Township of Plainsboro, NJ Chapter 62 Fences

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Plainsboro 7-9-1979 as Ord. No. 0-79-12. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 62-1 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

FENCE

A man-made barrier intended to control egress or ingress, make boundaries or provide screening.

§ 62-2 General requirements.

A. No fence shall be equipped with or have spikes, chipped glass or similar materials or devices, nor shall barbed wire. electricity or similar materials or devices be used in conjunction with or as part of any fence in a residential area, except that barbed wire may be used where its absence would endanger human life or where required by federal or industrial regulations.

B. No fence shall be permitted which is expressly designed with the intent to injure or malign anyone who attempts to climb such fence.

C. No fence shall be permitted on any lot within the triangular area formed by two intersecting streets and driveways and/or private road lines bounding said lot or the protection of said lines and a line connecting a point on each street, driveway or private road line located 25 feet from the intersection of such lines.

§ 62-3 Exceptions.

A. Fences accessory to farm operation are exempt from the requirements of this chapter except for that portion of the farm property used for residential purposes as delineated upon the property records of the Township.

B. The height and composition of fences enclosing swimming pools shall be controlled by the requirements of the Swimming Pool Ordinance.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: See Ch. 88, Swimming Pools.

C. For the purpose of this chapter, fences for tennis courts and related recreational activities shall be considered structures and are subject to the various area and dimensional requirements of the Zoning Ordinance.[2]

[2] Editor's Note: See Ch. 101, Zoning.

§ 62-4 Provisions applicable to residential districts.

A. Any fence erected in a residential district shall be constructed with its most pleasant or decorative side facing the adjacent property and with all supporting posts placed on the interior side of such fence.

B. No fence shall be erected or maintained in a manner which shall impede or otherwise obstruct access to an approved fire lane for emergency vehicles and equipment.

C. No fence shall be erected so as to encroach upon the property of an adjacent lot or upon any public right-of-way or upon public property.

D. No fence that extends from the setback line or front line of the house, whichever is closer to the front property line, shall exceed three feet in height. No fence that extends from the setback line or front of the house, whichever is closer to the front property line, to the rear property line and along the rear line shall exceed six feet in height. Rear fences may be constructed up to a height of eight feet if built along a railroad line or where necessary to provide effective barriers against hazardous conditions.

E. Where a residential subdivision borders state or county roads, railroad rights-of-way or other areas determined to be hazardous by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, a chain-link-type fence may be required pursuant to the directions of the respective Board to prevent access to the hazardous area. The height of such fence shall be eight feet.