uses: AG, C-1, C-2, and I. Includes land within the city zoned PD, SUP, and FP only if the specific zoning for said land does not include residential uses.
Office.
Business or industrial park complex enclosure (including entry features): A wall of masonry or masonry and pressure-treated timber, plaster, iron or other approved building material serving to enclose or protect an office, business or industrial park complex. Park/complex enclosures are limited to application along the perimeters of platted non-residential subdivisions containing four (4) or more lots.
Outdoor area enclosure.
Any fence, wall, or structure of various materials designed to serve as an enclosure of an outdoor area, a barrier or boundary, or to otherwise divide or protect an area.
Privacy/security enclosures.
Fences, walls or structures located on individual lots, tracts or parcels for the purpose of enclosing an outdoor area for privacy or security purposes.
Rear lot line.
The boundary line of any lot, tract or parcel opposite the front yard of the lot, being the rear property boundary.
Residential subdivision enclosures (including subdivision entry features).
A wall of masonry or masonry and pressure-treated timber, plaster, iron or other approved building material serving to enclose, divide or protect a residential subdivision. Residential subdivision enclosures are limited to application along the perimeters of platted residential subdivisions containing ten (10) or more lots.
Residential zoned areas.
Any land within the city zoned for the following residential uses: R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, MF, MH. Includes land within the city zoned PD and SUP, only if the specific zoning for said land includes residential uses.
Side lot line.
The boundary line(s) extending between the front and rear lot lines of a lot, tract or parcel, being the side property boundaries.
Visibility triangle.
An area located at the intersection of two (2) streets, access easements of alleys or any combination thereof where no structure, growth or object shall exceed two (2) feet in height, created by measuring 25 feet from the rights-of-way intersection along each right-of-way.
Wall.
An outdoor area enclosure of masonry, plaster or other approved building material serving to enclose, divide or protect an area. Fences shall be defined as walls when the average construction thickness exceeds three (3) inches.
(Ordinance 1220, sec. 2(1), adopted 4/19/23; Ordinance adopting 2023 Code; Ordinance 1262 adopted 12/18/2025)
(a) 
Applicability; compliance.
No fence, wall or outdoor area enclosure structure, may be erected, placed or altered within the city unless such fence, wall or outdoor area enclosure is in conformance with the provisions set forth herein. Existing fences in violation of this article may remain, but may not be remodeled, repaired or replaced except in compliance with this article.
(b) 
Repair of nonconforming fences.
Existing fences that were constructed prior to the adoption of this division that were constructed with materials not currently permitted by this division or erected where not permitted by this division may be maintained as long as no part of the fence is or becomes unsafe, dilapidated, or a public nuisance. If the Building Official determines the fence is unsafe, dilapidated, or a public nuisance the fence must be repaired with materials approved by this division or erected where permitted by this division. Otherwise the fence must be removed in its entirety.
(c) 
Restrictions in front yard of residential structure.
No fence, wall or outdoor area enclosure structure may be erected, placed or altered in the area bounded by the front of a residential structure and the front residential setback and both side lot lines.
(d) 
Approval of deviations.
Any deviations from this article must receive prior written approval from the city council via resolution.
(Ordinance 1220, sec. 2(2), adopted 4/19/23; Ordinance 1261 adopted 11/20/2025)
In residentially zoned districts, fences, walls and outdoor area enclosure structures may be erected if in accordance with the following regulations:
(1) 
Materials.
(A) 
All fences, walls, and outdoor area enclosure structures located in residentially zoned districts shall be in compliance with the screening requirements set forth in the Palmer Zoning Ordinance for the applicable zoning district. Only chain link, wood fences with galvanized metal posts, wrought iron fences with wrought iron posts, and outdoor area enclosure structures shall be permitted in residential zoning districts. The use of other materials is not permitted without prior city council approval.
(B) 
All fences, walls, and outdoor enclosure structures must be of consistent materials throughout the entirety of the structure.
(2) 
Privacy/security enclosures.
(A) 
Privacy/security enclosures may be fences or walls as defined herein.
(B) 
Maximum height shall not exceed ten (10) feet.
(C) 
May be erected upon the rear lot line of any lot.
(D) 
May be erected upon the side lot lines of any interior lot; however, no fence may be erected alongside lot lines to exceed the required front yard setback.
(E) 
No privacy/security enclosure may be erected to encroach upon any visibility triangle, right-of-way, access or drainage easements or floodway.
(Ordinance 1220, sec. 2(3), adopted 4/19/23)
In nonresidential zoning districts, fences, walls and outdoor area enclosures may be erected if in accordance with the following regulations:
(1) 
Materials.
All fences, walls, and outdoor area enclosure structures located in nonresidentially zoned districts shall be in compliance with the screening requirements set forth in the Palmer Zoning Ordinance for the applicable zoning district. Any chain link or wood fences must be constructed with galvanized metal posts only. Fencing in C-2 zoned districts shall consist of earth-toned R panel fencing only and must include trim and end caps.
(2) 
Privacy/security enclosures.
