[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Board of
the Township of Grosse Ile 8-11-1980 by Ord. No. 137 as Ch. 25 of the Grosse
Ile Township Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Zoning — See Ch. 285.
When used in this chapter the word "fence" shall
also include the word "wall."
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or
corporation to construct or cause to be constructed any fence upon
any property within the Township of Grosse Ile without first having
obtained a permit therefor.
Any person desiring to construct or cause to
be constructed a fence upon property in the Township of Grosse Ile
shall first apply to the Township's Department of Community Development
for a permit therefor for which there shall be paid a fee as established
by the Township Board and posted or made available at the Township
Department of Community Development after approval of a written application,
which shall contain such information as may be required by the Department
in order to determine that such fence will not violate any ordinance
of the Township, or county or state laws.
Fences in all residential districts are permitted
subject to the following:
A.
Fences on all lots of record in all residential districts
which enclose property and/or are within a required side or rear yard,
and are within six feet of the property line, shall not exceed four
feet in height, measured from the surface of the ground, and shall
not extend toward the front of the lot nearer than the front of the
house. Fences to six feet in height may be allowed when at least six
feet from the property line.
B.
Fences on property under single ownership having a lot area in excess of two acres and a frontage of at least 200 feet in all residential districts are excluded from these standards except as they relate to Subsection C of this section. A fence not to exceed four feet will be permitted in front yards provided it is located at least 40 feet from the front property line.
[Amended 5-8-2023 by Ord. No. 23-02]
C.
Fences which enclose public or institutional parks,
playgrounds, or public landscaped areas situated within an area developed
with recorded lots shall not exceed six feet in height, measured from
the surface of the ground, and shall not obstruct vision to an extent
greater than 25% of their total area.
D.
Fences on all lots of record in all residential districts
which serve as architectural or decorative landscaping and are not
used to enclose property and/or are not placed within six feet of
lot lines may be erected within the confines of the minimum yard requirements
for said yard, provided that:
(1)
The height of said fence shall not exceed four feet
measured from the surface of the ground.
(2)
The safety triangle shall be observed.
(3)
Said fence shall be constructed of wood, stone, brick,
sculptured block or architecturally treated concrete.
(4)
No fence shall have a linear measurement exceeding
30% of the length of the yard line which it parallels.
E.
Fences on corner lots shall be allowed, provided that:
(1)
The fence does not extend toward the front of the
lot nearer than the front of the house.
(2)
No fence shall be allowed within 20 feet of the property
line abutting the side street right-of-way except in the instance
of a corner lot where the rear yard abuts the rear yard of the corner
lot of the next parallel street no fence shall be allowed within six
feet of the property line abutting the side street right-of-way.
(3)
The height of said fence shall not exceed four feet
unless the fence is located a minimum of 40 feet from the property
line abutting the side street right-of-way.
(4)
All fences within 40 feet of the property line abutting
the side street right-of-way must be of architecturally treated design.
[Amended 5-8-2023 by Ord. No. 23-02]
Fences shall be constructed of posts sunk into
the soil at least three feet, provided that all steel or metal posts
shall be encased in concrete, and of a height above the ground surface
of not more than four feet, with boards, woven non-barbed wire, or
other suitable material equivalent thereto and approved by the Township's
Department of Community Development. Barbed-wire fences shall not
be permitted anywhere in the Township.
[Amended 9-9-2013 by Ord.
No. 13-002]
A.
All fences must be located entirely on the private property of the
person for whom the fence was constructed; provided, however, that
if the adjoining property owners jointly apply for a permit to erect
a fence upon their common property line, such fence may be so erected.
In the event of a shared fence line, the adjoining property owners
shall determine which side will be finished. Where the fence is placed
on the lot line the junction of posts and boards or wire shall always
be considered the lot line.
B.
Posts of all fences shall be placed on the inside of the owner's
property such that the finished side faces all adjacent properties.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or
corporation to construct or maintain, or to allow to be constructed
or maintained, upon property owned or occupied by such person, firm
or corporation, any fence charged or connected with an electrical
current in such manner as to transmit such current to persons, animals
or things which might come in contact with such charged fence.
The Township's Building Inspector may require
the owner of property upon which a fence is to be constructed to establish
lot lines upon said property, through the placing of permanent stakes
located by a licensed surveyor. Such lot lines shall be established
before such fence shall be erected and the Building Inspector may
withhold the issuance of the required permit until the lot lines are
established and permanent stakes are placed.
Upon complaint, in writing, by any person directly
or adversely affected, the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Township
of Grosse Ile, after a hearing in accordance with the established
procedure of said Board, may in its sound discretion and in the interest
of public health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the Township,
modify, reduce or remit the requirements of this chapter in individual
cases coming before the Board.
