[Amended 4-1-1975 by L.L. No. 1-1975; 1-12-1987 by L.L. No. 1-1987; 6-20-1996 by L.L. No. 3-1996;[1] 4-4-2000 by L.L. No. 1-2000; 6-3-2003 by L.L. No. 2-2003;[2] 1-5-2006 by L.L. No. 2-2006; 4-3-2007 by L.L. No. 4-2007; 11-2-2009 by L.L. No. 6-2009; 7-2-2013 by L.L. No. 2-2013; 6-6-2017 by L.L. No. 1-2017; 6-16-2021 by L.L. No. 4-2021; 12-16-2025 by L.L. No. 13-2025]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also provided as follows: "This local law shall lapse and expire and shall be without further force and effect on June 1, 2000, absent the later adoption of a local law extending or modifying its provisions with respect to this lapse date. Upon the lapse and expiration of this local law, any fence erected pursuant to this local law shall be removed."
[2]
Editor's Note: This local law also provided that any deer fence installed or maintained under this law or under the 1996 local law, as extended in 2000, must be removed no later than June 1, 2007.
A. 
General provisions.
(1) 
All fences, walls, and gates shall be constructed from high-quality materials that reflect the character of the village. All fences shall have a finished side facing toward the adjoining property or street. Vinyl (or similar material) fences shall be prohibited. Maximum height for any fence, other than deer fencing, shall be six feet.
(2) 
Height shall be measured from the ground at the base of the fence.
(3) 
All fence, gate, and wall plans are subject to review and approval by the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) . An application for a fence must be accompanied by plans and a survey in which the fences are marked with height and materials to be used, and shall be accompanied by images showing the proposed material and design.
(4) 
Where the Planning Board has approved a site plan, it is not necessary to submit an amended site plan if the only change is the proposed installation of a fence or driveway gate. The Board of Architectural Review shall be the only reviewing board.
(5) 
All fences enclosing pools must comply with New York State pool fence requirements.
(6) 
Cattle grates are prohibited.
(7) 
The placement of fences, gates or walls on top of berms shall be prohibited.
(8) 
The Building Inspector shall refer all applications for fence building permits to the Board of Architectural Review, which shall review and decide upon the application in accordance with Chapter 163, Zoning, Article IX.
(9) 
A building permit shall be required for any proposed fence.
B. 
Definitions.
DRIVEWAY GATES
Gates that are installed at the entrance of a driveway leading onto the property.
GATES
Any barrier or entrance mechanism that swings, slides, or otherwise moves to allow or restrict access through a fence or wall.
DEER FENCE
A fence designed to prevent deer from entering a property, typically taller and sturdier than standard fencing. The maximum height for any deer fence shall be eight feet as measured from the ground immediately under the fence.
C. 
Front yard fencing.
(1) 
Fencing shall be permitted in front yards only under the following conditions:
(a) 
The fence shall not exceed four feet in height.
(b) 
The fence shall be at least 50% open for visibility (e.g., alternating pickets and gaps).
(c) 
The fence shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the edge of the road.
(2) 
A pedestrian gate in a front yard is permitted and shall not exceed four feet in height. The gate shall be at least 50% open for visibility (e.g., alternating pickets and gaps).
(3) 
Driveway gates in a front yard are permitted. Driveway gates shall not exceed six feet in height and must be set back a minimum of 20 feet from the edge of the road. The gate shall be at least 50% open for visibility (e.g., alternating pickets and gaps).
(4) 
All wetland setbacks apply.
D. 
Side yard fencing.
(1) 
Fences in the side yard shall have the following setback requirements:
(a) 
Lot size up to 40,000 square feet: no setback required.
(b) 
Lot size from 40,001 to 60,000 square feet: four-foot setback required.
(c) 
Lot size over 60,001 square feet: 10th setback required.
(2) 
Side yard fencing that is visible from any street must be completely screened from view. Screening must be approved by the Building Inspector.
(3) 
Side yard fencing located forward of the front foundation line:
(a) 
Shall not exceed four feet in height.
(b) 
Shall be at least 50% open for visibility (e.g., alternating pickets and gaps).
(4) 
Side yard fencing located behind the front foundation line is considered rear yard fencing and:
(a) 
Shall have a maximum height of six feet, except where deer fencing is used.
(b) 
May include a permitted combination of six-foot fencing with a two-foot deer fence top. This combination is not permitted forward of the front foundation line.
(c) 
May use deer fencing alone to a maximum height of eight feet.
(5) 
Corner lots shall be deemed to have at least two front foundation lines.
(6) 
Gates in side yard fencing are permitted.
(7) 
All wetland setbacks apply.
E. 
Rear yard fencing.
(1) 
Rear yard fencing shall have the following setbacks:
(a) 
Lot sizes up to 40,000 square feet: five-foot setback required.
(b) 
Lot sizes over 40,001 square feet: ten-foot setback required.
(2) 
Fences in the rear yard shall have a maximum height of six feet, except where deer fencing is used.
(3) 
A permitted combination of six-foot fencing with a two-foot deer fence top may be used in the rear yard, but this combination is prohibited from being placed along the extended line of the front foundation.
(4) 
Rear yard fencing may not extend forward of the front foundation line (as extended to the side property lines).
(5) 
Rear yard fencing placed along the front foundation line extended must be screened from view from any street. Screening must be approved by the Building Inspector.
(6) 
Corner lots shall be deemed to have at least two front foundation lines.
(7) 
Deer fencing in the rear yard may have a maximum height of eight feet.
(8) 
All wetland setbacks apply.
(9) 
Gates in rear yard fencing are permitted.
F. 
Retaining walls.
(1) 
Retaining walls are to be treated as structures and must meet all setback requirements for structures as defined elsewhere in this Code.
G. 
Gates.
(1) 
Driveway gates shall not exceed a height of six feet and shall be set back 20 feet from the edge of the road. The gate shall be at least 50% open for visibility (e.g., alternating pickets and gaps).
(2) 
Pedestrian gates located in any front yard shall not exceed four feet in height above natural grade as measured from the ground immediately under the gate. The gate shall be at least 50% open for visibility (e.g., alternating pickets and gaps).
(3) 
Gates located in any side or rear yard may not exceed the height of the fence.
H. 
Height measurement.
(1) 
The height of a fence, gate or wall shall be measured from the ground level at the base of the fence.
(2) 
Where there is a retaining wall, the height shall be measured from the average of the ground levels at each side of the retaining wall.
I. 
Deer fencing.
(1) 
Deer fencing shall be constructed of black Visitable polypropylene mesh or woven wire (also known as solid lock or fixed knot fence) with a maximum opening size of 1.75 inches) and a maximum height of eight feet.
(2) 
Posts supporting deer fencing shall not exceed four inches in width or diameter. Posts must be constructed of materials that reflect the natural character of the Village and shall be either black galvanized metal or natural wood. In all cases, the design, material, color, and placement of posts must be reviewed and approved by the Architectural Review Board (ARB). The visual impact of posts should be minimized to the extent practicable.
(3) 
Deer fences shall not be painted or illuminated and may not include ornaments, signs, bracing (except at gates or corners), barbed wire, chain link, vinyl or CCA-treated wood.