(A) 
Privacy/security enclosures may be fences or walls as defined herein.
(B) 
Maximum height shall not exceed eight (8) feet.
(C) 
May be erected on the rear lot line of any lot, tract or parcel.
(D) 
May be erected upon the side lot line of any lot, tract or parcel; provided that no fence may be erected on a side lot line to exceed the required front building setback without prior city council approval.
(E) 
No privacy/security enclosure may be erected to encroach upon any visibility triangle, right-of-way, access or drainage easements or floodway.
(F) 
Plans for each enclosure shall be specifically reviewed and approved by the city council.
(Ordinance 1220, sec. 2(5), adopted 4/19/23; Ordinance 1262 adopted 12/18/2025)
(a) 
All enclosures shall be walls. Fences, as defined herein, shall not be allowed.
(b) 
All enclosures shall be constructed with minimum 10" x 20" brick columns set on piers with a maximum spacing of ten (10) feet on center. Infill material between brick columns shall be brick, pressure-treated lumber, plaster, iron or other approved material.
(c) 
Maximum height of all enclosures shall be eight (8) feet.
(d) 
Walls enclosing nonresidential developments may be erected along rear property lines.
(e) 
Walls enclosing nonresidential developments may be erected upon rear property lines and to the front and side property lines and to the front and side property lines exceeding the required front yard setback; provided that such encroaching structure does not exceed the required two (2) foot maximum height limit within the visibility triangle, and the enclosure does not encroach upon any right-of-way, drainage or utility easements or floodway.
(f) 
Plans for such enclosures shall be specifically reviewed and approved by the city council.
(Ordinance 1220, sec. 2(6), adopted 4/19/23)
The following regulations shall apply to zoning districts of the city as applicable:
(1) 
Screening.
Live screening using natural growth or planted vegetation shall be allowed within the city under the following provisions:
(A) 
No tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation shall be so planted, pruned or otherwise maintained to exceed a height of two (2) feet within the defined visibility triangle or street right-of-way.
(B) 
Any tree, shrub, hedge or other form of vegetation located within the public right-of-way, utility easement, or visibility triangle shall be subject to removal (without compensation) by the authority of the city for the purpose of utility maintenance and public safety.
(2) 
Barbed wire.
Except as provided herein, the use of barbed wire as an enclosing material is specifically prohibited within the city:
(A) 
Authorized in the AG, agricultural zoning when existing at the time of annexation.
(B) 
Authorized when attached to the top of a minimum six-foot high security fence in the C-1 and I zoning district classifications.
(C) 
Authorized in all zoning district classifications if the use of the land is that of animal husbandry.
(3) 
Electrical fences.
Except as provided herein, the use of electrical fencing is specifically prohibited within the city:
(A) 
Electric fences are allowed only within the C-1, C-2, and I zoning districts and within the AG zoning districts if it is associated with land that is used for animal husbandry.
(B) 
The electrical fence must be located a distance of at least six (6) inches inside a non-electric fence.
(C) 
Electrical fences shall be UL approved and installed and maintained as per manufacturer’s instructions.
(D) 
Electric fences not in compliance with the above are hereby declared a nuisance per se and must be immediately removed.
(4) 
Visibility triangle on corner lots.
The following regulations provide for the maximum safety of persons using sidewalks and streets: On any corner lot, no wall, fence, sign, structure, plant growth, or any other object, whether movable or stationary, which obstructs the vision at elevations between two (2) feet and ten (10) feet above the crown of the adjacent roadway shall be placed or maintained within a visibility triangle, created by measuring 25 feet from the rights-of-way.
(Ordinance 1220, sec. 2(7), adopted 4/19/23; Ordinance adopting 2023 Code)
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions or terms of this article, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be subject to a fine in accordance with the general penalty provided in section 1.01.009 of this code for each offense. Every day any offense is continued shall constitute a new and separate offense.
(Ordinance 1220, sec. 8, adopted 4/19/23; Ordinance adopting 2023 Code)
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions or terms of division 2 of this article shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for each offense. Every day any offense is continued shall constitute a new and separate offense.
(Ordinance 1220, sec. 9, adopted 4/19/23)
Section 202 “Definitions” and section 305 “Barrier Requirements” of the 2015 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, a publication of the International Code Council (I.C.C.), is hereby adopted by the city and designated as the regulations for swimming pool and spa enclosure for the city to the same extent as if such portions of said code were copied in full herein, subject to. deletions, additions, and amendments prescribed in section 4.07.032 of this article. A copy of sections 202 and 305 of the 2015 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code with amendments, as adopted herein, shall be maintained on file in the offices of the city secretary and the building official.
(Ordinance 1220, sec. 3, adopted 4/19/23; Ordinance adopting 2023 Code)
The following amendments to section 202 “Definitions” and section 305 “Barrier Requirements” of the 2015 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code are hereby approved and adopted: [1]
(Ordinance 1220, sec. 4, adopted 4/19/23)
[1]
Editor's Note—The amendments to the 2015 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code are included as an attachment to this chapter