[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Oconto Falls 6-8-1999
by Ord. No. 99-010 (Ch. 159). Amendments noted where applicable.]
For the purpose of this chapter, "fence" is herein defined as an enclosed
barrier consisting of vegetation, wood, stone, metal, plastic, or other man-made
material intended to prevent ingress or egress. For the purpose of this chapter,
the term "fence" shall include plantings, such as hedges and shrubbery. No
fence shall be constructed of unsightly or dangerous materials which would
constitute a nuisance. Also each fence shall be constructed with the good
side facing the adjoining property.
Fences shall be categorized into five classifications:
A.
Boundary fence. A fence placed on or within three feet
of the property line of adjacent properties.
B.
Protective fence. A fence constructed to enclose a hazard
to the public health, safety and welfare.
C.
Architectural or aesthetic fence. A fence constructed
to enhance the appearance of the structure or the landscape.
D.
Hedge. A row of bushes or small trees planted close together
which may form a barrier, enclosure or boundary.
E.
Picket fence. A fence having a pointed post, stake, pale
or peg placed vertically with the point or sharp part pointing upward to form
a part of the fence.
A.
Location. A fence, wall, hedge or shrubbery may be erected,
placed, maintained or grown along a lot line on residentially zoned property
or adjacent thereto to a height not exceeding six feet above the ground level,
except that no such fence, wall, hedge or shrubbery which is located in a
required front or corner side yard shall exceed a height of 2 1/2 feet. Where
such lot line is adjacent to a nonresidentially zoned property, there shall
be an eight-foot limit in the height of a fence, wall, hedge or shrubbery
along such lot line.
B.
Height. No fence, wall, hedge or shrubbery shall be erected,
placed, maintained or grown along a lot line on any nonresidentially zoned
property, adjacent to a residentially zoned property, to a height exceeding
eight feet.
C.
Vision triangle. In any residence district, no fence,
wall, hedge or shrubbery shall be erected, constructed, maintained or grown
to a height exceeding 2 1/2 feet above the street grade nearest thereto, within
the vision clearance triangle of an intersection of streets or of street lines
projected.
D.
Survey required. Fences placed near a lot line in any
zoned area shall have proof of property division by known corner stakes or
plat of survey.
Fences may be constructed alongside lot lines but shall not extend into
the front setback area, except that fences may extend into the front yard
area only to the height of 2 1/2 feet. A rear yard setback of four feet shall
be required at all alleyways.
Security fences are permitted on the property lines in all districts
except residential districts but shall not exceed 10 feet in height and shall
be of an open type similar to woven wire or wrought iron fencing.
No fence shall be constructed which is a picket fence or which is of
an otherwise dangerous condition, or which conducts electricity or is designed
to electrically shock, or which uses barbed wire; provided, however, that
barbed wire may be used in industrially zoned areas if the devices securing
the barbed wire to the fence are 10 feet above the ground in height and project
toward the fenced property and away from the public area.
All fences shall be maintained and kept safe and in a state of good
repair, and the finished side or decorative side of a fence shall face adjoining
property.
Fences erected for the protection of planting or to warn of a construction
hazard, or for similar purposes, shall be clearly visible or marked with colored
streamers or other such warning devices at four-foot intervals. Such fences
shall comply with the setback requirements set forth in this chapter. The
issuance of a permit shall not be necessary for temporary fences as described
herein, but said fences shall not be erected for more than 45 days.
Any fence or hedge existing on the effective date of this chapter and
not in conformance with this chapter may be maintained, but any alteration,
modification or improvement of said fence shall comply with this chapter.
Any hedges planted after this date as a barrier shall be planted in such a
manner as to not be an encumbrance to the adjoining property and shall not
be allowed within four feet of the street or alleyway. Hedges shall be trimmed
and maintained.
All fences and hedges shall require a permit to be issued by the Building Inspector prior to construction or planting. Any appeals of a decision of the Building Inspector regarding the provisions of this chapter shall be made pursuant to Chapter 194, Article II, Building Standards, of the Code of the City of Oconto Falls. All examination and/or approval fees for all fences or hedges shall be set by the Common Council. The Building Inspector shall enforce this chapter pursuant to Chapter 194, Article II, Building Standards, of the Code of the City of Oconto Falls.
