[HISTORY: Adopted by the City of Council of the City of Chester 9-8-1970 by Ord. No. 56-1970 (Art. 1725 of the 1978 Codified Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
No person shall erect nor allow to be erected any fence, wall or hedge on any property within the City without first obtaining a permit to do so from the Building Inspector of the City of Chester.
[Amended 12-16-1981 by Ord. No. 40-1981]
A. 
Any person intending to erect or have erected any fence, wall or hedge on any property within the City shall make written application to the Building Inspector for a permit. Application shall be in such form as is required by the Building Inspector and shall be accompanied by plans showing the type and location of such fence, wall or hedge. The permit fees as required by this section shall be as follows: $5 per each $1,000 or any fractional part thereof, construction value up to $1,000,000. Thereafter, $1 per each $1,000 or any fractional part thereof, construction value.
B. 
If the application and accompanying plans comply with the provision of this chapter and with all other pertinent City ordinances, the Building Inspector shall issue the necessary permit upon the payment of the fee.
[Amended 8-26-1999 by Ord. No. 6]
A. 
Back and side yard fences, walls or hedges.
(1) 
A fence, wall or hedge can be erected in a back or side yard to a maximum height of six feet unless it is determined that said fence, wall or hedge would:
(a) 
Obstruct or interfere with the flow of traffic at a location; or
(b) 
Pose a security concern as determined by the police department; or
(c) 
Change the characterization of a neighborhood; or
(d) 
Obstruct the view of the neighboring property owners.
(2) 
And in such instance, the fence, wall or hedge shall not exceed a maximum height of four feet.
B. 
No fence shall be erected in the front yard of any property.
C. 
No wall or hedge erected in the front yard of any property shall exceed a height of three feet.
D. 
Any wall or hedge erected in the front yard of any property or in the side yard immediately adjacent to a public street in the case of a corner property shall be at least 18 inches from the property line.
All fences, walls and hedges within the City shall be maintained and shall be kept in good repair by the occupant and owner of such premises so that the same will not become hazardous or dangerous to the safety, health and welfare of City inhabitants of or to the public at large, and shall be maintained by the occupant and owner of such premises in conformance with the provisions of this chapter and other pertinent City ordinances.
[Amended 8-26-1999 by Ord. No. 6]
Variances from the terms and conditions of this chapter will be permitted if approval of any such variance is obtained from Council.
If erection of the fence, wall or hedge is not commenced within three months from the date of the issuance of such permit, the permit shall expire and become null and void. If a permit becomes null and void, a new application shall be made to the Building Inspector pursuant to § 261-2 prior to the erection of such fence, wall or hedge.
[Amended 6-6-1990 by Ord. No. 4-1990]
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter, shall upon conviction in a summary proceeding, be fined not more than $600 and costs and, in default of payment thereof, shall be imprisoned not more than 90 days. Each day's failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a separate violation.